Extra teams for First Division

**dapman1** · 09/09/2004, 10:39 AM

At the end of this season 3 teams will go up and 1 will come down. This will leave the first division with just 10 teams. This will ofcourse have an impact on those remaining teams finances as many of them will not expect to have extended cup runs etc.

So, does anyone have any info on whether there are any plans in place to add an additional two teams, and if so, where do they think that those teams may come from?

**tiktok** · 09/09/2004, 10:45 AM

Originally Posted by dapman1

So, does anyone have any info on whether there are any plans in place to add an additional two teams, and if so, where do they think that those teams may come from?

Haven't heard anything about plans....

But Kerry League and Mayo league would be my preferences
Mullingar have a nice set up too with a large enough population

**cobhrambler 16** · 09/09/2004, 10:48 AM

i'd like to see rockmount come in!!

**joeSoap** · 09/09/2004, 10:51 AM

Kerry League would be strong favourites, and I believe were approached to take our place unless we got our house in order....which thankfully we seem to be doing..

**gufct** · 09/09/2004, 10:53 AM

a failed entity.The clubs have to sit down and sort out a 5/10 year plan for the el as a whole that is properly Planned,Financed,Marketed and Administered.The UEFA licencing system was the perfect answer to sorting out footbal in this country but it has been totally undermined by the FAI this season.

**kevincronin2000** · 09/09/2004, 11:10 AM

Originally Posted by dapman1

At the end of this season 3 teams will go up and 1 will come down. This will leave the first division with just 10 teams. This will ofcourse have an impact on those remaining teams finances as many of them will not expect to have extended cup runs etc.

So, does anyone have any info on whether there are any plans in place to add an additional two teams, and if so, where do they think that those teams may come from?

Donegal Celtic & Kerry Leauge

**dapman1** · 09/09/2004, 12:03 PM

I would like to see two teams from the western seaboard asit will not only spread the scope of the league, but will also make TG4 sit up and take notice of the league as a whole.

Has anybody heard anything from their boards/directors about Div 1? Surely somebody must have noticed the potential drop in revenue that was coming, with potentially the three best teams leaving the division going up and taking their supporters with them.

**brendy_�ire** · 09/09/2004, 12:37 PM

Kerry League and Mayo League would be favourites as they're both already in the LC.
Not sure about Mayo, but would I be right in saying that soccer in Kerry has a good enough support?

**tiktok** · 09/09/2004, 12:48 PM

Originally Posted by brendy_�ire

....but would I be right in saying that soccer in Kerry has a good enough support?

Yeah.

I watched the CCFC -v- Kerry League last season in Tralee and the turnout was quite good. maybe 3-400 for an U21 game is more than most get.
Cahermoneen pitch would probably meet the requiremnets for a first division side, and it has training pitches alongside, though Tralee Dynamos own it.
Kerry's got a very strong district league and a load of players. I reckon that a football club would do quite well there tbh, the local papers and radio station give the KDL games excellent coverage too, so I'd expect that to continue with an EL team.

**padjoe** · 09/09/2004, 10:16 PM

would it not be time to maybe start a relegation process in the first division to make it more competitive. this year most teams bar four were out of the promotion chase after a mere ten matches. so would it not make more interesting to start a system similar to rugby, where they relegate the bottom side in the second division and clubs from all the intermediate leagues battle it out to take their place. maybe the champions of lsl and msl and the ulster/connacht champions facing the bottom club in division one. the current system of re-election is not enough.
just a thought.

**Gary** · 09/09/2004, 10:27 PM

Originally Posted by padjoe

would it not be time to maybe start a relegation process in the first division to make it more competitive. this year most teams bar four were out of the promotion chase after a mere ten matches. so would it not make more interesting to start a system similar to rugby, where they relegate the bottom side in the second division and clubs from all the intermediate leagues battle it out to take their place. maybe the champions of lsl and msl and the ulster/connacht champions facing the bottom club in division one. the current system of re-election is not enough.
just a thought.

First off, a majority of the 1st Division apparently decided againt a play off system for promotion this season, why is anyones guess though.

Secondly, a relegation from 1st Division would be great, but unrealistic, as there are not many clubs lobbying to get into the eL. Someone above said it would be great for Rockmount to step up. Perhaps, but they have no interest in doing so. I reckon the same came be said for a few clubs in the LSL/MSL/CSL.

Personally if there were to be additions, i would like to see a team from the lower midlands (Tipp/Carlow) and Kerry to join up, just to help the spread.

**drummerboy** · 10/09/2004, 8:49 AM

Quite a few of the country teams in the LSL have excellent set ups. Arklow for example would put many eL clubs to shame. Both Mullingar clubs have great set ups as do Edenderry. The problem would the stardard of their players. They would have to import players from outside and this would cause money. In the end of the day who wants to go and watch mercenaries from outside the area aka Monaghan Utd.