Play-offs 2023.

**MartyRambler** · 28/10/2023, 1:45 PM

Originally Posted by legendz

Agreed. Clubs could press for that change though. The playoffs semi-finals could have been last Monday and tonight, Friday. The playoff final next Monday and Friday. The promotion/relegation playoff then on the following Monday and Friday.
Losing semi-finalists with one extra home game, losing finalist with two extra home games and the winning finalist with three extra home games. The First Division clubs aren't pushing for that change though and seem ok with the status quo, for now.

Maybe next year. Also final in Inchicore is madness, if Athlone, Cobh or Wexford make it through against Cork then you wouldn't expect more than 300 to go and thats a big stretch. Imagine Cobh or Waterford v Cork over two legs, 6-8k between the games.

**sbgawa** · 28/10/2023, 2:54 PM

1 each at half time on aggregate ....nil all on the day. Waterford v athlone.
What's the story with away goals?

**pineapple stu** · 28/10/2023, 3:02 PM

Don't think they've ever applied?

**legendz** · 28/10/2023, 3:57 PM

Waterford have been Athlone 3-1, 4-2 on aggregate. They took their second and third goals well. On track for their expected promotion/relegation playoff v Cork.

**joey B** · 28/10/2023, 3:59 PM

Job done by Waterford after a little scare from Athlone…
Could see a couple of Athlone’s players picked up by Premier Division teams in the offseason,namely VanGeenan and Pierrot…..

**ger121** · 28/10/2023, 4:04 PM

Pierott definitely could be at a PD club next season.

**pineapple stu** · 28/10/2023, 4:16 PM

The owners would probably rather he got picked up by a higher-profile league I guess? I don't know are they speculating with players to try make a few quid; seems to be the way the squad is set up.

Hard to make a name for yourself in the LoI First Division, but he's certainly given it a shot.

**outspoken** · 28/10/2023, 5:40 PM

Originally Posted by joey B

Job done by Waterford after a little scare from Athlone…
Could see a couple of Athlone’s players picked up by Premier Division teams in the offseason,namely VanGeenan and Pierrot…..

Van Geenan not good enough for that level, gives up way too many chances just not punished often enough in FD,.

**Battery Rover** · 28/10/2023, 6:09 PM

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

The owners would probably rather he got picked up by a higher-profile league I guess? I don't know are they speculating with players to try make a few quid; seems to be the way the squad is set up.

Hard to make a name for yourself in the LoI First Division, but he's certainly given it a shot.

Seemingly they turned down an offer from a league one club during transfer window as offer was too small.

Although he scores plenty it depends on the style of football the team play. Heard from coaches that he is too heavy / muscular to play a pressing game and is more suited to being the target man type.

Dylan Gavin is a far better prospect when he gets his fitness 100%.

**legendz** · 28/10/2023, 6:22 PM

Cobh 1-1 Wexford, agg 2-1. Waterford v Cobh next Saturday in the final.

**joey B** · 28/10/2023, 6:49 PM

I presume the final will be in Turners Cross yeah?

**legendz** · 28/10/2023, 7:57 PM

Sligo drew 0-0 with Drogheda today, confirming that it will be Cork City to take on Waterford or Cobh.

**SeanDrog** · 28/10/2023, 9:33 PM

Originally Posted by legendz

Sligo drew 0-0 with Drogheda today, confirming that it will be Cork City to take on Waterford or Cobh.

I watched Cork vs Waterford in FAI cup and it was ALL Cork … Waterford were very underwhelming … I’m expecting Cork to stay up

**legendz** · 28/10/2023, 10:05 PM

Originally Posted by joey B

I presume the final will be in Turners Cross yeah?

https://leagueofireland.ie/news/wate...-final/id-5217

"Airtricity Men’s First Division Play-Off Final on Saturday, November 4.
A draw took place after today’s Play-Offs and Waterford have been drawn as the designated home team and Cobh Ramblers the away team. Turner’s Cross has been scheduled as the venue for the fixture. However, the venue remains TBC due to projected weather forecasts from Met Eireann over the next seven days. The venue, kick off time and ticket details for the fixture will be confirmed in due course depending on weather developments."

**Bunny Kelly** · 29/10/2023, 6:48 AM

Surely Waterford should have home advantage for the playoff final. I have no problem with the playoffs going down to 5th but there has to be more of an advantage for the higher up you finish

**legendz** · 29/10/2023, 8:03 AM

Originally Posted by Bunny Kelly

Surely Waterford should have home advantage for the playoff final. I have no problem with the playoffs going down to 5th but there has to be more of an advantage for the higher up you finish

It would be fair and a carrot for finishing higher in the league. If the promotion-relegation playoff is to remain a one off game as well, the First Division team should be given the high profile home game. The Premier Division team only have to play one game.

**bohsmug** · 29/10/2023, 11:14 AM

Originally Posted by legendz

It would be fair and a carrot for finishing higher in the league. If the promotion-relegation playoff is to remain a one off game as well, the First Division team should be given the high profile home game. The Premier Division team only have to play one game.

Whatever about the promotion/relegation match, I do think the higher placed team should have home advantage throughout the first division playoffs. One legged semi finals at the higher placed teams home ground and of the 2 teams who qualify for the final, the team who finished highest in the league gets home advantage. That's objectively based on gaining the advantage through your league position in the same competition/division.

**legendz** · 29/10/2023, 2:08 PM

Originally Posted by bohsmug

Whatever about the promotion/relegation match, I do think the higher placed team should have home advantage throughout the first division playoffs. One legged semi finals at the higher placed teams home ground and of the 2 teams who qualify for the final, the team who finished highest in the league gets home advantage. That's objectively based on gaining the advantage through your league position in the same competition/division.

That's a fair shout too. First Division clubs have already played each other 4 times over the course of the regular season. 2nd at home to 5th and 3rd at home to 4th in one legged semi-finals seems fair. Rewarding the higher placed finalist with home advantage is also fair.
If the semi-finals and final were one leg, the promotion-relegation playoff being two legs then seems fair as those sides haven't played each other in the league.