Official Premiership Thread

[Pauro 76]

Did Longford make the cut? i ask cos Shamrock Rovers are in and thought it was alphabetical.... by the way Galway in/Dundalk out disgraceful. and if UCD go down, farcical.

[Philly]

well,i was just listening to galway bay fm there, where they had John Fallon, the galway united chairman on and they were told that gufc came very close to topping the 50% off field activities. so thats the reason we are there, and rightfully so, and anyone who questions the IAG decision should be shot, simple as. the rules were laid out from day one and galway united spent a lot of time and effort making sure we scored as high as possible on the off field activites.

True. Galway have being leading the way when it comes to off the pitch management.

The criteria was set for all clubs and assuming no favouritism was shown by the FAI then I think this system is fair.

[pineapple stu]

told that gufc came very close to topping the 50% off field activities. so thats the reason we are there, and rightfully so, and anyone who questions the IAG decision should be shot, simple as.
:rolleyes:

Could you be any further up your own hole?

[Partizan]

Just in........

WUFC are in the 1st Division next season.

That should dispell all those John Delaney conspiracy theories.

[Pablo]

The fact of the matter is teams who did well on the field may not have done off it.

Its about minimum standards.

If the FAI pick teams that will put their best foot forward then i'll be very impressed. UCD are dead wood.

[Schumi]

Just in........

WUFC are in the 1st Division next season.

That should dispell all those John Delaney conspiracy theories.

Seriously? :eek: :eek:

Don't think anyone saw that coming!

[micls]

Right decision the Waterford are in the first IMO

[Poor Student]

Just in........

WUFC are in the 1st Division next season.

That should dispell all those John Delaney conspiracy theories.

Yikes!:eek:

[Philly]

NewsTalk say that 10 teams from this years Premier will be in the new League...

[pineapple stu]

If the FAI pick teams that will put their best foot forward then i'll be very impressed. UCD are dead wood.
Which is why you'd be in with your winding up order?

If everything so far is correct, it appears to be Rovers and Galway up, Waterford and Dublin City down. Still waiting on news from UCD obviously. Any other First Division teams up?

[Sheridan]

Can they sue the FAI for costs incurred through hosting a meaningless play-off which the organisation knew could not have made any material difference to their final position in the rankings?

[GalwayFrancis]

True. Galway have being leading the way when it comes to off the pitch management.

The criteria was set for all clubs and assuming no favouritism was shown by the FAI then I think this system is fair.

one of the lads in the gufc forum heard we topped the off-field criteria altogether. back where we belong.
youd swear dundalk walked away with the 1st divison, they beat us by two points in the end with rovers only another one ahead of them [http://www.soccerbot.com/fai/tables/ir1div2006.htm]

[Philly]

Waterford relegated?

I think I just heard a mighty sigh of relief from somewhere in the Belfield area!

Feel sorry for Waterford. I guess they were atrocious on the pitch this season.

[Poor Student]

Newstalk confirmed that Waterford are down and Shamrock Rovers and Galway are up. It seems Dundalk are the only victims of this utterly needless and stupid process. Total nonsense.

[DmanDmythDledge]

Feel sorry for Waterford.
You shouldn't. They lost the playoff, therefore deserved to go down.

[lofty9]

I'm disgusted!!!




I was hoping Shels would get relegated due to their off the field shambles






In jest:D

[Louth4sam]

back where we belong.
:rolleyes:
How do you belong there?? You got promoted on a technicality thats hardly belonging somewhere. Glad to see Waterford relegated they were much this year and will be even worse next year when they lose all their players. Glad UCD stayed up as they are there on merit

[Gerardinho]

According to Newstalk 106-108:

Bohemian F.C.
Bray Wanderers A.F.C.
Cork City F.C.
Derry City F.C.
Drogheda United F.C.
Galway United F.C
Longford Town F.C.
Shamrock Rovers F.C.
Shelbourne F.C.
Sligo Rovers F.C.
St Patrick's Athletic F.C.
UCD

Dundalk out despite playoff win.

[sniffa]

Which is why you'd be in with your winding up order?

If everything so far is correct, it appears to be Rovers and Galway up, Waterford and Dublin City down. Still waiting on news from UCD obviously. Any other First Division teams up?

there was only 3 clubs from the First Division that were awarded Premier Licenses. Rovers in the Premier, Dundalk in the First and Galway in the Premier.
Looks like UCD play in the Premier.
Waterford were not relegated, they were not invited to play in the NEW Premier League

[mcgonigle]

DDD, does that mean we deserved to go up?

[red bellied]

You shouldn't. They lost the playoff, therefore deserved to go down.

True but what about the team that won the play off.

[Schumi]

I think I just heard a mighty sigh of relief from somewhere in the Belfield area!Spot on! Still a ridiculous process though.

I do have sympathy for Waterford. Judging by they conducted themselves this year (players away on holidays for the play off for a start), it looks like they had some assurance that they were OK and got screwed.

[KildareFan]

anyword on who the extra team is in the first division or is there just going to be 11 teams in that?

[Philly]

Newstalk confirmed that Waterford are down and Shamrock Rovers and Galway are up. It seems Dundalk are the only victims of this utterly needless and stupid process. Total nonsense.

Theres a new league starting in 2007.

All clubs agreed to certain set criteria which would decide if what clubs ended up in what division.

The points were calculated as agreed by all clubs and the FAI.

The best ranking teams were put in the Premier Division.

The new eL Premiership is hoped to be the league of the premier clubs in the League. A club is good not just on the pitch but off it. The better run a club is, the more chance it has of helping to make the new league a success.

All clubs agreed to this.

This would actually be a farce if the FAI had ignored the rules laid out by them and agreed to by all current clubs.

[Les Fluer]

will be even worse next year when they lose all their players.

Waterford should be in a good position to hold onto all their players considering they are mostly young players, not taking too much in wages.

Glad Galway are up, glad Dundalk aren't, but that is for personal likenesses.

[Peadar]

anyword on who the extra team is in the first division or is there just going to be 11 teams in that?

It will be Wexford, if they can secure a licence before the start of the season.

[Pablo]

to be honest they are quite a bit behind all other 11 teams in the premier in terms of facilities, potential and fan base.

And IMO those are the criteria that should have been used.

[gerryscore]

perhaps galway should be offered a european and setanta spot for next season. after all, their facilities are excellent!

good luck to all the teams in next year's premiership, although i have to say i will be following galway with real interest now they are "back where they belong"

[adamcarr]

Only one Munster team in the Premier. There goes our only easy away trip. ******!

[pineapple stu]

DDD, does that mean we deserved to go up?
Yes, IMO. You were shafted. Even despite...


Can they sue the FAI for costs incurred through hosting a meaningless play-off which the organisation knew could not have made any material difference to their final position in the rankings?
...no, 'cos it was well known in advance what the play off would involve.

[DmanDmythDledge]

True but what about the team that won the play off.
Yeah Dundalk got screwed.

I do have sympathy for Waterford. Judging by they conducted themselves this year (players away on holidays for the play off for a start), it looks like they had some assurance that they were OK and got screwed.
It was their own fault they presumed they would be up if that was the case.

[finn]

deleted,,,,,,

[Louth4sam]

Spot on! Still a ridiculous process though.

I do have sympathy for Waterford. Judging by they conducted themselves this year (players away on holidays for the play off for a start), it looks like they had some assurance that they were OK and got screwed.

Only one team was screwed and thats Dundalk.

[pineapple stu]

There's murder out in CityWest apparently. Dundalk and Waterford officials going mad about being jumped by Galway. Don't think this is over quite yet!

[Pablo]

Only one Munster team in the Premier. There goes our only easy away trip. ******!

In truth none deserved it. Perhaps only Cobh were anywhere close

[blobbyblob]

And Da Blues stay down too. Delaney strikes again...

Ya have to feel for Dundalk though

Ouch!!

[mcgonigle]

Think I'll pop out to CityWest and give the Dundalk Officials a hand!!!

[Philly]

to be honest they are quite a bit behind all other 11 teams in the premier in terms of facilities, potential and fan base.

And IMO those are the criteria that should have been used.

What club is this?

[westside hoop]

**** UCD...what have they ever brought to this league bar a few raving lunatics on here!!!:D :D

[CuanaD]

So, how many Dublin (& eastern seaboard) teams are in the new Premiersh1t?


and how many are in the other division?


:(

[Buile Shuibhne]

Dublin, December 11, 2006

FAI announces Premier Division line-up

THE Football Association of Ireland has announced the 12 clubs that will compete in the eircom League of Ireland Premier Division next season.

The announcement was made following a meeting of the FAI Board this afternoon where the recommendations of the Independent Assessment Group were approved.

The 21 clubs which took part in the process were ranked on the basis of points scored as a result of their achievements over the past five seasons on the pitch and how they measured up against specific criteria covering areas such as infrastructure, governance, strategic planning, finance, youth development and marketing.

The 12 clubs selected for the 2007 Premier Division are (in alphabetical order):

Bohemians
Bray Wanderers
Cork City
Derry City
Drogheda United
Galway United
Longford Town
St Patrick’s Athletic
Shamrock Rovers
Shelbourne
Sligo Rovers
UCD

The remaining nine clubs will participate in the First Division. They are (in alphabetical order): Athlone Town, Cobh Ramblers, Dundalk, Finn Harps, Kildare County, Kilkenny City, Limerick*, Monaghan United, Waterford United. *Limerick’s participation depends on the club receiving a First Division licence on appeal.


More/…..
FAI Chief Executive John Delaney thanked IAG members Des Casey, Pat O’Neill, John Fitzgerald and Richard Collins for their excellent work over the past few months.

“The IAG members brought tremendous integrity and independence to the process. They ensured that the criteria were applied in a rigorous and diligent fashion and we are very grateful to them for their dedication.”

Mr Delaney said the FAI could now proceed with the preparations for the next season’s eircom League of Ireland.

“We have already appointed a National Promotions Officer and are close to the appointment of a League Director as well as selecting club promotions officers to each of the 12 Premier Division clubs.

“Already, the benefits of the FAI taking over the eircom League are beginning to materialise. We will have a prize fund in excess of €1m between the eircom League, FAI Ford Cup and Setanta Sports Cup and our broadcasting partners will be showing over 50 live television games.

“We have already introduced the standard player’s contract and have agreed a new forum for dialogue with club managers. The manager of each eircom League club has been invited by the FAI to the Euro 2008 qualifier against San Marino where the first forum will take place.”

The chairman of the Independent Assessment Group, Des Casey, said:

“I am satisfied that the non-scoring process of assessment was carried out in a fair and equitable manner in accordance with the criteria and terms of reference laid down. The Group’s collective evaluation was established on that basis and following individual meetings with all the clubs concerned.”



ENDS

[Anto McC]

Only one team was screwed and thats Dundalk.

Exactly! A disgraceful decision but with the FAI overseeing things we new it would be controversal. I'm not excusing them,a bunch of f*cking *****,every last one of them.

[Philly]

Aparantly Wtaerford and Dundalk folk are getting rowdy at CityWest.

No more free drink for them then.

[Philly]

Exactly! A disgraceful decision but with the FAI overseeing things we new it would be controversal. I'm not excusing them,a bunch of f*cking *****,every last one of them.

The IAG made the decision not the FAI.

On the club promotion officers that are mentioned in the FAI press release. I assume that minimal funding and personnel will be invested in promoting the First Division then?

[Poor Student]

So, how many Dublin (& eastern seaboard) teams are in the new Premiersh1t?


and how many are in the other division?


:(

My God....this is football, you decide it on the pitch. Who cares if Munster have no teams or Connacht have 3 teams or which seaboard has what? That's not how football works. They have an expression in Slovenia "Why bother playing it on the pitch if it's going to be settled at the green table?".

[Anto McC]

The IAG made the decision not the FAI.

The FAI oversaw the whole thing.

[NY Hoop]

So if it was based on on field performances, like it should have been, only Dundalk lose out.

No loss IMO. NO comparison between their set up and Galways.

Suprised by a big club like Waterford getting demoted considering Delaney's links.

But clubs voted for it so they will have to accept the decisions and move on.

KOH

[Anto McC]

They have an expression in Slovenia "Why bother playing it on the pitch if it's going to be settled at the green table?".

Mind if i use that in my sig?

[gufct]

I have been saying all along Dundalk knew before a Ball was kicked this year they wouldnt make it and the independence of the IAG is surely shown by the demotion of Waterford.

All 22 clubs signed up for this and while i feel sorry for the clubs who didnt make it im delighted for the people who stuck with United including Salthill Devon who steadied the ship before we moved back in for the final push.

[jebus]

Well lads anyone who comes on here moaning next year about why the 'barstool monkeys' won't support their local teams can shove it as far as I'm concerned. This ruling from day one was always going to make a farce out of the League of Ireland and we have been told all along (in truth mostly by Galway 'fans'*) to just accept it. Galway being put up in place of Dundalk makes this league a ****ing joke in most people's eyes, well the people who count anyway, the 'barstool monkeys' who the FAI are trying to entice back to watching this sham of a league.

How can we expect anyone with a passing interest in League of Ireland football to give a toss about it now? Or how can expect to point out the merits of a competitive FAI Premiership to non-League of Ireland fans now? All any of them have to(and trust me will do) is point to this nonsense and ask how we can support such tripe. Its a ****ing disgrace and any Galway fan coming on here bleating about it should be ashamed of themselves

*In my, and many other fans eyes the vast majority of people who supported this from day one have been Galway fans, and thats not even mentioning the pig headed crowing they have been doing in the last few weeks on this website about this. Apologies to any Galway supporter who saw sense and didn't support this for lumping you in with that shower. I said 'fans' because I can't honestly say that I think of them as 'football fans' given all this 'we're best off the field' nonsense they have been coming out with, try winning something on the pitch lads before you start thumping your chest