Limerick have won more historically then Athlone
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Everyone seems to think Athlone have historically won loads, it's probably mostly nostalgia for their European exploits against Milan in the 70s and their league winning side in the early 80s, but apart from that they've never been up to much. I guess it's also the fact that they're well regarded in the league and have a decent setup.
Must admit if I was handpicking an ideal spread of teams for the league, they'd be in there.
Limerick & Galway are the main 2.
Big catchment areas that have both been in the doldrums for too long.
Waterford, should have mentioned them. Albeit with backing and for a short enough spell, but they have the fan base and the ground.
Seems any club that can be considered always had a money person/family behind them for a wee while, then it went bang.
I don't think that matters in this argument. This is about potential to be a big club which a senior club in limerick has whether it be Limerick 37, FC, Utd or City.
We have probably had the toughest time out of any current team in LOI in terms of success over the past 20years.
We were, but we woke up.
Its the same club, different guises granted, but seen as the same club, and consistently drawing from, and recognized by the same support base which I feel is whats key, compared to what's happening in Terryland this year as an example of when that's not the case.
101 times the League Of Ireland has been competed for.
77 times the title has been won by a team from one of Irelands two largest cities.
So to call any provincial club a "sleeping giant" would be to over egg the pudding a small bit.
Having said that ourselves and about three more should be doing better.
If we ever get to a point where we're competing in the top half of the Premier for a few years we'll become a big club (by Irish standards) But you could say that about everyone bar three or four!
The league only started in the 20s too didn't it? So only 90-odd seasons.
In fairness, 9 of the provincial wins were Dundalk. Only 3 clubs have won it more. A lot of perception is down to when people start following the league. For me, Dundalk is the 2nd biggest club in the league as they were always challngng (and therefore beating Pats) when I start going to games.
If anyone started supporting the league in mid 90s, they may have no clue that Dundalk, Limerick or Waterford were ever big (even in our terms)
(Oh and LTID's stats are wrong. There's been 91 champions; 57 Dublin teams, 10 Cork teams, 9 Dundalk, 6 Waterford, 2 Limerick, Athlone, Derry, Sligo, 1 Drogheda)
Cheers Dodge for sticking up for us small town folk :p
As far as I know Dundalk are the 2nd most successful side in terms of the amount of trophies won, with 49 trophies and the most successful provincial football club in Ireland. Rovers (17), Shels (13) & Bohs (11) only have won league titles than us with 9 titles. Only problem this great history we have didn't transcend into the modern era and most of the trophies won are well before my time. Hopefully one day we get back up as one of the top teams in the league, but at the moment the club is not in a great state on and off the artificial field.
Oh I'm not sticking up for you. I hope you rot
Nationally Dundalk have won 9 leagues, 9 FAI Cups, 4 League Cups, 5 Dublin City Cups, 2 Top 4 cups and 2 LOI shields. I make that 31. Can't really count any of the LSC or President's Cup when comparing to other country teamsQuote:
As far as I know Dundalk are the 2nd most successful side in terms of the amount of trophies won, with 49 trophies
Your club isn't around 28 years though.
I think Limerick are best suited to the term "Sleeping Giants". If promoted we should really take off. Traditionally a rugby town but with Munster Rugby on a decline and Limerick GAA in a pretty poor state, I seriously believe if Limerick are successful this season, Limerick soccer will take a massive step in the right direction. The club is doing great work in the community and it is no coincidence that a lot of the fanbase now come from areas such as Moyross, Southill and Weston. The Charity event yesterday in Shelbourne Park was great promotion for the club and as the club as been involved heavily in the regeneration areas it is no surprise that a large chunk of the growing fanbase come from these areas.