Well done to them, fine achievement.
Came across this website recently.
http://www.ferryrangers.ie/index.php
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Well done to them, fine achievement.
Came across this website recently.
http://www.ferryrangers.ie/index.php
First post in a while. I've been off the grid for a while. Ive been following proceedings from the beaches of Australia. Came back last week and went to see the first game on the new AstroTurf in Adare. A mighty fine facility, pity the same can't be said for the soccer played on it. St Itas beat AK 4-0. No point giving a description of what I saw, lets just say it was not great. Some good finishes but 2 very poor sides.
Got me thinking, what are peoples opinions on amalgamations? AK are amalgamated under age but not at Junior level. Adare seem to be going quite well in division 2 and AK look to be doing just enough to possibly survive in division 1. If they joined at junior level surely they would be competitive. Their under age teams are unbelievably successful and this will surely feed top players into the junior team in time. I see their under 17 team are in the last 8 of the FAI and they are winning leagues at under 16, 15, 14 and 12 and very successful girls teams (including a national cup final) with the ladies winning their league also. Surely a big future for the junior club if Adare were on board. Anyone know why they aren't? GB Rovers another example of underage working, not to the same extent as AK Utd but going well. Surely if they joined at junior level it would make another competitive team in the premier.
I guess the question im asking is, should more teams be amalgamating? There are some obvious amalgamations that are working in GAA that should work in soccer. Granagh/Ballingarry, Kildimo/Pallaskenry,, Feenagh/Broadford, Askeaton/Ballysteen being some examples. Shannonside enjoyed brief success and seem to be on the way back to premier at least. The likes of abbeyfeale and NCW being big towns should need no amalgamation being big towns but the league would surely benefit hugely. If nearly every team amalgamated (I know its unlikely) but you would end up with half the amount of clubs but the same amount of teams as each team would have a B team. It would improve participation at munster and national level, it would mean much more competitive and enjoyable games in the premier and could only be good for the league. It would also massively improve the quality of the lower divisions
Best example for me would be Granagh Ballingarry. 2 very good junior teams, both will likely be in premier next year. 2 excellent underage set ups, they would surely excel at underage and junior and make the league representation far superior on both levels
Thoughts??
Sorry for long post, its been a while
Welcome back Nathan, the short answer to why the junior teams arent amalgamated is that the Adare Junior team in the end refused to join at Junior level (the reasons for that I have no idea, you hear bits and pieces but to be fair only someone involved with the team could say why). The plan had been an across the board merge, that was how plans were progressed through the process and it was late in the day that the Juniors finally said they wouldn't join, at that point the underage plans had to proceed as planned. As you stated the underage teams are having some good success which is good to see.
League wide I think we probably have a division too many - lot of teams teetering on the edge numbers wise and I'd agree the days of each parish having a team might be coming to an end BUT there's always people who find it hard to let go. There would definitely be merit in some more teams merging - it would strengthen the first team and would surely allow them to have a relatively strong second team as well.
And the reason AK are doing well underage is because they are hounding players from other clubs (especially the 14 and 16 girls team)
I don't not about clubs joining but if they do they definitely should merge across the board ie: Junior and underage. What happens with Ak United when their schoolboys/girls from Adare progress to the junior ranks, I bet they go back to Adare. So you have one club feeding another that can't be right can it?
Fair point Shoot, one that cant be ignored - this offseason should be interesting. I would agree with your across the board merge, one party was willing the other was not, there was still merit with the underage merging so it proceeded.
fanatic I wouldn't even touch that with a 40 foot barge pole :D I'm not involved with either setup
AK underage teams seems to feature a lot more parishs than Kilcornan and adare , seem to have players from Askeaton , cappagh , ballysteen , pallaskenry , kildimo .
Bringing amalgamations to new levels .
AK Utd are hated unanimously across the schoolboys/girls league. This year's league AGM was hilarious, anyone that was at it will know what I'm talking about with regard to AK Utd. I however don't mind clubs joining I think it's a good thing, provided you take from your own catchment area within fair reason. AK are probably fairly singled out for taking players from other clubs, I know several clubs have complained to the schoolboys league about them, however and believe me when I say this that they were far from the first club to take players from other clubs, I think it's just that they're an easy target for criticism. I for one think they've done great things for the children that play for them by providing good coaching and facilities for them. GAA traditions will be too hard to break for a lot of clubs, Newcastle AFC and Rovers are in serious discussion to join from top to bottom at the moment.
Thats very interesting Cruyff that Rovers and AFC are in talks - I know going by results AFC seem to have some issues currently but if a place the size of NCW have teams merging what hope for the small parishes
A soccer equivalent of St Kierans Abbeyman :D - I would agree with Cruyff though that the facilities provided is a draw, the astroturf in Kilcornan is excellent and as nathan mentioned the new one in Adare is another excellent all weather facility and I think there is good coaching/structure provided at the underage level. We might need a better publicist but we also need to ensure we have somewhere for our local kids to play
I cant really defend AK as I dont know what goes on there but it seems to me that fanaticfan has personal experience with the girls teams, cant tar all other underage teams with the same brush. Girls is difficult, theres not many teams and when 2 good teams (like adare and kilcornan were at u14) join up, girls are gonna wanna play with the best. If there was poaching involved in getting other girls there then thats wrong but it doesnt explain how the boys teams are so successful.
As regards other parishes, theres no club in the league that doesnt have players from neighbouring parishes. Cappagh have no soccer, ballysteen have no underage soccer, Askeaton are traditionally under some sort of dictatorship who noone wants to play for, so you cant blame players from those parishes for playing for them.
Langerdan compared it to St Kierans, what about Rathkeale? Successful junior team this year, how many are from rathkeale? very few. Abbeyfeale always draw from a different county, despite being a rather large town with huge catchment area. It goes on everywhere lads
Nice to have opened a can of worms. Keep it coming
With a scoreline like that I think there was only one poor side.Quote:
Originally Posted by nathanbrown
I'm very pro-amalgamation. If you want to improve then joining up and getting the opportunity to play at a higher level is a great way to do so. It makes it harder to get on the starting team and makes training hard and commitment a must. Amalgamation is fine when it's solely two parishes with players from both those parishes but not when you're using it as a method to poach players as previously mentioned with the girls teams.Quote:
Originally Posted by nathanbrown
With Glin being mid-table in the Premier and Bally Rovers being in a similar position in Division Two I don't think it would be of much benefit at Junior level to Glin.Quote:
Originally Posted by nathanbrown
I think that when Summer Soccer does eventually come in at Junior level that there will be a lot more amalgamations occurring due to people committing solely to either GAA or Soccer. Wouldn't see Granagh/Ballingarry happening, I don't think Granagh will last long in the premier and I don't think Ballingarry would have anything to gain nor would they want to unless things went very bad. Considering their league positions at the moment, Kildimo/Pallaskenry is a logical one. Feenagh and St. Ita's are joined underage under the name Bluebell United and would be a probable amalgamation at Junior level if needed in the future. Broadford have no need to join. They have twenty players togged out each Sunday and as with Ballingarry, they would have nothing to gain. Askeaton would have no need to join.Quote:
Originally Posted by nathanbrown
Never say never on a Newcastle West amalgamation. Despite not being a town, Broadford could be thrown in there with the likes of Abbey and both NCW sides as cases of not needing to amalgamate. People fail to realise that Broadford have a huge area to pick from including all of North Cork with the nearest club being Charleville as well as areas like Castlemahon, the parishes of Dromcollogher and Broadford and that's before you get to poaching from other clubs.Quote:
Originally Posted by nathanbrown
Has poaching not stopped in the Desmond league in recent years. I could be wrong but I couldn't think of any player playing in the premier at the moment that has been poachedQuote:
Originally Posted by Shearer
Whats Rathkeales story , how many of them are from rathkeale eg is Declan Nash not from Kilcornan or Ballysteen?Quote:
Originally Posted by The Enforcer
think that when Summer Soccer does eventually come in at Junior level that there will be a lot more amalgamations occurring due to people committing solely to either GAA or Soccer. Wouldn't see Granagh/Ballingarry happening, I don't think Granagh will last long in the premier and I don't think Ballingarry would have anything to gain nor would they want to unless things went very bad. Considering their league positions at the moment, Kildimo/Pallaskenry is a logical one. Feenagh and St. Ita's are joined underage under the name Bluebell United and would be a probable amalgamation at Junior level if needed in the future. Broadford have no need to join. They have twenty players togged out each Sunday and as with Ballingarry, they would have nothing to gain. Askeaton would have no need to join.
This Soccer Summer is going to really put a gun to fellows head, are they going to play senior football championship or hurling with their club or play Desmond league,2/3 of clubs be ok, wont affect Abbey too much but still lose some but definitely non town teams will struggle. Granagh, Rockhill, Ferry rangers be wiped out. Your right Broadford have big pick , Ballingarry be ok, Askeaton the club who have really plummeted but looking at the crew playing with them, they have bigger problems than other sports.
Declan Nash as well as his brother played all their under age soccer with Rathkeale. Same story with Abbey and Broadford, picking lads from their localities and bringing their underage players through. I've no problems with tiny clubs having a moan but let's keep it factual. There seems to be a lot of jealousy here towards the teams that are doing their best to improve the standards of the leagueQuote:
Originally Posted by Abbeyman
Fairly sure neither Declan Nash or his brother played any underage soccer with rathkeale.
The rules of soccer means you can play with whoever you want, every year the same lads are being hounded by different clubs to get them to transfer, that's how it works, that's how you win from the bottom right to the top. If you do it you're poaching if you don't you lack ambition.
The reason we don't get any players making it at the top is because players are pressured into playing with their parish. I admire AK for showing ambition and recruiting top coaches to coach their kids on the best facilities in the league and they are reaping rewards from it. I am originally from just outside Adare and if i had a child that wanted to play soccer i would send them to AK for that reason. But everyone else sees this as taboo and as poaching
I'm fairly sure Peter Nash captained Rathkeale to a youth leagueQuote:
Originally Posted by nathanbrown
I don't see what all the the fuss with players playing for clubs outside of their parish, its been happening since I was playing underage in the early 80s and I bet before that as well after all isn't it a international sport for everyone ��
Very interesting, I had no idea this was afoot. I wonder where home would be ? The relatively new Rovers facility or, the AFC ground which is to many the home of soccer in the town having been a LOI ground for a spell.Quote:
Originally Posted by Cruyff
Personally I think having Woodfield for schoolboys and the Demesne for Junior would be ideal.Quote:
Originally Posted by CraftyToePoke
You know now you say it, yes. The Demense has something lovely about it I think when you go to a match there, but then I grew up seeing LOI there which are special memories. That's a history no one else around can boast and it would be a shame to lose it.Quote:
Originally Posted by Shearer
It does seem there isn't space for two sides to do well n the town, Rovers were always in lesser shape but their emergence has seen AFC fade.
What is the plan Summer Soccer wise for Junior lads? Have the FAI decreed it must happen?
A lot of the focus is on the club drawing in/poaching players but as someone mentioned it has also to be acknowledged that we've raised the facilities and improved the coaching offered within the underage, this in turn has seen fathers and mothers from outside the immediate area get involved with the club who to be fair have done trojan work with running of teams and fundraising which also factors into the influx of players, if you have more links outside your area there has to be an increase in opportunity for recruitment, its all part of it - facilities cannot be understated though, HALF the teams in Divsion 1 dont have working showers, some dont even have dressing rooms FFS!
Dec Nash has plied his trade on and off with both Rathkeale and Regional down the years, he was also part of a Kilcornan Junior team that won a Hogan cup many moons ago I think.
Peter may have played early days in Kilcornan but his age group was sadly short on numbers and I doubt there was a team that time and as nathan said played in Rathkeale and Regional also I think
Nothing really planned that I know of but it will happen eventually.Quote:
Originally Posted by Langerdan007
I heard that AK Utd were poaching players from all different clubs and you can see that they have from their underage girls teams. Players with them from all different clubs from the gaynor cup and also heard for a fact that they are poaching players from different clubs with underage boys.Quote:
Originally Posted by nathanbrown
On a different note a good win from Broadford last weekend at home to youghal in the Munster junior cup and are home to Aisling Annacotty in the quarter finals who they beat Carew Park in the last 16. A great chance for Broadford to go all the way to the final
AK aren't the first club to poach player's and they won't be the last. Why are ye even talking about it. Every club that wants to win trophies, go after the best players
I noticed Wille of Brien played for Broadford last Sunday, great signing in my opinion
Ya Liam o brien is a decent player, played in town for few seasons wit fairview I think?? Wats his connection with broadford? I see abbey home to glin tomorrow, more fire works expected..how come they did not give Dat game to ref Nunnan who was excellent in glin a few months back...
Rockhill Rovers giving their second walkover today against Ballysteen is worrying, especially when you consider Ballingarry B have already pulled out.
Newcastle West AFC have a real task on their hands if they are to survive now with Killeaney getting two big league wins in as many weeks.
Do you have points deducted for giving walk overs, as well as the other team getting the three points?
I think it is an awful idea football was not meant to be played with runners and on artificial pitches which would be the same as playing on hard ground in the summer. i am from the old stock of boots and green grass and good old mud if the grass is gone and if a match is called off its not the end of the world there is always another day....... not to mention when clubs will be without players every second or third week with Tommy gone away and Mick gone away and poor old Paddy gone to Santa Ponsa, and then you have the lads gone away here when the weather is good lying on the beaches of Ballybunion Tramore and god for bid Lahinch. No I'm afraid summer soccer a'int for me
Just a 3-0 loss.Quote:
Originally Posted by Shoot
Good win for Broadford alright but it's nuts thinking that they have a chance of making Munster final. They are probably aiming for 4th in Prem league never mind top 2 in MunsterQuote:
Originally Posted by fanaticfan
I'd also be worried about Summer soccer Shoot - not worried about the conditions bit but would agree that you'll likely struggle to get your best team out 2 weeks in a row and when your pitting soccer in direct competition with GAA you'll lose some lads - on the other side of it though would we see more evening/midweek games?? I think playing on a Friday night is a very attractive proposition, do Abbey play under lights much??
Always thought it was a 3 point deduction for a walkover - If you give a 3rd walkover you do get thrown out of the league dont you?
Yes Langerdan077 you do get points deducted for giving a W/O but getting thrown out for giving three walkovers i don't know. I think Rockhills over W/O must have been in one of the cup competitions Shearer because they have only three points deducted from their league points.
Their other one was against Newcastle West B in the Desmond Cup.Quote:
Originally Posted by Shoot
To the best of my knowledge it's three walkovers and you're gone.
If you give 3 walkover your gone.
Be a lot more walk overs when the summer season comes in unless clubs amgalmate first . The Desmond league covers west Limerick primarily , it makes a big difference if your rural or a town . Towns like Abbeyfeale and Newcastle west have more than enough to field different sports teams but the question is of the best sports players in your area how many will put soccer ahead of GAA ?
In abbéyfeale soccer and football would each end up with 5 of the ten most talented sports players if I was asked which would ensure both clubs operate away at a highish level .
But clubs like granagh , rock hill , ferry rangers , ballysteen , breska would see 9 out of ten of the most talented players in the parish choose gaa , on the other side of the coin Glin is probably the strongest and most soccer parish in west limerick , kilcornan seems to be the only parish with no gaa and along with NCw and abbey would be best placed . Broadford has north cork gaa playrs as well . Rathkeale and ballingarry should be ok although gaa is a lot stronger in rathkeale than it used be . Bottom line most clubs will be affected but most importantly the league could lose big time , a lot of clubs will still have teams but what quality ?? as in many cases the better players might be driven out of the league due to the gaa been their first choice .
It is amazing looking on at the west gaa how poorly at times it's organised or structured but right or wrong the local gaa jersey has some hold over many people in west limerick .
Against that , are their players presently playing rugby first over the present soccer season that would be an addition to the summer soccer season ?
Summer soccer would be short term gain for long term gain, young lads are already being told not to play soccer at, be pro active, make them choose soccer or gaa as early as 12. There is then plenty of time to work on the players that remain skills and u will have them for life. Look at some of the best players in the league, Alan O'Shea, Tony Quaid, Joe McAuliffe, James Cussen, Tommy Smith. All these players have soccer as number 1. Another thing with summer soccer, for all their talk the gaa can't schedule a match in June or July. Imagine how much soccer could be played from March to August with all the best weather and long eveningsQuote:
Originally Posted by Abbeyman
Rathkeale game going ahead tomorrow?
With the Gaa on the brink of revolt from there club players the Fai should be rolling out summer soccer asap. Players are fed up with the structure and with a guaranteed game every weekend in soccer I think the fallout that people worry about wouldn't be that bad.
The way limerick footballers are going , they needn't worry about super 8 anytime soon!