2012 First Division structure?

**harpstilidie** · 23/01/2012, 4:25 PM

They can't have an 8-team league can they? It is the FAI I suppose.

Can't be true.

**bluewhitearmy** · 23/01/2012, 4:30 PM

I think Galway fans have lost their minds during the recent fiasco and have now concocted there own ideas for the future of the league.

Cobh had a meeting Sunday and no mention of them being turned down so cant see how anyone else would know that them Tralee and Carlow had been.

**Mr A** · 23/01/2012, 4:42 PM

If this is true, and it certainly seems to be at least a very widespread rumour, then it is madness.

I have always been in favour of a 16 team top flight, but to make this decision just before the start of the season and leave clubs with the prospect of being exiled from senior football is utterly abhorrent. One of Athlone, Harps, Longford, Waterford or Limerick would be lost to the league- all of whom have pretty good histories. Salthill haven't amounted to much to date but Mervue and Wexford have had their moments. Why exclude them, and indeed the clubs that want to join this year?

A 16 team top flight with a small national/ regional first would make a lot more sense than sending clubs to the 'senior' leagues.

No point getting to worked up until there is some form of confirmation, but this seems worrying.

**Guitd** · 23/01/2012, 4:54 PM

Originally Posted by harpstilidie

They can't have an 8-team league can they? It is the FAI I suppose.

Can't be true.

ya its 8 teams no tralee or cobh and carlow have withdrawn saying costs too high with a min �175k needed

**bluewhitearmy** · 23/01/2012, 4:58 PM

Originally Posted by Guitd

ya its 8 teams no tralee or cobh and carlow have withdrawn saying costs too high with a min �175k needed

Where did ye hear this?

**Acornvilla** · 23/01/2012, 5:00 PM

Load of crap imo, really can't see that happening.

**gufcfan** · 23/01/2012, 5:02 PM

Originally Posted by bluewhitearmy

Sounds reasonable.

More reasonable than what the FAI are actually doing.

**JC_GUFC** · 23/01/2012, 5:08 PM

Originally Posted by Mr A

One of Athlone, Harps, Longford, Waterford or Limerick would be lost to the league- all of whom have pretty good histories.

I'm not really sure histories count for much...

Ultimately it is a sensible move in my view. There needs to be some sort of pyramid structure in Irish football rather than the state at the moment. Junior football also needs to be amalgimated with Intermediate as there is basically no difference other than a few more suits being given jobs.

**bluewhitearmy** · 23/01/2012, 5:09 PM

so far it seems to only be Galway fans that have heard and not one of them have given any indication of where they heard.

I know for sure Cobh were not told they are not in yet anyway.

**Mr A** · 23/01/2012, 5:12 PM

It has been heard within the Harps and Longford camps as well.

**gufc2000** · 23/01/2012, 5:16 PM

As stated previously, there's every chance that Tralee, Cobh & Carlow could be awarded licences, but may not be elected.

**bluewhitearmy** · 23/01/2012, 5:18 PM

Originally Posted by Mr A

It has been heard within the Harps and Longford camps as well.

Thats slightly worrying then.

**nigel-harps1954** · 23/01/2012, 6:07 PM

Jesus....of course a pyramid structure works, but jesus isn't an 8 team league a bit much? What about a 10 or 12 team league and then work the 4 Intermediate leagues into it? Seriously, thats ridiculous.

**Neish** · 23/01/2012, 6:09 PM

Originally Posted by Mr A

It has been heard within the Harps and Longford camps as well.

Sure who cares about Longford their going to china

http://laymansnews.wordpress.com/201...b-the-deficit/

Love the comments at the end of this

**gufct** · 23/01/2012, 6:10 PM

Great to see limerick fans believe somebody on here.

**Lim till i die** · 23/01/2012, 8:01 PM

My sauces tell me twill be an 8 team league, 28 games, four getting promoted.

Good times.

The ironic thing is some of the micro clubs have been pushing this for a few years.

**Trainee** · 23/01/2012, 8:08 PM

Originally Posted by Lim till i die

My sauces tell me twill be an 8 team league, 28 games, four getting promoted.

Good times.

The ironic thing is some of the micro clubs have been pushing this for a few years.

I heard that the fixtures out next week.

If its only 28 games, I wonder will they delay start of league by having a first Div cup?

**Jofspring** · 23/01/2012, 8:08 PM

Originally Posted by Lim till i die

My sauces tell me twill be an 8 team league, 28 games, four getting promoted.

Good times.

The ironic thing is some of the micro clubs have been pushing this for a few years.

With 4 going up and only 8 in the division this will make for a very boring season and one it doesn't seem we even have to half try and be much good in. Once we can be half decent we are sorted. We will have assembled one of the best first division squads to try win what could possibly the worst first division in years…….Typical.

Pity they couldn't have done that this season.

Good incentive there I suppose for a few teams. If lets say for pure example Limerick, Longford and Waterford are first second and third then Harps, Athlone, Mervue and Wexford have a great chance of premier football next season (sorry Salthill).

**Jofspring** · 23/01/2012, 8:09 PM

Originally Posted by Trainee

I heard that the fixtures out next week.

If its only 28 games, I wonder will they delay start of league by having a first Div cup?

Looks like we could have a good few breaks in the first division. A first division Cup wouldn't actually be a bad idea at all just to extend it somewhat.

**geezer** · 23/01/2012, 8:11 PM

Originally Posted by Lim till i die

My sauces tell me twill be an 8 team league, 28 games, four getting promoted.

Good times.

The ironic thing is some of the micro clubs have been pushing this for a few years.

is correct, Carlow cant afford it, Tralee have work to do, Cobh have big issues, GUTS told to come back next year, but from sources today the 16 team league cant happen until 2014 now, not sure of reason but its definite. Wouldnt ya think they would just let limerick up now