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I think Liechtenstein got some kind of exemption because it's so small, there's only 30,000 people there or something.Quote:
Originally posted by eoinh
well Liectenstein clubs play in the swiss league. (Vaduz a team from Liectensteins capital are in the swiss second division at present - they nearly got promoted last year).
Yet Liectenstein has a national team, so that shouldnt be a problem
I know a unified league seems out of the question in the near future but wouldnt a cup for both sides of the border be a great preposition to having one league. If we got rid of the FAI Cup and they got rid of theirs and we had just the one cup it would be great. It would be a huge cup with so many teams in it and it would be very interesting. It could be difficult what with a UEFA Cup spot being lost either side of the border but that could be sorted out easily enough.
The unified leagues idea is really appealing,even just looking at yer mans suggested lineups in each division gets the heart goin.But it'll never happen...too much f*ckin apathy in this country.Anyways,I dont see why so many of you are certain that if it came to that there would eventually only be four from the IL in the premier.Theres atleast 6 tha would hold their own in a 16 team division.Eg i think Bray or Dublin City would get spanked in the IL premier.
My point on that when I mentioned it was that population-wise, there would probably only end up being four clubs from the North, and that this would represent equality in the league for them. There could well end up being more, in which case fair dues to them.Quote:
Originally posted by dancinpants
Anyways,I dont see why so many of you are certain that if it came to that there would eventually only be four from the IL in the premier.
I think there was an FAI-IFA Cup of some description a few years back - very low key though. Anyone know any more? I think the eL clubs had very much the upper hand.
The problems of the North/South regional division's imbalance could be sorted by using the Spanish model. In the Segunda B, or 3rd division (which is regionalised) they change the geographic lines every year to make sure teams don't have to travel too far. this also mixes up the teams every year so it doesn't get so boring (although most teams only get 200/300 supporters until the end if they're challenging when they can get 1000s).
Good idea but still think its far off.
It was called the Blaxnit Cup for a while (they made football socks?)Quote:
Originally posted by pineapple stu
I think there was an FAI-IFA Cup of some description a few years back - very low key though. Anyone know any more? I think the eL clubs had very much the upper hand.
It was called something else too. LoI clubs mostly came out best.
If they scrapped both Cups and made one one where both finalist would get uefa cup spots it would work out well. Only problem would be that you'd get people complaining if there were two teams from the South or North.
UEFA would never go for that though. They've already come out against offering a UEFA Cup place for a combined English/Scottish League Cup.Quote:
Originally posted by SÓCcfc
If they scrapped both Cups and made one one where both finalist would get uefa cup spots it would work out well. Only problem would be that you'd get people complaining if there were two teams from the South or North.
Details of all All-Ireland competitions here, courtesy of Sean DeLoughry.Quote:
Originally posted by pineapple stu
I think there was an FAI-IFA Cup of some description a few years back - very low key though. Anyone know any more? I think the eL clubs had very much the upper hand.
http://www.rsssf.com/tablesa/alliercuphist.html
the sad reality of Ireland is that an all ireland league is simply not going to happen for a very long time, may i remind you of the actions of linfield and rangers fans toward shota arveladze when he blessed himself, he was booed constantly during the match by hios own fans for showing a simple sign of catholicism, its sad. if this is the attitude towards there own fans then what kind of recpetion could fans from derry, dublin or cork hope for. the eircom league is more advanced that the irish league also.
I hate to say it but a few weeks ago noel king wrote an article in the derry journal concerning new league structures which contianed some sensible options. it ran along the lines of splitting the entire league into a regional competition with 2 or possibly 4 leagues, the top teams after playing each team twice would go on to forma premier division wile the toher would form a first division where to keep the competitive edge on things the winner would playoff with 3rd in the premier for an inter-toto place.
it has some sense about it.
Don't be so biased. Remember the treatment Arveladze was subjected to in Dublin by our fans... Linfield wouldn't get such a pleasant reaction in many Irish grounds either. It's not all black and white.Quote:
Originally posted by Red_terror
may i remind you of the actions of linfield and rangers fans toward shota arveladze when he blessed himself, he was booed constantly during the match by hios own fans for showing a simple sign of catholicism, its sad. if this is the attitude towards there own fans then what kind of recpetion could fans from derry, dublin or cork hope for.
Jayz, I'm not that old!:eek:Quote:
Originally posted by Sheridan
Details of all All-Ireland competitions here, courtesy of Sean DeLoughry.
http://www.rsssf.com/tablesa/alliercuphist.html
Thought there was one about five or ten years ago - vaguely remember seeing some results in the Irish Times' round-up section. Don't think they were friendlies!:D
A fixture list was produced but then Drumcree blew up (metaphorically) and so it was cancelled.
Funny enough I found a program from UCD v Linfield yesterday.
:eek: :eek:Quote:
Originally posted by TommyT
Funny enough I found a program from UCD v Linfield yesterday.
I've heard legends about that match! If it's the same one, then apparently the Linfield fans were down at the far end of the stand chanting the usual bigoted/religiously inciteful/whatever you'd call it chants, and our treasurer went over and told them, in no uncertain terms, to "shut the **** up". Not being used to being addressed like this, there wasn't an ounce of trouble out of them for the rest of the game!
Sorry, I haven't been to the site for a while and just discovered this thread, so apologies for re-opening it now.
A few things:
- I think the All-Ireland league is a great idea. Being an idealist, I would like it taken even further : A Celtic league, similar to that in rugby. Celtic and Rangers to go to the English leagues; the rest of the Scottish teams, all the Irish league teams, all the League of Ireland teams and some League of Wales teams all to play in a Celtic League, which will consist of a Premier Division (18 or so teams), plus regional divisions feeding into this Premier Division. And the champions of this Premier Division to be promoted to the English First Division.
Now even though I think (know!) this is a brilliant idea, it is probably totally and utterly unrealistic (especially as entry into UEFA cup competitions are concerned).
- A better and more realistic short term suggestion (I think) : have a 12-team Premier Division and a 10-team First Division. The Premier Division teams play each other once home and away (i.e. 22 games). Then the league gets split into a top 6 and a bottom 6; their points get halved and there's a championship division and a relegation division. This is how the Swiss and Austrian leagues used to operate for quite some time (and the Scottish league had a similar concept for 2 seasons). Since the points get halved, the league closes up again, so the teams should be battling it out till the end of the season, in both divisions - plus there will definitely be some very big matches (definitely televisable) towards the end of the season. The First Division can be 2 rounds of home & away ties (36 matches) - the current system is ridiculous, with the Premier Division teams playing more league games - and inevitably having a longer run in cup competitions too.
- Someone raised the question of the Northern Ireland national team with an All-Ireland league...and an example of Vaduz of Liechtenstein playing in the Swiss league was mentioned. Some more examples : Cardiff City, Swansea City and Wrexham (all in Wales) play in the English league; Berwick Rangers (in England) play in the Scottish league. And Wimbledon wanted to relocate to Dublin at some stage. And Derry City, of course. None of those affected the national team, but like I said, qualification for UEFA cup competitions would be a nightmare, I don't even want to go there.
OK, that's my €0.02 worth. Feel free to slag it to bits now... ;-)
FJJ.
Leagues been there & just meant that poor team could sneak into top 6 but not be able to handle the top teams & almost lose all their matches. Also big unlucky to fall to bottom 6 & once secured a few extra points has nothing to play for for last 2 months.Quote:
The Premier Division teams play each other once home and away (i.e. 22 games). Then the league gets split into a top 6 and a bottom 6; their points get halved and there's a championship division and a relegation division.