Quoteholidaysong, there's a very simple reason as to why they reduced the years from 5 to 4. Kildare didn't exist in the first season of that period and they only realised after they released the information.
This is the bit that really annoys me. The FAI originally said it would be the previous 5 seasons (which would have included our 2002 FAI Cup win) and then later on they brought it down to the previous 4 seasons (which very conveniently omits our cup win).Originally Posted by Galway Harps
If I was cynical I might think the FAI doesn't want Dundalk at the party.
Perhaps our great form this season as well as our private takeover is really giving them a headache. I certainly hope it is.
holidaysong, there's a very simple reason as to why they reduced the years from 5 to 4. Kildare didn't exist in the first season of that period and they only realised after they released the information.
therein lies the problem I think a number of clubs were giving vague promises because otherwise it would not have got through.
I wish i did not know then what I dont know now
That shows how infinitely useless the FAI are though. Firstly, it shows that they just randomly chose 5 years to be the right number to reflect a clubs performance in recent years (I wonder if they pulled it out of a hat). Secondly, it shows they didn't even know when it was the last new club had joined when they made the decision. And these are the people who are going to run the league next season and make everything run like clockwork...
Back on topic, I heard from a friend living in Tipp that St.Michael's (Tipp town) were considering making the move to the First div. How true that is remains to be seen.
I know they have a decent set up but would they really want to make the leap?
''and I for one welcome our new insect overlords''
Am really looking forward to seeing who (if any) apply.
Read somewhere today that a team from either Kerry or Mayo are the two favourites. But it will all come down to present setup and the ability to upgrade as well as pulling potential in the end.
Also wondering that if those that apply and miss out on the Div 1 place will be offered a place in the A championship since they have shown aspirations to make it to the Eircom League and they could make it up in to the league proper through that. Could also develope and upgrade their facilities along the way also.
Unlikely I'd say, although I'd love to see it seeing as my family's from there and I've been down many a time. Tipp Town's too small to support an eL team, and there's no big towns around to help out either - you're looking at Cashel and Thurles a good 20-30 miles away.
That shows how infinitely useless the FAI are though. Firstly, it shows that they just randomly chose 5 years to be the right number to reflect a clubs performance in recent years (I wonder if they pulled it out of a hat). Secondly, it shows they didn't even know when it was the last new club had joined when they made the decision. And these are the people who are going to run the league next season and make everything run like clockwork...
Is there then merit in deciding to change the whole criteria again due to Dublin City folding? All results from the last 5 (oh sorry 4) years to be expunged and reassessing all records from within that time, negating any points that DCFC had or cup rounds they had won? Idiotic maybe but it was on the cards for this season only. I feel that as a new club coming in it should have been tough luck on Kildare, the one good thing as a Dundalk fan was that good (ish)season that we had in 2002. That was then just exounged totally. I appreciate that the FAI have to draw a line somewhere but it grates mightily that DFC are suffering due to the change in timeframe.
There are winners and losers no matter where you draw the line, so tough sheet I'm afraid.
2002 was a better year than 2003 for City, for example - we finished higher in the league and won the Cup. So if we're going to make it a fantasy football time-span, I'd like 2002 included and 2003 erased please.....
Anyway - if I was a Dundalk fan I'd be more worried about whether the FAI sees a role for 2 clubs in Louth beyond the short to medium term. Tinkering with your average performance over recent years won't stop you paling in comparison to Drogheda, nor would it save you form any deeper/darker plans the FAI may have up their sleeves for representation from Louth...
But even if Dundalk were to finish 3rd this season, if they win the First next season then they're promoted no matter what the FAI's vision (is that an oxymoron?) is.
Took this from the FAI website's on the proposal for the new league. It will show exactly how the next two seasons are to run. Although the FAI are going to increase the prizes money on offer, it is worth noting that to play in the Premier Division in the future, premiership fees will be €17,000 with a further €5,000 to have an 'A' team which is a must for Premier sides. So, this season it cost Premier sides a fee of €10,000 to play in the Premier, in two years time (when the 'A' League runs), it will cost Premier clubs €22,000 - an increase of over €12,000.
Competitions
2007
In 2007 the following competitions will be promoted and run by the FAI National League Committee on behalf of clubs which have entered into a Participation Agreement with the FAI –
- Premiership - 12 teams
- Division 1 – 10 teams
- U-21 – number of entrants to be confirmed
The exact make up of the Premiership and 1st Division for the start of the 2007 season will be decided as a consequence of the Independent Assessment Process, which is detailed in section 4 of this document.
In addition each club will need to have secured the licence required to compete in the competition as provided for in the terms of the Participation Agreement, which is outlined below in section 3. 2007 will see a substantial increase in the level of prize monies being made available to the competitors. An increase in fees Premiership (€17,000) and 1st Division (€8,000) is also proposed. At the end of the 2007 regular season, there will be one automatic promotion (Division 1 winners) and one club automatically relegated (last place in Premiership). In addition, Winner Division 1 to have once-off play off with Winners League Cup for Setanta Cup place (worth €15,000 in 2006). A play off series as outlined below will decide the final place in 2008 Premiership:
• 2nd Div 1 vs. 3rd Div 1 in once-off play off match.
• Club finishing 2nd gets home advantage.
• Winner of 2nd vs. 3rd plays 11th place finisher in Premiership home and away. (1st Division side to have choice of home advantage in 1st or 2nd game of the series).
• The exact details of this play off series may be subject to change as directed by amendments to League Rules
• Winner of Play off series gains final Premiership place for 2008 season.
2008
This is a ‘transitional’ season, which should see the following 3 major developments take shape:
Premiership to be reduced from 12 to 10 clubs for 2009 season
Proposed inaugural running of ‘A’ Championship (see below).
Age grade National Competition currently run as U 21 League is to change to U 20 grade.
In 2008 the following competitions will be promoted and run by the FAI National League Committee on behalf of clubs which have entered into a Participation Agreement with the FAI –
- Premiership - 12 teams
- Division 1 – 10 teams
- ‘A Championship’ - entry for non-League entities by application only => number of entrants to be confirmed
- U-20 – number of non-League entrants to be confirmed (all League clubs must have team)
Premiership & 1st Division (2008)
At the beginning of the season the Premiership will comprise 12 teams and the 1st Division will have 10 teams. At the end of the season, 3 clubs will be automatically relegated and 1 promoted. No play off series is required because automatic relegation and promotion will apply. Clubs finishing 12th, 11th & 10th in the Premiership will be relegated to compete in 1st Division 2009. 1st Division Winners will be promoted and compete in Premiership in 2009 season.
Inaugural Running of ‘A’ Championship
The ‘A’ Championship outlined here, for initiation in 2008 season, developed from the accepted need to link underage competition, national league standard competition and other structures operating at non-professional level, builds on the need to ‘enliven’ the prospect of relegation from 1st Division and the objectives of the FAI to provide player and organisational pathways to the highest level of the game in Ireland.
Participation of non-league organisations / entities / clubs will be by application. Applicants will be expected to meet certain criteria as part of their developmental pathway towards full licensing compliance. Such criteria will be set out in a ‘developmental’ licence to be generated in conjunction with the Licensing Scheme. The ‘Developmental Licence’ process for participants in ‘A’ Championship will provide guidance and act as a stepping stone for clubs with ambitions to progress to National League Status. The ‘A’ Championship will comprise 20-30 teams depending on take-up from Div 1 clubs and strategic needs of FAI. The cost of entry to the A Championship will be €5,000 per team. Proposals for A Championship require further work. It is proposed that a Project Group would be established as a sub-group of the FAI National League Committee to fully develop issues such as the developmental licence, registrations, integration with other competitions and so on. Such proposals would be finalised in early 2007 to allow non-League clubs / entities to prepare fully for 2008 season. A forum for those entities to contribute to the deliberations of the National League Committee and to clubs’ deliberations at Convention should also be looked at by this Group. Entrants
How the ‘A’ Championship might work, depending on no of entries, is outlined below. These includes reserve teams from Premiership (compulsory for Premiership clubs to have reserve / ‘A’ team). Groups could also include reserve teams from 1st Division clubs (it will be optional for 1st Division clubs to enter ‘A’ Championship).
Top sides in each group will compete to win ‘A Championship’ outright. In the event that Group winners compete for existing League clubs, the A Championship Qualifier series will be staged between top non-League sides in each Group, which finish no lower than 4th in the group. The play off for the Qualifier spot will mirror the championship play offs (in terms of no. groups, no. games etc).
In the event that only one non-League side finishes 4th or higher in its group it will be deemed to be the ‘A Qualifier’ and will proceed directly to the promotion / relegation play off with last place finisher in 1st Division. ‘A Qualifier’ to meet last in Div 1 to decide final spot in subsequent season’s 1st Division. In the event that no non-League side secures 4th place or higher in its group and thus no A Championship Qualifier emerges, the decision to reinstate the last place finisher in 1st Division will rest with the FAI National League Committee and be contingent on that club retaining its licence / adhering to Participation Agreement.
As per the overarching principles governing these competitions, a club new to National League is eligible to take up its place only if meeting Club Licensing requirements in order to enter into a Participation Agreement with the FAI.
U 20 League (from U 21) to compete for the Tony O’Neill Memorial Cup
This competition will operate strictly as an Under 20 competition. Sanctions will be imposed for breaches of the age grading. Entrants (non-league entities are listed here for modelling purposes only).
10 U 20 teams from Premiership (compulsory for Premiership clubs to have U 20 team)
10-12 teams from 1st Division (compulsory for 1st Division clubs to have U 20 team)
6 non-National League clubs (e.g. Inisowen, Mayo league, Belgrove, Mullingar)
3rd Level Institutions (e.g. UCD, DU, UCC, UL, LIT, IT Blanchardstown, IT Tallaght) Academies (e.g. FÁS Academy Castlebar)
League groups and set up will depend on number of entries. It may be played on home & away basis in large group or round robin matches in smaller groups leading to play off series v other group etc.
Based on 2006 U21 League there would be 2 groups of 10.
Organisers would look to provide a playing season of 18 matches.
This League will run September – April and initially matches would take place at weekends but progressing to midweek games.
Incentive package (including prize money) 2008 (proposed). The Prize funds / incentive package for 2008 will be €823,000 including €20,000 for winners of ‘A’ Championship, Clubs Promotions Officers subsidies and TV fees.
2009
In 2009 the following competitions will be promoted and run by the FAI National League
Committee on behalf of clubs which have entered into a Participation Agreement with the FAI –
- Premiership - 10 teams
- Division 1 – 12 teams
- A Championship – entry for non-League entities by application only => number of
entrants to be confirmed
- U-20 – number of entrants to be confirmed
Movement between Premiership & 1st Division will be via one automatic promotion and one automatic relegation place (subject to licence) and a play off series.
Premiership – Last place (10th) will be relegated.
8th & 9th place finishers will enter into a play off. Winner retains its place in Premiership. Loser goes to play off series against winner of 2nd & 3rd place play off from 1st Division.
1st Division Winners will gain promotion.
2nd and 3rd in 1st Division will play off.
Winners of that once-off match will play loser of 8th vs. 9th in Premiership home and away to decide on final Premiership place.
As per 2007 - the exact details of the play off series may be subject to change as directed by amendments to League Rules
Movement between 1st Division and ‘A’ Championship will be via a promotion / relegation play off between last place (12th in 1st Division) and ‘A’ Championship Qualifier (non-League entity) seeking promotion to 1st Division.
True. But let's not forget that the league is now about 'inviting' members.
I can't see them asking an established club like Dundalk to just disappear, though, but I likewise wouldn't be surprised if they have an agenda re a small county like Louth that they'd like to follow if they can.
As of yet I can't see any logic to this bit. It's rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic. The natural order will be restored in a couple of seasons anyway. If they promote a team that isn't ready, they'll be in trouble and if they relegate a team above the bottom they'll be back provided their squad isn't utterly decimated. If the latter is the case then it's disgraceful that any club had that inflicted on them.
I don't think that Louth being the smallest county in the country has much to do with it. Dundalk and Drogheda Utd don't battle on a common fanbase area like the Dublin clubs (particularly Bohs and Shels) do. You know as well as I do that eliminating one of the Louth clubs in the long term isn't going to significantly increase (if at all increase) the support of the other club. There is definitely room in the Super-dooper Premiership for two Louth clubs and the Louth derby, one of (if not) THE best in the country.
Yeah definitely agree there! Its THE best in the country with the possible exception of Harps - Derry. Forget these "dublin derby" 10-a-penny matches... sure they happen every weekend...
The Louth derby is safe as houses.
You've a good point there, but I think the key this time around is to enforce standards so that from now on off the field criteria must be met to make the premier division. This should be made transparent and straightforward. of course, if licensing was done properly that'd cover that, but that's another day's work.As of yet I can't see any logic to this bit. It's rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic. The natural order will be restored in a couple of seasons anyway. If they promote a team that isn't ready, they'll be in trouble and if they relegate a team above the bottom they'll be back provided their squad isn't utterly decimated. If the latter is the case then it's disgraceful that any club had that inflicted on them.
#NeverStopNotGivingUp
I agree.
There might be room for both clubs but sure won't Drogs be in Meath soon so no more Louth derby.
Well there goes that idea!There might be room for both clubs but sure won't Drogs be in Meath soon so no more Louth derby.
Surely population will have to be taken into account, louth may well be the smallest county in size but its in the top 10 for population, last census ealier this year, it was 118,000, thats bigger than monaghan/cavan combined.
also re derbies, these games conssistenly draw min of 4,000
2004 fai cup
oriel 4,000
utd park replay 4,500
2005 cup
oriel 4,100
Let us in please !
I can just see it if a Mayo team joins the league. They'll have huge crowds for the first match and will tell everyone that they're the best fans in the world. Then they'll go a couple of goals down and everyone will leave at half-time. Well that's what happens their GAA fans anyway.
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