Delaney-"All-Ireland league a possibility"

**Risteard** · 25/02/2006, 1:46 PM

from http://www.rte.ie
FAI Chief Executive John Delaney has claimed that an All-Ireland league is a possibility, but only if clubs from both sides of the border are in favour of it.

The ongoing success of the Setanta Sports Cup has led to suggestions that an All-Ireland League could happen and Delaney admitted that such a venture would be supported by the FAI if the Clubs want it.

Read more @ http://www.rte.ie/sport/2006/0224/delaneyj.html

edit - - -maybe this should be merged with the Royce thread.

I'd imagine you're in the minority feo123 but it would be naive to assume all IL clubs are for it.

**feo123** · 25/02/2006, 2:25 PM

hope this dosnt happen!
PS...delaneys a muppet!!!!!!

**A face** · 25/02/2006, 3:47 PM

Originally Posted by feo123

hope this dosnt happen!
PS...delaneys a muppet!!!!!!

What doesn't happen? What do you want to see happening given there is so much debate over a merger?

**CollegeTillIDie** · 25/02/2006, 5:41 PM

Delaney being a muppet is reasonably accepted on here!

The issue of an All-Ireland League requires several elements to fall in place
1) The FAI and IFA have to agree to it in principle 2) An AIL management structure would need to be agreed and put in place
3) UEFA have to agree to it in principle 4) FIFA have to agree to it in principle 5) Enough clubs on both sides of the border have to agree to it in principle 6) Promotion and relegation
from the lower Divisions (preferably regionalised) would need to be agreed as well to enable teams to aspire to AIL status. 7) A major sponsor would be required, possibly someone not sponsoring football in either the IFA or FAI jurisdiction currently!

**BohDiddley** · 25/02/2006, 5:46 PM

Can an all-Ireland league happen without a merged national team?

**CollegeTillIDie** · 25/02/2006, 5:51 PM

The only country in Europe which currently has a national team but not their own National League is in fact Liechtenstein. So the answer is far from clear.

**feo123** · 25/02/2006, 5:56 PM

Originally Posted by A face

What doesn't happen? What do you want to see happening given there is so much debate over a merger?

hope theres no league merger! dont mind about the 2 national teams coming together though.....but not many of the northern ireland lads would get in our team!! maybe only davis, healy would get startin!

**CollegeTillIDie** · 25/02/2006, 5:59 PM

Originally Posted by feo123

hope theres no league merger! dont mind about the 2 national teams coming together though.....but not many of the northern ireland lads would get in our team!! maybe only davis, healy would get startin!

Healy would be a cert, Maik Taylor would get the odd game and would be automatic back up keeper with Roy Carroll third choice. Plus one or two of the North's defenders might find themselves on the bench in an All-Ireland team!

**Risteard** · 25/02/2006, 6:10 PM

Monaco has a national league?
That who'd make an all-ireland team goes around in circles. N.Irl have been better than the republic before.
Anyway, back on topic.

**Block G Raptor** · 25/02/2006, 7:15 PM

Wont Happen Because at the moment there are 8 european places up for grabs on this Island that would be reduced to 4 in an all Ireland set up
Turkey's wont vote for Christmas

**CollegeTillIDie** · 25/02/2006, 8:21 PM

Originally Posted by Risteard

Monaco has a national league?
That who'd make an all-ireland team goes around in circles. N.Irl have been better than the republic before.
Anyway, back on topic.

Monaco is not a member of FIFA. And as far as one can ascertain does not have a National League. Gerrit who is an expert on non-FIFA member states might be able to elaborate!

**pete** · 25/02/2006, 11:34 PM

Originally Posted by Block G Raptor

Wont Happen Because at the moment there are 8 european places up for grabs on this Island that would be reduced to 4 in an all Ireland set up
Turkey's wont vote for Christmas

Is Europe the be all & end all? Surely Europe is just a means of getting extra money & exposure to improve the leagues finances? If an All Ireland League improved the lot of clubs significantly then europe wouldn't be such a big deal.

**dcfcsteve** · 26/02/2006, 1:13 AM

Originally Posted by Block G Raptor

Wont Happen Because at the moment there are 8 european places up for grabs on this Island that would be reduced to 4 in an all Ireland set up
Turkey's wont vote for Christmas

God - here we go again.....

Block G - PLEASE read the "Jim Roddy thread to get a better grip on this issue.....

**crc** · 26/02/2006, 10:00 AM

What if there were two leagues of 8 teams each (1 North & 1 South), playing 14 games - i.e. much smaller versions of what exists at the moment. Seven from each would play in an all-Ireland league of 14 teams (26 games), the eighth would be relegated.

The small leagues would continue to decide the UEFA places, but then there would be a larger All-Ireland League aswell.

**Magicme** · 26/02/2006, 10:37 AM

Turkeys not voting for Christmas??? U mad?? What the feck have most of the club reps being doing the last few months!

Other problem I see is that NI dont have licensing and we cant force them to buy into it so what do we do? Drop our licensing after all the time money and energy spent getting clubs to gain licences??

Tis mad I tell ya.

**thomas** · 26/02/2006, 11:49 AM

Monaco have a pro team in the french league so I would assume the wouldn't be arsed playing international matches when the regularly challenge for titles as it is.

**thejollyrodger** · 26/02/2006, 11:55 AM

all all island league would be fantastic. Fair enough clubs in the south are obviously better at the MOMENT but supporters in the north are far better at supporting their clubs. Just ask anyone who has attended both leagues.

I think an all ireland league is 3-5 years away yet. We need Genesis completely implemented and the new league in the south has to be sorted out. I think a EL club will break into either the UEFA Cup or C.L group stages before we see an all island league.