So is the first division no longer a graveyard?

[Candystripe]

Looking at some of the attendances so far in D1 and although it's early in the season the averages are up (not surprisingly) but even Harps,Waterford,Limerick and others are getting decent crowds.

If it gets tight near the top five IMO the crowds will get even larger and with both Cork and Derry involved along with Shels then maybe the "graveyard" name may be forgotten for a season or so.

With Derry and Cork pulling over 2,000 in against what would not be classed as "crowd pulling teams" and Limerick getting almost 1,000 and playing well is the Derry and Cork disasters from last year the shot in the arm the first division needed??????

[paudie]

Yeah, good to see Derry and Cork fans are sticking with the clubs depsite the farces that resulted in them being in Div 1. Hopefully it will continue through the season.

Also good that other clubs will benefit from larger away support etc.

[Dillonman]

Are limerick getting close to 1,000?

[sheao]

Are limerick getting close to 1,000?

They will anyway when we are around there good friday !

[Dundalkjames]

Its a horrible **** of a division

[Riddickcule]

Although its well and good seeing the 1st Div. thriving a bit, i still want Derry and Cork back up here in the promised land. I'm liking the progress CCF-Co-op are making, with the crowds you will get the revenue will come, and you'll be back up here in no time, same for Derry.

[Dodge]

Although its well and good seeing the 1st Div. thriving a bit, i still want Derry and Cork back up here in the promised land.

You realise they'd take your spot, don't you?

[De Town]

Yes, it's still a horrible **** of a graveyard that I wish I didn't have to visit. Take me back to the days of going to Dublin every second week instead of having to travel to places I never want to go to.

[El-Pietro]

Cork City will continue to boost crowds up and down the country. Athlone doubled their crowd when we came to visit, hopefully we can help out Limerick a little bit as well.

I'm enjoying the novelty of visiting grounds we don't normally get to see. So far its just been Athlone as we were eased in gently with the Brandywell up first, and I'm not especially looking foward to Jackman Park, particularly with the weather forecast, but Wexford, Monaghan, Ballybofey, Longford, will be a nice break from Dublin every other week.
I'm sure it will wear off over time though. But the first division is certainly interesting this season at least!

[Spudulika]

What are the odds that only one of the "big two" land back in the PD next season? In many ways the torture that was the off-season has led to a more interesting 2010, especially with more interest in domestic football. Maybe we should have this every year, can't Drogheda go, no wait, maybe Bohs can get caught, no wait, maybe SFFC lose their backing, no wait. In fairness I hope all clubs can benefit this season and the league makes a massive leap forward.

[pineapple stu]

What are the odds that only one of the "big two" land back in the PD next season?

Quite high, I'd say. Waterford are a couple of years ahead of Cork and Derry in the rebuilding process and seem to have started where they left off last year; I'd expect them at worst to stop either of Cork or Derry.

[gufct]

Id say they are very high as the league will be restructured at the end of this season with a 16 team Premier looking a dead cert.

[OneRedArmy]

Quite high, I'd say. Waterford are a couple of years ahead of Cork and Derry in the rebuilding process and seem to have started where they left off last year; I'd expect them at worst to stop either of Cork or Derry.

Absolutely.

We're a poor enough side, Waterford comprehensively outplayed us.

I'd be shocked if we went up.

[Jofspring]

Absolutely.

We're a poor enough side, Waterford comprehensively outplayed us.

I'd be shocked if we went up.

Waterford will win the league. Outside of that if a few teams can stay close together in 2nd down to 4th then i think a lot will come down to how the teams strengthen in July to how they finish. This is where Cork and Derry will come good and push on but they need to be there or there abouts mid way through the season to have any chance.

[Sam_Heggy]

Waterford will win this division at ease this season.

After that you could throw names into a hat.

[Spudulika]

Shels might make a run for it too, agreed Waterford are looking well, and there is a general levelling. It could be a fudge, and positive one, to create a 16 team Premier for 2011, and I'd be for it. How they'll organise it will be a different matter. No relegation from the PD, and 6 up? Would be mightily strange but who would arrive in the "promised land"?

[derm]

Waterford will win this division at ease this season.

After that you could throw names into a hat.

Unless their Cork boys come home in July ;-)

[micls]

What are the odds that only one of the "big two" land back in the PD next season? In many ways the torture that was the off-season has led to a more interesting 2010, especially with more interest in domestic football. Maybe we should have this every year, can't Drogheda go, no wait, maybe Bohs can get caught, no wait, maybe SFFC lose their backing, no wait. In fairness I hope all clubs can benefit this season and the league makes a massive leap forward.

Haven't spoken to anyone down here who expects us to go up. We're starting from scratch. Mid table and financial security for this year and maybe we can look at trying to be up around the playoffs next year.

Obviously it's still very much a novelty down here at the moment. Owning the club, no bad press, some nice football from some young lads and a great buzz around the place. Ive no doubt that'l dim the longer we're down here though.

[blue til i die]

Unless their Cork boys come home in July ;-)

which is never going to happen

[Dodge]

Sounds to me like some of th e corpses down there are trying to convince themselves "This is not a graveyard, this is not a graveyard, this is NOT A GRAVEYARD"