League prize funds reduced.

**Spudulika** · 15/02/2011, 5:53 PM

If the clubs pull out of the LOI structure and form a breakaway league then it's goodbye to midsummer trips to Skopje, Stockholm and Samara. Unless the FAI sanction a new league run by a commercial entity, it's never going to happen, since the FAI will never allow it to happen, it means.....

**Dodge** · 17/02/2011, 8:08 AM

It was put to me last night that there's a feeling within the league that the money saved by the FAI in prizemoney for the league, is being ringfenced for the LImerick friendly court case. The FAI statement at the time did mention the case would affect grass roots football (or similar).

INteresting thought. If the FAI are paying out less prize money than they get in affiliation fees, something's not quite right

**Spudulika** · 17/02/2011, 8:16 AM

Anything is possible, like in any authoritarian system the rumour is as solid as a fact.

**osarusan** · 18/02/2011, 9:57 AM

Originally Posted by Dodge

The FAI statement at the time did mention the case would affect grass roots football (or similar).

At the time I took the statement to mean that the FAI were warning everybody that if (when?) the Endemol agreement was found illegal, the funding lost to clubs now able to hold 'big' friendlies would affect the FAI's coffers, rather than simply any compensation going to Limerick. If reports that Limerick budgeted for a profit of E80,000 are to be believed, compensation wouldn't be that much.

**Dodge** · 18/02/2011, 10:29 AM

I took it to mean that the actual cost of defending the case would mean money going to solicitors etc would be lost to the game.

If Limerick win compensation, plus costs added to FAi legal costs, it could multiply quite quickly.

As I said, only a theory but it speaks volumes that at very least most fans think its plausible, if not probable

**Spudulika** · 18/02/2011, 10:58 AM

If we follow it through to a logical conclusion (if we allow the theory to take hold) then the FAI are looking to divide and conquer and basically intimidate Limerick out of existence. There is going to be a massive backlash if this continues, though a sly leaking of information through the many FAI friendly reporters would really pressure Limerick. Though if doing the right thing means Dundalk get less money this year as League Champions, so be it. This is a time for all clubs to just wait and see.

**Ezeikial** · 18/02/2011, 11:53 AM

Originally Posted by Spudulika

Though if doing the right thing means Dundalk get less money this year as League Champions, so be it. This is a time for all clubs to just wait and see.

Spud - You have been showing signs of mental instability now for some time. But thats it now - you have totally flipped!

**Spudulika** · 18/02/2011, 12:47 PM

Originally Posted by Ezeikial

Spud - You have been showing signs of mental instability now for some time. But thats it now - you have totally flipped!

Ezekial, for 34 years I've been going to Oriel, wishing and hoping that the club would always be top dogs (or at least top the drogs), and before each season starts I hope against hope that we'll win the title (Premier or First, doesn't matter). It's beyond mental instability, Ardee doesn't have a space left, it's one of the few things that's worth bothering about in sports, that and seeing Louth win a Leinster before I die :-)

**Dodge** · 18/02/2011, 12:58 PM

Originally Posted by Spudulika

Ezekial, for 34 years I've been going to Oriel, wishing and hoping that the club would always be top dogs (or at least top the drogs), and before each season starts I hope against hope that we'll win the title

For most of that 34 years Dundalk have been contednors and ina good few of them, you've been clearly 'top dogs'

Wouldn't be playing the 'poor little us' yet (even given recent dry spells)

**Spudulika** · 18/02/2011, 1:21 PM

Originally Posted by Dodge

For most of that 34 years Dundalk have been contednors and ina good few of them, you've been clearly 'top dogs'

Wouldn't be playing the 'poor little us' yet (even given recent dry spells)

Dodge, I can say with my hand on my heart that I hope Pats win the cup soon, and while I'm crying poor mouth about Dundalk, I believed the club would go out of business in 99-2000 with the carry on that happened, and one cup in the meantime is not alot when the club had bee contenders, but I still hope that somehow they'll get it together and have a crack at Rovers. And the beal bocht helps to ease the pain :-) (poor little us, that's brilliant!).

**Lim till i die** · 18/02/2011, 2:15 PM

I've been following Limerick senior football for 16 or 17 years, in that period we've won two Munster Senior Cups and a League Cup. I've never seen us play a top flight game. You're doing alright Spud!