Club budgets 2014

[SkStu]

This initiative has been tried at some clubs. I know at Dalymount it was tried ( tickets distributed to local schools in D7) and the initiative worked well. Increased crowds and more spent in shops etc. Also helps to get them young and brand them fans for life ( or emigration, death or insanity)

There was also negativity from some quarters towards the branding of children.

[Longfordian]

Namby pamby liberals again.

[Charlie Darwin]

There was also negativity from some quarters towards the branding of children.

You've gone soft in Phibsoro.

[avvenalaf]

You've gone soft in Phibsoro.

Yeah, round up them mavericks and put Bar Roddy on 'em.

[Fivesilver]

It sounds a bit extreme, in fairness - they could just put tags in their ears.

[MiniMourinho]

To try and get boost the gate I think Drogheda should giive away 50/100 school child tickets to a different primary school every home match. Some will probably not get used but others, with a bit of pester power, will and perhaps an odd adult will come along too so increasing revenue. They are tickets that most likely wont be sold anyway so what's the harm? Could even build the supporter base for the future.... creates a bit of atmosphere too.

A but callous I know but it could work.

Drogs done that to most home games last year. Different school each week.

[Cosmo]

In fairness, it's been done numerous times over the years, picking certain matches, certain schools,etc. It's proved its not good enough.

No kid should have to pay into a loi match, get them in, brainwash them and get the real benefit a few years down the line when they're older (but get benefit at present too with their dad's been dragged up)

Why we and others aren't doing what Dundalk are doing, I'll never know. They are leading the way in this initiative with the schools, it's not half arsed, free st for all primary school kids,etc. Brilliant idea..as much as I hate them, I hope it works for them, as it might give us the cop on to do the same

[White Horse]

Not sure in what thread to include this news.

Dundalk FC will be holding the launch of their new partnership with Dundalk Institute of Technology on Monday. The Dundalk FC/DKIT partnership launch will take place at the FAI headquarters in Abbotstown in Dublin.

Details are sketchy but it must be significant if Martin O'Neill will be present.

http://talkofthetown.ie/2014/01/16/d...-it-on-monday/

[Dodge]

Details are sketchy but it must be significant if Martin O'Neill will be present.

Wouldn't be certain of that. Press release states he'll be there to launch it but won't be staying for questions

I'd imagine it's some sort of scholarship agreement. Very good news if that's the case. Pats have a link up with Maynooth and Rovers have (or at least had) with Tallaght IT.

[nigel-harps1954]

Surprised Dundalk haven't jumped on that bandwagon yet.

Others I know of..

Finn Harps - LYIT linkup
Sligo Rovers - Sligo IT link
Athlone Town - AIT
UCD being the obvious.

Will be surprised if Galway FC don't manage some sort of link with either NUIG or GMIT.

Limerick have a link with one of the colleges there as far as I know, and Cork have a linkup with UCC too?

Every club with a nearby college should certainly be linking up and working with the colleges. Taking on students for work experience should be jumped on too. Great experience for students as well as valuable extra hands for the clubs. Obviously, scholarships for players is a massive boost and a great way of holding onto the top young players.

[Jofspring]

We had a link up with UL but unsure if that is still going.

We have a link with LIT as we have a deal so that our senior and all academy teams are using LIT's pitches, Astro and gym for training.

[White Horse]

Surprised Dundalk haven't jumped on that bandwagon yet.

We've had a link up with DKIT for some time now, since 2008.

[nigel-harps1954]

We've had a link up with DKIT for some time now, since 2008.

So what's with the announcement of a linkup with DKIT in Abbotstown?

[White Horse]

So what's with the announcement of a linkup with DKIT in Abbotstown?

That is what Dundalk fans are questioning.

[gufcfan]

Link ups with third level institutions are very good, but don't many of the players on them play a ridiculous amount of games because they can be expected to represent their college? I think that happened with Seamus Conneely, among others.

[jinxy lilywhite]

Hopefully the link up with DKIT works out and can benefit us in the medium to long term. I heard there was an arrangement prior to this but I am not sure if it brought any benefit to either party. Hopefully this one will.

I cant help but think it may be a stepping stone for DKIT's want to build a municipal venue on the campus. The Louth GAA project has fallen by the wayside recently and they may see DFC as potential clients. If Louth GAA couldn't afford their idea hard to see how we would or could finance it or part finance it

[White Horse]

I cant help but think it may be a stepping stone for DKIT's want to build a municipal venue on the campus. The Louth GAA project has fallen by the wayside recently and they may see DFC as potential clients. If Louth GAA couldn't afford their idea hard to see how we would or could finance it or part finance it

I was very surprised when Louth GAA turned down the joint venture. DKIT were going to provide the land and share the €6m building cost with the GAA. It is common knowledge that DKIT are desperate to pursue the project and are seeking a partner. They are seeking to specialise in sports science and have recently acquired the JJB indoor complex and the ice dome.

However, I doubt that Dundalk or the FAI have the resources to invest in a municipal stadium in the north east.

https://www.dkit.ie/system/files/DkI...l_1.pdf‎

[wonder88]

Salthill Devon has a scholarship scheme in place with NUIG already.
The GAA make good use of the 3rd level colleges, and I would guess that over 50% of county standard players in the 18-23 age group are in some college and receiving some sort of funding towards their education. Would young league of Ireland players come from a less academic background than GAA players maybe? My own opinion is that this in not true in modern Ireland. Huge public money has gone into educational spending, infrastructure included, in recent decades and LoI clubs should be always trying to tap into this resource as it is theirs as well as any other sporting or cultural group.

[nigel-harps1954]

http://www.finnharps.com/site/index....ark&Itemid=101

Finn Harps have announced their new main sponsor for the 2014 season. McGettigans Group will replace North West Forest Services who continue as Ulster Senior league sponsors.