Permutations for 1st division play off spots

**Trainee** · 15/10/2013, 7:31 AM

http://www.connachttribune.ie/sport/...g-them-offside

**Macy** · 15/10/2013, 7:51 AM

Originally Posted by luiz

2- What makes their attendances so low is not having too many clubs in the city, but other reasons than that and if their financial situation allows so (it probably doesn't though) Galway United/City/FC/Rovers/Whatever could coexist with Mervue and/or Salthill.

I'm sure it split the sponsorship somewhat, but Salthill and Mervue had sod all to do with GUFC's demise, and they're presence wasn't a real problem for GUST, who've tried to enter a team several times since GUFC went under those conditions. From the outside it looks totally like the FAI needlessly meddling, but I've no idea whether that was partly to save face for people involved in Salthill and Mervue. A team trying to enter the league, that met the licensing criteria, should never have been blocked.

As for the farce of a play off - is there even going to be a first next season anyway? As things stand with the FAI's plans, we've 19 senior clubs, so are looking at a 7 team first. Assuming whoever comes down survives. Obviously Mervue winning the playoff will avoid that issue for at least one club with the second bottom club staying up by default.

**Mr A** · 15/10/2013, 9:05 AM

On the one hand Mervue have little to complain about- they are part of the Galway FC process. No point changing your tune now that promotion is a possibility. It does seem that the guys on the LOI side of Mervue and those making the club's decisions are not exactly on the same page though.

On the other hand this is clearly a bit of a farcical situation arising from inconsistency in how the FAI administer the league. SD and Mervue were allowed to join (and rightfully so) but when it came to it GUST were not and were indeed excluded from U19 and CSL negotiations too. John Delaney bent over backwards to keep Derry City in the league when they folded but when Galway United went belly up treated a similar situation entirely differently. Again it all goes back to a lack of any strategic direction for the league. Short term decisions all the time and we keep bleeding clubs.

**NeverFeltBetter** · 15/10/2013, 10:20 AM

To be clear, my sympathies are with the Mervue squad and management. If the clubs owners/runners want to leave the LOI and do whatever merger they want, they can. I just think the current situation is dreadfully unfair on the actual team.

**Darklordsbane** · 15/10/2013, 1:50 PM

can anyone explain in clear language
If Merview beat Longford and then the premier team are Merview promoted and if they do not for any reason take their position in the premier league next season do the premier team they beat in the playoffs get reinstated
If Merview beat longford and the premier team and are disbanded for next season are 1 or both matches void
If merview beat Longford but lose to premier team are those results valid

I can see the fai saying that if Merview get through then the 1st division playoff is valid, but premier v's 1st playoff is not therefore Longford stay in division 1 and premier team stay in premier league,
I see it that the only way for Longford to get to the premier league is to win the 2 sets of playoffs,
am I wrong any thoughts!!!!

**Mr A** · 15/10/2013, 1:55 PM

All results of the playoffs are valid. But Mervue disappear once this season is over. It's simple really. Longford have to beat them to have a chance of getting up.

**NeverFeltBetter** · 16/10/2013, 12:08 PM

Team of the year and player of the year nominations for the First Division are out today.

FAI will presumably announce tomorrow that any Mervue winners will not retain the awards next season.

**dejadem** · 16/10/2013, 1:42 PM

Originally Posted by Darklordsbane

I see it that the only way for Longford to get to the premier league is to win the 2 sets of playoffs,

That's always been the case, that's only way any 1st division team can be prompted via playoff.

**El-Pietro** · 16/10/2013, 3:09 PM

The only way for Shels to be relegated is for Longford to win both sets of playoffs.
If Mervue win the first playoff against Longford then Shels will stay in the Premier. So techincally the only way any game will be redundant is if Mervue win against Longford. The Mervue - Longford playoff is meaningful to both Longford and Shels.

**bluemovie** · 16/10/2013, 3:28 PM

Originally Posted by El-Pietro

The only way for Shels to be relegated is for Longford to win both sets of playoffs.
If Mervue win the first playoff against Longford then Shels will stay in the Premier. So techincally the only way any game will be redundant is if Mervue win against Longford. The Mervue - Longford playoff is meaningful to both Longford and Shels.

As it stands, it'll be Bray not Shels in the play-off with Shels going down automatically and being replaced by Athlone. If Mervue were to win against Longford and Bray, I'd say the sneakiness factor will rise to an unprecedented degree and the all new Galway FC will take the Premier Division place. What could possibly go wrong?

That said, like an ex-girlfriend of mine, Bray will never go down in any circumstances.

**BonnieShels** · 16/10/2013, 3:34 PM

Originally Posted by bluemovie

As it stands, it'll be Bray not Shels in the play-off with Shels going down automatically and being replaced by Athlone. If Mervue were to win against Longford and Bray, I'd say the sneakiness factor will rise to an unprecedented degree and the all new Galway FC will take the Premier Division place. What could possibly go wrong?

That said, like an ex-girlfriend of mine, Bray will never go down in any circumstances.

Cue Peadar...

**NeverFeltBetter** · 16/10/2013, 3:36 PM

Originally Posted by bluemovie

As it stands, it'll be Bray not Shels in the play-off with Shels going down automatically and being replaced by Athlone. If Mervue were to win against Longford and Bray, I'd say the sneakiness factor will rise to an unprecedented degree and the all new Galway FC will take the Premier Division place. What could possibly go wrong?

That said, like an ex-girlfriend of mine, Bray will never go down in any circumstances.

Even the FAI wouldn't be that duplicitous.

**El-Pietro** · 16/10/2013, 4:18 PM

Originally Posted by bluemovie

As it stands, it'll be Bray not Shels in the play-off with Shels going down automatically and being replaced by Athlone. If Mervue were to win against Longford and Bray, I'd say the sneakiness factor will rise to an unprecedented degree and the all new Galway FC will take the Premier Division place. What could possibly go wrong?

That said, like an ex-girlfriend of mine, Bray will never go down in any circumstances.

Ah Brain-fart. Dunno why I said Shels. And yes Bray are indestructible.

**L.T.F.C.** · 16/10/2013, 4:26 PM

Originally Posted by Darklordsbane

can anyone explain in clear language
If Merview beat Longford and then the premier team are Merview promoted and if they do not for any reason take their position in the premier league next season do the premier team they beat in the playoffs get reinstated
If Merview beat longford and the premier team and are disbanded for next season are 1 or both matches void
If merview beat Longford but lose to premier team are those results valid

I can see the fai saying that if Merview get through then the 1st division playoff is valid, but premier v's 1st playoff is not therefore Longford stay in division 1 and premier team stay in premier league,
I see it that the only way for Longford to get to the premier league is to win the 2 sets of playoffs,
am I wrong any thoughts!!!!

FFS it is 'Mervue'.

**Nah Nah Nah Nah** · 16/10/2013, 6:04 PM

Don't be talking about the Unknowns like that........

**Darklordsbane** · 16/10/2013, 6:46 PM

Originally Posted by L.T.F.C.

FFS it is 'Mervue'.

I Know I only spotted that after someone answered my questions I knew it didn't look right when I was typing it, Appologies to Mervue

**Trainee** · 16/10/2013, 6:55 PM

looks like FAI have changed their minds again
http://irishnewsreview.net/2013/10/1...ted-situation/

**Terry** · 16/10/2013, 6:59 PM

Rumours circulating around mervue tonight, that the one team for Galway could well be Mervue United !

**NeverFeltBetter** · 16/10/2013, 8:23 PM

Originally Posted by Trainee

looks like FAI have changed their minds again
http://irishnewsreview.net/2013/10/1...ted-situation/

"You can come back with the pointless argument of how Mervue United would be refused a Premier Division licence, however, you are then just looking at other ways to have a dig at the football’s governing body, which would be a complete waste of time."

What a stupid article.