Speculate.
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Speculate.
Eight teams, Cobh being the eighth with the current seven. Athlone and Longford favourites. The fact we're not getting fixtures with the Prem is a big indication that the FAI still don't even know themselves.
Us favourites? Even though we only have 6 (I think) confirmed players, 1 of them being an unproven LOI level striker signed from the LSL.
Great level of speculation I suppose.
11 teams: the current 7 plus four more Galway teams. But not GUST.
Each team to play each other three and a half times.
Winners to be decided on the toss of a coin, making Harps and the European Union early favourites, but a German Eagle or some bloke from Spain can't be ruled out either.
Could say the same about other teams, but easier to get players around dublin. Waterford have nobody signed but doesnt mean they wont be expected to challenge. Way to hard to tell until we know who's in the division, then teams can plan a lot better.Quote:
Originally Posted by De Town
Will be a much tougher league this season I think.
Athlone, Harps, Longford, Waterford and Wexford to all fight for the title this year in one of the most competitive First Divisions in years. The two Galway teams and Cobh to make up the numbers.
I dont think Waterford will challenge with Sean Maguire and Gary Dempsey gone. I think Wexford will be dark horses with Athlone and Harps not far off.. As for us I am not sure depends on who stays and is signed
1. Longford
2. Waterford
3. Harps
4. Athlone
5. Wexford
6. Mervue
7. Ramblers
8. SD
This division is really hard to call, as it stands. It seems like the obvious choices - Waterford and Longford - have both been weakened considerably in the interim. Athlone, they just weren't great last year playing in that sandpit. Wexford need to just be more consistent and they would challenge. Finn Harps would actually be my pick, I was pretty impressed with them last year towards the end and if they could get a half-decent start to the year they'd have momentum. Mervue I could see doing a bit better this year, depending on how others mostly. SD will be bottom, again. Cobh, well, I don't know.
Scary enough, Harps look good for the season ahead already. We've signed back the majority of last seasons starting 11 (the one from the end of the season, where we were extremely competitive, not the ones from Felix's awful start to the season) plus a few of the fringe players.
The board announced that they hope to increase the budget for the season in a promotion push allowing Hutton to sign a few experienced players to improve the side.
All that said, expect us to finish 15th.
Longford, Athlone, Harps, Waterford and Wexford will challenge however with youths losing furlong id suspect them to drop away and come up short. Waterford will need to replace Maguire but should still be tough challengers, Athlones new players will have to settle quickly but I really fancy Harps to push big this season. They went on a great run last season playing decent football and with kevin mchugh still firing them in they have every chance.
As for ourselves if cousins has learnt from his tactical mistakes last season and we can finally get a 15 goals a season striker then we might start as favorites.
Really great to hear of Harps been talked of in terms of challenging again. Some decent young talent always comes through and with an added blend of experience they can compete. Really encouraging end to last season. Every teams turn comes around and often you see teams down and out, in Harps case it was a financial one, and they regroup and rebuild and eventually get their break.
I think we need to add to the squad that lost 2-0 to Salthill in our penultimate game before we get too carried away to be honest!
Don't understand the Harps love in tbh. Their form in the 2nd half of the season wasn't exactly out of this world. 5 wins in 15 league games after the summer break. 2 of them against us, 1 of which was against our 2nd team on the last day of the season. The other 3 against Mervue, SDG and Athlone all in Finn Park.
Decent 1st division outfit, but their squad will need improving if they're to challenge imo.
Quote:
Originally Posted by De Town
Most people wouldn't argue...including the board. Which is why the wage budget is being increased for this season. Hutton also is in talks with a few players, with details to be announced in the new year.
Also, Harps were actually one of the better footballing teams in the First division last season.
Dont think we can be judged on last season considering roddy has said hes keeping 4 from last years squad. Gonna be a completely different athlone side this season. The signings so far are very positive and im sure Philly Gorman will bang in the goals for us. I reckon itll be between Athlone, Longford and Waterford with Harps a close 4th
Harps were very well organised in the latter half of the season but lacked a goal threat aside from McHugh I thought. Not sure we've been considerably weakened as yet as none of our best players have gone elsewhere and most are believed to be staying aside from Crawley who's being linked with other clubs. He would be a loss but then again nobody knew a lot about him when he came to us. There's always good young lads to be found. Finding a regular goalscorer is crucial for us though.
Waterford have no players signed up, and have no money...long off season ahead.
Cobh will never be whipping boys as they will feed off of our scraps. Waterford may suffer.
Harps should be one of the fittest teams in the country all going to plan, as they are working over the past few weeks (and for the season) with the same guys that worked with the Donegal County Bogballers on strength and conditioning.
Most of the lads are doing 3 nights a week with them.
Time will tell how competitive we really are at the end of it all. I'll certainly not be getting carried away at the start of the season, but with the addition of a quality striker beside McHugh and a few other areas we could be very strong.
This is Salthills year, moving back home,reverting to the original name, big crowds expected up in the drom fortress. Come on the Devon !
Who's going to replace Kirby? And presumably Gillespie doesn't have more than a season left in him. Is Bayly staying on?Quote:
Originally Posted by De Town
Kirby isn't a big loss really. His legs were clearly gone last season and he was on the bench a good bit more than expected last season. Gillespie is apparently staying on, he's playing the holding roll moreso these days so he doesn't need to move as much as other midfielders. Bayly's gone to Shels I think, although nothing has been confirmed. I would have liked to keep him, a scumbag but he can certainly play ball, especially at first division level.Quote:
Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin
Ah, I knew his legs were going at Sligo but I thought he'd have had a season at FD level in him. I assume him and Bayly were on a decent wedge so I'm supposing there'll be a bit of cash to bring in replacements.
There should be enough money available to have a competitive squad but we'll have to wait and see until the full squad is finalised.
The play-offs are scheduled for the same time again on the fixture list, meaning the First Division probably going to end in the 2nd week of October again.
I would be surprised to see Queenstown return to the fold next season.
How about GUST or any additional teams?
Grasshopper Termonbarry were looking at an application, and had several multi-million pound signings lined up, but they bailed out because of the 19k entry fee.
Grasshopper Termonbarry? Are they not Young Boys Tarmonbarry now?
No, it was FC United of Termonbarry who merged with Termonbarry Dons to form Young Boys Termonbarry. Grasshopper Termonbarry were formed from that split in Termonbarry Caledonian Thistle.Quote:
Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin
Ah I see. This is all Greek to a diehard Sporting Clube de Tarmonbarry supporter like myself.
Are they better known in English speaking lands as Sporting Roscommon? or Longford, I can't remember which county its in now.Quote:
Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin
Jesus, don't let the SCT ultras hear you utter such blasphemy.
Bayly was ****e. No loss. Kirby was finished early on in the season. Gillespie is as good as ever since he came to us.
Dunny will lose his sh1t when he sees ye talking about the club that killed off his beloved Termonbarry United by moving across to the Longford side. I will never eat in the Purple Onion again. AS bad as Keelings that shower!Quote:
Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin
Harps have re-signed 5 players today including McHugh....looking good up there.
This is the best thread.
Some rather scary financial worries around Waterford this week, the FD really does look like a graveyard sometimes.
Stop fraternising with the peasants we are above that now god damn it. :cool:Quote:
Originally Posted by NeverFeltBetter
We're not above them until I see that Premier Division license!
So, what happened at the EGM last night?Quote:
Originally Posted by Terry