Shamrock Rovers entering a team in Div 1 next season

**Kingswood Rover** · 29/11/2019, 9:46 AM

One of the tabloids reporting that Rovers are looking to enter a team in the first Div next season, what do people think.

**Mr A** · 29/11/2019, 10:00 AM

Last time Rovers B came in it was because another club died.

Depressing.

**wonder88** · 29/11/2019, 11:31 AM

Not a total surprise. There is no outlet for players over 19 years of age to get match practice in the league of Ireland. A reserve/B league or an u-23 with say 2 over age players allowed (like Olympics) would serve a better player development purpose than the structures we have now.
It makes sense for a club with a fairly big first team squad like Shamrock R to do this.

**Real ale Madrid** · 29/11/2019, 11:39 AM

Shamrock Castilla

**David BOHie** · 29/11/2019, 11:47 AM

Unless Kerry also join or a team drops out then I can't see this going ahead with 9 teams.

There probably should be a U21s league. 23s wouldn't be practical as most LOI players are under that age anyway

**sidewayspasser** · 29/11/2019, 11:51 AM

Are Rovers speculating on a vacancy in the FD or do they want to enter as an 11th team?

**ForzaForth** · 29/11/2019, 11:52 AM

With Athlone having applied to join the WNL and Shamrock Rovers B applying to join Division 1, my first thought is that a men's and women's team are in trouble. Would hope it's not Limerick FC and Limerick WFC.

Haven't heard of any signings for Wexford FC as yet, but it seems we're OK for next season with the same management team confirmed as last year, i.e. Brian O'Sullivan and David Breen.

**White Horse** · 29/11/2019, 11:59 AM

It is a measure of the disparity between the top reaches of the premier division and the first division. Shamrock Rovers have a big first team squad and have many players coming through their underage teams. These players need competitive games. The argument could be that there should be other clubs or new clubs that these players could be join or be loaned out to. However, there is no income steam to all these teams to exist. The only meaningful income steams in Irish football is Europe and transfer deals. At present, Dundalk and Shamrock Rovers, in particular, have monopolised European money and Rovers are doing a good job at taking the lions share of transfer income due to their investment in an academy structure.

**EatYerGreens** · 29/11/2019, 12:31 PM

This is not a healthy sign for the League of Ireland.

**SkStu** · 29/11/2019, 1:04 PM

Originally Posted by Kingswood Rover

One of the tabloids reporting that Rovers are looking to enter a team in the first Div next season, what do people think.

notions.

**nigel-harps1954** · 29/11/2019, 1:27 PM

Signs on Cabinteely pulling out of the league.

**osarusan** · 29/11/2019, 1:33 PM

To the best of my knowledge, not a peep out of Limerick on any developments, takeovers, 'Limerick 2.0', etc. Virtually every player has left with almost all signing for local junior clubs.

**Mr A** · 29/11/2019, 3:26 PM

Sure we have no players either and we are not remotely worried.

:-|

**D24Saint** · 29/11/2019, 6:16 PM

Originally Posted by nigel-harps1954

Signs on Cabinteely pulling out of the league.

They have to be in danger , Blackrock Rugby club must demand a tasty fee every year and their crowds are awful.

**pineapple stu** · 29/11/2019, 11:35 PM

Blackrock Rugby Club could really do with a tenant though, cos I don't think they're doing great on their own

**David BOHie** · 30/11/2019, 11:57 AM

There's big potential out that deck of the woods for a reasonably supported LOI team. Even a proper stand or two and a decent pitch and you've the basis of thousands of schoolkids and parents there

**Nesta99** · 30/11/2019, 5:43 PM

Originally Posted by White Horse

It is a measure of the disparity between the top reaches of the premier division and the first division. Shamrock Rovers have a big first team squad and have many players coming through their underage teams. These players need competitive games. The argument could be that there should be other clubs or new clubs that these players could be join or be loaned out to. However, there is no income steam to all these teams to exist. The only meaningful income steams in Irish football is Europe and transfer deals. At present, Dundalk and Shamrock Rovers, in particular, have monopolised European money and Rovers are doing a good job at taking the lions share of transfer income due to their investment in an academy structure.

This was probably answered when Rovers previously had a B team in the 1st Division - would players that feature for the '2nd' team in the First Division be registered and available for the 1st team? If not it is a development team and the size of the 1st team squad makes little difference really. Players would hardly be happy finding themselves on the fringes and 'loaned' over to the 2nd string if it ties them down and not able to play Premier Division ball. It's a bit FAI like to be introducing underage national leagues, have a solid development pathway and then have a major gap in development from youths to senior. It would be an additional financial burden on clubs to have an U21/23 reserve division on top of the other age groups but it is badly needed.

**Briuk** · 02/12/2019, 9:59 AM

Dundalk should follow them. It would be great for the First Div to have 12 teams.

**nigel-harps1954** · 02/12/2019, 3:34 PM

Originally Posted by Briuk

Dundalk should follow them. It would be great for the First Div to have more empty stadiums.

Fixed that for you.

**Charlie Darwin** · 03/12/2019, 3:53 AM

To be fair, Dundalk have always been about having a small, but elite squad. Owners there are purely about the first team and nothing else. Hard to see them being into the idea of a B team. Could see Pats, Cork and Bohs questioning why they're not allowed follow suit though.