Longford invoke u-21 clause and get game called off

**MariborKev** · 21/03/2005, 9:42 AM

It has been announced that Longford have invoked a rule regarding u-21 players as one of theirs has been called up. They have got the game against us called off and rescheduled for Tuesday 12th of April

**OneRedArmy** · 21/03/2005, 9:56 AM

Well done Longford

Ridiculous rule, can't understand why the clubs agreed to it. Should revert to the previous rule of requiring a couple of players to be selected.

If the EL continues to improve and more domestic players get selected in the u21s we'll end up not scheduling fixtures on international weeks.

I suspect this won't be welcomed by the Longford away fans as I would imagine a Friday night match on a holiday weekend is preferable to a Tuesday night..... and we get punished by having to play 2 games in a week.

**dortie** · 21/03/2005, 10:08 AM

Originally Posted by Maribor

It has been announced that Longford have invoked a rule regarding u-21 players as one of theirs has been called up. They have got the game against us called off and rescheduled for Tuesday 12th of April

No way would they do this for ONE player being called up !! Probably a few out Injured, plus they dont want another beating so soon.

**liambo** · 21/03/2005, 11:39 AM

is it not true that longford are a full time outfit??
this under 21 player must be some kind of wonderkid if they can't play one match without him.does anybody know his name and is he a regular starter?
i had a wee feeling for longford(non-dublin team) but now longford have gone way way down in my estimation.to me they are nothing but yellow wa****s

**the 12 th man** · 21/03/2005, 11:51 AM

Originally Posted by liambo

is it not true that longford are a full time outfit??
this under 21 player must be some kind of wonderkid if they can't play one match without him.does anybody know his name and is he a regular starter?
i had a wee feeling for longford(non-dublin team) but now longford have gone way way down in my estimation.to me they are nothing but yellow wa****s

steady on there fella.........its stephen paisley and its obvious to anybody who knows the game why the rule was utilised.

**OneRedArmy** · 21/03/2005, 12:05 PM

Originally Posted by the 12 th man

steady on there fella.........its stephen paisley and its obvious to anybody who knows the game why the rule was utilised.

....... you're on a two game losing streak, we're coming off a good run in friendlies and on Friday night's opener and you'd rather play us 4 days after we play Shels?!

Pathetic behaviour. Within the rules, but the rule is a joke.

One player ffs!!!!!!!!!!

**pete** · 21/03/2005, 12:18 PM

Could game have been moved forward?

**Cosmo** · 21/03/2005, 12:24 PM

Don't see why an EL club should suffer if they're lucky enough to have one of their best players chosen to represent Ireland at any level.

Can't see anything wrong or immoral in what they've done

**pineapple stu** · 21/03/2005, 12:25 PM

Didn't this rule come in because Cork were withouth O'Flynn for one game last season and kicked up a fuss? Can't blame Longford for taking advantage of the rules that are there...

**Cosmo** · 21/03/2005, 12:32 PM

.........and i dont think many should complain that the rule is there - its a good rule imo - or am i missing something

**harpskid** · 21/03/2005, 12:34 PM

Derry could have utilised this rule last season but don't think they did.

I've heard Waterford have a man in the U21 squad too - any waterford fans enlighten me on the story at the RSC?

**MariborKev** · 21/03/2005, 12:36 PM

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

Didn't this rule come in because Cork were withouth O'Flynn for one game last season and kicked up a fuss? Can't blame Longford for taking advantage of the rules that are there...

That's the way I remember it as well- but was it not two season ago. I remember that Dolan guerned in his Star column about it for ages

I think what is annoying Derry fans is the fact that the squad was announced on the 14th, yet this news has been discovered today. Further to that, Darryl Murphy is in the squad, yet Waterford haven't announced a postponement of their game

**Troy.McClure** · 21/03/2005, 12:41 PM

This happens all the time. Whats the fuss? I cant see the problem in a club wanting to field its best players for a league match

**noby** · 21/03/2005, 12:50 PM

Originally Posted by harpskid

I've heard Waterford have a man in the U21 squad too - any waterford fans enlighten me on the story at the RSC?

Murphy is called up too, but our game is going ahead. In fairness, the rule is there, so they've every right to use it.

**Dick Long** · 21/03/2005, 12:54 PM

Darryl Murphy is in the U-21 squad but the game between Waterford United and Finn Harps is due to go ahead on Friday night.

**Longfordian** · 21/03/2005, 1:31 PM

If it was just Paiso missing we'd have played I'd say but we've six players injured as well, we'd be in a severely weakened position so we had to take advantage of the rule as it was there. We've picked up 4 injuries in the last week so that's why it wasn't called off earlier

**OneRedArmy** · 21/03/2005, 1:42 PM

There are two problems:

1) Missing one player shouldn't be enough to postpone a game and wasn't enough until the season before last. Yet again the clubs vote in a ridiculous rule.

2) Four days before the game, and a week after the squad was selected isn't enough notice. As Longfordian effectively said, the delay in requesting the postponement shows Longford are invoking this because of an injury crisis NOT the international call-up. Which is patently unfair.

**Longfordian** · 21/03/2005, 1:48 PM

I agree to an extent, I think it should be two players called up as it used to be. It's harsh on Derry but I'm sure it'll happen to us at some point too, we had to look after our own interests first, selfish maybe but there you go that's football.

**liambo** · 21/03/2005, 2:19 PM

hang your heads in shame whoever was behind this underhand sleight of rule
if derry have any say in it they should play the match on the last day of the season

**Wiseguy** · 21/03/2005, 3:53 PM

I don't see what all the fuss is about.Longford are just using the rule book to their advantage.I don't know of many teams in a similar position who wouldn't do the same.The rule is there and that's it.It may not be the most moral thing ever done but then the EL is such a stab in the back league you can't be to surprised.