2013 First Division

**adamd164** · 21/01/2013, 3:05 PM

Originally Posted by Dermotron

Would it would be more practical to allow and admit Premier Division clubs to have a II or B team in the First Division rather than leaving only 7 teams in it? The majority of the smaller nations in Europe (and quiet a few of the larger nations) have a second team in a competitive league.

I doubt we could afford to be sending a first division B team all over Ireland to be honest, I think the u19s cost enough to keep going.

**Dermotron** · 21/01/2013, 3:18 PM

Apologies, a reserve team is not a prerequisite of entering a team:

In Estonia there are four leagues and, in order to obtain a licence to play in the first league, a team should a womens team as well a youth one

from here: http://www.ecaeurope.com/

**Dermotron** · 21/01/2013, 3:23 PM

Originally Posted by adamd164

I doubt we could afford to be sending a first division B team all over Ireland to be honest, I think the u19s cost enough to keep going.

So one would be at the cost of losing the other I'd imagine. Still, even if it meant the 5-6 extra teams could only be supported by Dublin teams I think it would add a lot more to the league than having it so short on numbers (this is in the understanding that the u19 league continues)

Heaven forbid another team (or 2) go to the wall during the season

**gormacha** · 21/01/2013, 3:54 PM

Originally Posted by Dodge

(You can see how the play offs went here; http://statsthatarepointless.wordpre...oy-for-others/ )

Ouch.

I may need a stiff drink.

**JC_GUFC** · 21/01/2013, 7:43 PM

Originally Posted by Dodge

technically Galway were relegated after losing the 2011 play offs. They didn't get a license for 2012

Harps/Cobh/UCD relegated together (Harps 3rd bottom - as you know)

Who was the last team to finish bottom of the Prem and play in Division 1 te following season?

**Trainee** · 21/01/2013, 9:16 PM

Originally Posted by JC_GUFC

Who was the last team to finish bottom of the Prem and play in Division 1 te following season?

UCD in 2008

**KevB76** · 21/01/2013, 10:56 PM

Originally Posted by Dermotron

I know the A Championship was dissolved and was meant as a breeding ground for young players, a chance for teams to get into the league and football for those not getting games at the bigger clubs. From my understanding the U19 league has replaced this.

The U19 league replaced the U20s which had replaced the U21's. The A Championship was an additional entity. It was compulsory for premier clubs to have a reserve team in the A Championship. They would have had U20's as well as the A Championship and senior teams to run, so was too costly to keep it going.

**adamd164** · 22/01/2013, 12:11 AM

The current setup is stupid to be fair. Why is it u19s... why not u21s or reserves league? Needs to be revised given the A Championship no longer exists.

**nigel-harps1954** · 22/01/2013, 1:14 AM

I think the under 19 league is fantastic. The problem is, there's nowhere for them to go once they are overage, unless they're good enough for the first team.
Precisely the reason why teams like Harps have just entered a reserve side into the Ulster Senior League.

**horton** · 22/01/2013, 8:31 AM

Would I be right thinking there's two tiers of USL Nigel? surely a single tier would be better for all involved if there's little more than a dozen teams involved?

**Mr A** · 22/01/2013, 8:55 AM

USL has only one tier. i think they only have ten teams this year including Harps and Derry Reserves.

**gormacha** · 22/01/2013, 9:03 AM

Originally Posted by adamd164

The current setup is stupid to be fair. Why is it u19s... why not u21s or reserves league? Needs to be revised given the A Championship no longer exists.

I think the u19 league has been very successful. It seems to be acting as a successful bridge between schoolbiy football and the pro ranks, which anecdotally at least seems to be contributing to the slow down of young players going to England too young, failing, and having to return home with their tail between their legs.

It gives them a bit more time to mature, and then hopefully for some of them, make their move up to the senior ranks. If they're good enough to go to another league, they still have plenty time. And the benefit to the LOI seems apparent.

I know each club will have had different experiences, but just using Waterford United as an example as its the only one I know in any detail, its been a roaring success. In the last year alone, Seani Maguire, Jack Doherty, Jamie Cross, Conor Coad, Kevin O'Connor, Lee Delaney and Aidan McGrath have all played for the senior team, with three of these tieing down regular places in the match day squad. That's a fantastic return for them and for the club.

**Mr A** · 22/01/2013, 10:54 AM

According to Donegal Now, the FAI will announce the D1 line-up shortly:

The league is due to begin in March but as yet Finn Harps do not know their fixture list for this season.

A spokesperson for the FAI told Donegal Now this morning that “the matter is still ongoing with detailed discussions currently taking place with one particular applicant club and there should be a decision, one way or the other, very shortly”.

It is speculated that the club in question is Cobh Ramblers.

This seem to indicate that a seven team league is a real possibility. Sigh.

**adamd164** · 22/01/2013, 11:02 AM

It's pretty obvious what's happening - the FAI are absolutely desperate to save face by getting Cobh back in to prop up the number of teams, but Cobh are totally broke so they're trying to work out any way of doing it on a shoestring or even with subsidy I'd suspect (e.g. lower Cobh's rent to the FAI, that sort of thing).

**NeverFeltBetter** · 22/01/2013, 11:09 AM

Whats one more FD team without a budget? Salthill will have renewed hope of finishing second last.

**nigel-harps1954** · 22/01/2013, 3:36 PM

Originally Posted by horton

Would I be right thinking there's two tiers of USL Nigel? surely a single tier would be better for all involved if there's little more than a dozen teams involved?

There's an USL Reserve Division. Could be what you're thinking of. There's only something like 6 or 8 teams in it. Probably of a lower standard than most Donegal League sides.
There's 10 teams as Mr.A said, a couple of teams have pulled out in the past few seasons and gone back to Donegal League.