2018 League to kick off early

**harps1954** · 25/10/2017, 2:38 PM

Originally Posted by El-Pietro

The FAI had already made their mind up and have used this "vote" to validate their decision and to put themselves one step away from the criticism, and to divide the clubs further. Job done.

Quite possible. But the fact that the PCA voted on it and it was split shows that out of the 20 LOI clubs, only 7 want a 10 team top flight.

**nigel-harps1954** · 25/10/2017, 2:46 PM

Originally Posted by brendy_éire

Not a fan of the earlier start to the season either.

Can't wait for the inevitable 'brutal pitches' argument from Richie Sadlier and Alan Cawley at the start of February.

Again, pitches will have absolutely no time to recover from this season before going into next season and starting the league a couple of weeks earlier is a nightmare for ground staff.

**Lim till i die** · 25/10/2017, 3:00 PM

Surely there won't be much call elsewhere for the harps groundsman's plough in January??

If he's stuck he can just lob a few grenades.

**Charlie Darwin** · 25/10/2017, 3:33 PM

Originally Posted by nigel-harps1954

Can't wait for the inevitable 'brutal pitches' argument from Richie Sadlier and Alan Cawley at the start of February.

Again, pitches will have absolutely no time to recover from this season before going into next season and starting the league a couple of weeks earlier is a nightmare for ground staff.

How on earth is almost four months "absolutely no time"?

**Olander** · 25/10/2017, 3:52 PM

Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin

How on earth is almost four months "absolutely no time"?

That's absolutely mad logic considering most clubs have sole use of their pitches as well.

It's not like Terryland when there's Galway FA matches on it all-year around and the pitch gets no break whatsoever and it's still one of the best in the league.

**Philosophizer** · 25/10/2017, 4:09 PM

Originally Posted by harps1954

out of the 20 LOI clubs, only 7 want a 10 team top flight.

That's a very misleading statement. The 8 1st division clubs weren't part of the PCA vote. If those 8 clubs had a vote, they may all have voted for the 10 team league, so it could have been 15 out of the 20 clubs in favour of the 10 team league.

We'll never know of course, but i'd guess that most of the 1st div clubs would have wanted to move from an 8-team div to a 10 team div.

**Mr A** · 25/10/2017, 4:11 PM

Originally Posted by Philosophizer

That's a very misleading statement. The 8 1st division clubs weren't part of the PCA vote. If those 8 clubs had a vote, they may all have voted for the 10 team league, so it could have been 15 out of the 20 clubs in favour of the 10 team league.

We'll never know of course, but i'd guess that most of the 1st div clubs would have wanted to move from an 8-team div to a 10 team div.

There is not a chance in hell the D1 clubs would have voted for that.

On pitches- the issue is there little or no growth in our close season, which makes major repairs more difficult.

**Guitd** · 25/10/2017, 8:48 PM

Originally Posted by Mr A

There is not a chance in hell the D1 clubs would have voted for that.

On pitches- the issue is there little or no growth in our close season, which makes major repairs more difficult.

That’s a very logic post and also those moaning about a mid season break this is the only time work can be done during the growing season in June which is badly needed for some grounds

**nigel-harps1954** · 25/10/2017, 9:00 PM

Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin

How on earth is almost four months "absolutely no time"?

How many times do you cut the grass in your garden over winter?

**total hoofball** · 25/10/2017, 9:26 PM

Originally Posted by Philosophizer

We'll never know of course, but i'd guess that most of the 1st div clubs would have wanted to move from an 8-team div to a 10 team div.

I can safely say that any club let alone 8 of them would not have voted in favour of decreasing their percentage chances on getting promoted

Also a 10 team first division increases their season by 8 games next season which will see alot of the majority amateur players in the division drop back to the less demanding schedules of intermediate/junior football. This will hit Cobh, UCD, Shels, Cabinteely, Wexford and Athlone with their mostly amateur squads

**Charlie Darwin** · 25/10/2017, 9:53 PM

Originally Posted by nigel-harps1954

How many times do you cut the grass in your garden over winter?

Well it depends on the weather, obviously, but usually a few times. I don't know the exact situation in Donegal, maybe you don't get any sunshine for six months, but I don't really think the entire league should be scheduled around Finn Park's growing season.

**sbgawa** · 25/10/2017, 11:01 PM

Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin

Well it depends on the weather, obviously, but usually a few times. I don't know the exact situation in Donegal, maybe you don't get any sunshine for six months, but I don't really think the entire league should be scheduled around Finn Park's growing season.

Grass grows every day the temperature is over 6 degrees

**Brusher** · 26/10/2017, 7:19 AM

Was only thinking about the state of pitches...the FAI should be providing assistance with the pitches especially with an earlier start...but in general I love the early start.

**bennocelt** · 26/10/2017, 11:56 AM

Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin

Well it depends on the weather, obviously, but usually a few times. I don't know the exact situation in Donegal, maybe you don't get any sunshine for six months, but I don't really think the entire league should be scheduled around Finn Park's growing season.

in winter?

**sbgawa** · 26/10/2017, 1:47 PM

I don't see how the pitches should be a huge issue , we used to play through the whole winter.

I reckon mid Feb to Mid November with a bit of imagination around scheduling should be able to eliminate mid week league games at least before euro rescheduling.
Prior to yesterdays announcement tomorrows match on the 27th of October was going to be our last competitive match for 4 months !

**brendy_éire** · 26/10/2017, 2:15 PM

Originally Posted by sbgawa

I don't see how the pitches should be a huge issue , we used to play through the whole winter.

With loads of matches called off though.
I know we more often than not have a pre-sale friendly or two cancelled due to a frozen/waterlogged pitch.
Bound to happen in the league with the new start date, though maybe not so much at the new plastic pitch in the Brandywell.

**Mr A** · 26/10/2017, 2:44 PM

Have there been a lot of Irish Premiership games called off in recent years? Generally keep half an eye at least on it and have not noticed significant amounts being postponed.

**brendy_éire** · 26/10/2017, 3:18 PM

Originally Posted by Mr A

Have there been a lot of Irish Premiership games called off in recent years? Generally keep half an eye at least on it and have not noticed significant amounts being postponed.

Ah yeah, there's still plenty. Two last weekend for example. I think the IL will switch to summer football eventually.
I usually go to Institute matches, they've had five home matches postponed so far (exceptional, granted) and one away.

**Mr A** · 26/10/2017, 3:42 PM

In fairness last weekend had a major storm that also affected our league and the Stute thing was due to flooding the like of which hasn't been seen in the area at any stage I'm aware of.

**brendy_éire** · 26/10/2017, 5:18 PM

Originally Posted by Mr A

In fairness last weekend had a major storm that also affected our league and the Stute thing was due to flooding the like of which hasn't been seen in the area at any stage I'm aware of.

Aye, take your point. Mid-February is still early though.
Worth pointing out that assuming pre-season friendlies start early January, we're going to struggle to get many IL clubs. Same with yourselves and Sligo. They may need the Tuesday/Wednesday night slot for their own re-arranged matches. We've made do with the likes of Coleraine's U21s in the past, but it's not the best preparation.