A 7-team league First Division Next Year

**Patrick Dunne** · 20/12/2013, 12:23 PM

The major objection I would have is that players are now effectively registered for two teams playing in the same league. Eamonn Zayed/Karl Shepherd can play against Cobh Ramblers and Cork City on the same weekend (unlikely, I know).

There should have been a separate squad for both sides.

**Dodge** · 20/12/2013, 12:29 PM

So what were people's problems with it again

a) "They won't have to pay fees" - they do.
b) "They won't need u19 team" - they do
c) "They'll be allowed move players between the two" - Yeah, they do.

For me c was the only issue I thought the league would move on and they did. Shame

**Bawnville Hoop** · 20/12/2013, 12:34 PM

Finally confirmed, great news for us.

**Louth4sam** · 20/12/2013, 12:43 PM

Originally Posted by Dodge

So what were people's problems with it again

a) "They won't have to pay fees" - they do.
b) "They won't need u19 team" - they do
c) "They'll be allowed move players between the two" - Yeah, they do.

For me c was the only issue I thought the league would move on and they did. Shame

Agree with this and in my opinion fees should have been waived. However there is no doubt that Rovers will have an advantage over other teams in the premier division as their fringe players will be match fit and can get around this rule "From their Premier Division squad, Shamrock Rovers will be permitted to play a maximum of three outfield players and a goalkeeper in First Division fixtures." by having a smaller premier division squad and registering players with their first division squad instead.

Crucially, what if a couple of players say Zayed and Finn were coming back from injury and played against a team challenging for promotion. They will be at a serious disadvantage to their rivals.

I'm all for teams having reserve teams as the jump from u19s to senior is too big for some players but they need to be separate entities to their parent club.

**gormacha** · 20/12/2013, 1:07 PM

Originally Posted by Louth4sam

Crucially, what if a couple of players say Zayed and Finn were coming back from injury and played against a team challenging for promotion. They will be at a serious disadvantage to their rivals.

Couldn't agree more. This is the exact point I made when this idea was first mooted.

The logic behind a B team is different to every other team in both divisions - its about player development, not winning per se. So Shamrock Rovers will vary their B team according to their developmental needs. Some weeks they will play with elite players, others they won't. This will have a direct and uneven impact on first division results.

**placid casual** · 20/12/2013, 5:28 PM

Even more reason for your clubs to get their act together and get the hell out of the graveyard division as quick as possible, thus avoiding future meetings with the rule- bending big bad Rovers.

fair play to the Rovers board on this. still streets ahead of the other clubs off the field(on the field is entirely another matter!)

**SkStu** · 20/12/2013, 5:43 PM

Originally Posted by Longfordian

The Coventry of the LOI.

To Hell (First Division) or to Longford!

**micls** · 20/12/2013, 5:48 PM

I completely disagree with players being registered for both squads. They should work within squads outside of the transfer window. Don't have much issue with it other than this.

**RonnieB** · 20/12/2013, 6:54 PM

Originally Posted by micls

I completely disagree with players being registered for both squads. They should work within squads outside of the transfer window. Don't have much issue with it other than this.

Pretty much of the same opinion myself.

**Charlie Darwin** · 20/12/2013, 7:02 PM

I'd prefer the way it is in Spain (to the best of my knowledge anyway). Players can move within the transfer window, but anybody under 20 can go up or down at will.

**wonder88** · 20/12/2013, 8:15 PM

Fair play to Shamrock Rovers a members owned club that is showing real leadership in developing soccer in Ireland.

**Town Legend** · 20/12/2013, 11:02 PM

[QUOTE=Louth4sam;1728534]Crucially, what if a couple of players say Zayed and Finn were coming back from injury and played against a team challenging for promotion. They will be at a serious disadvantage to their rivals.

Its up up to that team challenging for promotion to make sure Zayed or Finn have quite a few games to play in coming back from injury ��

**nigel-harps1954** · 20/12/2013, 11:43 PM

Shamrock Rovers B team playing Sunday afternoons. Great news really. Meaning bigger travelling support, at least from us anyway.

**SkStu** · 21/12/2013, 12:53 AM

Originally Posted by nigel-harps1954

Shamrock Rovers B team playing Sunday afternoons. Great news really. Meaning bigger travelling support, at least from us anyway.

It will undoubtedly be a great thing for the other first div teams. Will be interested to see how this experiment pans outand hopefully other teams will explore this.

Still feels dirty, just cos its R*^€rs obviously. Anyone else, I'd be delighted.

**TheBoss** · 21/12/2013, 1:53 AM

The only issues I have with it, is that players registered for First Team, should not be able to play for the 'B' Team unless they are registered for 'B' team via transfer, on the other side, players that played with the 'B' team, that get promoted to First Team, should not be allowed to return the 'B' Team as they have effectively been signed as new player, maybe players U-21 can move interchangeably.

**disgruntled** · 21/12/2013, 9:19 AM

Originally Posted by SkStu

It will undoubtedly be a great thing for the other first div teams. Will be interested to see how this experiment pans outand hopefully other teams will explore this.

Still feels dirty, just cos its R*^�rs obviously. Anyone else, I'd be delighted.

Don't think it will be to be honest.
My problem is players being allowed to come down from the first team.
Imagine you are going for promotion & playing Rovers who turn up with star studded strikers who bury your promotion hopes.
I had experience of this one when a certain club loaded their squad with senior players & we lost out on promotion as a result.
Normal transfer rules should apply between two senior teams which these two Rovers squads will be.

Its fine to have players going up & down between Senior & under 21's / Under 19's like in the UK but not between two senior sides.
The squads should be separate with the B / Reserve squad used for giving experience to up & coming players from underage sides.
If players are recovering from injury or need game time then they should play with the under 19's which are largely development squads.

**Jofspring** · 21/12/2013, 9:47 AM

Will it not just work like Junior soccer where the B players can play with the A team but A players can't play with the B team. If see no problem with rovers calling on the B players if they had a lot of injuries and suspensions. That's the luxury they will get by coughing for two teams.

**Dodge** · 21/12/2013, 10:43 AM

Originally Posted by Jofspring

Will it not just work like Junior soccer where the B players can play with the A team but A players can't play with the B team. If see no problem with rovers calling on the B players if they had a lot of injuries and suspensions. That's the luxury they will get by coughing for two teams.

It's the other way round. B players won't be moving up. 3 a players a week (plus a goalkeeper) can move down

**Jofspring** · 21/12/2013, 11:18 AM

Originally Posted by Dodge

It's the other way round. B players won't be moving up. 3 a players a week (plus a goalkeeper) can move down

That's an absolute joke.

**bluewhitearmy** · 21/12/2013, 5:32 PM

The only problem i have with players dropping down is it should be like in Spain where after a player has played a certain amount with the A team he cant drop down.