General promotion/media discussion (split from the attendances thread)

[legendz]

It should be part of the league licence really, clubs should have to enter an U16 and Youth team. They could operate it in two pools, North and South to minimise travel expenses. 22 LoI clubs would equate to two pools of 11. Could throw in a few A Championship clubs as well who are serious in their intent in developing football.

[legendz]

If Youth structure's i.e. U16 and Youth were set-up, it would operate in pools like:

North:
Derry City
Finn Harps
Sligo
Monaghan
Longford
Dundalk
Drogheda
Athlone
Galway
Salthill
Mervue

South:
Cork City
Waterford
Wexford
Limerick
Bray
Bohemians
Shamrock
Fingal
Pat's
UCD
Shelbourne

[dong]

Totally agree Legendz, the success of the GAA is their connection to the grassroot levels of their community. If clubs were to be told that they would be given 5 years to have a percentage of home grown players in their first team it would enforce them to start thinking about developing and implomenting decent youth structures. It would also generate a greater sence of connection between the team and the community. The only problem is financing it.

Maybe to a small extent but I remember plenty of Sligo Rovers teams with a good few local lads in the team and the crowds were not anything special in those days.

[legendz]

Football is a global game. I would not expect clubs to limit their pool to their locality. My call is for youth structures to be put in place so the better youth players can work to the top but naturally players would come in from elsewhere as well.

[punkrocket]

And your point is.....?

Basically, you made a factual error there and when I pointed it out you threw up a smokescreen and well, I guess that you've been studying the J Delaney handbook there.

[Roo69]

If Youth structure's i.e. U16 and Youth were set-up, it would operate in pools like:

North:
Derry City
Finn Harps
Sligo
Monaghan
Longford
Dundalk
Drogheda
Athlone
Galway
Salthill
Mervue

South:
Cork City
Waterford
Wexford
Limerick
Bray
Bohemians
Shamrock
Fingal
Pat's
UCD
Shelbourne

I agree about each club having a full youth set up, BUT do you honestly think it is financially viable? There is not a hope on hell clubs could afford another whack load of expenses like that on travel.

[Macy]

I wasn't passing judgement on what the Irish government did - just saying that they acted quicker than pretty much anywhere else in tackling their economic problems. Things would be even worse if they hadn't.

If they didn't do the right things (which they haven't), first mover advantage is ******.

[legendz]

I agree about each club having a full youth set up, BUT do you honestly think it is financially viable? There is not a hope on hell clubs could afford another whack load of expenses like that on travel.

I know there is that. Expanding the idea further, if 10 additional regions could provide a team, e.g from the A Championship: Tralee, Carlow, Tullamore, Cobh, Tullamore, Castlebar etc, there could be four groups of 8. It's a hard one. There is the finances but also for football to develop, it needs a structure. If a competition was formed with sponsorship, it would be a help.

[Roo69]

I know there is that. Expanding the idea further, if 10 additional regions could provide a team, e.g from the A Championship: Tralee, Carlow, Tullamore, Cobh, Tullamore, Castlebar etc, there could be four groups of 8. It's a hard one. There is the finances but also for football to develop, it needs a structure. If a competition was formed with sponsorship, it would be a help.

Most clubs find the A Championship and U20s team a big financial burden, just couldn't see them going for a league were for example, Bray had to travel down to Cork one week and then maybe down to Limerick etc the next week.

[legendz]

If you had a club from each of the 6 counties of Munster, plus Cobh and one more, I don't think it'd be Bray, travel is being kept minimal. I understand fully where you are coming from. If it's not economically viable, it'd have no chance of ever happening. It's bad for the league though, youth structures is where any foundations should be built.

[Mr A]

While it would be an extra financial burden, I think the idea of making clubs field more teams and at a national level where possible is a good one. It should have the effect of diverting funds away from the first team wages and increase the chances of the LOI clubs getting the best youngsters aboard with the least disruption of existing leagues (the last thing the schoolboy leagues want is LOI clubs joining and dominating them by hoovering up the better players).

It also gets more people involved with the club- the aim should be to convert those youngsters who don't make it into fans.

The first step should be to expand the number of games in the U20 league. Currently it's hard to keep players interested because there's just so few matches. Also, integrating the likes of the Kennedy cup with the LOI clubs would be a step in the right direction.

[dcfcsteve]

If you had a club from each of the 6 counties of Munster, plus Cobh and one more, I don't think it'd be Bray, travel is being kept minimal. I understand fully where you are coming from. If it's not economically viable, it'd have no chance of ever happening. It's bad for the league though, youth structures is where any foundations should be built.

Legendz - you and a few other posters on here always do this.

Why do you perceive the solution to the league's problems being to create more teams in non-footballing areas ? Why would anyone in Dublin turn out to watch one of the many teams there just because Clare had an underage side in the Irish footballing pyramid ?

[dong]

I'd push community connections as well. LoI clubs should have an U16 team, Youth team (U18 but goal-keeper and 3 outfield players can be U19) and a reserve side.

all LoI clubs should have an U16 and a Youth team (U18 or U19). Youth level is the place to start to get a connection within communities.

There are 22 LoI clubs, as part of their league licence, they should have to field an U16 and Youth team. .

In an ideal world yes. With the current system, the LoI comes out of nowhere without grass-roots. U16 up is the way to go!

U16/Youth level up is the way to work on it.

Do you think that Under 16 and Youth Level teams are important Legendz?

[marinobohs]

My prediction, the EPL will crash and burn in the next few years. Players wages are unsustainable, many of the clubs are carrying serious debt and sugar daddys aren't going to stay for ever while their clubs are heomoraging cash. In fairness to Shams, their attendances prove that there is a potential appetite for domestic football in Ireland.

So for once England will be following the Irish model . Always thought we focus too much on the EPL fans here many of whom will never attend a game (on either side of the Irish sea) and are armchair/bar stool fans as likely to be watching a "big" GAA game or Rugby match as a "soccer" match. trying to entice them to LOI is a waste of time in my opinion.
We need to profile a realistic target market and then seek to attract it to LOI. I suspect that the potential number would be a lot less than many think/hope (but more than currently attending.)

[legendz]

Legendz - you and a few other posters on here always do this.

Why do you perceive the solution to the league's problems being to create more teams in non-footballing areas ? Why would anyone in Dublin turn out to watch one of the many teams there just because Clare had an underage side in the Irish footballing pyramid ?

Well you know, I'm not talking about an overnight success. I would see it as something the league should work to. The A Championship is a good addition at the moment. I wouldn't see any need for additions to the LoI unless it was shown a few more clubs could hold a Division One licence etc.