In that case, it only makes sense to incorporate a team that is not going to be playing in Europe into this big jamboree.
However, it better not be Waterford. We seriously need to have no distractions next year.
With these the case, I am going to recommend that it be Bray. They'll not be worried by the distractions, and will not need to start playing competitively until half past October, and they'll somehow pull it out of the bag in the last two or three weeks. Again. It would also be good for them to know this far in advance that they are not playing at home that weekend so that they can plan to have the builders in that week.
That question was less stupid, though you asked it in a profoundly stupid way.
Help me, Arthur Murphy, you're my only hope!
Originally Posted by Dodge
Well I think we can take it that this tournament is clearly an example that things haven't changed and the fudge train is in motion. Yesterday was a mirage.
DID YOU NOTICE A SIGN OUTSIDE MY HOUSE...?
Champions League winners Inter Milan are to head for Dublin to play in a four-team tournament next summer.
Under a 10-year, multi-million Euro agreement between the Football Association of Ireland, Endemol Sport and sports agency Iconic, Inter and an Airtricity League XI will take part in the inaugural event at the Aviva Stadium on 30 and 31 July 2011.
The organisers have also promised to secure a top Barclays Premier League club and another big name from Europe to complete the line-up.
http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2010/...ournament.html
Perhaps yesterday was a mirage afterall.
I won't be spending my hard earned money watching meaningless friendlies against an Airtricity IX
Irish Times states (as opposed to suggesting) that Endemol were the reason for the Limerick/Barca issue.In addition to the tournament, Inter will do some pre-season training in Ireland and will play another game at either Turner’s Cross or Thomond Park.
The association has already ensured the latter venue is free on the date concerned.
Endemol Sport, whose parent company brought the world the television show Big Brother, were the reason Limerick City were prevented from hosting Barcelona in the summer.
The League of Ireland club’s plans to bring the European champions to Thomond Park were scuppered by a contract with a “third party” at the time, which prevented the FAI from sanctioning games in venues that held 15,000 fans or more.
Also, that Inter warm-up game being played in Thomond against Limerick would be very welcome.
Didn't know ye'd reverted to being "Limerick City".
A League XI would be a complete joke; on a hiding to nothing. It would be different if one of the clubs were invited, but that's difficult because of European commitments. I don't think the clubs should have anything to do with this. And after the master-stroke of the €10 tickets yesterday, the FAI have turned around and shot themselves in the foot again. I realise they need to pay for the stadium, but it would actually be better to have four foreign teams in this tournament than suffer the embarrassment of this years Airtricity v Man Yoo yet again.
If an inter-league clash was to come about again, it'd be better placed around the early spring.
If clubs want to promote themselves they can do so through their own performances in the domestic game and European competition. The FAI, while out to make money for themselves it has to be said, have to look at promoting the league, not one or two of it's club. I think the games are a good idea. It's unfortunate regards timing but the only time the games can go ahead. Last summer's representative side would have been more of a unit had they played together once or twice before, which an inter-league clash would've given them.
Whatever about the involvement of an LOI select team, an annual injection of over a million euro to Irish football has to be good news.
#NeverStopNotGivingUp
The players should get something for it in terms of match fees anyways. Also the fact it's going to be a regular fixture as opposed to a one-off event, the competition should be able to have a high enough profile after one of two years. The players involved should be able to get a higher profile off the back of the games as well which in turn will be good for their respective clubs. If sides involved like Inter take up warm-up games in the country, it'd be great as well.
Never miss a genuine opportunity when it comes to TNS eh. I still think Champions representing the league instead of an XI makes more sense (although the dates make that difficult), and would say as much if Bohs were Champions. As for prize-money, I don't think the LoI side would be able to force a very big appearance fee from Endemol.
That question was less stupid, though you asked it in a profoundly stupid way.
Help me, Arthur Murphy, you're my only hope!
Originally Posted by Dodge
Have absolutely no problem with a league XI in this tournament.
Provided it's managed right. Week off before/after for everyone to stage friendlies. Commitment from visiting clubs to play 2/3 other games. Help bringing in 1/2 slightly higher profile (than the current norm) teams to fulfill other friendlies. Some visible benefits for all clubs.
Course the chances of any of this are indirectly proportional to the credit given to the fai for the cup final ticketing.
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