Westport United FC

[Thunderblaster]

Some sexy football was on show as we beat Swinford 3-1 on Sunday. At least Spiderman kept perservering until he got his brace. Kilgannon off to a flyer. Kieran Mulchrone is itching for his first win with the B lads. Seemed to be unlucky in the opening games. Dr. Elvis **** got the C team off to a flyer with a 6-0 win over the Blue Bombers. Heard that Spikey got a hat trick!!

[Thunderblaster]

The first team are doing well, getting results. Barry is quietly doing his job. Busty and Tom are doing well but Dermo has been a pleasant surprise for the first team. Kieran has bagged a couple of nice results of late with the B team with Mark McNally in fine form. Dr Elvis **** kept the momentum going but came out with two narrow defeats in their last two. I'm sure that he will rejuvenate them. I'm sure that there are reasons to be cheerful so far.

[Thunderblaster]

There has been a sense of unified anger in the Sports Park this weekend. Following an inspection, the club were instructed to narrow the pitch to allow three metres between the track kerbing and the corner flag, which reduced the width of the pitch. It created consternation amongst players, managers and supporters. Apparently, the Ballina Town game the previous weekend nearly got axed over an issue with one of the corner areas of the pitch. There was drainage work done by the Athletic Club lately, which did not help the cause. Parts of the pitch had to be remarked and existing marking erased. The situation was the main topic of discussion at the match.

[renovater]

Hate to b a thorn in your side, rules are rules. To play in the Super duper, you must have a 3 metres clearance at all corners of the pitch. tuff it may sound, you like all clubs voted for it.

[The Point]

If rules are to be enforced like this, it should happen pre season before the season kicks off not midway into it, besides the referees inspected the pitch at the start of the season and passed it, that is when the measuring tape should have been brought out.

The pitch has been the same dimensions for the last 35 years apparently this ruling came in 10 years ago and they are only enforcing it now? I think the measuring tape will have to be brought by the club to all away matches this season.

The pitch looks ridiculous, some compromise will have to be made and commonsense will have to prevail, the club have different circumstances as they have a track running around the pitch. The pitch is so narrow that I think there was a new Superleague record set yesterday for the amount of throw ins carried out in one match.

[Thunderblaster]

P.B. had an article devoted to last weekend's events in the Sports Park on the C.T. He gave a very constructive analysis and opinion on the whole matter. What comes out of it, it is one's guess!! Spoke to one of the S&F lads and he felt that the pitch should have been left alone. The three metre clearance from the fence dates back to a court ruling a number of years ago. Just to post Rule 17 of the MAFL!

RULE 17 :GROUNDS
Before the commencement of each season, the MAFL shall review the ground which each
member or applicant Club proposes to use as its home venue and will decide on its
suitability or otherwise. Inspections will also be carried out during the season. The MAFL shall
have the power to deem any ground unsuitable.

This rule will not infinge on a match referee’s right to deem any ground unplayable on match day.
All Clubs must have dugouts with technical areas marked out. The only persons permitted inside
the pitch enclosure and dugouts on match days shall be the players, five named substitutes and
three team officials from each team plus the match officials, Only one official can be standing in
the technical area. Clubs must provide changing facilities for both teams and the match officials
with hot and cold running water in all three. Pitches must be enclosed on all four sides to the
satisfaction of the MAFL and have a minimum of three metre clearance between touchline and
enclosure.
In all Mayo League competitions, the home team shall have home advantage or the right to obtain
an alternative ground within a 15 mile radius on the day. In all Mayo competitions, the home team
must take all reasonable steps to ensure that their ground is playable. The home team must have
their ground (or alternative ground) inspected well in advance of kick-off to ensure that in the
event of the ground being unplayable, their opponents would be notified in adequate time to
prevent them travelling. The League Fixtures Secretary and appointed referee must also be
notified. The ground inspection must be conducted by the appointed match official. If the
appointed official is some distance from the ground then another official may be used by prior
agreement with the Fixtures Secretary.
In certain areas where no official referee is resident, a member of the L.M.C. may inspect a
ground and deem it playable or otherwise, provided the LMC member in question, is not a
member of, and has no connection with, either or the clubs involved in the match in question.
Where an LMC member has deemed a ground playable, the match referee upon his/her arrival
shall have the final say as to whether or not the game can proceed.
Should any Club or team travel to an unfit ground where the above precautions have not been
taken, the offending Club shall be liable for travelling expenses of the opponents as outlined in the
Disciplinary Guidelines and subject to disciplinary action.
In all Mayo League and cup competitions, where a ground has been declared unplayable by the
Referee, or unfit to play upon, for any reason, the competing team shall notify the Fixture
Secretary who will then refix the match. Where a ground has been declared unplayable for any
reason but that the opposing team has travelled, the L.M.C. at its discretion can order that the
fixture be played on the teams ground that travelled providing the L.M.C. can satisfy itself beyond
all reasonable doubt that the home team did not take all reasonable steps to ensure that the fixture
would take place. For any refixture, the home ground must be inspected on the day
prior to the game as well as the morning of the game. In all cases in this rule where a Referee
travels to an unfit ground he is entitled to a ½ match fee plus expenses.
In domestic cup competitions where the home ground is not playable on the day every effort must
be made to get an alternative ground or switch to the opponents ground. If the
away teams ground is not playable the game will be refixed by the fixture secretary at the away
teams ground.
Clubs are reminded that the F.A.I. and C.F.A. cup competitions may have their own rules as
regards the condition in paragraph 4.

[taztkblue]

P.B. had an article devoted to last weekend's events in the Sports Park on the C.T. He gave a very constructive analysis and opinion on the whole matter. What comes out of it, it is one's guess!! Spoke to one of the S&F lads and he felt that the pitch should have been left alone. The three metre clearance from the fence dates back to a court ruling a number of years ago. Just to post Rule 17 of the MAFL!

the rule is there for everyone and it is fully understandable that all pitches should have at least 3 metres space between the pitch and spectators. its scandalous that a club of westports size should complain about this andnot have a pitch to meet these guidelines, if ye had yer way ye'd still be playin down at the quay hovfing yer balls out to sea and sending the dogs after them

[rava]

Hate to b a thorn in your side, rules are rules. To play in the Super duper, you must have a 3 metres clearance at all corners of the pitch. tuff it may sound, you like all clubs voted for it.

Very unlikely the clubs voted for this or do you recall it before they turfed you out

[rava]

the rule is there for everyone and it is fully understandable that all pitches should have at least 3 metres space between the pitch and spectators. its scandalous that a club of westports size should complain about this andnot have a pitch to meet these guidelines, if ye had yer way ye'd still be playin down at the quay hovfing yer balls out to sea and sending the dogs after them

Thats a bit harsh Id say Celtics and ballinas pitchs would not be the full 3m from the boundries either, these pitchs were built long before common sense went out the window.

[taztkblue]

Thats a bit harsh Id say Celtics and ballinas pitchs would not be the full 3m from the boundries either, these pitchs were built long before common sense went out the window.

they could always swap with s+f. tighten in the sports park and let out the green that should suit both parties

[Round Tower]

I tought the 3 metre rule was brought in for insurance reasons, that if it was less and a player got caught in it you were responsible and not if it was 3 or more. I was at a U14 boys game in Ballina Towns pitch last night where they play i believe the super league games. The boundry fence would be tight but my main concern would be the dugouts which is set in concrete and it is not a from the sideline very dangerous with the technicol area less than a foot from the sideline and got help any one doing the linesman.

[robben 11]

P.B. had an article devoted to last weekend's events in the Sports Park on the C.T. He gave a very constructive analysis and opinion on the whole matter. What comes out of it, it is one's guess!! Spoke to one of the S&F lads and he felt that the pitch should have been left alone. The three metre clearance from the fence dates back to a court ruling a number of years ago. Just to post Rule 17 of the MAFL!

i think the pitch in wstport was fine the way it is typical mayo league picking at something mid season and for what to make headlines...pathetic

[Thunderblaster]

if ye had yer way ye'd still be playin down at the quay hovfing yer balls out to sea and sending the dogs after them

What does the word "hovfing" mean?

[Thunderblaster]

you like all clubs voted for it.

I don't think that Westport United voted in favour. I do remember the club being very less than pleased at the criteria that was drawn up at the time (1998-1999).

[sprah1]

I tought the 3 metre rule was brought in for insurance reasons, that if it was less and a player got caught in it you were responsible and not if it was 3 or more. I was at a U14 boys game in Ballina Towns pitch last night where they play i believe the super league games. The boundry fence would be tight but my main concern would be the dugouts which is set in concrete and it is not a from the sideline very dangerous with the technicol area less than a foot from the sideline and got help any one doing the linesman.

Agree that dugouts are a problem. The rule includes dugouts etc: there has to be 3m clearance all around the pitch. No one has an issue with enforcing a rule that is safety related, but do it properly. Do the inspection pre season(which is in their own rules) and give clubs a chance to rectify problems before the season starts.

p.s. can a team refuse to play a game now if they find a part of the pitch hasn't 3m clearance?

[taztkblue]

What does the word "hovfing" mean?

what does the word "rules" mean?

[Thunderblaster]

Congrats to the U.18s on their fine win over Castlebar Celtic in the Connacht Cup Final. Well deserved at the end with ten men. There are positives to be taken as for the future of Westport United.

[portside]

Congrats to the U.18s on their fine win over Castlebar Celtic in the Connacht Cup Final. Well deserved at the end with ten men. There are positives to be taken as for the future of Westport United.

well done to the lads and management for a great achievement against the odds,as you said the future looks ok with a number of these boys coming thru.

[Thunderblaster]

I have to say that the underage set up in the club has gone pretty well this year, and there are some very encouraging signs for the future. Each age group have done well within their own respects, whether it's getting players onto the Emerging Talent Programme or the Mayo teams, winning competitions or playing an attractive brand of football that is a product of coaching and development. Congrats to everybody in the underage set up for such a positive year. The Juniors were in hard luck for the Super League. Another year they would have won it with their points allocation. The B team did well after a bad start and the C team had a very good season. The ladies did very well in their own right, getting to a Connacht Cup final.

[Thunderblaster]

Just to let you know, boys and girls, that Westport United have a page on Facebook. A lot of pictures were uploaded over the weekend.