A Championship Promotion

**kerryfan** · 28/09/2010, 2:25 PM

Originally Posted by culloty82

Yes, they just need a draw Saturday to absolutely clinch third, but unless Rovers win both their matches, Cobh are definitely in the play-off.

If Cobh finish 2nd and if Carlow make 3rd which I think is possibile then both those teams must play off to see who plays Merve or Salthill.

**pineapple stu** · 28/09/2010, 2:29 PM

If they're in the same group though, isn't it just the higher team in the group goes through to the play-off?

Otherwise you could have the top three all being non-reserve teams, and then they'd have to have a mad big play-off between them.

**legendz** · 28/09/2010, 2:34 PM

From Wiki: The 2 group winners play off for the A Championship title. The highest placed first team club compete in a two-legged play-off against the bottom team in the First Division for the right to play in the First Division, provided they finish in the top 3 of their group.

**pineapple stu** · 28/09/2010, 2:45 PM

Yeah; so to decide whether third in one group is higher than second in the other group, I think there has to be a play-off between those two first. But second in one group is self-evidently better than third in the same group, so no need for a play-off there.

**legendz** · 28/09/2010, 3:18 PM

Division One clubs should be keeping an eye on the A Championship for talent.

**realcelt** · 28/09/2010, 3:23 PM

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

Yeah; so to decide whether third in one group is higher than second in the other group, I think there has to be a play-off between those two first. But second in one group is self-evidently better than third in the same group, so no need for a play-off there.

There is a notion that because there is no first team in the top 3 in Group 1,that they dont differ between 2nd and 3rd place in Group 2,meaning there would b a playoff between these 2 teams.

**legendz** · 28/09/2010, 3:37 PM

If Cobh are second and Carlow are 3rd, it'll be Cobh going on to the play-off.
What isn't clear is if a first team makes the top 3 in each group, be it 1st, 2nd or 3rd, would they play-off to see who advance to take on the lowest club in Division One.

**culloty82** · 28/09/2010, 6:33 PM

Originally Posted by legendz

If Cobh are second and Carlow are 3rd, it'll be Cobh going on to the play-off.
What isn't clear is if a first team makes the top 3 in each group, be it 1st, 2nd or 3rd, would they play-off to see who advance to take on the lowest club in Division One.

From my reading of the Wikipedia page, 1st/2nd place in one group will always trump 3rd in the other, points aren't counted. There would only be a play-off if both teams finished in the same position, i.e. both came first/second/third.

**legendz** · 28/09/2010, 6:46 PM

Ah yes, makes sense and would appear to be the case. As I said before, the format is a bit messy and this is where it gets messy. Still, I guess the best way is to win the group and gain promotion as champion and through the play-off. A league with reserve sides isn't going to be perfect but as an interim league it'll do for now.

**FlapjackJoe** · 29/09/2010, 9:34 AM

Originally Posted by culloty82

From my reading of the Wikipedia page, 1st/2nd place in one group will always trump 3rd in the other, points aren't counted. There would only be a play-off if both teams finished in the same position, i.e. both came first/second/third.

To be honest, I don't really think the Wikipedia page is updated by someone from the FAI. It would've been nice if the A rules of the competition were available on the FAI/LoI website though.

**GreenStar** · 30/09/2010, 2:41 PM

Another question that may affect this whole picture is do Cobh actually want back into the First Division? Was there not a big split within their club not too long ago about whether they should stay A-Championship or not? Maybe I'm confused.

**Mr A** · 30/09/2010, 4:46 PM

I think they want back- but are they yet in a position to meet licensing?

**culloty82** · 30/09/2010, 4:58 PM

If they meet all the criteria on the pitch, surely the FAI would be able to advise them how the examinership could be managed in the First Division?

**marty** · 30/09/2010, 5:47 PM

The majotity if not all people in Cobh would want a return to Div 1,the argument before related to dropping back into the M.S.Leauge. Not too sure weather we meet licencing at this point but did hear last week that the clubs debt had is been managed by a seperate party and the football side of things is been run by a seperate org(possibly the supporters club)