League Winner - CL place Playoff

**pete** · 11/05/2006, 5:31 PM

Discussion...

Many sports have a playoff system for top of the league to decide the winner. Would this be good for the eL? Would like having a few cup finals rolled together to decide CL participant - would generate decent media coverage in November which is generally slow sport month...

Downside i see isn't traditional to football & that could means 4th place team would qualify for the CL when we really need our best team in that competition.

**DmanDmythDledge** · 11/05/2006, 5:50 PM

I don't think it's a good idea. The higher placed team over the course of the season deserves it more. Also, playoffs can be a lottery at the best of times.

Originally Posted by pete

would generate decent media coverage in November which is generally slow sport month

Disagree with you there. Is the title run-in and FAI Cup not enough for you

**dancinpants** · 11/05/2006, 5:52 PM

Don't really like the idea of that in fairness. As you hinted to pete, the thought of a team that win's the "regular" season being denied a CL spot by a "lesser" team in a playoff just isn't right.

Would kind of cheapen the league if you know what I mean

**el punter** · 11/05/2006, 5:58 PM

yeah, have to agree it's a turkey

**CharlesThompson** · 11/05/2006, 10:07 PM

So is that end of discussion? Nice try Pete.

**Dodge** · 11/05/2006, 10:51 PM

I used to be totally against this idea, purely on traditional grounds but now I think it could be the exact thing that'd worrk with the Irish general public.

Although you'd be guarenteed legal action if Shels are denied anything...

**LeixlipRed** · 11/05/2006, 11:23 PM

no we'd have the legal action done and dusted before it ever got to a playoff

Think its a great idea for generating interest in the league. Look at the situation in England with the Championship, noone pays it any attention all year and then suddenly the playoffs are on and everyone knows about it. Actually if you asked most casual football fans in June who won the Championship they might not be able to tell you but im sure they'd know who won the playoff final.
Of course saying all that, its not really fair to deny the most consistent team the League title or deny them a CL place. And the idea of a 4th place team going into the CL is a joke really. Perhaps a playoff between the top 2? its a non starter though IMO

**holidaysong** · 11/05/2006, 11:59 PM

That is a terrible idea in my opinion. The team that proves themselves the best over 33 games should get the Champions League spot, no questions asked. A 4 game lottery after that just takes away from their achievement in the previous 33 games and in a way devalues the league table.

**OneRedArmy** · 12/05/2006, 2:03 AM

People are forgetting that we had, accidentally, a 2 team playoff for the League at the end of last season.

Probably best addressed at the neutrals, but did it add much? was it worth it? From what I remember the TV viewing figures were very strong.

**thomas** · 12/05/2006, 5:35 AM

I suggested this a while back as it would be easy to do a federated all-ireland "Grand Final" when the associations (eventually)merge. The traditional titles would still be up for grabs with euro spots decided in the playoff phase.

Tradition has not served anyone well in the last 30 years. A change to the format will raise the profile of the game no-end.

One great thing the Aussies have is a Rivalry Round, which is a great idea to get punters in...

Tv money is massive for playoffs, similar formats around the world (champions league last 16 onwards, Superbowl playoffs, All-Ireland, Heino Cup etc..) rake in the sheckles which would be a huge boost to the domestic game.

**Celdrog** · 12/05/2006, 6:21 AM

Pete - are you expecting not to win the league this year and starting a campaign to get Cork a CL spot????

Don't forget - Cork don't do cup finals, but the Drogs do.

BTW - it would be a stupid idea, whoever comes 1st deserves the CL spot.

rerun · 12/05/2006, 7:08 AM

Originally Posted by pete

Discussion...

Many sports have a playoff system for top of the league to decide the winner. Would this be good for the eL? Would like having a few cup finals rolled together to decide CL participant - would generate decent media coverage in November which is generally slow sport month...

Downside i see isn't traditional to football & that could means 4th place team would qualify for the CL when we really need our best team in that competition.

Only the "Champions" of each league should be in the competition, I think that should go for all countries.

**razor** · 12/05/2006, 7:09 AM

Originally Posted by Celdrog

Don't forget - Cork don't do cup finals, but the Drogs do.

Cup Kings indeed, Kinda like Longford

**el punter** · 12/05/2006, 8:25 AM

Having mused a little deeper on this suggestion. Hazy thoughts came back to me of the early 90's and a series of 3 way play-offs with Bohs, Shels and Cork for the title.

There were massive crowds and massive interest in it, so maybe there is something there.

**Dodge** · 12/05/2006, 8:25 AM

Originally Posted by rerun

Only the "Champions" of each league should be in the competition, I think that should go for all countries.

Yeah but the winners of the "Grand Final" would be the champions. The league would only be a qualifying tournament

**Baker** · 12/05/2006, 8:55 AM

The Dutch are trying something like that this year with four clubs playing off for their final champions league spot.

**Macy** · 12/05/2006, 10:07 AM

I kinda think it would suit here, with the amount of bandwagoners there are.

I'd go for two regional divisions of 12, home and away in each, with one series interdivisional. 33 game normal season. Then play off's for the title. Give all clubs more high profile derby games and reduced travel costs.

You could have playoff's down the divisions for championship, trophy, shield etc with financial incentive's, to keep the interest for all clubs till the end of the season.

**MariborKev** · 12/05/2006, 11:17 AM

Has everyone forgotten that we had a playoff system briefly in the 90s?

**micls** · 12/05/2006, 11:52 AM

If this happened would we not end up with a case of 4 teams just aiming to reach top four rather than win the league. Say the last day of the season was the same as last year with either Cork or derry able to win-would both teams play their reserves to save the players for the playoffs?

If we had 2 champions league spots I think this could work with winner getting an automatic place and next 3 or 4 playing off but with only one I think it would devalue the league with th aim being to finish in top 4 rather than win it

**Sniffer** · 12/05/2006, 12:23 PM

Play off idea is a non runner.The English Championship was mentioned, tthe 3rd placed side can finish any amount of points ahead of the 6th placed side , who often scrapeinto the play offs oon the back of a great run. The 3rd placed side can be home and dry a few weeks before the season ends and are winding down as the crunch matches in the play off approach. Leagues are about each team playing the others home and away and the teams with the most points at the end proving their superiority over the course of a season, not over 90 minutes when anything can happen[this is often referred to as Cup Football]. Re. the fabulous 3 way play off of the 90's, what made it special was that all three sides had competed in the league and proven themselves to be as equal as made no difference, remember they weren't easily separated by the playoff either.