A 7-team league First Division Next Year

**Mr A** · 15/01/2014, 10:04 AM

Ah, the League of Ireland. One team promoted from D1 last season. But three new teams to play this season.

**legendz** · 15/01/2014, 8:44 PM

Originally Posted by Mr A

Ah, the League of Ireland. One team promoted from D1 last season. But three new teams to play this season.

It's positive the premier should go ahead as planned. Natural the top league will take the limelight. There's always likely to be change in the lowest league, without affecting the league's integrity as would happen in the higher profile division. I haven't heard D1 is limited to 8 teams. I hope that has the door open shall any other clubs apply to join in the next few years.

**bluemovie** · 16/01/2014, 9:56 AM

Originally Posted by Mr A

Ah, the League of Ireland. One team promoted from D1 last season. But three new teams to play this season.

At least one of them (Shels) is the first team to drop down from the Premier Division based on their final points tally since yourselves in 2009. Five years without a team properly relegated says a lot about a league's integrity.

**nigel-harps1954** · 16/01/2014, 10:14 AM

Originally Posted by bluemovie

At least one of them (Shels) is the first team to drop down from the Premier Division based on their final points tally since yourselves in 2009. Five years without a team properly relegated says a lot about a league's integrity.

2008.

**Jofspring** · 16/01/2014, 10:30 AM

Says a lot about the clubs integrity too and how they are run.

**Dodge** · 16/01/2014, 10:54 AM

Originally Posted by Jofspring

Says a lot about the clubs integrity too and how they are run.

That's the key. If anything it helps the league's integrity as it shows that if you look after paying your debts, there's a fair chance you'll be OK

**legendz** · 16/01/2014, 11:36 AM

Originally Posted by Dodge

That's the key. If anything it helps the league's integrity as it shows that if you look after paying your debts, there's a fair chance you'll be OK

Now and again maybe but year after year it hasn't reflected well on the league.
Long-term the league's integrity should be fine. It's positive the premier should be going ahead as planned with the relegated team in D1. Hopefully a corner has been turned.

**Macy** · 17/01/2014, 12:52 PM

Originally Posted by Dodge

That's the key. If anything it helps the league's integrity as it shows that if you look after paying your debts, there's a fair chance you'll be OK

Doesn't say much about the licensing system used by the league that clubs keep getting in enough trouble to be relegated/ go wallop whilst holding a premier licence though.

**bluemovie** · 17/01/2014, 1:48 PM

Originally Posted by nigel-harps1954

2008.

I was being particular about that. Harps were relegated in November 2008, but joined the First Division in March 2009. Other teams have been relegated in the meantime, but haven't reappeared in the lower division the following year.

Yeah I agree that it's better that cheating clubs are demoted/booted and clubs deserve to be rewarded for being run properly, but most of the non-relegations have been due to ignominious financial collapses which reflect badly on the league. I suppose it's more the reputation of the league than the integrity of its rules enforcement that is damaged. Since the last proper relegation, Cork, Derry, Fingal, Galway, Monaghan all 'happened'. The lack of relegation definitely shows the league up as a mess especially to outsiders, potential sponsors, etc. The Premier Division has been relatively protected from damage since the numbers stayed constant, but each ****-up meant the First Division became weaker and less attractive. It's not so much a neatly-maintained graveyard anymore as it is a festering roadside burial pit!

**nigel-harps1954** · 17/01/2014, 2:06 PM

Funny, it's worth pointing out, with the first proper relegation since then, the First Division this season has the makings of being the strongest and most competitive division we've seen in four or 5 years now.

**BonnieShels** · 17/01/2014, 2:25 PM

Originally Posted by nigel-harps1954

Funny, it's worth pointing out, with the first proper relegation since then, the First Division this season has the makings of being the strongest and most competitive division we've seen in four or 5 years now.

What about 2009, 2010 and 2011? Fantastically competitive.

Actually scrap that. 2009 was a pile of shoite.

**Jofspring** · 17/01/2014, 3:24 PM

2010 was a strong league teams wise when you consider Cork, Limerick, Derry, Waterford, Shels, Longford, Harps and Monaghan were all there.

**nigel-harps1954** · 17/01/2014, 3:36 PM

There was some very strong teams in the past few years, but I have a feeling that this year could be the most competitive seen in a long time. Aside from Longford, there's currently not very much between all the rest of the teams. Most of the teams could realistically win the league this year, maybe barring Cobh.

**marinobohs** · 20/01/2014, 3:48 PM

Originally Posted by Macy

Doesn't say much about the licensing system used by the league that clubs keep getting in enough trouble to be relegated/ go wallop whilst holding a premier licence though.

but it says a hell of a lot about the effort the clubs are/were making to dodge the licensing regulations. If clubs put half that effort into running themselves properly ( sticking to the criteria ) instead of everyone blaming the FAI ( I know its easy).

its a bit like blaming the Gardai because more people are committing crimes

**gufcfan** · 21/01/2014, 7:18 PM

Originally Posted by marinobohs

its a bit like blaming the Gardai because more people are committing crimes

Apples and oranges. From what I understand about what happened at Galway United, the FAI actively ignored huge red flags and did practically nothing to enforce the rules.

If you are using the the guards as an analogy, I would put it closer to the guards sitting in the barracks playing minesweeper because the laws are there already and surely people won't break them.

**legendz** · 23/01/2014, 2:24 PM

Originally Posted by nigel-harps1954

Funny, it's worth pointing out, with the first proper relegation since then, the First Division this season has the makings of being the strongest and most competitive division we've seen in four or 5 years now.

Others have pointed out recent good seasons. It's shaping up to be the strongest since the premier expanded back to 12 teams.

**Macy** · 23/01/2014, 9:27 PM

Originally Posted by marinobohs

but it says a hell of a lot about the effort the clubs are/were making to dodge the licensing regulations. If clubs put half that effort into running themselves properly ( sticking to the criteria ) instead of everyone blaming the FAI ( I know its easy).

I don't believe that's true in all cases in recent years. And if licencing isn't robust enough, then its up to the association to strengthen it and its powers.