Report on the future of Galway football

If reflects very poorly on those involved in Galway football that an 3rd party is involved in trying to find a "solution" to problems within Galway football. If a new franchise club is formed I can't see it lasting long, partly due to the politics involved in Galway football but also if you look at the leagues history of these clubs that pop over night they fade and die within a few years.

SD Galway and Mervue have every right to be in the league, they are both there on merit. GUST like to think they have the right to be in the league which they don't. If GUST want to join the league its up to them to prove they are able to run a club and won't walk away again when sh1t hits the fan. I can't see the GUST egos wanting to join any new club or why any of the two existing clubs would want to work with either. So I reckon it will be SD Galway and Mervue representing Galway football next season.

I reckon GUST will be in (with some people to mind them) tbh.

I do however think that's a pretty decent wind up which despite me writing this will still get you a few bites. :ball:

I think the only time that Salthill and Mervue became a real problem for Galway United was when they went out of the league due to their irretrievable financial meltdown as orchestrated by Mr Leeson and not overseen properly by the board. Neither club has significant sponsorship or support- so I don't really see how they were hurting GUFC or would hurt a new GUST entity. The only reason they became such a problem is that once they were in and GUFC out it made it harder for GUST to come back. With a half decent level of support GUST should be able to recruit better players than either.

As the league is so desperate for clubs I'd let all three in if they want it and in time chances are that Mervue and Salthill will either improve or leave the league.

I'd be fairly disgusted in fairness if any club are refused entry to the First Division next season.

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Originally Posted by nigel-harps1954

I'd be fairly disgusted in fairness if any club are refused entry to the First Division next season.

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Even if they are completely out of their depth? Both in footballing terms and more importantly financially.

This evening.

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Originally Posted by Sam_Heggy

Even if they are completely out of their depth? Both in footballing terms and more importantly financially.

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I would most definitely prefer that than another season of monotony.

And it's out.....

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FAI Press Release

FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION OF IRELAND

Wednesday, October 4, 2012

Independent report on Galway Senior Football presented to stakeholders

Mr Ned O'Connor and the Football Association of Ireland today presented the findings of the independent report completed by Mr O'Connor about the future development of senior football in Galway.

The report examines the present structures in Galway and suggests solutions for the future. It is based on consultation with all of the major stakeholders in the Galway area, including the former Galway United board, GUST, the Galway FA, Mervue United, Salthill Devon / SD Galway and the Chairman and Director of the Airtricity League.

The report recognises the work done by the clubs in Galway to develop the sport and the achievements of SD Galway / Salthill Devon and Mervue United in progressing to senior level but concludes that there should be one National League club in the Galway area.

The report notes the long term systematic weakness of having any more than one senior club in a city of Galway's size on both sporting and commercial grounds and recommends a phased approach towards the resolution of this matter. This includes the eventual setting up a Connaught Senior League, and a Board for the single Galway club composed of a broad spectrum of football and business interests in the Galway area.

Mr O'Connor and the Association met with the relevant Galway football stakeholders earlier today to present the report and begin discussions to set out how and when such a solution could be achieved.

Commenting on the report and meeting today, Airtricity League Director Fran Gavin said:

"Today's independent report sets out a solution for the issues facing Galway senior football. A first meeting with stakeholders to present the findings was held today and the Association will continue this process in the coming period. It is our objective to work with all of the parties involved to reach this long term solution which can and should deliver and healthy sustainable future for senior football in Galway.

"We believe that such a solution must take into account the strength of the sport at grassroots level and needs to create strong cohesion between all strands of the game in the Galway area."

ENDS

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So...what now?

more meetings.......basically as you were.

Wonder what "phased approach" means. Mergers? Kicking clubs out of the LOI? Is the actual report is being made public?

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/52/17...d87a039414.jpg

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Originally Posted by gufcfan

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/52/17...d87a039414.jpg

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it has pinpointed the crux of the matter.
It looks like a 6 team 1st division now as the two bottom clubs would be mad to invest another euro in LOI ambitions as the report says its futile anyway and probably not enough time to secure a licence for any comeback or new entity.

Whats another year i suppose , two clubs have wasted loads of money and the gfa will be out of pocket over deacy park not being used . A costly mess for all

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Originally Posted by Sean South

If reflects very poorly on those involved in Galway football that an 3rd party is involved in trying to find a "solution" to problems within Galway football. If a new franchise club is formed I can't see it lasting long, partly due to the politics involved in Galway football but also if you look at the leagues history of these clubs that pop over night they fade and die within a few years.

SD Galway and Mervue have every right to be in the league, they are both there on merit. GUST like to think they have the right to be in the league which they don't. If GUST want to join the league its up to them to prove they are able to run a club and won't walk away again when sh1t hits the fan. I can't see the GUST egos wanting to join any new club or why any of the two existing clubs would want to work with either. So I reckon it will be SD Galway and Mervue representing Galway football next season.

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When did they run away the first time? They were a fundraising organisation who ceased to provide free money to a private company.

EDIT:

After a second read through the report, what it looks like to me is:

A Connaught senior league looks like being set up.

A brand new Galway club entity looks like being formed.

That one club will represent Galway as a whole in the League next season.

Meaning, no Mervue, Salthill, or GUST.

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Originally Posted by nigel-harps1954

EDIT:

After a second read through the report, what it looks like to me is:

A Connaught senior league looks like being set up.

A brand new Galway club entity looks like being formed.

That one club will represent Galway as a whole in the League next season.

Meaning, no Mervue, Salthill, or GUST.

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Another year of sd i doubt it

Galway united

Even after further reading, still reads like fudge, there's the basis of a plan, but no clear pathway for implementation.

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Originally Posted by nigel-harps1954

A brand new Galway club entity looks like being formed.

That one club will represent Galway as a whole in the League next season.

Meaning, no Mervue, Salthill, or GUST.

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And the same organisation just also told us just recently that there'll be 2 divisions next season.... so if that happens you're down to 6 clubs. Is it conceivable that the FAI would run with a 6 club division if they didn't like the look of Tralee/Fanad/Cobh's applications?!

Maybe 5 clubs if Waterford lose the playoff and drop out??:shock:

Play each other team 8 times. That's 32 games!! ;)

FAI - parachuted Galway into the Premier League - former mouthpiece Noel Mooney promoted them as the model club. The FAI then put 2 more clubs into Galway and the Fran Gavin now expects us to listen to this crap. The FAI are killing LOI football.

The status quo will remain unless the FAI make a definitive decision to object to the licences to Mervue and Salthill. But as has been acknowledged by the FAI, both clubs have been exemplary in financial terms and have great setups and know how to run a club so in that case they can't really object.

The clubs will not get together and come to a compromise, that will never happen. People might think that's narrow minded but that's the way it is