FAI Invites First Division Expressions of Interest

**Eminence Grise** · 23/04/2014, 12:24 PM

No mention of Champions League group stages, 20,000 all seater stadium in Kells, full-time pros. Not even a DVD for cryin' out loud.

I want to see all of that before I start to take them seriously.

**NeverFeltBetter** · 23/04/2014, 1:40 PM

It is so hard to get an LOI team going in such an area. Even if such a project had major financial backing you'd wonder if it would ever have the local support to make it viable.

**ATFC-1887** · 23/04/2014, 9:52 PM

It is a spoof page set up by a group of clowns of twitter who doe nothing but talk absolute scutter. They have a laois fc one too i think.

**Sheridan** · 23/04/2014, 11:05 PM

Yeah, clearly a feeble wind-up, although the Canadian dude behind this was entirely serious, but totally deluded. Tried to enter the LSL and got laughed out of it.

**Charlie Darwin** · 23/04/2014, 11:28 PM

Originally Posted by Sheridan

Yeah, clearly a feeble wind-up, although the Canadian dude behind this was entirely serious, but totally deluded. Tried to enter the LSL and got laughed out of it.

How did I never hear of this before? That is absolutely hilarious.

**BonnieShels** · 24/04/2014, 12:02 AM

But Meath already have a club...

Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin

How did I never hear of this before? That is absolutely hilarious.

It was way before our time Charlie.

**GCdfc** · 24/04/2014, 10:43 AM

Are Drogheda planning to move again?

**adamd164** · 24/04/2014, 12:53 PM

John Caulfield hinted in his press conference this week that we might be considering entering a First Division team, he kept it vague but said the 'rumblings' were that the FAI were looking for clubs to consider it.

He mentioned cost was a factor but that he wants it to happen so the door seems to be open for it.

**Charlie Darwin** · 24/04/2014, 1:35 PM

Originally Posted by adamd164

John Caulfield hinted in his press conference this week that we might be considering entering a First Division team, he kept it vague but said the 'rumblings' were that the FAI were looking for clubs to consider it.

He mentioned cost was a factor but that he wants it to happen so the door seems to be open for it.

But I thought the FAI only wanted to help Shamrock Rovers at the expense of everybody else

**Dodge** · 24/04/2014, 1:48 PM

Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin

But I thought the FAI only wanted to help Shamrock Rovers at the expense of everybody else

Yes. this season. Pay attention Charlie...

**Charlie Darwin** · 24/04/2014, 2:37 PM

Ah right, mission accomplished so. Hopefully our mates at the FAI will force a couple of clubs into administration to allow us to compete.

**sadloserkid** · 24/04/2014, 2:53 PM

Originally Posted by NeverFeltBetter

It is so hard to get an LOI team going in such an area.

Explain if you would.

**adamd164** · 24/04/2014, 3:23 PM

http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/s...on-266390.html

Caulfield envisages Cork City ‘B’ side playing First Division

By Denis Hurley

Cork City manager John Caulfield is in favour of the club following Shamrock Rovers and fielding a second team in the First Division of the SSE Airtricity League.

Keen to ensure players not in the first team retain match sharpness, Caulfield is keen to explore all avenues and believes a B team — as Rovers have this season — would best suit the club’s needs.

“People talk about the Munster Senior League being an option for us to get into and it possibly would, however that’s not the answer in the long term because you can’t play professional players,” Caulfield said.

“Even if we asked them if we could get in, we couldn’t play any of the fellas who are on the bench, so it’s not helping their situations.

“The ideal situation is either that there’s an U20 or 21 league or that we try to get into the first division. It looks as if the FAI are looking at expanding the First Division with reserve teams and if they are, that’s the way we should go. The problem is that the cost factor is huge, but in my opinion I would love it as it would be the answer to our problems.

“We could keep the U19s after their season ends and, as well, I believe that we would get about four or five hundred people at games.”

Caulfield will be forced to dip into his pool of reserves for tomorrow night’s clash with Bohemians at Turner’s Cross (kick-off 7.45pm) as Darren Dennehy misses out through suspension. The centre-back was red carded in Monday’s win over UCD, and Caulfield had no qualms with the decision.

“I had a bit of a chat with him and he thought he’d get a toe-poke away,” he said. “It was a bit of a clumsy challenge. We looked at it and he realised that it was a stupid challenge and that getting a red card put us under pressure.

“The lads know how tough I am about keeping our discipline. Darren knew he deserved it but the main thing is that he learns from it, as if you want to be competing at the top of the table you have to be able to choose from all your best players.”

Tonight’s game will be City’s fourth Friday game in a row at home. The average home gate this season is above 4,000 and Caulfield knows how important it is to continue to attract big crowds.

“I keep saying it to the lads that it’d be great for the season to stay up at the top and the crowds keep coming. As a player, you want to be playing in front of 5,500 people. The atmosphere has been electric, coming off against Drogheda last week after the late goals was tremendous. Long may it continue, but we need the supporters every week, that vocal ferocity. At 1-1 against Drogheda, the crowd sensed it was a tight match and kept right behind us. There’s no doubt that they play a huge part.”

**luiz** · 25/04/2014, 4:17 PM

This would be potentially bad for Cobh Ramblers no? Both in terms of attendances, loaning young players, sponsors, etc. Perhaps ideally Cobh could be a de facto Cork City B. Or maybe the plan is precisely to substitute Cobh Rambers.

Plus having 9 clubs is a quite tricky number to have a decent schedule. That leaves you with 36 rounds with each team playing 32 times which would be too much. Or 27 rounds with 24 matches in case teams play each other 3 times which might be too little. You would need one more (or, as it's usually the case in Ireland, one less) team to come up with a good schedule.

**nigel-harps1954** · 25/04/2014, 5:41 PM

Slowly bringing the death knell to the First Division and gives more fuel to an extended 18 team Premier Division.

**gufcfan** · 26/04/2014, 2:32 PM

Single-tier LOI would be death-knell of the LOI.

**Mr A** · 26/04/2014, 2:48 PM

Why so?

**NeverFeltBetter** · 26/04/2014, 3:35 PM

I'd imagine they'd look for at least two more reserve teams next year - out of Cork, Pats, Sligo maybe - to get an even ten in the division (if no new clubs come forward that is).