The New 'A' Division

[London-Irish]

Is this definitely starting next season? Any news on the clubs involved yet please?

[Magicme]

All Premier League Teams are required to enter a team. Then it is open to others. Monaghan United are considering entering a team to help bridge the gap between our Juvenile set up and the senior team.

AFAIK it is starting in 2008.

[GreenStar]

http://foot.ie/showthread.php?t=76757

[Seagull]

http://foot.ie/showthread.php?t=76757

Have I got this right- all Premier teams must have a team in the A division and then there's an u-20 League as well?

[Dodge]

Have I got this right- all Premier teams must have a team in the A division and then there's an u-20 League as well?

Yep...

[London-Irish]

Thanks lads. So apart from the Premier League clubs entering, what new teams are set to take part?

[holidaysong]

An 'A' Championship AND an under 20 league is a bit much in my opinion.

[MojoPin]

yes especially for the likes of Cobh tiny catchment area and will possibly ahve to travel to derry 5 or more times this season if the league isnt regionalised.. and even if it is that prob means we could be with some of the dublin clubs.. that means 20 plus trips to dublin during the year

[holidaysong]

The A Championship is regionalised but I still think it is a bit much. Will the u-20s be strictly u-20 as in no overage players allowed whatsoever?

[MojoPin]

for cobh .. regionalise to where?

cork are premier... cant see any other premier team within 100 mlies.. so we are basically relying on a kerry team, waterford kilkenny and limerick to put in a team to make it work for us

[GreenStar]

Will the u-20s be strictly u-20 as in no overage players allowed whatsoever?

Yes. Under-20 will be Under-20 only. Overage players catered for in the 'A' Championship (Reserves) team.

[stann]

Does a club have to field an U-20 team then?
Could a smaller club just have one senior team and one team of U-20s (plus the odd older player) in the 'A', and not be forced to field three sides?

[steno]

I've heard that there may be a team from Fingal but you have all heard that, and one in Carlow called Southeastern FC I think.

[Kildare Lad]

Possibly one from Tullamore

[steno]

Whats the story going to be with the FAI cup? Will the A league clubs will be in it premier reserve sides and new teams or just the new teams? Can't remember reading anything about their participation in the Cups in the FAI document from a while back

[Poor Student]

There will be a reserve cup next season taking place before the A League season which will only begin towards the latter half of the normal LoI season. I'd say with certainty there'll be no reserve sides in the FAI Cup next season.

[steno]

So the A league and the Eircom league seasons won't be starting at the same time is that right? just a cup competition instead? Will the non reserve sides in the A league be able to take part in the FAI Cup?