16 Team Premier Division / Winter Season from 2012/13 TODAY'S DAILY MAIL

**legendz** · 05/01/2011, 1:21 PM

Originally Posted by Dodge

Whats the point in promoting it if it isn't to get peopel to attend the games?

Both should go together really. If the league was expanded to 16, it should happen with a big promotion drive for the league. You have a good point regards Rovers/Boh's getting bigger crowds for those games than Bray/UCD. If Rover's/Boh's weren't playing so often in a year though, the one-off trips each season to their respective grounds could attract more support. An expanded Premier covers more regions of the country and raises the profile of the league nationally. Expanding the league isn't enough though. It'd have to come with a big promotion drive for the league. The proposed expansion to 12 isn't much of a revamp.

**legendz** · 17/01/2011, 2:42 PM

The Scot's are switching from a 12 team Premier and 10 in the next tier to a top tier of 10 with 12 in the tier below. Does this sound familiar to anyone?

**John83** · 17/01/2011, 2:49 PM

Originally Posted by legendz

The Scot's are switching from a 12 team Premier and 10 in the next tier to a top tier of 10 with 12 in the tier below. Does this sound familiar to anyone?

Yes. Latvia made a similar change after the 1992 season, and again after the 1994 season.

**Ezeikial** · 17/01/2011, 6:51 PM

Any update on when clarification on promotion / relegation is expected from the FAI?

**Dodge** · 18/01/2011, 10:09 AM

They're waiting to see if Bohs get a license. Then they'll act accordingly to gbet them back in prem asap

**legendz** · 22/01/2011, 11:13 AM

If stories are true that the LoI is to return to being a closed league, what structure is going to be in place from next season onwards?

**legendz** · 01/10/2011, 4:57 PM

I've been away on a bit of business in the south-east. I was hearing word on Waterford radio that next year's Premier could be expanded to 16. I thought it was a dead cert it was going to be 12? The talk on the radio was that the Longford game has importance so that they'll secure 5th but also a place in the top 6 in case of the impending changes.

**Lim till i die** · 01/10/2011, 5:12 PM

Longford, Waterford, Athlone, Monaghan, Shels and Cork to go up if this happens??

Can't see it myself, where are they going to find sixteen teams?? Bohs are doomed, Bray and Dundalk possibly doomed, Galway a hilarious mess etc etc.

**Charlie Darwin** · 01/10/2011, 5:19 PM

It's ridiculous they haven't confirmed their intentions by now.

**culloty82** · 01/10/2011, 7:30 PM

Also you're left with a maximum of nine teams in the First - just about doable, but every team would have to play each other four times.

**BonnieShels** · 01/10/2011, 7:40 PM

Not if the first is regionalised and other teams are invited to join.

**sheao** · 01/10/2011, 8:18 PM

I can see why they would make such a move, but it is madness that the league have'nt made such intentions known

**sadloserkid** · 01/10/2011, 10:10 PM

Who would they invite though? We can't even keep the clubs we have, strong and persistant rumblings that Salthill are going to drop out at the end of this season as is.

As said by many above though, complete farce that they haven't this organised and set in stone for at least nine months now.

**legendz** · 01/10/2011, 10:35 PM

I was surprised to hear it. Thought a 12 team premier was more or less agreed. The word from Kerry is that Tralee Dynamos have a November 30th deadline to have everything ironed out regards requirements to get a licence. With only 4 A Championship clubs actively seeking a LoI licence and no word on any other club, it's hard to imagine there'll be more than 9 in the first if the premier was expanded to 9.

**BonnieShels** · 02/10/2011, 3:06 AM

With such a small senior football situation why are we so concerned with having a division below the premier. Having a relevant premier division should be first and foremost in the FAI's mind after that the FD should then figure. A 16 team PD is the only realistic destination we have.

**Acornvilla** · 02/10/2011, 3:58 AM

Default! the greatest word in the English language.

**BonnieShels** · 02/10/2011, 3:59 AM

The greatest two words in the English language!

**legendz** · 02/10/2011, 8:35 AM

Originally Posted by BonnieShels

With such a small senior football situation why are we so concerned with having a division below the premier. Having a relevant premier division should be first and foremost in the FAI's mind after that the FD should then figure. A 16 team PD is the only realistic destination we have.

It's a fair point. A few on here before have made a point that there are too many games on Monday nights. A 16 team premier should see nearly all games played at weekends. If the FD is only 8 or 9 clubs, lee-way will be there for new clubs to apply.

**gufct** · 02/10/2011, 8:53 AM

heard this about a month ago and strangely it was a waterford source as well. I wonder why the people in Waterford are so well informed

!!

**Spudulika** · 02/10/2011, 9:05 AM

There are merits to having a 16 team top flight with 2 groups of 8 below it, however a PD of 16 would shatter if it was run as the league has been the last few years. It will need the FAI to get heavy sponsorship to spread around, an extra tv deal and complete compliance by all clubs. So in short, can't see it happening, but would love it to.