Soccer Limerick apply for Uefa Licence.

[Guy Incognito]

A group calling itself Soccer Limerick have applied for a UEFA Licence to play eircom League football in Limerick next season.

The group, which is a consortium of Junior, Ladies, and Schoolboy soccer interests on Shannonside, have already applied for the licence.

An FAI spokesman confirmed on Tuesday, which was the deadline for expressions of interests, that they had received a number of applications from interested parties in Limerick.

The spokesman declined to comment on the number of, or identity of the groups involved, but added that the applications they received were 'very encouraging'.

Each of the interested parties will now receive a copy of the FAI's licensing requirements and have until 15 January to make a more formal application.

Soccer Limerick was formed under the umbrella of the Limerick Sports Partnership in November 2006.

According to Ger Finnan, the spokesman for Soccer Limerick who is also PRO with Limerick Junior soccer chiefs the Limerick District Management Committee (LDMC), they will meet again in Limerick tonight, Wednesday.

Finnan refused to comment on whether Soccer Limerick would be making a formal bid for a UEFA Licence but stressed that the group were very eager to see senior soccer survive in Limerick.

Finnan also stressed that he was speaking only in his capacity as spokesman for Soccer Limerick.

Limerick FC were told by the FAI in December that they had failed in their bid to secure a UEFA licence to play eircom League football in the First Division next season.

Concerns about the infrastructure at the club's Hogan Park ground were cited as the main reason for the club's failure to secure a licence.

The club subsequently appealed that decision but their appeal was turned down by the FAI's UEFA Licensing Appeals Board.

This was taken from Rte this morning. I know Ger regularly posts on Foot.ie in the Junior forums. So Ger can you shed any light on this and would there be any involvement for a supporters club?

[the only 1]

is it true mc,carthy,guerin+ryan gone back to junior football. gael?

[gaidin]

is it true mc,carthy,guerin+ryan gone back to junior football. gael?

Dont think any of them can go anywhere yet if they are still under contract.

So unless they were out of contract I wouldnt say they are gone back.

[Needtoknow]

Derek McCarthy is gone to Pike for sure, i don't know about the rest.


What is the story regarding our supporters club and any new consortium? Do they even know the supporters club exists. Do any of them care?

[the only 1]

taught derek was under contract?why leave players go if ye are trying to stay in the league if buckley,barrett and guerin leave they will weaken ye seriously

[magpies]

Any news about the under 21 panel have they joined up with clubs or are they sitting tight?

[the hoops]

Any news about the under 21 panel have they joined up with clubs or are they sitting tight?

j boyle gone 2pike

[gael353]

Sorry lads didnt see this thread. A couple of 21s have gone to junior as they were amateur and were free to do so. Any senior player that wanted to go was free to go but as it stands pre season training is officially starting this week. Most players want to stay with limerick but chances of some of them dropping back down to junior when other senior clubs are asking them to join them are slim. Some of the names mentioned above are also not likely to play junior again. We'll know more after the 15th but theres no rush to find clubs as the players dont have to find a club till, at the earliest the last week in Feb. Anything else is rumours

[the only 1]

Sorry lads didnt see this thread. A couple of 21s have gone to junior as they were amateur and were free to do so. Any senior player that wanted to go was free to go but as it stands pre season training is officially starting this week. Most players want to stay with limerick but chances of some of them dropping back down to junior when other senior clubs are asking them to join them are slim. Some of the names mentioned above are also not likely to play junior again. We'll know more after the 15th but theres no rush to find clubs as the players dont have to find a club till, at the earliest the last week in Feb. Anything else is rumours

cheers gael what 21s went back do you know ie are wayne colbert,james hayes still there

[gael353]

cheers gael what 21s went back do you know ie are wayne colbert,james hayes still there

A lot of junior clubs would like to sign colbert as would many senior clubs but all i know, and im not in full knowledge of the situation, Donie Curtin from Croom has signed with Fairview Rangers, hes the only one of heard of

[Lim till i die]

Derek McCarthy is gone to Pike for sure, i don't know about the rest.


Silly Carthy :eek: :ball:

[gaidin]

Silly Carthy :eek: :ball:

Was he out of contract?

[Lim till i die]

Was he out of contract?

Not Sure but signing for Pike was hasty to say the least :ball:

[joeSoap]

He signed for Pike so he could lose his senior status in order to be eligible to play for Ireland in the World Student Games in Tokyo. That's an ambition of his and good luck to him in fulfilling it. Theres nothing to stop him from returning to EL football when this tournament is over.

And he also has a great chance of some prestigious Junior silverware with Pike in the form of a Munster Junior or FAI.

Good luck to him. He's been a great servant to Limerick football over the past decade or so, and he's also a class act both on and off the field.:ball:

[JohnD]

Best Of Luck Derek !

Derek mcCarthy = LEGEND !!

[Needtoknow]

Best Of Luck Derek !

Derek mcCarthy = LEGEND !!

Totally agree!

[Lim till i die]

He signed for Pike so he could lose his senior status in order to be eligible to play for Ireland in the World Student Games in Tokyo. That's an ambition of his and good luck to him in fulfilling it. Theres nothing to stop him from returning to EL football when this tournament is over.

And he also has a great chance of some prestigious Junior silverware with Pike in the form of a Munster Junior or FAI.

Good luck to him. He's been a great servant to Limerick football over the past decade or so, and he's also a class act both on and off the field.:ball:

Had no idea about that fairplay to him Limerick legend :ball:

Could he return to a Limerick ste up this season having signed for a Junior Club though :confused:

[joeSoap]

Could he return to a Limerick ste up this season having signed for a Junior Club though :confused: Of course he could. He would be the same as any other junior footballer wanting to play EL.

[Lim till i die]

Of course he could. He would be the same as any other junior footballer wanting to play EL.

Apologies got my 18 month ban rule thing backwards :o

Actually now that I think of it does that even apply anymore or was it all just a figment of my imagination :confused:

[joeSoap]

It applies to Limerick Junior league and cup games only....not applicable to FAI Cup and Munster Junior.

[Old keeper]

It applies to Limerick Junior league and cup games only....not applicable to FAI Cup and Munster Junior.


Any Senior player who regrades to play in a junior league is not eligible to sign for any senior club until the second transfer window of the next season so about 18 months is right. So Derek is with pike for a while

[Lim till i die]

Any Senior player who regrades to play in a junior league is not eligible to sign for any senior club until the second transfer window of the next season so about 18 months is right. So Derek is with pike for a while

Does this just apply in Limerick or is it all over the country??

[LFC in Exile]

Also, he must be forgetting that if he plays in the FAI junior cup this season he is cup-tied for the senior cup next season because the four jnuior semi-finalists now qualify for the senior competition. This came up a couple of seasons ago for Cherry orchard who had signed players from other junior/intermediate clubs and couldn't play them in the FAI senior second round.:ball: I found this on a google search from the Irish Times in January 2003. I know it refers to the intermediate cup but the junior cup is also now a qualifying competition.

From The Irish Times:

Leinster Senior League club Cherry Orchard continue to be frustrated by the FAI's refusal to legally allow them field a full side in their FAI Senior Cup second round tie with fellow non-league side St Mochta's on Saturday, July 26th.

The complication is such that the Ballyfermot club may pull out of the competition.

The famous nursery club are particularly affected by the FAI's insistence that players who played for other clubs in last season's FAI Intermediate Cup are cup-tied for this season's FAI Senior Cup as the Intermediate Cup is a pre-qualifying tournament for the non-National League teams.

Fellow intermediate side Belgrove are also heavily affected by the ruling while National League Premier Division side St Patrick's Athletic are unhappy that three of their pre-season signings - Keith Dunne, Keith Fahy and Anthony Murphy, who played in the Intermediate Cup last season - are also ineligible.

Cherry Orchard make the valid point that this is a new season and that the rule is particularly unfair on them because players from their second team, whom they could use, would then be ineligible to play in the FAI Junior Cup next season.

As Cherry Orchard have made eight new signings from other intermediate clubs during their close season, manager Paul O'Brien has only eight eligible players, according to the FAI Senior Cup ruling.

"We have been backed into a corner by this," said O'Brien. "We have three options open to us. One is to simply pull out of the competition which is something we don't want to do as it's the blue riband and a great opportunity for players to play in the FAI Senior Cup, an opportunity they may never have again.

"The second option is to play St Mochta's with just eight players. In that situation I would have to play an outfield player in goal as my new 'keeper is cup-tied.

"The third option is to draft seven of our Saturday side into the first team squad and play them and wait and see what action the FAI take on that.

"We are an amateur club and released all our players at the end of last season. To make players available for the FAI Cup 2003 we had to re-register players at the end of May, which we did.

"We were told that the only stipulation regarding new signings was that they had to be signed 14 days before the FAI Cup match.

"We replaced players and are now told that if we go by the FAI ruling in regard to the FAI Senior Cup we have only eight eligible players.

"The logical step for us is to pick seven players from our second team to make up a squad. But that has also been taken out of our hands as we've been told by the FAI that if we play our junior players they will lose their junior status and will not be eligible to play in the FAI Junior Cup and Leinster Junior Cup this coming season.

"That ruling only affects intermediate clubs and doesn't affect Portmarnock, for example, who are a junior club.

"As the only junior club in the FAI Senior Cup, Portmarnock have been given special dispensation on that particular ruling.

"All the FAI have said to us in relation to us possibly pulling out of the competition is that if that is what we have to do then go ahead and do it."

[Old keeper]

Does this just apply in Limerick or is it all over the country??

This is an FAI rule that allpies to ALL clubs in every League anywhere in the republic (and probably Derry)

[allab]

is it true mc,carthy,guerin+ryan gone back to junior football. gael?

guerin and ryan to balla

[gael353]

guerin and ryan to balla


Again a very foolish move IF they have. Again this is a rumour that Balla persons have been putting around for some time now. But if they have signed then best of luck to both of them.

[gaidin]

Again a very foolish move IF they have. Again this is a rumour that Balla persons have been putting around for some time now. But if they have signed then best of luck to both of them.

Heard from one of the senior limerick players that ryan was training with the squad last nite.

[gael353]

Heard from one of the senior limerick players that ryan was training with the squad last nite.

you were saying allyb??? another junior person told me that upto five of the players had signed with Fairview. Again its all tabloid unsettling stuff but poorly played.

[joeSoap]

Who gives a toss anyway if all they are doing is training? They do need to train after all, and it is a good sign that they want to keep fit.

There is still the matter of who holds the players registrations to consider. At present these would all be held by Limerick FC, licence or not.

[the only 1]

lads told by an fai man today that there would be no senior soccer in limerick this year hope this is not true

[gael353]

Was his name john delaney? :) a bit early to proclaim anything from any FAI person at this early stage as the 15th of this month is the deadline for applicants. But in saying that the odds of having a successful applicant with a team and up to date facilties and more in only 1 month is pushing it a little.

[allab]

you were saying allyb??? another junior person told me that upto five of the players had signed with Fairview. Again its all tabloid unsettling stuff but poorly played.

i was sayin davy and jossy are signing, think they signed tonight!

[gael353]

i was sayin davy and jossy are signing, think they signed tonight!


fair enough best of luck to both of them

[gombean]

Was his name john delaney? a bit early to proclaim anything from any FAI person at this early stage as the 15th of this month is the deadline for applicants. But in saying that the odds of having a successful applicant with a team and up to date facilties and more in only 1 month is pushing it a little.

Does nobody on here understand the FAI Club Licensing criteria on stadium and facilities? For a Division 1 license, you hardly need to have anything in place at all, as long as you have concrete verifiable plans to build them!

READ THE MANUAL!!! It's on the FAI website.

The relevant details are laid out in easy-to-follow tables on pages 36-74 (that might seem like a lot of pages:eek: , but it's mostly blank space:D ). In fact, it's amazing what they'll let Div.1 clubs away with, as long as they have a proper CIDP (Club Infrastructure Development Plan)! The plan can be spread over a number of years, but must be reviewed each year.
So, as long as whatever club in Limerick is content to play in Div.1 for a few seasons, everything should be okay on the infrastructure front for the time being.

Anyway, without knowing anything about the other expressions of interest, it seems to me that Soccer Limerick would represent the best scenario for the long term development of football in Limerick and the surrounding regions. In fact, virtually every stakeholder in the game is represented in Soccer Limerick... except the supporters:eek: .

This is the most important thing to be discussed at the upcoming meeting: what role the supporters are going to play in the new club.

[LFC in Exile]

This is the most important thing to be discussed at the upcoming meeting: what role the supporters are going to play in the new club.


I agree. That should be the focus.

The difficulty of course for us, as supporters, is again a lack of information on the competing bids - or ven in your case regarding Soccer Limerick. That is, who is involved, what are the plans, etc etc. I think you'll find most LFC supporters reasonable, positive people who really just want t a team to support and be proud of. In a sense we are looking at the supporters buying a pig in a poke. The decision is made by the FAI with the clubs and there is no requirement to share information with the general public or supporters - yet we are expected to turn up in MArch and hand over money to watch and cheer.

Then again LFC fans are used to being sold pigs in pokes, I think the supporters club nickname should be the mushrooms (althouugh I am mixing too many metaphors here).

Sorry if this seems negative - its not - but I think the Soccer Limerick bid would be hugely improved if the supporters of senior soccer were involved and they can get involved only if they know what is planned. :ball:

[the only 1]

i was sayin davy and jossy are signing, think they signed tonight!

ye need more than them:) :)

[gael353]

Does nobody on here understand the FAI Club Licensing criteria on stadium and facilities? For a Division 1 license, you hardly need to have anything in place at all, as long as you have concrete verifiable plans to build them!

READ THE MANUAL!!! It's on the FAI website.

The relevant details are laid out in easy-to-follow tables on pages 36-74 (that might seem like a lot of pages:eek: , but it's mostly blank space:D ). In fact, it's amazing what they'll let Div.1 clubs away with, as long as they have a proper CIDP (Club Infrastructure Development Plan)! The plan can be spread over a number of years, but must be reviewed each year.
So, as long as whatever club in Limerick is content to play in Div.1 for a few seasons, everything should be okay on the infrastructure front for the time being.

Anyway, without knowing anything about the other expressions of interest, it seems to me that Soccer Limerick would represent the best scenario for the long term development of football in Limerick and the surrounding regions. In fact, virtually every stakeholder in the game is represented in Soccer Limerick... except the supporters:eek: .

This is the most important thing to be discussed at the upcoming meeting: what role the supporters are going to play in the new club.

Your right in every aspect gombean all the club or whatever entity needs is a plan and you have a licence. As for the supporters club i hope to have someone at the meeting from any consortium i can find to show how the SC can be rep in it. However if the members in the supporters club are just going to go to games and do shag all else there really is no point asking for representation. So if your comming to the meeting/or want to join later etc be prepaired to get involved in the day to day and match day running of events.

[scoobysham]

i was sayin davy and jossy are signing, think they signed tonight!

how can they sign when jossy has a year left and davy has 3 years left....

[Lim till i die]

how can they sign when jossy has a year left and davy has 3 years left....

Huge Transfer Fees?? :)

[Kerry Blue]

According to RTE, Soccer Limerick are meeting tonight to make a decision as to whether or not they will apply for a League Licence. If they decide not to do so then it looks like curtains for senior football in Limerick. So far they seem to be the only confirmed group who have expressed an interest in applying for a licence. If they do apply then it would be good to have a representative from them at the supporters' meeting.

[allab]

how can they sign when jossy has a year left and davy has 3 years left....

davy has signed his release was confirmed wil be available sunday week not sure yet bout jossy

[Old keeper]

Following meetings of all the committees who are represented in Soccer Limerick, the group has been given the green light to apply to the FAI for a 1st Division license. Separate meetings of the Ladies, Schoolboy/girl and Junior soccer committees have granted their approval for the group to proceed with the license application. The details of the application and the structure will be presented to the constituent clubs of each committee in the very near future, at that stage local clubs will have an opportunity to contribute to the overall structure and get details of the benefits that will accrue to all clubs from having a seamless transition from schoolboy/girl right up to senior soccer. The basis of the application is a mix of Soccer Limerick and business investors with the emphasis being on full participation by all investors. Plans are well advanced to have widespread participation in the club not only from the local soccer leagues but also from the many loyal and enthusiastic supporters of soccer in Limerick. It is proposed that the team will play out of Jackman Park in the heart of the “Treaty City”, Soccer Limerick will also be looking to ensure that the development of all soccer infrastructure in the Limerick area is speeded up and developed to satisfy the needs of all grades in the game. The group is convinced that the proposals and structures contained in it’s application are the basis for a sustained approach to soccer at all grades and will ensure the stability of senior soccer in limerick, to this end Soccer Limerick extends an open invitation to any other entity’s who have expressed an interest in applying for a license to contact us with a view to ensuring that whoever is successful in their application will be supported by all the other applicants. We would hope that any remaining obstacles to keeping Senior soccer in Limerick are now removed and the process be allowed to run it’s course.
-End-

[Mr A]

Sounds good!

[Needtoknow]

Limerick players eager to learn fate
Wednesday, 10 January 2007

Limerick FC's midfielder Tommy Barrett has asked the FAI to clarify the position of soccer on Shannonside after senior players from the former eircom League club began training themelves for the new season.


Limerick FC were told by the FAI in December that their application for a UEFA licence had been rejected but the players remain under contract to the club.


A consortium called Soccer Limerick have expressed an interest for the UEFA licence and are expected to decide whether they will make a formal application following a meeting in Limerick tonight.



Barrett said: 'We returned to training on Monday night and we will have further sessions this week and in the coming weeks.


'Basically we want the FAI to let us know where we stand and as we are in limbo at the moment as we don't know whether we will be playing next season.


'We would like to thank Hill Celtic for the use of the ground as they are allowing us train here free of charge which is greatly appreciated.'

[LFC in Exile]

Following meetings of all the committees who are represented in Soccer Limerick, the group has been given the green light to apply to the FAI for a 1st Division license. Separate meetings of the Ladies, Schoolboy/girl and Junior soccer committees have granted their approval for the group to proceed with the license application. The details of the application and the structure will be presented to the constituent clubs of each committee in the very near future, at that stage local clubs will have an opportunity to contribute to the overall structure and get details of the benefits that will accrue to all clubs from having a seamless transition from schoolboy/girl right up to senior soccer. The basis of the application is a mix of Soccer Limerick and business investors with the emphasis being on full participation by all investors. Plans are well advanced to have widespread participation in the club not only from the local soccer leagues but also from the many loyal and enthusiastic supporters of soccer in Limerick. It is proposed that the team will play out of Jackman Park in the heart of the “Treaty City”, Soccer Limerick will also be looking to ensure that the development of all soccer infrastructure in the Limerick area is speeded up and developed to satisfy the needs of all grades in the game. The group is convinced that the proposals and structures contained in it’s application are the basis for a sustained approach to soccer at all grades and will ensure the stability of senior soccer in limerick, to this end Soccer Limerick extends an open invitation to any other entity’s who have expressed an interest in applying for a license to contact us with a view to ensuring that whoever is successful in their application will be supported by all the other applicants. We would hope that any remaining obstacles to keeping Senior soccer in Limerick are now removed and the process be allowed to run it’s course.
-End-

At last positive developments for senior soccer in the city. And the involvement of all levels of soccer in teh city should finally put an end to the rift between junior and senior soccer in the city. Well done all concerned.

[abbeyvale]

According to RTE, Soccer Limerick are meeting tonight to make a decision as to whether or not they will apply for a League Licence. If they decide not to do so then it looks like curtains for senior football in Limerick. So far they seem to be the only confirmed group who have expressed an interest in applying for a licence. If they do apply then it would be good to have a representative from them at the supporters' meeting.


Any outcome on the above from last night?

[LFC in Exile]

Any outcome on the above from last night?

This is from the RTE website:

Soccer Limerick are due to meet again tonight (Thursday) where it is expected that they will make a formal application for a First Division Licence.

I expect we'll get a press release, just like the one above to confirm the application tomorrow or over the weekend. There doesn't seem to be anything preventing a formal application.

[Guy Incognito]

to this end Soccer Limerick extends an open invitation to any other entity’s who have expressed an interest in applying for a license to contact us with a view to ensuring that whoever is successful in their application will be supported by all the other applicants. -End-

Hi Old Keeper, can you please clarify if the supporters club will invited to meet with either yourself or members of soccer Limerick to discuss what contribution if any they can provide your group?

[Old keeper]

This is from the RTE website:

Soccer Limerick are due to meet again tonight (Thursday) where it is expected that they will make a formal application for a First Division Licence.

I expect we'll get a press release, just like the one above to confirm the application tomorrow or over the weekend. There doesn't seem to be anything preventing a formal application.


A formal Application will be made for the License before the deadline

[Old keeper]

Hi Old Keeper, can you please clarify if the supporters club will invited to meet with either yourself or members of soccer Limerick to discuss what contribution if any they can provide your group?


The structure of the Soccer Limerick board is such that the supporters club will have representation on the board, this rep will need to be fairly elected by the supporters and will be the conduit by which information is communicated both ways. I am sure that all supporters will be aware of the tight deadlines assocated with this application and any fears that supporters were being ignored are unfounded as the lack of information is due to the work load assocated with the whole process.