By the way, that split season approach wasn't Lucid's own idea.
After his original proposal was unveiled to a tsunami of indifference and/or objections, including the problem of European places, "someone" (ahem) contacted him with the split season suggestion.
He then presented it as his own when relaunching "AIL 2.0", without attribution or acknowledgement.
Which is yet another demonstration of just what a bluffer he really is.
I recall it being said a few months back. A quick google throws this up example (though behind a paywall):
Exclusive: Northern Irish clubs to retain European spots as £10m All-Ireland League to adopt split-season format
Danske Bank Premiership clubs will be able to keep their four European slots and be permitted to play in a cross-border competition worth £10m per year under current models being discussed, Sunday Life Sport can reveal.
https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/s...-40326312.html
There is no inherent contradiction between considering Lucid a bluffer, whose own proposal is going nowhere and considering that a credible proposal would likely be supported by the majority of IL clubs.
From July last year:
"All 10 clubs in the Premier Division have written to the Football Association of Ireland to request that a proposal for an all-island league be submitted to Uefa for consideration.
It follows 10 of 12 Irish Premiership sides writing a similar letter to the Irish Football Association.
Dungannon Swifts and Cliftonville are the two clubs that did not sign the letter."
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53484645
The IFA had dismissed the idea of an All-Ireland League out-of-hand - as far as I know, the 10 Irish League signatories sent the letter to the IFA expressing a curiosity and interest in how the proposals for an AIL would develop, and crucially, having some sort of say in the event of an AIL being formed.
I don't think that letter should be taken as tacit support of an All-Ireland League among Irish League clubs. I can only speak for my club (Glenavon), but the tide of opinion among the club and supporters generally seems to be against the idea of an AIL.
There is no doubt that the IFA is opposed to an AIL.
And it may be that the fans are generally opposed, too. (I'm not in any position to judge).
But there is ample evidence that with the notable exception of Cliftonville, the leading IL clubs are more than just "curious".
I'd say that if someone could come up with a credible, properly funded proposal which did not also threaten IL and IFA autonomy etc, then they would be very interested.
After all, they were enthusiastic enough about the Setanta Cup in the early days, before the money dwindled.
And of course they'd demand a say in the formation of any league.
UNITE Union cup fixtures called off.
in light of the current Covid-19 situation on both sides of the border, Unite The Union has asked the FAI and the IFA to postpone the competition until 2022. Both associations have agreed to the request.
Both associations and Shamrock Rovers have agreed to the request
I think a more expansive All-Ireland Cup competition, with proper funding and sponsors, would be more likely to garner wide support than an AIL. My ideal format would be a 32-team straight knockout competition, featuring the 12 NIFL Premiership clubs and the 20 teams that currently make up the LOI Premier + First Division.
To keep initial travel costs low, the first round could be regionalised between the 16 most northerly and 16 most southerly teams. These matches could be played midweek, with the subsequent rounds being played on a Saturday or Sunday.
Every side gets a baseline sum of money per round, plus expenses for the away side, calculated on basis of distance (so the mythical Coleraine vs Cork fixture wouldn't be a problem). Prize money in the latter rounds would be substantial but realistic - maybe similar to what the early Setanta Cup had.
The one thing that would need ironed out (and probably never was during the Setanta days) would be where the competition fits in each of the league's respective seasons - ideally the cup wouldn't clash with the Irish Cup and FAI Cup, which leaves a very small window in which it could be played.
That's me done being Kieran Lucid for the day, but I think a scenario like the above would appeal to supporters North and South, as well as maintaining autonomy for the leagues and associations.
I can't really see a cross border competition working well as long as the 2 leagues are on different seasons.
I read before that a switch to summer football is on the cards up north. If/When that happens I think the natural next step would be to get rid of the league cup and bring in an All Ireland Cup competition.
Would be a straight forward way of getting regular competitive games between clubs north and south without all the red tape and politics of an all Ireland league.
https://www.theguardian.com/football...droidApp_Other
An article today on a proposed Baltic League, which looks very familiar to the most recent All-Island league proposals with the domestic leagues splitting mid season.
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