The "A" Championship

[Magicme]

With Monaghan United considering entering a team in the new "A" Championship do any of you think that we are stretching ourselves financially or are we doing the right thing to give more kids in the area an opportunity to play at a step up from Juvenile?

[Dodge]

Not my place BUT

I think an A League team for Monaghan would be great. There's already a strong underage set up, and even ladies sides. The addition of an A league team would further cement your place as the football team in Monaghan. By having an u20 side and an A team, as well as the senior side. Monaghan would be seen to have the best 30-40 players in the county (and obviously surrounding areas like Cavan etc). If the senior side is made up of a mixture of Dubs and locals, the A side would be exclusively for locals and would provide a bridge from schoolboy football into senior football. Its amassive jump for a 19 year old to play LOI and sometimes even the u21 league won't tougen them up. This league should help develop players.

Of course money's tight all around the league so whatever the decision is going to be, it won't be easy.

Good luck

[Magicme]

Thanks Dodge! Thats exactly the plan. Under 20's league will run in 2 sections so will have big breaks when there are no games and the "A" League will fill those gaps ensuring that between the U20s, A championship and the Senior side we would have approximately 40 people playing football. This year we have just developed our U17 and U18 teams as previously there was no league for them to play in so the club is very committed to keeping the young, very talented, players coming through the ranks.

Some people like to use the "too many dubs" stick to beat us with but we want to be as competitive as our budget allows us in the eL so therefore we have to find the best players we can. Some of the local lads are just not quite ready for the step up. Those that are have made it onto the squad on a regular basis. Some have attitude problems but maybe by playing in the A championship they will get their act together and then be ready for the eL.

[Dodge]

Some people like to use the "too many dubs" stick to beat us with but we want to be as competitive as our budget allows us in the eL so therefore we have to find the best players we can. Some of the local lads are just not quite ready for the step up.
Well the local lads will only get better from better coaching and playing with better players. A relatively succesful side will make Monaghan Utd a more attractive option too

[Magicme]

So do you fancy a job here dodge? :D

[Dodge]

So do you fancy a job here dodge? :D

I'm open to offers

[passinginterest]

I think Dodge has outlined the reasons for going for it pretty well. By the same reasoning I think Wexford Youths should also enter a team. If Dublin City hadn't gone bust Wexford Youths would only be joining the A league this year. It's an ideal opportunity to develop players and keep a full squad match fit. With no overage players in the under 20 division it'll be very important.

[monutdfc]

Thanks Dodge, you just saved me a lot of typing!

[DRDoc]

Im looking forward to the A League but what I hope is that its given proper attention by the FAI and the media etc

I mean i would like to see the fixtures in papers alongside the First and Premier - eleven aside and the great fai eircom site with information and articles on it - aertel to have the up to date table on it - each club to have a website kept up to date with fixtures, reports etc etc

With regards to monaghan - they have a great underage set up, very impressive and think an A team would be great

The underage set up provides the fans of the future for clubs, especially for clubs outside of cities and every effort should be made to develop

Go Monaghan is what I say

[Magicme]

I see the "nay sayers" cant be bothered explaining why they think it is a bad idea. I wish they would so that the debate would open up even more.

[galwayhoop]

Thanks Dodge! Thats exactly the plan. Under 20's league will run in 2 sections so will have big breaks when there are no games and the "A" League will fill those gaps ensuring that between the U20s, A championship and the Senior side we would have approximately 40 people playing football.

where did you hear about these 'gaps'? it is the first i heard of them.

not doubting you for one second but it really sounds like a great idea (kudos to the FAI/eircom LoI).

i was only thinking about it the other day how in order to fulfill the 3 segments (league proper, u20 and A league) a club would need 50 - 60 players!! But as you say if the seasons are split you would only need 40 or so!!!

do you know what are the proposed dates for commencement of A-league and u20 and when do their respective seasons end??

[MyTown]

Seems to be in line with what I heard, which was that the lads who don't get a game with the first team or the u20s get a run with the 'A'.

I've heard that both Mervue United and Salthill Devon have applied to join.

Interesting times ahead.

[Magicme]

Tbh hoop I am not sure of the total break down. It was just mentioned in a discussion in the club the other day that it is something like 2 periods of games but not 100% on the details.

[Lim till i die]

I've heard that both Mervue United and Salthill Devon have applied to join.


Are they going to tie in as United feeder clubs or will they be "competition"??


Great stuff out of Monaghan, if our board had even a modicum of sense or ambition they would follow suit.

Given the Junior League we have in Limerick the fact that Monaghan can field an A league team and we can't is rather shameful

[Dodge]

I see the "nay sayers" cant be bothered explaining why they think it is a bad idea. I wish they would so that the debate would open up even more.

I didn't vote for any as I presumed it was for Mons only. Wouldn't be basing any decisions on the basis of what Limerick or Sligo fans voted

[Lim till i die]

Wouldn't be basing any decisions on the basis of what Limerick fans voted

That's why your club is a shambles while our attendances are up 283% over the last four years :p

[Magicme]

Ha ha, dont worry the committee at Monaghan United will make the decision that is right for the club regardless of the poll on here! I just thought it would interesting to see people's views. Dodge you are welcome to vote.

[MyTown]

Are they going to tie in as United feeder clubs or will they be "competition"?l

Start rubbing your hands Ltid - I can't see anything other than competitive rivalry at play....... if they are successful in their applicaltions.

[stann]

Voted yes for the reasons Dodge outlined at the top there. Great way to link the excellent underage set-up and the senior team.
Also, an extra team at the club that might keep back some sh!t-hot youngsters out of the senior side for when we play ye next year is good for me too. :D

[Magicme]

Ha ha! All our *bleep* hottest youngsters are being trailed by clubs in England so doubt if they would be playing against you anyways!

So you looking forward to the trip up here next year Stann? You do know you have a bed in my house anytime don't ya.

[stann]

I am, and cheers MM, you're a gent and a scholar! :D
That's my mot du jour every day for this week.

Passed your way Tuesday night, but was in a bit of a rush to get to that horror show in Donegal. :mad:

[Lim till i die]

Start rubbing your hands Ltid - I can't see anything other than competitive rivalry at play....... if they are successful in their applicaltions.

Surely that's self defeating for all concerned though??

Makes no sense

Sort of like the Junior v Senior rivalry we've had here since the year dot only on a grander scale.

A city the size of Galway with three LoI clubs :eek:

Are we talking friendly rivalry or bitter?? Don't ye use their facilities for training/u-21s???

[Magicme]

I am, and cheers MM, you're a gent and a scholar! :D
That's my mot du jour every day for this week.

Passed your way Tuesday night, but was in a bit of a rush to get to that horror show in Donegal. :mad:

The bed offer has now been withdrawn for calling me a gent. You can have the rabbit hutch in the back garden. :p

[Lim till i die]

The bed offer has now been withdrawn for calling me a gent. You can have the rabbit hutch in the back garden. :p

Ahem, the men are trying to have a talk about the A league here ;)

On an aside, is this the biggest thread in the history of the Mons forum?? :)

[MyTown]

Surely that's self defeating for all concerned though??

Makes no sense

Sort of like the Junior v Senior rivalry we've had here since the year dot only on a grander scale.

A city the size of Galway with three LoI clubs

Are we talking friendly rivalry or bitter?? Don't ye use their facilities for training/u-21s???


There's a view in some quarters around here that the Applications might not be successful for the very sensible reasons you point out. Against that BOTH clubs are very well connected politically and have benefitted hugely from the public purse under the regime running the country for the past decade or so ( no prizes for guessing I'm a Michael D supporter :))

My reference to you rubbing your hands was meant to indicate the rivalry would be less-than-friendly.

It's a difficult one to work out tbh. Junior football in Galway has a strong tradition. Clubs can't make up their minds whether they want the senior club to be successful or not. There is a lot of hypocrisy and lip service paid to "partnership" imho. GUFC is basically beholden to the Galway & District League as my club are tenants in the beautiful Terryland Park. (Yes we pay the rent). We are also tenants of Salthill Devon's state-of-the art Training facility & the Galway & District League occupy 30% of the seats on the Board of GUFC.

Obviously, Galwegians want to see Galwegians in the senior team, and over the years there have been some notable successes in this regard. But the majority of last season's squad ( and presumably next seasons squad), while based in Galway, are not native Galwegians. The Junior clubs are angry if their best talent is "lost" to Galway United, and angry if their best talent either doesn't make the grade or, in their view, doesn't get a fair shake in the senior ranks.

Browsing through some of the L37 threads, it seems the 'problem' isn't unique to ourselves.:confused:

Note to Magicme:

On the day a Monaghan man gets installed as supremo of the GAA, the least I can do is vote 'Yes' on your poll, having hogged your forum for a while this morning. To pararphrase Bruce Forsyth on Strictly Come Dancing: You're my favourite team for promotion next season.:p

[Magicme]

Probably! Am gonna start loads and loads of threads with Polls coz they seem popular!

[Magicme]

Thanks My Town. That self same GAA Supremo was one of the 2 suppliers of LTID & his mates tickets to the Hurling final. The other source was an Ex President of the GAA. I have friends in high places so it pays to know me!

Your brown-nosing has been duly noted! :D

[Lim till i die]

Browsing through some of the L37 threads, it seems the 'problem' isn't unique to ourselves


It's actually probably far worse down here as our Junior League is probably the strongest in the country and down through the years, rather than lip service, some clubs have actively opposed our existence

BTW we are also tenants in the beautiful Jackman Park and tenants in Hill Celtics state of the art training facilities at Hogan Park :p

Could there ever be a situation where Salthill turf you out because of rivalry??

Or worse, the Galway District league turf you out of Terryland and decide to use one of the other clubs as anchor tenants??

Looks like you could be getting ready to feel at least a small portion of our pain :) :ball:

[Lim till i die]

That self same GAA Supremo was one of the 2 suppliers of LTID & his mates tickets to the Hurling final. The other source was an Ex President of the GAA. I have friends in high places so it pays to know me!


A true gent :)

[Magicme]

God I cant believe this. I have dreamed of this moment. A Galway Fan and a Limerick Fan holding sensible conversation and finding common ground. It could only happen in the Mons forum!

[Lim till i die]

God I cant believe this. I have dreamed of this moment. A Galway Fan and a Limerick Fan holding sensible conversation and finding common ground. It could only happen in the Mons forum!

It's like locking two opposing parties in an empty room ;)

[Magicme]

I wonder will I be nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for bring you guys together?

[Lim till i die]

I wonder will I be nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for bring you guys together?

I'd have my doubts

Afterall, only one of us is coming out of the empty room alive :p

[MyTown]

The serious point is that I would like to see Limerick restored to the level of their great sides (circa 1980s)...it's an hour by road again (after being at least 90 minutes for the last 10 years) and the rail service kicks in in a couple of years.

Ltid: I'm not addressing the last issues you posted in detail for the simple reason that they are just too close to the bone.

Sod this I'm outta here...unless of course we make it to an All-Ireland Final next September..in which case....:p

[Lim till i die]

Ltid: I'm not addressing the last issues you posted in detail for the simple reason that they are just too close to the bone.


Ooh juicy

Interesting times in Galway........

And you're going nowhere

*takes out assault rifle ruining Magicmes nobel prize hopes*

:p

[stann]

The bed offer has now been withdrawn for calling me a gent. You can have the rabbit hutch in the back garden. :p

Consider it cheerfully withdrawn then. I don't like rabbits, am with Father Jack on that one. :)

This should in no way be considered a contribution to the rather serious conversation going on elsewhere, more an attempt to get the thread to three pages. :D

[galwayhoop]

Could there ever be a situation where Salthill turf you out because of rivalry??

Or worse, the Galway District league turf you out of Terryland and decide to use one of the other clubs as anchor tenants??

Looks like you could be getting ready to feel at least a small portion of our pain :) :ball:
i cannot see a scenario where both salthill and mervue get into the A league, perhaps one has an outside chance but definately not both, as you said there would be no need for 3 teams playing senior football in galway.

i wouldn't think that salthill would 'turf us out' as we pay rent for the use of the facilities. essentially they would be 2 divisions below and be a part time set up (training in the evenings etc) while we will, presumably remain full time. if the league set up is as per magicme's suggestion then i reckon the A team will be a mixture of u20s and fringe players/lads coming back from injury. GUFC u21s havent used salthill facilities for the past 2 years at least(dont know if there is a particular reason).

as regards terryland, neither salthill nor mervue could ever attract a crowd large enough to have the Galway District League consider them replacing GUFC. however should either club gain promotion to the first/premier division then there could always be the possibility of a ground share (alternative weeks ... etc).

:ball: