Cork AUL 2006/07

Ah we're back to the ol' aul/msl debate again!! Personally, and again the game is all about opinions, the top 4 in aul are nowhere near the top 4 in msl. I agree, that no team would steamroll eachother, but 7/8 times out of ten the likes of avondale and everton would beat grattan and they're the best the aul have to offer. The likes of everton and avondale have excellent quality players, better teams than top aul sides. A more appropriate comparison should be made between the likes of grattan, bphehane kinsale and co to carrigaline, mayfield and corinthians. That's realistically the level grattan are at on their good days.

Before anyone asks im not pro msl and anti aul, im just giving an honest opinion. In the last 7 years ive played(and subbed more often that not!!) 4 years msl and 3 aul. In that time ive played in an aoh cup final (where the standard of opposition was poor) and lost an msl league on the last day of the season. So I suppose im in a better position than most to assess the standard in both leagues and offer a fair comparison. One mightnt realise it until they're actually playing msl, but the tempo and speed of the game is quicker.

I agree with ye that the last 16 fai junior is def as good as the last 16 intermediate cup, but when was the last time 3/4 teams from the aul made it into the last 16 of the fai junior in the same season. I personally cant recall! Every year u have at least 3-6 msl teams in last 16 of fai intermediate cup (although to be honest there are less rounds than fai junior)

All, Some really good posts going about at the moment.

I have to say I agree with some comments that the top 2/3 in the MSL would be better than the four or so in the Premier that have been mentioned (I won't bother listing them they've been listed plenty of times). But also I do believe that the AUL's finest would all more than hold their own in the MSL premier and given a few years I could see a few of them challenging... However I wish they wouldn't all keep leaving or trying to leave.

I also believe sometimes the AUL gets a bit of a raw deal. They are accepting pure grassroots football... I'll take Ballypheane as an example; what is it about 4 years ago they entered into the 3rd division of the AUL, they've won promotion every year since with a great young team and are now being spoken of as possible contenders for the Premier crown... This cannot happen in MSL. MSL title is pretty much Rockmount and A.N. OTHER competing for the title. I know the AUL is messed up in more ways than not but at least it is not an exclusive club that only the "chosen few" can join.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Innishvilla

All, Some really good posts going about at the moment.

I have to say I agree with some comments that the top 2/3 in the MSL would be better than the four or so in the Premier that have been mentioned (I won't bother listing them they've been listed plenty of times). But also I do believe that the AUL's finest would all more than hold their own in the MSL premier and given a few years I could see a few of them challenging... However I wish they wouldn't all keep leaving or trying to leave.

I also believe sometimes the AUL gets a bit of a raw deal. They are accepting pure grassroots football... I'll take Ballypheane as an example; what is it about 4 years ago they entered into the 3rd division of the AUL, they've won promotion every year since with a great young team and are now being spoken of as possible contenders for the Premier crown... This cannot happen in MSL. MSL title is pretty much Rockmount and A.N. OTHER competing for the title. I know the AUL is messed up in more ways than not but at least it is not an exclusive club that only the "chosen few" can join.

---

totally agree with that post, fantastic.

In relation to facilitys and fitness,Avondale have a decent pitch,Rockmounts slopes away from the dressing room,Evertons slopes towards the airport,none have an allweather training surface,Grattan have fully lit I may add..and their dressing rooms will be completed before the new year,whats the excuse then,,,,,,,,,,

Dont get me wrong,but the Msl brigade never and i mean never in any of the last posts actually said that the Aul teams were on a par,just only as good as the weaker teams in the Msl Prem.Rockmount lost in the second round of the Intermediate against a 3rd division LSL team.Another post stated that he couldnt remember the last time 3/4 cork aul sides were in the semis of a major cup.That would be because in the Intermediate their is less than 150 teams and in the junior theirs nearly 700 teams roughly.Theirs only 3 senior leagues in the country by the way,the junior Fai has every junior and business league in the republic.

The AUL is what it is,problematic yes,but still the only platform for grass roots football in Cork to start.I state again that i appriciate the sterling work that the Msl has done.But,,,,,,,,,then for only Msl fans to think that it is the hotbed of Cork football is surely wrong.8 players picked for the amature squad( suposedly a national senior league squad),3 Rockmount,3 Avondale and Grattan 2(Cork Aul ,infeirior)what dose that say for the rest of the Msl.

The Msl has excellent sides,so dose the Aul,but as much as I,m delighted that Cork football has Intermediate champions in Avondale,I was just as delighted to see Grattan knock Peake and Pike(a match for any senior side in the country facility/player wise) and put Cork junior football back on the map as serious contenders for the Fai Junior.

Please remember,Senior league was meant to be clubs who have developed superior facilitys who wish to play on top class pitches.They would attract the better players one would think.Thats not the case all the time I'm afraid,the Aul is knocked,an knocked but I've said and I'll say again is it to much to think that the Aul top sides are on a par with the Msl.

I personaly would prefer to say that in releation to both junior and senior football in Cork we sit at the top table,heads held high.But we dont all play on a level playing field ????????????????????????

Passage (MSL) 1 Grattan Utd 3:)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by littleman

Passage (MSL) 1 Grattan Utd 3:)

---

:D:D delighted.

any pre season news,new signings whos goin to win what:p

havent heard much myself to be honest. I've missed pre season due to injury but hoping to get back involved with 3 weeks.The team im joining will be much the same team as was last year and dont think il make much of a difference either way but ud never know!!

Do you have to be over 18 to play aul??
Im 17 like but after two leg breaks the speed and the fitness isnt the same

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by alansmithccfc

Do you have to be over 18 to play aul??
Im 17 like but after two leg breaks the speed and the fitness isnt the same

---

nope you can play away

2 leg breaks before your 18,you've no luck at all.Choose wisely who you decide to join because every team in the AUL is either fightin relegation or challanging for the top,not everyone can stomach it.

Whats the general thought on the Kinsale/AUL appeal.Kinsale reinstated to premier with a bigger fine though.I was shocked with what the Aul did to Kinsale but I thought fair dues for takin a stand against cheatin.Then the MFA who I used to think had a bit of cop on lost it all.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by alansmithccfc

Do you have to be over 18 to play aul??
Im 17 like but after two leg breaks the speed and the fitness isnt the same

---

Poor ****er, should have called yourself "colinhealyccfc":). I played when i was 17 too. Tough at the start, but not long gettin used to it.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by alansmithccfc

Do you have to be over 18 to play aul??
Im 17 like but after two leg breaks the speed and the fitness isnt the same

---

You've plenty of time to play juinor football,find a club with a handy minor side and play another year.The AUL will still be here next season.

or if you do go aul do your best to get premier prem a, or first div team that are contending, rest arent the best being honest

No doubt any decent 17 year olds can play AUL. I wouldn't suggest any specific division teams, I'd more look at what sides are doing decent training... I missed a few year due to a very bad injury and my advice is if you've lost a bit of fitness from two leg breaks the last thing you'd need is a poor 3rd division side that struggles for 11 at matches never mind training. However, I do know alot of sides in all the divisions that are training hard, so I would base picking a team on who's doing some decent training and has nice hot showers for the long, cold, wet winter months (I suppose I could have said summer months as well).

agree but the lower division you go, alot of bruisers in div 3 like, but its all about the training you will receive if you serious bout gettin fitness back and taking it from there like, but if its just a game of ball you want anywhere can provide that.

sorry innish,if its showers your after the pickins are slim,but the bar is never far from an AUL pitch to help your weary bones:D

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by littleman

sorry innish,if its showers your after the pickins are slim,but the bar is never far from an AUL pitch to help your weary bones:D

---

All too true but I suppose those trusty magic pants always are helpful for the old trips to the bar on a Sunday afternoon... :p

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by littleman

any pre season news,new signings whos goin to win what:p

---

It's all very quiet this year, Don't know if it's the terrible weather or what but the season is almost sneaking up on us... I suppose it's a bit hard to do predictions until all the divisions are finalised etc... I suppose there will be a few teams drop out/disappear as always, Lakewood have deserted for MSL, the list sent around by Billy Lyons there last week was missing a huge amount of teams that had not yet registered...

I would'nt be surprised to see a few surprises alright.I heard a little whisper that the Aul were going to refuse entry to fair few to try to weed out the hangers on.

Is it true that your your ex manager returned to Kinsale,has he taken any players with him to add insult to injury.Only askin.

The Aul tried to stand their ground for once and make an example of Kinsale,fair dues.I cant belive I just said that.Cant see any teams doin Kinsale favours this season over what they did.Its done week in week out in the lowere leagues,but to do it in the Premier to a fellow Premier side who could have been relegated as a result is low.The rematch with Villa should be a belter.;)

Im in two minds whether to play at all, I miss playing sport but then theres the leaving cert dont want any more serious injuries come winter time.
I only live across the road form Village United but Id say thats a step above my level. Anyone know if the second team that play up there still play havent seen them play in a long while up there?


I dont fancy going back to Mayfield because there was alot of messing about in the team I was playing before I broke the leg the sceond time.


When does the season start Spetember isnt it?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by alansmithccfc

Im in two minds whether to play at all, I miss playing sport but then theres the leaving cert dont want any more serious injuries come winter time.
I only live across the road form Village United but Id say thats a step above my level. Anyone know if the second team that play up there still play havent seen them play in a long while up there?


I dont fancy going back to Mayfield because there was alot of messing about in the team I was playing before I broke the leg the sceond time.


When does the season start Spetember isnt it?

---

Season starts weekend 25th/26th Aug

Dont think teams have ever done Kinsale favours?? Perhaps the same can be said of the AUL. Up until last season they were fixture i think people relished/feared? As far as i know it is the AUL's fault that Kinsale are back in the Premier division?? Inadequate rules? No where in the rule book does it say that a team can be relegated for fielding an inelligible player... this is only hear say and do not hold me to it but i did hear it from a reliable source. If thats the case you have to blame the AUL... this isnt the first time this has happened though...... cast your minds back a few years to Pearse Celtic?? Ddnt they play a ridiculous amount of illegal players and get off scot free?? From what i recall they had an influential member on the AUL board?

Any truth to the rumours that our two AUL internationals have joined Cobh Ramblers? With ROD on the way to the Ireland B team in sunderland maybe Rico could be taking a look too??!:eek:

Potential Title Contenders? Top Scorers? Relegation teams? Players to watch? God i cant wait for the season to start! Who'll win the Mossie?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bogwarrior

Any truth to the rumours that our two AUL internationals have joined Cobh Ramblers? ?

---

dont think so bud, havent seen them around anyway, would be a good move for them though.

I fancy Leeside for the mossy.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by alansmithccfc

Im in two minds whether to play at all, I miss playing sport but then theres the leaving cert dont want any more serious injuries come winter time.
I only live across the road form Village United but Id say thats a step above my level. Anyone know if the second team that play up there still play havent seen them play in a long while up there?


I dont fancy going back to Mayfield because there was alot of messing about in the team I was playing before I broke the leg the sceond time.


When does the season start Spetember isnt it?

---

village have a good team to be fair, there attitude and team spirit was spot on the two times we played them last year. ya end of august/ september.but teams would prob be nto there 3rd/4th week training by now, its make your mind up time. I was playing aul last year when doing the leavin i was 18 though, but i have to say training is a welcome distraction, we actually won the league the day before my maths leaving cert test, gutted i couldnt celebrate. :(

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bellavistaman

village have a good team to be fair, there attitude and team spirit was spot on the two times we played them last year. ya end of august/ september.but teams would prob be nto there 3rd/4th week training by now, its make your mind up time. I was playing aul last year when doing the leavin i was 18 though, but i have to say training is a welcome distraction, we actually won the league the day before my maths leaving cert test, gutted i couldnt celebrate. :(

---

Ya i watch them quite often but I dont think im at that level :D

Only one way to find out.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by littleman

Is it true that your your ex manager returned to Kinsale,has he taken any players with him to add insult to injury.Only askin.

---

Yeah Ger Foran is gone back to Kinsale and I can tell you from only one year working with him Kinsale will be a better side than last year. Tactically, mentally and physically I've never been better prepared for every match in a season.

From the Innishvilla side I don't think there's any bad feeling, his home club seemed to be falling to pieces after his departure and I do know it was a really tough decision for him...

He's not really taking players back with him as there weren't many Kinsale players on our books, more there were a couple on the verge of signing to play under him this year that I think we now will struggle to entice... We have also lost a real find from last year who is heading to OZ for the foreseeable future...

Any ideas who will be in the running this year for the Prem title?
Same ol' faces or will there be a surprise? Park Utd anyone??
Any major signings or transfers? Were Grattan able to hold onto their internationals? I saw them in the amateur intnl v USA and they impressed so I wouldn't be surprised if Ramblers or even City were sniffing around.

Who got promoted to the Prem with Ballyphehane? Were Macroom the only team relegated?

Grattan have retained all their players for this season,encluding their 2 internationals.

Bella dont hate me but they have also signed 3 of your minor/21 players.:D

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by littleman

Grattan have retained all their players for this season,encluding their 2 internationals.

Bella dont hate me but they have also signed 3 of your minor/21 players.:D

---

Your alrite bud who did they get?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Shilts

Any ideas who will be in the running this year for the Prem title?
Same ol' faces or will there be a surprise? Park Utd anyone??
Any major signings or transfers? Were Grattan able to hold onto their internationals? I saw them in the amateur intnl v USA and they impressed so I wouldn't be surprised if Ramblers or even City were sniffing around.

Who got promoted to the Prem with Ballyphehane? Were Macroom the only team relegated?

---

Kinsale look to be very strong again this year,Grattan can do it back to back by what I've seen and heard

Kanturk up from Prem A,looks like Macroom only team relegated,other team to take Maymount's place

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by pass&move

Kanturk up from Prem A,

---

aw stop, there cat. Good CB but thats bout it.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bellavistaman

aw stop, there cat. Good CB but thats bout it.

---

Are you saying Kanturk were not promoted with Ballyphehane

No,not at all sayin i cant believe they got up

Ya i heard Grattan are flying in pre season. They're back a good while training as far as i know. Is it true Derek MacCarthy is back with Kinsale? :eek:A few new faces too? My sources are never usually wrong!

If the above are true -
Leeside for the Mossie
Grattan/Kinsale for the league
Leeside/Coachford for the AOH?

No real surprises but a few years experience tells me i wont be far wrong...

Top scorers??
Derek MacCarthy or Derek Varian for Kinsale
Maybe JP O'Sullivan but i think teams will be a lot more aware of him this year than last.:ball:

Bella,they signed David O'Sullivan,thats JP and captain Marks younger brother, a guy called Pa Sullivan(no relation)and another redhead guy called Scott somethin,did,ny get his second name.They also signed the Cork minor football keeper Thomas Martin,plus a few faces at the passage game I've never seen before.They play Blarney tomorrow at 2:30 in O'Shea Park.

Qwertyui, your predictions are decent but I think the Mossie is wide open because I cant see any of the top sides doin anything other than using it as a pre season warm up.It realistly could be the only silverware up for grabs that Leeside and the rest will be trying to win and I'm not meaning to sound disrespectful,its just how I see it.

Kinsale will be gunning for the league,to try to regain some lost respect,Ballypheane will be looking for a top 4 finish,I honestly dont think that they (even though they are a class side) have the beatings of the Gratts,Kinsale or Leeside and the rest weekin weekout.

The Gratts have a huge season to come.If they are able to keep focused they could achive something special this year.They will get more breaks than anyone else because of the amount of players they will have on Oscar Traynor and International duty.This will give them an added edge over everyone else.A free weekend every 4 or 5 weeks I'd say to recharge the batteries and heal the injurys.

League ............... Grattan
AOH .............. Grattan/Kinsale/Leeside/Blarney Street r my outsiders.
Mossie ............ Who cares to be honest its lost it appeal.
FAI ............... Well lets hope we get 5 or 6 of our top sides into the open round.
MJC ........... I can actually see a Cork side winning it this year ??????
MSC.............. Let the Gratts loose.

Last I heard Derek Varian was headin to Oz,got that from a guy who works with him. Derek Mcarthy aint the same attackin force anymore..;)

Think thats a bit harsh n the Linnane cup, we played Leeside twice last year and Ballyphehane 3 times, and id fancy Ballyphehane to beat them being honest. There CB Alan O'Mahony is top quality very good footballer.

Dont get me wrong Bella,its not that I dont think that the Mossie Linnane is not worth winning,its just the timing of it.Every other division dosent start their individual cup competition until late September/November.It would be better to run it after xmas on a strictly knockout basis.Gives the teams in the Premier/A who are not still envolved in the Fai and Mjc or Msc or Aoh something to play for.

Regarding Ballypheane last season in the games they had to play against PREMIER sides they did very well.But that was only in one off cup games.You yourself know how teams can be easily motivated to up their game in a one off situation.Doughlas Hall/Cobh,,,Grattan /Pike or Peake are just examples of so called weaker sides dishin it out(whoops sorry for the Cobh thing). It dosent mean that in a league format they would do as well,great results for the teams that got them on the day but over a 22 game season I dont think so.I think Bally have excellent players but a top 4 finish is the best I can see for them.Remember for every so called football side in the Premier their are just as many kick **** teams who wont let a ball bounce never mind roll along the ground:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:


Grattan and Kinsale set the tone for the AUL by winning week in week out,both had only lost one game between the start of the season and xmas last season,in all compo's.Thats why their the best teams in the Aul.You dont get to play great football sides every week as you might think in the Premier or big competitions.Just better football sides and fitter kick **** artists.Grattan and Kinsale have beaten mostly everything thrown at them league or cup/local or national and were only beat by truly top class national sides in the games that counted.Can we honestly say that about the rest.We are startin to get more teams in to the open rounds of the FAI and MJC/MSC thats a great sign that we are improving but lets not get carried away.