A 7-team league First Division Next Year

[gufcfan]

There is an issue though if they are allowed to circumvent the licensing rules that all clubs have to adhere to as this could potentially open the FAI to legal challenge on any licensing issue down the line.

I think with the FAI's track record of sticking to their own rules, it's hard to say what they will do, but I think it would be a big step backwards to allow Rovers or anyone else to scrap their under 19 team.

It's bad enough that Mervue and Salthill have negotiated a nice deal to prevent Galway FC from having an under 19 team for at least 5 years or any other underage team.

That's why it wouldn't surprise me what the FAI would do next.

[Dodge]

That is absolute nonsense - the suggestion that changing / relaxing / altering the rules for one club is somehow okay, because other clubs may not necessarily be specifically barred from applying also.

I made absolutely no such suggestion. I've already said the only way this can work is if the two teams are effectively treated as separate entities.

It is irrelevant that the majority of club may decline for financial reasons - fair play and transparency dictates that all clubs should be informed of the arrangements and criteria and invited to apply if interested.

It's completely relevant. Clubs have until tomorrow to apply.

It's clear the FAI couldn't find a 20th league club so went back to the club who had approached them in the past about a reserve team. People can get on their high horse all they like but if it's a choice between a 7 team 1st division and 8 with a Rovers B team, there's only one winner there.

Oh and not at you Ezekial, but I firmly believe that the least half of those complaining about this wouldn't do so if it Pats, Sligo, Dundalk or anyone other than Rovers.

[disgruntled]

Its amazing how some on here know an awful lot about the views,ambitions and finances of the various clubs all based on pub stories, rumor etc so it must be true.
I don't know why we bother with a League at all.
We should just let some of them decide who's going in what League & pick the results each week.
Are you sure some of you have nothing to do with the FAI because you seem to know all the answers even before the questions are asked.
Typical Irish solution to an Irish problem, dig the hole first & then decide what to do with it

[gormacha]

if it's a choice between a 7 team 1st division and 8 with a Rovers B team, there's only one winner there.

Well, its a winner for the FAI. It's not at all clear to me how this is a win for the FD clubs. I'd even take a 30 game, five round, seven club division over one with a reserve team in it.

[nigel-harps1954]

Well, its a winner for the FAI. It's not at all clear to me how this is a win for the FD clubs. I'd even take a 30 game, five round, seven club division over one with a reserve team in it.

Honestly, as much as I dislike the idea, I'd prefer it over 7 teams to be honest. With 7 teams, there's one team missing a game every week, meaning a severe hit in finances should that club have away games either side of that week off.

[Ezeikial]

I made absolutely no such suggestion. I've already said the only way this can work is if the two teams are effectively treated as separate entities.



It's completely relevant. Clubs have until tomorrow to apply.

It's clear the FAI couldn't find a 20th league club so went back to the club who had approached them in the past about a reserve team. People can get on their high horse all they like but if it's a choice between a 7 team 1st division and 8 with a Rovers B team, there's only one winner there.

Oh and not at you Ezekial, but I firmly believe that the least half of those complaining about this wouldn't do so if it Pats, Sligo, Dundalk or anyone other than Rovers.

If the FAI have made the full criteria for this proposal available to all clubs and invited applications in an even handed manner - fair enough. This is the first suggestion I have heard that all other clubs have been invited to apply (although I remain dubious of the detail).


The FAI have an appalling record when it comes to fair play, honesty and transparency. It is almost as if they are addicted to manipulation and deception as a primary tactic.

[nigel-harps1954]

I believe what Dodge is saying, is that the rest of the clubs had every opportunity to apply for it themselves, rather than wait for the FAI to ask them.

Don't see anyone suggesting that all the clubs were invited to apply.

[disgruntled]

If the FAI have made the full criteria for this proposal available to all clubs and invited applications in an even handed manner - fair enough. This is the first suggestion I have heard that all other clubs have been invited to apply (although I remain dubious of the detail).


The FAI have an appalling record when it comes to fair play, honesty and transparency. It is almost as if they are addicted to manipulation and deception as a primary tactic.

They weren't asked & that's the problem.
As said earlier "Come out & ask all the Premier clubs if they're interested in entering a Reserve / B team in the 1st Division"
If they decide they're not interested then that's fine but at least give them the option.

[NeverFeltBetter]

Limerick... Big resources through their sugar daddy. Progressive club. They just might be interested.

The club are not throwing money around, and the team is operating on a reduced budget for the coming season. There is no way they will pump that much money into putting a reserve team into the FD.

[Ezeikial]

I believe what Dodge is saying, is that the rest of the clubs had every opportunity to apply for it themselves, rather than wait for the FAI to ask them.

Don't see anyone suggesting that all the clubs were invited to apply.

If there as a deadline for applications as Dodge suggested here:

Clubs have until tomorrow to apply.

.....surely it is a reasonable assumption that this deadline has been communicated to the clubs.

If the FAI have the ability to communicate a deadline date, is it not reasonable that they could communicate the general details involved and the criteria needed?

[NeverFeltBetter]

How do we know they didn't?

[Dodge]

Article 5.5 here. All clubs know the deadline

http://www.fai.ie/images/2014_Final_...ing_Manual.pdf

[nigel-harps1954]

If there as a deadline for applications as Dodge suggested here:



.....surely it is a reasonable assumption that this deadline has been communicated to the clubs.

If the FAI have the ability to communicate a deadline date, is it not reasonable that they could communicate the general details involved and the criteria needed?

The deadline has been known by all around the LOI circles for a while now. It's their own fault if they didn't take the chance to apply.

[galwayhoop]

The club are not throwing money around, and the team is operating on a reduced budget for the coming season. There is no way they will pump that much money into putting a reserve team into the FD.

That's the crux of it really.

If Limerick, who are one of the strongest clubs financially (I haven't insinuated they are throwing money around), would consider it a waste of money. And Cork and Derry probably wouldn't be interested (due to geography and other options like Cobh and USL) then there really isn't too many clubs who would be interested and/or capable of affording it.

Despite the moral indignation on here.

[Ezeikial]

Article 5.5 here. All clubs know the deadline

http://www.fai.ie/images/2014_Final_...ing_Manual.pdf

It seems my scepticism around your earlier post was well founded

[nigel-harps1954]

Just spotted this on Facebook. Galway FC crest...essentially GUST without the supporters trust bit, but you'd have to let them away with it ;P

Good to see this happening. I suppose they'll announce sponsorship details along with the unveiling of Tommy Dunne. Maybe announce a player or two?

[gufc2000]

Just spotted this on Facebook. Galway FC crest...essentially GUST without the supporters trust bit, but you'd have to let them away with it ;P

Good to see this happening. I suppose they'll announce sponsorship details along with the unveiling of Tommy Dunne. Maybe announce a player or two?

Comer Property Group are the main sponsor, that has been secured for the next three years. Some of the backroom team may be revealed on Monday as well

[Charlie Darwin]

Some of the backroom team may be revealed on Monday as well

So there's hope for Stan yet?

[Longfordian]

Comer Property Group are the main sponsor, that has been secured for the next three years. Some of the backroom team may be revealed on Monday as well

Any DVDs prepared?

[A face]

I believe what Dodge is saying, is that the rest of the clubs had every opportunity to apply for it themselves, rather than wait for the FAI to ask them.

Don't see anyone suggesting that all the clubs were invited to apply.

Look, its the FAI trying to get out of a shambolic situation by having new teams enter the league so it doesn't look like an absolute farce of a league. So that needs new teams who either apply themselves or there is an invite communicated to all the existing Premier Div clubs outlining that there is a new option available to them, a reserve team in the first div. This communication was never made. Its not an option (after the horse has bolted) to refer to the standard club application deadline and say 'oh well, because you didn't think of the idea of fielding a reserve team (something that was scraped something like ten years ago), and the fact that you've missed the deadline anyway, then its your problem." ..... That is comedy sketch stuff, gift grub/apres match kind of material. Its beyond ridiculous if we're expected to leave this fly for something that is going to resolve the problems within the league. It actually doesn't matter which way it falls now, its already been mismanaged, and the credibility and belief in the management team just went out the window after it.

Tin pot league, tin pot management and everyone just has to put up with it. We hear stories of mismanaged clubs and leagues from far off lands on 'Off the Ball' and you say to yourself "at least we're not that bad", when in actual fact its practically the same except no one gets shot and no club has the money to pay for a huge league-winning bribe. And to just assume that teams cant afford to field a reserve team as a plausible get out clause for not communicating the options available is like something from the Monty Python reunion tour with two bald men fighting over a comb, and a big foot just lands on the two of team .... shouldn't clubs be at least asked that something has changed in the last year, in that clubs have the reserve team option, rather than trying to second guess what would work as a get out of jail for the FAI, laugh or cry stuff. They made a pigs ear of the first division but the 'fudged out to the max' solution we have for it we'll keep them in the dark and second guessing, that'll teach them for trying to sort us out !!!