What's the future direction for the league with 19 clubs?

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Originally Posted by Lim till i die

It's becoming more and more obvious to me that they'll be hoping for two or three more to die so they can run with a 16 team league next season, GUST will be fired into it provided the suits are confident they've enough control over them by the time it happens. (I've no doubt they will)

Bohs
Cork
Derry
Drogheda
Dundalk (can't see them going pop, they're DUNDALK ffs!)
Galway
Limerick (provided we somehow manage to win the First Division)
Pats
Shamrock
Shels
Sligo
UCD (safe)

Plus four more.

To be decided on some mad arbitrary basis.

If Longford were to finish below Limerick but then beat Dundalk in a playoff, I reckon they could be added to that list.





If a 16 teamer goes ahead it will be absolute poison unless there's an awful lot of thought put into it.







So it will be absolute poison.

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Dundalk will do well to see out the season. The recent mail out could see to that. The serious mismanagement, damaging disconnect between administration and supporters, not to mention the less than impressive football at Oriel, is all being played out during a dirty war that makes the Irish Civil War look like a row in a creche. Begging supporters for 200 quid a head, just to keep the club going, does nothing to help the situation. The company could be wound up if the owner continues to be, well, odd.

http://blackandwhitetown.tumblr.com/...-was-sabotaged

http://imgur.com/tCp90.gif

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Originally Posted by Spudulika

Dundalk will do well to see out the season. The recent mail out could see to that. The serious mismanagement, damaging disconnect between administration and supporters, not to mention the less than impressive football at Oriel, is all being played out during a dirty war that makes the Irish Civil War look like a row in a creche. Begging supporters for 200 quid a head, just to keep the club going, does nothing to help the situation. The company could be wound up if the owner continues to be, well, odd.

http://blackandwhitetown.tumblr.com/...-was-sabotaged

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Not prone to exaggeration are you?:D

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Originally Posted by dong

Not prone to exaggeration are you?:D

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Spud may exaggagerate a little but make no mistake about it,there is a real fight going on in Dundalk for the hearts and minds of the core supporters of this football club.
Up Here in Dundalk we have an unidentified/Fastfix/lies side v a Gerry Matthews/more lies side with no in between or laying in the ditches siht-just like the civil war.

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Originally Posted by bullit

Spud may exaggagerate a little but make no mistake about it,there is a real fight going on in Dundalk for the hearts and minds of the core supporters of this football club

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Something shiny should look after the minds.

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Originally Posted by Dodge

Something shiny should look after the minds.

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Aye :rolleyes:
Cheers for the swift reply dicko ;)

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Originally Posted by Spudulika

Dundalk will do well to see out the season. The recent mail out could see to that. The serious mismanagement, damaging disconnect between administration and supporters, not to mention the less than impressive football at Oriel, is all being played out during a dirty war that makes the Irish Civil War look like a row in a creche. Begging supporters for 200 quid a head, just to keep the club going, does nothing to help the situation. The company could be wound up if the owner continues to be, well, odd.

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..... take out Dundalk and Oriel and insert club/ground name of choice :cool: seems like the business model at most LOI clubs.

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Originally Posted by bullit

Spud may exaggagerate a little but make no mistake about it,there is a real fight going on in Dundalk for the hearts and minds of the core supporters of this football club.
Up Here in Dundalk we have an unidentified/Fastfix/lies side v a Gerry Matthews/more lies side with no in between or laying in the ditches siht-just like the civil war.

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Jesus Bullit, I was understating it. I know Dong makes a laugh about it, but if it was in Sligo he'd not smile. I'm just hoping for a club to support come November.

So, what's the latest? Dundalk are in trouble. I know nothing about the ins and outs of it. What's the state of other clubs? Are Wexford Youths ok? Is Galway going in the direction of one club?

Youths will be fine. They have no outstanding debts too big for Mick Wallace to renege on.

Talks between GUST, Galway & DL, Mervue & Salthill are to resume today

http://www.galwaynews.ie/26904-fai-b...ks-united-side

Possible 2013 teams:

Athlone
Bohs
Bray
Cork
Derry
Drogheda
Galway (One Team)
Harps
Limerick
Longford
Pats
Rovers
Shels
Sligo
UCD
Waterford
Wexford

Cobh could also be returning to the league. That puts the total at 18 teams. The Premier will probably remain with 12 teams. If Dundalk get a license, it will be 19 teams. The FAI would surely have to add another team. Maybe Tralee, or if they solve the Galway problem, they probably create another one in Donegal with Fanad of Letterkenny like the U19 league. They couldn't have a 6 team First Division though tbh, I wouldn't be surprised.

Did Fanad not pull out of applying for a license this year?

They did but they could be back because they kept their U19 team going.

What is their support base like? Do they have one?

Not too sure. I would say they would get about 100 or so a match. It is a parish club.

Are new clubs like to join the league unless the first division is split north and south like the U19 league. I'd see the only options being a single tier of 16 / 18 teams or the premier of 12 as started this season and two regional leagues with 8 in each division.

I would say Cobh would as they always played in a nationwide league. Fanad played in the Northern A Championship and the Northern U19 league. Fanad might not join the nationwide league but maybe a northern one. IMO the First Division should be regional league. Tralee also may join a Southern league.

I'm realistic on the prospect of a regional second tier. It will not happen. 9 clubs would have to show interest all of a sudden.

Are FC Carlow still an option? They got as far as provisionally applying or something last time didn't they?