Permutations for 1st division play off spots

**NeverFeltBetter** · 21/10/2013, 11:09 PM

Originally Posted by Trainee

MNS said FAI confirmed if Mervue beat Longford and qualify for playoff final, The playoff final wont be going ahead

If FAI had actual balls they would have refused Mervue access to the play-off structure. Too cowardly for that of course, and just hoping the Galway club don't continue to make them look bad now.

**TheBoss** · 21/10/2013, 11:46 PM

I believe that Mervue have grounds to appeal and will win.

As far as I know the association can not change the rules during the season. The rules at start of the season must be adhered to as all teams have signed the participation agreement.

I remember in Georgia, the league changed the rules near the end of the season, which meant that Rustavi won the league but Zestafoni appealed it and were successful in overturning the decision.

**gufc2000** · 22/10/2013, 12:17 AM

http://www.independent.ie/sport/socc...-29676374.html

McDonnell fairly sticking it to the FAI with this article. Good on him.

**gufc2000** · 22/10/2013, 12:24 AM

Originally Posted by Darklordsbane

Typical, Pat Devlin trying to pull another rabbit out of the hat!!!!
nothing of course to do with him being mates with all the Fai (wasn't he on the staff a few years ago with Brian Kerr or Steve Staunton,)
Come on De Town beat Mervue and Bray that way the playoff will work as it was intended not the farce that will be caused by a Mervue victory,
I think it's a disgrace that even if Mervue beat Longford (which well they might) they will not be allowed into the playoff,
if the Fai had any balls they would have voided the Mervue points once the weren't 1st or 2nd in the league and given the playoff birth to Waterford, at least that way both teams would have had something to play for,
This now will (I believe) mean Mervue will be even more fired up for the 2nd leg on Friday to stick it to the Fai

It's hardly Pat Devlin's doing now in fairness, very petty excuse.

**Macy** · 22/10/2013, 9:25 AM

Originally Posted by NeverFeltBetter

If FAI had actual balls they would have refused Mervue access to the play-off structure. Too cowardly for that of course, and just hoping the Galway club don't continue to make them look bad now.

It suits the FAI, why would they do the right thing? Whoever ends up in the playoff spot, there'd be question marks about whether they'd survive the relegation. The FAI dodge this bullet if Mervue win the play off with Town. You could also say that if Mervue were committed to Galway FC, they'd have withdrawn themselves and let Waterford into the play off.

Originally Posted by TheBoss

I believe that Mervue have grounds to appeal and will win.

The FAI will just use licencing to refuse entry to the premier.

**Longfordian** · 22/10/2013, 9:26 AM

Originally Posted by TheBoss

I believe that Mervue have grounds to appeal and will win.

As far as I know the association can not change the rules during the season. The rules at start of the season must be adhered to as all teams have signed the participation agreement.

I remember in Georgia, the league changed the rules near the end of the season, which meant that Rustavi won the league but Zestafoni appealed it and were successful in overturning the decision.

Assuming that the powers that be in Mervue would be willing to appeal any such decision and potentially put some noses out of joint in Abbotstown. The players and manager want to play LOI but it seems the committee don't.

**MiniMourinho** · 22/10/2013, 9:38 AM

Mervue may get promoted on merit. But can the premier division afford to have another UCD in terms of finances? It would potentially de-stable a lot of teams finances in the premier division. I dont see how Mervue are better off than the Monaghan promotion scenario. Look how that ended.

**Mr A** · 22/10/2013, 9:58 AM

Woah- that's a big leap. Monaghan went on a spending spree on the back of sponsorship that didn't materialise. There's no reason to say Mervue would do the same. There hasn't been so much as a rumour of financial issues with them since they entered the league.

And if a premier club is destabilised by Mervue replacing Bray then they're probably screwed anyhow.

**osarusan** · 22/10/2013, 10:06 AM

Originally Posted by MiniMourinho

Mervue may get promoted on merit. But can the premier division afford to have another UCD in terms of finances? It would potentially de-stable a lot of teams finances in the premier division.

Silly comment. How their support and appeal (or lack thereof) affects other teams' home attendances is no concern of theirs. You can't (or shouldn't, at least) be looking to promote teams based on that criterion.

**Darklordsbane** · 22/10/2013, 10:22 AM

Good man Nigel,

**Mr A** · 22/10/2013, 10:39 AM

The overall situation is a bit of a disaster. But if Mervue wanted to go ahead and be a premier club then they shouldn't have thrown their lot in with the Galway FC project. They can't be half in and half out making a last second decision to suit themselves. But they're now in a horrible position where all they can achieve is to screw over Longford.

But arbitrarily cancelling the playoff now seems crazy. Why let them play in the first bit but not the second? Had the FAI stepped in at the start and said- you've made your decision as a club, so either we're putting Waterford in or else just letting Longford go forward then that would make some small level of sense. As would letting the playoffs proceed all the way through and dealing with the new season only once this is complete. Instead stopping the playoffs half way through would be just plain crazy. Whatever about Mervue, Longford certainly would have a case if Mervue manage to keep them down.

**Macy** · 22/10/2013, 11:23 AM

The FAI want to maintain the premier division club - it's the only thing about letting Mervue in the playoff's that makes any sense. Two of the three that could be in the playoff would have issues surviving relegation going on media suggestions, and from talking to supporters. Even the FAI couldn't justify a 6 team first, never mind the potential loss of a big name club, so the least headaches for them is Mervue beating Longford and ensuring only shels go down.

**Bray Head** · 22/10/2013, 12:22 PM

Originally Posted by adamd164

Given the FAI's statement confirming that Mervue will definitely not be in next year's premier, I really hope Longford can do us all a favour, turn this around and relegate Bray.

UCD or Bohs could be in the play off yet so either of those can still be relegated.

**gufct** · 22/10/2013, 12:51 PM

The people I feel sorry for are the,Supporters, players and Managment in Mervue but this has been flagged for 18 months and their member on the interim Board of GFC agreed to it before the start of the season. It's that person who should be answering the questions.

**atfconline** · 22/10/2013, 6:29 PM

Press release issued just now.

Airtricity League Promotion-Relegation Play-Off details announced

Details have been announced for next week�s Airtricity League Promotion-Relegation Play-Off. The play-off will be contested by the team finishing 11th in the 2013 Premier Division and the winners of the First Division play-off between Longford Town and Mervue United which is currently in progress.

The Premier Division team will be at home in the first leg which will take place on Monday, October 28, at 7.45pm with the First Division team at home for the second leg on Friday, November 1 at 7.45pm. In the event of the scores being level on aggregate at the end of 90 minutes in the second leg, then 30 minutes of extra time will be played and if the scores are still level a penalty shoot-out will take place. Please note that away goals do not count double in the Airtricity League play-offs.

The identity of the two teams that will contest the Promotion-Relegation Play-Off will be known after Friday evening�s games with Bray Wanderers, UCD and Bohemians the potential Premier Division representatives while either Longford Town or Mervue United will represent the First Division.

ENDS

**Terry** · 22/10/2013, 6:50 PM

I'll wait and see what they say tomorrow !

**Mr A** · 22/10/2013, 8:14 PM

Oooooooooooh
You put the Mervue in
The Longford out
Bray in Bohs out
Shake it all about
You do the playoff pokey and you turn yourself around
That's what the FAI's about.

**Charlie Darwin** · 22/10/2013, 8:25 PM

Originally Posted by Mr A

Oooooooooooh
You put the Mervue in
The Longford out
Bray in Bohs out
Shake it all about
You do the playoff pokey and you turn yourself around
That's what the FAI's about.

Ooooooooh jokey jokey jokey!

**toffeejay** · 25/10/2013, 6:28 PM

This article implies that both Salthill and Mervue will drop out to accommodate Galway.
http://www.goal.com/en-ie/news/3942/...-mismanagement

They can't go ahead with a 7 club first divison can they?
Is someone going to come up or would not make more sense to have an 18 team single divison (with Wexford moving down with the other two)?

**gufcfan** · 26/10/2013, 12:00 PM

Probably saw it here first...

There once was a young man called John,
Whos reign people thought far too long,
But with free drinks on the train,
And sing songs on the plane,
Shur what could be possibly wrong??