Clubs divided over future LOI format?

**nigel-harps1954** · 20/10/2012, 7:45 PM

Would happily take Newry in. They'd be a nice addition to the league and a new ground to visit.

Be great to have 4 or 5 teams added, but who realistically is able?

**culloty82** · 21/10/2012, 7:28 AM

Originally Posted by NeverFeltBetter

So just who has expressed an interest? Tralee? Cobh? Carlow? Anybody? Nobody?

Tralee must be sticking with the KDL - there's nothing on the Dynamos website that suggests they've applied.

**El-Pietro** · 21/10/2012, 2:14 PM

rumours:

Newry, GUST, Fanad and as unbelievable as it sounds.... Cherry Orchard

**culloty82** · 21/10/2012, 3:48 PM

Re: Newry - I thought UEFA only allowed Derry into the LoI as an exceptional circumstance because they couldn't play any Irish League clubs, so even if another NI team wanted to play in the Republic, it wouldn't be permitted?

**TonyD** · 21/10/2012, 4:41 PM

Originally Posted by El-Pietro

rumours:

Newry, GUST, Fanad and as unbelievable as it sounds.... Cherry Orchard

That's just mental.

Can't happen.

**A face** · 21/10/2012, 4:44 PM

Originally Posted by TonyD

That's just mental.

Can't happen.

How good are they now? LSL doing well?

**NeverFeltBetter** · 21/10/2012, 4:47 PM

Cherry Orchard? Really? I know they're pretty decent for their level and have produced some good players. But how many do they get in their matches? How competitive could they be expected to be?

**NeverFeltBetter** · 21/10/2012, 4:51 PM

Originally Posted by A face

How good are they now? LSL doing well?

http://www.lsl.ie/LeagueTables_1213.aspx

4th with two games in hand after 8 games?

**El-Pietro** · 21/10/2012, 4:56 PM

so what I heard about Cherry Orchard is that they fed up of having players poached for the U19 league and so they applied to enter but were told they couldn't have an U19 team unless they applied for an LOI team as well.

**El-Pietro** · 21/10/2012, 4:59 PM

Originally Posted by culloty82

Re: Newry - I thought UEFA only allowed Derry into the LoI as an exceptional circumstance because they couldn't play any Irish League clubs, so even if another NI team wanted to play in the Republic, it wouldn't be permitted?

why would it be a big deal , look at the amount of clubs from Scotland/Wales playing in English football and vice versa

**gufc2000** · 21/10/2012, 5:34 PM

Originally Posted by El-Pietro

so what I heard about Cherry Orchard is that they fed up of having players poached for the U19 league and so they applied to enter but were told they couldn't have an U19 team unless they applied for an LOI team as well.

Does that mean Letterkenny have had to apply as well?

**gufc2000** · 21/10/2012, 5:42 PM

What's Cobh's story? Their U-19 side are doing pretty well in the Elite League, any willingness to go back Senior next season?

**El-Pietro** · 21/10/2012, 6:12 PM

Originally Posted by gufc2000

What's Cobh's story? Their U-19 side are doing pretty well in the Elite League, any willingness to go back Senior next season?

all i know on them is they owed money to Davin O'Neill and Greg O'Halloran last year and made no effort to pay them back.

**El-Pietro** · 21/10/2012, 6:12 PM

Originally Posted by gufc2000

Does that mean Letterkenny have had to apply as well?

no idea, i don't even know how true the Cherry Orchard story is, just a rumour on facebook from people I'd believe.

I'd be shocked if Cherry Orchard wanted anything to do with the LOI tbh

**nigel-harps1954** · 21/10/2012, 7:06 PM

Funnily enough, I actually heard the name Cherry Orchard mentioned myself. Thought it was absolutely ridiculous.

As for Letterkenny, it's well known up around here they've been harbouring LOI ambitions for a while now. They applied last year, and put in a new 250 seat stand in their ground to coincide with it thinking (naively) they were shoe ins to be elected.

**Jofspring** · 21/10/2012, 7:11 PM

Originally Posted by nigel-harps1954

Funnily enough, I actually heard the name Cherry Orchard mentioned myself. Thought it was absolutely ridiculous.

As for Letterkenny, it's well known up around here they've been harbouring LOI ambitions for a while now. They applied last year, and put in a new 250 seat stand in their ground to coincide with it thinking (naively) they were shoe ins to be elected.

I take it Letterkenny have a good setup. Would they get decent support though?

Cherry Orchard seems a strange one purely because they are up against it immediately with well established Dublin Clubs already going strong in the League.

Any interest from Castlebar? From what I have heard they have an excellent setup.

**BonnieShels** · 21/10/2012, 7:22 PM

Cherry Orchard joining would be insane.

**nigel-harps1954** · 21/10/2012, 7:35 PM

Originally Posted by Jofspring

I take it Letterkenny have a good setup. Would they get decent support though?

Cherry Orchard seems a strange one purely because they are up against it immediately with well established Dublin Clubs already going strong in the League.

Any interest from Castlebar? From what I have heard they have an excellent setup.

Letterkenny joining the league would almost be as mental as Cherry Orchard joining.

It would be disastrous for Harps if Letterkenny were to join. There's 15 minutes separating the two teams and Letterkenny is one of those catchment areas Harps rely on.

Letterkenny Rovers haven't really that great of a setup, but they have money being pumped into them. Although it's actually a nice little stand they put in, but just a cheap job.
You'd be looking at crowds of about 200-ish if they stepped up to senior. They're not even the best supported in the Ulster Senior League.

Fanad would be a much better option and even I wouldn't even imagine them being a successful club in any form.

Essentially, there's no point in any Ulster Senior League club joining, but Letterkenny and Fanad would be the two most financially viable.

Looking at it, they would be no worse than Mervue or Salthill, but not a huge amount better.

**cheifo** · 21/10/2012, 8:37 PM

We all know the licensing process has to be thorough but the formation of the league needs to be sorted asap so participating Clubs can prepare and raise finance for new season . I know they can do that anyway but it in terms of marketing season tickets, assembling squads etc it does help to know how many and what teams you are playing. Adding another Donegal team would be insanity on a whole new level. Harps, Derry, Sligo, Fanad and Letterkenny and scouts from England are already all in the ear of Donegals elite young players for u19 league etc and its close to a feeding frenzy. To be honest its counter productive for football up here and its not great for the mindset of the young lads either.