I've just read on Foot.ie* that Trim Celtic, St Pat's CY, Limerick Utd, Peake Villa, Fairview Rangers, Monaghan United,Tullamore Town, Malahide United, Ballinasloe Town & Avenue United / Newmarket Celtic (Clare)are the clubs that were declined entries after their initial applications, but seemingly are to be considered in further FAI reviews after finalising certain criteria to join by the January extension.
Citogenesis!
(*Well, I did before the post was deleted while I was typing!)
Hello, hello? What's going on? What's all this shouting, we'll have no trouble here!
- E Tattsyrup.
Originally Posted by nr637
Harsh on the fella who started the thread in the first place to list possible teams!
Aside from speculation...
Reports of CK playing in Buckley Park are interesting. Between that and having academy sides, will be interested to hear how far along they are towards obtaining a First Division licence.
Is that Bebo FC and MySpace FC that you are on about m8!
Loving it!
Considering all the lists of teams that were posted over the last few months and then the 15 teams so far, announced by the FAI, were all on those lists and the original 67 applications, so the sources being asked for must be getting some of their information right!
On all of those lists or some of those lists ?Considering all the lists of teams that were posted over the last few months and then the 15 teams so far, announced by the FAI, were all on those lists and the original 67 applications, so the sources being asked for must be getting some of their information right!
Throw enough ****e at a wall, some of it will stick !
Dunno about that.
Last edited by nigel-harps1954; 09/01/2026 at 6:12 PM
Is a moderator gaslighting the original poster or something?!
No, he's just sick of repeating himself.
Also when asking for sources, you usually expect the poster to provide them rather than posting more nonsense.
I get peoples desire to speculate here but to Nigel's point it has to be moving the conversation along or contributing something meaningful. The only thing that seems to be known for certain is 15 teams with potentially 5 more due to come, when? nobody knows but rehashing the same list of names from 14 months agon without adding anything new isnt especially interesting.
its as deeply frustrating to me as it is to everyone here that local and national press dont seem to running this down or that everyone in Abbottstown is for once in their life being tight lipped but unfortunately it just does seem there isnt much to add at this stage. Theres questions around the participation in the Donegal League and the LSL I'd be interested in knowing more about but theres just nothing to go off of
Or looked at another way - if you speculatively name pretty much every adult team of-note in the country, then you'll obviously get quite a few of them rightConsidering all the lists of teams that were posted over the last few months and then the 15 teams so far, announced by the FAI, were all on those lists and the original 67 applications, so the sources being asked for must be getting some of their information right!
Academy sides:
• CK United (Carlow/Kilkenny)
• Mayo Football Club (Mayo)
Senior League:
• Home Farm (Dublin)
• Lucan United (Dublin)
• St. Francis (Dublin)
District League:
• Bonagee United (Donegal)
• Cockhill Celtic (Donegal)
• Killarney Celtic (Kerry)
• Letterkenny Rovers (Donegal)
• Mervue United (Galway)
• Newbridge Town (Kildare)
• Salthill Devon (Galway)
• Villa FC (Waterford)
College teams:
• TU Dublin (Dublin)
• UCC Soccer (Cork)
https://www.fai.ie/latest/15-clubs-c...tional-league/
Academy sides must be building towards a First Division licence. The status of current senior leagues is questionable without clear link to district leagues. Would be curious about the lure of National League for senior league sides and college teams. Senior league clubs making the leap must be eyeing a First Division licence.
District league clubs wanting to play at the next highest level outside of hollow senior leagues is understandable. District clubs for years have settled for dominating their leagues and targeting the FAI Junior Cup. Whether that ambition will extend to the highest level of amateur football only remains to be seen.
LoI clubs for years were essentially senior teams only. Nowadays LoI clubs have academy sides, having a stronger connection with communities, schools and families. There are going to be amateur clubs who are pragmatic that amateur level is the height of their ambition.
One of the few details so far is that division winners will contest a National League playoff. If the winner has a First Division licence, they'll go forward to a promotion/relegation playoff. CK United could obtain a First Division licence but have their path to the First Division blocked by a strong amateur side. There might have to be scope eventually that the best side finishing in the top 3 of their division holding a First Division licence can go forward to the promotion/relegation playoff.
That's the approach taken in the lower levels of the Scottish leagues, in that the champions of the Highland and Lowland Leagues must meet SFA licensing requirements to be considered for promotion to League Two:
https://www.scottishfa.co.uk/news/sc...tie/?rid=14258
Similarly, such refusals at Tier 2 level happen annually in Wales.
Meeting licencing criteria to be considered for promotion is fine. CK United have academy sides which must cost a bit of investment, even at a basic level. Mervue and Salthill could concentrate on a senior side only without those academy costs. If CK United holding a First Division licence have there promotion path blocked by a Mervue, Salthill or any other NL focusing on a senior team only - it is restrictive. There might need to be some leeway around finishing in the top 3 or something agreeable by the clubs and FAI.
Last edited by legendz; 10/01/2026 at 2:07 PM.
How much of an issue do people think this will be ? Hard to get a read not knowing the local politics of it
https://www.westernpeople.ie/sport/m...rid-83496.html
Turns out Mayo's biggest First Division obstacle could well be their own League - surprising if they haven't co-opted some of the members onto the Mayo FC board?
https://www.westernpeople.ie/sport/m...rid-83496.html
You can say that again!
As you say, hard for a non-local to get a read on such things, but when Kerry were progressing through the Academy ranks and then preparing for adult football, it was initially wholly directed by the KDL, and then when legal incorporation was requested by the FAI, members of the League continued to serve on the new board, so would seem the logical blueprint for Mayo to follow to avoid such disputes.
Nationa League sound to GAA, when's it likely to be named and any good ideas for a name. One that doesnt devalue alike. Simple (Sponsor) League of Ireland Division 3. I think it needs to reflect that it is part of LoI structure in the name so National League nearly sounds like its a higher level that the PD. LoI Conference? Im sure someone could could come up with a good balance for a name! If the could get Bord Failte as sponsors, they could become creative.
Posting Permissions
Quote
Bookmarks