Big Games Ahead in Thomond Park

**joeSoap** · 12/12/2008, 1:03 PM

If Limerick FC are to have any involvement then they will have to work at it and become involved in it just like the rest of the interested parties. Thomond Park Ltd is a company looking to make money from this type of venture. Limerick FC have no God given right to any proceeds from such a tournament if it takes place. Why would they have? The opportunity would be there for Limerick FC to organise their own tournament, maybe look at renting Thomond Park for it, paying the exorbitant insurance it would cost, incurring the massive security and organisational overheads that go with it but I can't see any of that happening. At this moment in time the club doesn't have a pot to p1ss in and has no right to start making demands for involvement or proceeds from something they didn't think up, or put anything into.

**gspain** · 12/12/2008, 1:18 PM

Originally Posted by joeSoap

If Limerick FC are to have any involvement then they will have to work at it and become involved in it just like the rest of the interested parties. Thomond Park Ltd is a company looking to make money from this type of venture. Limerick FC have no God given right to any proceeds from such a tournament if it takes place. Why would they have? The opportunity would be there for Limerick FC to organise their own tournament, maybe look at renting Thomond Park for it, paying the exorbitant insurance it would cost, incurring the massive security and organisational overheads that go with it but I can't see any of that happening. At this moment in time the club doesn't have a pot to p1ss in and has no right to start making demands for involvement or proceeds from something they didn't think up, or put anything into.

I was talking to somebody I know involved in Dundee United. They had no say in the running of the Barcelona game. They provided a team and made their ground available. They got a fee but the organsiers did everything else including sell tickets etc. They made very little money out of it but it was an opportunity to play Barcelona.

Limerick would be made to take this on and try and run it.

If a professional sports management company wants to run the event they need FAI approval. I can't see the FAI sanctioning a tournament involving foreign teams only in an Irish city. Cork or Galway may get asked instead but there will have to be Irish invovlement.

**Battery Rover** · 12/12/2008, 1:27 PM

Originally Posted by gspain

I can't see the FAI sanctioning a tournament involving foreign teams only in an Irish city.

But if they are looking at holding the FAI Cup final in Thomond Park next season it might be part of the deal.

**LK37oldskool** · 12/12/2008, 4:13 PM

If Limerick FC are to have any involvement then they will have to work at it and become involved in it just like the rest of the interested parties.

Not going to argue with you on those points but i think it would be a disgrace if Cork or Galway were involved and Limerick were left looking on. I'm sure the club will do their upmost to have some involvement. I think public exposure would be as important as revenue in a situation like this.

**joeSoap** · 14/12/2008, 4:02 PM

I think an Eircom League representative side with local representation would be the best way to go with this, and Limerick FC involved in its promotion. However, the club will have to prove its ability to work on such a project, and at the moment thats unlikely.

**Lim till i die** · 15/12/2008, 7:40 PM

Nobody wants to watch that.

So small-time, wouldn't be any point.

**L37Ultra** · 15/12/2008, 9:18 PM

Originally Posted by Lim till i die

Nobody wants to watch that.

So small-time, wouldn't be any point.

They would if they were playing the likes of Barcelona though.

**joeSoap** · 16/12/2008, 8:47 AM

And if the Eircom League selection was managed by whoever the Limerick FC manager at the time is, with guaranteed on-field representation.

**joeSoap** · 16/12/2008, 8:54 AM

Originally Posted by Lim till i die

Nobody wants to watch that.

So small-time, wouldn't be any point.

What sort of comment is that? At the moment, the club IS 'small time' as you put it. It probably cant get any more 'small time'. Involvement is such a tournament would increase the portfolio of the club enormously. Participation by the club in its own right would be a non-starter. We're quite simply not good enough, like it or not. And you can be sure that if full strength squads from big name clubs come to town then people will go.

**GenerationXI** · 16/12/2008, 10:32 AM

Originally Posted by joeSoap

How about an Eircom League Selection?

I do like this idea. Everyone wins.

Originally Posted by LK37oldskool

Not going to argue with you on those points but i think it would be a disgrace if Cork or Galway were involved and Limerick were left looking on. I'm sure the club will do their upmost to have some involvement. I think public exposure would be as important as revenue in a situation like this.

I don't get this at all to be honest. Limerick have no rights whatsoever where this is concerned. Proximity to Thomond Park shouldn't count for anything. By that logic any Junior club who happens to play nearer to Thomond than Jackman (get out your map and a protractor) gets to play before we do. I would rather see a representative side.

If there was to be a tournament then it could be fairly interesting to have a LOIPrem. XI and a LOIFirst Div. XI in the mix. Whatever about the rest of you more cultured fans, I'd definitely be interested in something like that.

If anything does go on in Thomond, the aim will be to create revenue for the company. In which case, we shouldn't expect too much.

**Dodge** · 16/12/2008, 10:41 AM

It won't be a LOI selection. The games would be at the height of the season with possible euro games for Pats, bohs, Sligo and Derry. They won't give up their players for a friendly that doesn't benefit them.

These tournaments need FAI sanction. The FAI have every right to impose a couple of conditions on Thomand before allowing the games to happen. One of these should absolutely be the inclusion of your club in any of the plans.

**Lionel Ritchie** · 16/12/2008, 12:10 PM

Originally Posted by GenerationXI

I do like this idea. Everyone wins.

I don't get this at all to be honest. Limerick have no rights whatsoever where this is concerned. Proximity to Thomond Park shouldn't count for anything. By that logic any Junior club who happens to play nearer to Thomond than Jackman (get out your map and a protractor) gets to play before we do. I would rather see a representative side.

If there was to be a tournament then it could be fairly interesting to have a LOIPrem. XI and a LOIFirst Div. XI in the mix. Whatever about the rest of you more cultured fans, I'd definitely be interested in something like that.

If anything does go on in Thomond, the aim will be to create revenue for the company. In which case, we shouldn't expect too much.

I profoundly disagree ...and I used play for Balla.

I said on the other thread - we wouldn't be even discussing league XIs or whatever if this was happening at Turners Cross.

So what if it's an accident of geography? It should be a bit of good fortune for Limerick and might help increase revenue, support base, profile etc...

The company organising this thing knows well also that this town is teeming with bandwagon jumpers who will go along if it's pitched right.

**citybone** · 16/12/2008, 12:15 PM

Originally Posted by Dodge

It won't be a LOI selection. The games would be at the height of the season with possible euro games for Pats, bohs, Sligo and Derry. They won't give up their players for a friendly that doesn't benefit them.

These tournaments need FAI sanction. The FAI have every right to impose a couple of conditions on Thomand before allowing the games to happen. One of these should absolutely be the inclusion of your club in any of the plans.

so have the Representative side of players not playing in Europe from the premier division. that would mean cork city would benefit most

though it could be sides not in settanta cup either.

**LK37oldskool** · 16/12/2008, 12:36 PM

.

"I don't get this at all to be honest. Limerick have no rights whatsoever where this is concerned. Proximity to Thomond Park shouldn't count for anything. By that logic any Junior club who happens to play nearer to Thomond than Jackman (get out your map and a protractor) gets to play before we do. I would rather see a representative side. "

Surely as the Senior team in the city they would get consideration.i never said any thing about proximity to the ground.Not much point in having a tournament without some Irish representation. Any financial reward is welcome no matter how small but i think exposure is far more important.Without some Irish/limerick involvment i would'nt be bothered to be honest.

**joeSoap** · 16/12/2008, 1:36 PM

Originally Posted by Dodge

It won't be a LOI selection. The games would be at the height of the season with possible euro games for Pats, bohs, Sligo and Derry. They won't give up their players for a friendly that doesn't benefit them.

Mick Devine (Cork City); Neil Horgan (Cork City) Dan Murray (Cork City); John Fitzgerald (Galway United) Danny Murphy (Cork City). Wayne Colbert (Limerick FC), Tommy Barrett (Limerick FC), Joe Gamble (Cork City) Joseph Ndo (Shamrock Rovers); Jason Hughes (Limerick FC) Derek Glynn (Galway United).

Subs: Barry Murphy, Aidan Price, Colin Healy.....

And I included none of the Drogheda palyers who might be transferred such as Zayed, Robinson, Gartland etc, or Jay O'Shea from Galway.

That side above might not be great, but it would be competitive. None of them will be involved in European football next season.

**Dodge** · 16/12/2008, 2:10 PM

Won't be that competitive as they won't have any training time together. But thats a complete non issue IMO

Even the clubs with players mentioned wouldn't like to give up players in the middle of the season for absolutely no gain.

**osarusan** · 16/12/2008, 2:16 PM

Originally Posted by Dodge

Even the clubs with players mentioned wouldn't like to give up players in the middle of the season for absolutely no gain.

Limerick's gain is the league's gain Dodge. Time and time again we've seen clubs freely give their time and effort in order that others may benefit. We're lucky not to have the internal squabbling that plagues other leagues. We all move on together or we dont move on at all. Whay can't you see it that way Dodge?