Story in the Star

[Xlex]

According to the very creditable 'The Star' newspaper, Mullingar Town made a last ditch bid to join the First Division. Senior League officials met with eL officials, but their proposal was defeated. Another blow for those from Westmeath.....:D

[joe]

said on the radio this morning that they're going ahead with a 9 team first division

[Gerry Desmond]

Basically, it's too late to expect any club to step up at this stage. The blame for an unbalanced first division this season (and League Cup, FAI Cup) rests squarely with St Pats who were negotiating behind the scenes with St Francis, and Francis themselves who applied for re-election in these extraordinary circumstances. I believe both clubs, or the 'new club' should be fined for throwing the league into turmoil. If the 'merger' had been with another Premier club, or if Francis had been in the top flight, there would have been an outcry. But, because it's 'only' the first division nobody could be arsed. Pats and Francis acted with complete disregard for every other club in the league, especially those in the first division.
There is a further danger, that somebody will find a way of challenging the merger, possibly declaring it legally void or temporarily preventing either party from operating till things are sorted, thus throwing the entire league into another laughing stock scenario yet again...
Gerry

[pete]

The Pats takeover if let go without some form of censure will set a dangerous precedent.

Might pop over to see what Dolan saying tonight & stir things up a bit ;) Report here tomorrow if I do. Apparently its some kinda comunity meeting thing for Francis fans......

[joe]

Rebel in 'Closet Francis Fan' shocker!

[Captain]

The 1st division will have a total of 9 teams this season as a result of Francis merging with Pat's. It's hardly an ideal situation with one team always out of action when the rest are playing. On the other hand it beats having a cash starved club simply in their to make up the numbers.This however should be a lesson for the league authorities and a chance to tighten up the rules regarding a club opting out of the league to merge with another.:(

[rebel yell]

I'd say it's about time they introduced a feeder league for Div 1.
How about the top junior club gets to join every year. A bit of
competition does wonders.