Still a valid example as that has only been the case since Barcelona and Sevilla’s reserve teams were relegated together.
I don’t know on the whole idea. Spain, Germany and Holland are hardly bad examples to follow when it comes to youth development, although no obviously you can’t just take any of their templates and transfer it on to Ireland.
If the First Div needs a team and Rovers
are happy to commit to providing one in the form of their B team I see no deal breaking argument against it .
Why would it only be Rovers though, if for example Dundalk Pats and Cork all said they wanted to enter B teams in the first division - where would we go from there, how is that decision made?
Shams doing it doesn’t make it a good idea either 🤓 it wasn’t the last time they tried it and they were happy to opt out pretty quickly.
The fact no other club is looking to do it would indicate it’s no revelation either. But hey, off you go.
Are you having another of your bull**** days 😎
Last edited by marinobohs; 04/12/2019 at 4:46 PM.
A proper underage structure doesn't really start across Europe until 15/16 years of age. English clubs can't sign Irish players until they're 16 for example. They have development squads below under-17. There's nothing wrong with starting an underage structure at under-15s. If clubs want to go younger than that, it should be up to themselves to work with local leagues on that one.
I think the gap between under-19 and senior is just too big. We're losing far too many players who aren't ready for first team action but are still worth keeping at clubs to develop for another year at 19.
It's alright for UCD, who work with young players primarily. But other clubs don't have the luxury of offering scholarships and college football to the young players not ready for LOI action.
The lack of a reserve league, or a level above under-19 is sorely lacking in the LOI. At least raising the 19's league to a 20's or 21's, and allowing for two overage players per game would massively help.
Barcelona B were in it two years ago.
It's common in leagues all across the world, never mind Europe. The USL pro, recognised as the second tier in America is full of MLS reserve sides and teams affiliated with MLS sides.
https://kesslereffect.bandcamp.com/album/kepler - New music. It's not that bad.
An under 13 league is a UEFA requirement, so they obviously disagree that development starts at 15.
I don't necessarily disagree with the idea of an extra age group above 19s - though is the extra 25/30k worth it? - but I do disagree that it's clearly more valuable than an u13 league. I think Rovers are leading the way at the moment in showing the long-term benefit of a proper underage structure.
Us offering scholarships has nothing to do with anything here btw. And lots of clubs have links with colleges to offer colleges football if they want
The fundamental difference is that if any La Liga B Teams end up in the Segunda Division, it's because they've been good enough to get there by winning their way up the pyramid.
A Shamrock Rovers B Team would only be in the First Division of the LOI because no other teams wanted to join the league.
The Spanish case is an example of footballing integrity and success. The Irish example is one of footballing failure.
The main reasons for the introduction of the under age leagues was to stream line elite football to make it more favourable for the underage international teams (ie Collie O’Brien could watch Cork U17 v Galway U17 to see the best players from each division)
I think this is why the pathway finishes at U19. For example, if a player can’t play first team in LOI at the age of 19-20, it’s unlikely that he’ll be good enough enough to play U21 or Senior for Ireland.
The other side to this is that the cream of the crop always rises. Players that don’t make the grade at Pats U19 go play for Longford / Athlone.
There’s more of a need to invest properly in the underage structure to tighten up the gaps for players moving from U13 to U15 when they’re not ready than to bridge the gap from U19 to first team in my opinion!
We don’t have a proper footballing pyramid however which allows for a team to get promoted into LOI 1st div therefore the only means of entry is via application. Therefore do we allow B teams to express an interest or apply or do we just say it’s a closed shop to B teams? If we do that then surely if a club is keen enough it is open to manipulation in that they can hijack another local club to have their players playing at that level.
I don’t have strong feelings for or against really.
I don't fully see it myself but Rovers must see some value in it to do it again after the debacle the last time. I know Pats were put out the last time when they were told only Rovers could enter a team (which was wrong). If B teams are to be a thing in the FD, it has to be open to any club who can demonstrate they'll back it for 3+ years (and not abandon it after year one like Rovers).
In the absence of a proper reserve league I could see how it might work out for Rovers, in terms of keeping 19s who aren't ready for Premier football (ie Darragh O'Connor, who went to Wexford and is now at Leicester) but you'd imagine the only way it really works is if it gives players a bridge to the first team within six months. I suspect the reality might be that the FAI knew they'd be down a team next year and sent out an SOS call.
Thank God Rovers are entering a team now, a 9 team league with a 24 game season is to depressing to think about.
Hopefully limerick and a n other team can get themselves organised for 2021 season it is nuts to think of limerick without a team in the loi
Johnny Ward on Twitter saying the First division clubs have met and under no circumstances will a Rover's B team be in the First division next season......
Can they actually veto against a team or is this just a non-binding statement?
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