FAI Seeking New League Member

**dcfcsteve** · 02/10/2006, 4:01 PM

Originally Posted by Galway Harps

I think this is based on the FAI scoring system as outlined in their documentation on the merger. There's 200 points for this season and 300 for the previous 4 years.

So how are the 200 points for this season comprised ? I'm trying to see how far we could/might get in that table with the remaining league and Cup games. Obviously not a life or death issue for City, but I'm interested in knowing none-the-less.

**Student Mullet** · 02/10/2006, 4:17 PM

Originally Posted by dcfcsteve

So how are the 200 points for this season comprised ? I'm trying to see how far we could/might get in that table with the remaining league and Cup games. Obviously not a life or death issue for City, but I'm interested in knowing none-the-less.

It's so many points for each league position and so many for each round of the cup, league cup and european cups. The full document is on the FAI website.

**Conor H** · 02/10/2006, 4:19 PM

Originally Posted by harps1954

Exactly right Galwayharps. Galway really do need to win the First Division to have a better chance of getting into the top 12. Galway fans are really fooling themselves if they think that themselves and Rovers will be in the Premier next season no matter what.

Anyway, based on the FAI's Criteria of scoring 500 points "on the pitch", this is how the 21 clubs would feature if the season was brought to a halt today. This is just a snapshot taken as of today. However, if Galway failed to win the First Division, they would actually fall to 14th position. There is still 500 points to play for "off the pitch" which is why the presentations that each club make to the IAG is still vitally important.

Finally, I think it is fair to say that the top 8 clubs on the table below are "almost certain" to form part of the new Premier Division next season, with UCD, Waterford and Sligo all looking "fairly certain" at the moment. I think it is also fair to say that the clubs in positions 16-21 are "almost certain" to be part of the First Division next season. That means, that one of the clubs in positions 12-15 at present will get the last place on offer. That means if Bray finish last in the Premier and Galway won the first this season, Galway will have to score 24 points (out of 500) more than Bray in the "off the field" criteria to make the last place. I'm not so sure they will. Bray's infastructure is pretty good (as is Galways), their licensing record is good (as is Galways), they never seem to have any financial problems (nor do Galway), so it is difficult to see where Galway will make up the points. One thing is for sure, if Galway don't win the First Division, I think the 12 teams in the new Premier next season will as they are listed below. By the way, the figures in brackets are each teams scores if the season were to end today. Galway's early exits in each Cup compeition could come back to haunt them while I don't think Dundalk have any chance of being in the Premier next year - even if they won the First Division.

1 Shelbourne (493)
2 Cork City (467)
3 Derry City (460)
4 Bohmians (443)
5 Longford Town (437)
6 Drogheda United (430)
7 St. Patrick's Athletic (407)
8 Shamrock Rovers (370)
9 UCD (363)
10 Waterford United (353)
11 Sligo Rovers (340)
12 Bray Wanderers (313)
13 Galway United (290)
14 Finn Harps (283)
15 Dundalk (257)
16 Cobh Ramblers (250)
17 Limerick (247)
18 Kildare County (240)
19 Kilkenny City (187)
20 Athlone Town (187)
21 Monaghan United (183)

Ya but your whole argument is still only 50% of the criteria for next year's elite.If we come in the top 2 it should hopefully be good enough because our off the field structure etc is 2nd to none.So if we win the league we will definitely be in the premier next year.

**Buller** · 02/10/2006, 4:21 PM

Originally Posted by Conor H

Ya but your whole argument is still only 50% of the criteria for next year's elite.If we come in the top 2 it should hopefully be good enough because our off the field structure etc is 2nd to none.So if we win the league we will definitely be in the premier next year.

So what happens when you come 2nd?!

**Conor H** · 02/10/2006, 4:23 PM

Didn't i say if we come in the top 2?

Irrelevant anyway beacuse we are the best and will win the league.

**Poor Student** · 02/10/2006, 4:37 PM

This is what makes me nervous. There's only 100 points seperating UCD in 9th and Dundalk in 15th. I don't have very much faith in the off field criteria. There's a potential 500 points to win and claw back that 100 point deficit.

**Dodge** · 02/10/2006, 4:54 PM

Originally Posted by Conor H

Ya but your whole argument is still only 50% of the criteria for next year's elite.If we come in the top 2 it should hopefully be good enough because our off the field structure etc is 2nd to none..

Honest question, how is better than Bray's, UCD's or Waterford's?

**Poor Student** · 02/10/2006, 5:06 PM

http://www.fai.ie/merger/pdf/eircomLeague-proposals.pdf

Just been reading over the off field stuff again. Under infrastructure it mentions stadium stuff and then just "plans re infrastructure development etc" with that exact punctuation. What the heck does that mean?

As I say, the stuff is very ambiguous. Will UCD be awarded points for the soon to be demolished Belfield Park or the undeveloped Belfield Bowl or the new Bowl plans? Does being the only club in Dun Laoighre/Rathdown area give us one of the most favourable demographic situations in the country or are we considered bad for sharing the city with 4/5 clubs?

**passerrby** · 02/10/2006, 5:59 PM

I think the date is 12th dec for clubs to be notified , I still believe that the problem is not this year but when the league has to drop to 10 teams will it be the bottem team our the team with the lowest points

**Conor H** · 02/10/2006, 6:10 PM

Originally Posted by Dodge

Honest question, how is better than Bray's, UCD's or Waterford's?

Well as it stands Terryland is a apt compact ground.However work is soon to begin on a new all seater stand across from the current one.That would quite easily make it better than the RSC and the Carlisle Grounds.
Our Marketing team are constantly coming up with new innovative ideas to publicise UTD and our website has just been revamped.
The board is also attracting some of the wealthiest Business men in Galway to invest in UTD reducing our debt to a significant low.
We weren't highlighted by Genesis for no reason.FAO-UCD fans please please don't turn this into another debate!Im aware we invited genesis down.

**Dodge** · 02/10/2006, 6:21 PM

Originally Posted by Conor H

Well as it stands Terryland is a apt compact ground.However work is soon to begin on a new all seater stand across from the current one.That would quite easily make it better than the RSC and the Carlisle Grounds.
Our Marketing team are constantly coming up with new innovative ideas to publicise UTD and our website has just been revamped.
The board is also attracting some of the wealthiest Business men in Galway to invest in UTD reducing our debt to a significant low.
We weren't highlighted by Genesis for no reason.FAO-UCD fans please please don't turn this into another debate!Im aware we invited genesis down.

As it stands the Carlisle grounds is better than Terryland and if you're going to get promoted on a website...

**Student Mullet** · 02/10/2006, 6:29 PM

Originally Posted by Dodge

As it stands the Carlisle grounds is better than Terryland and if you're going to get promoted on a website...

... or for your debt being lower than it used to be...

**gufcfan** · 02/10/2006, 6:43 PM

Mayo or Kerry get my vote.

Would be interesting to see would they be able to gather enough support

**CharlesThompson** · 02/10/2006, 7:07 PM

Originally Posted by Conor H

That can't be wright.

I just love this quote! It's SO wrong yet,... so write!

**Battery Rover** · 02/10/2006, 9:11 PM

Originally Posted by passerrby

I think the date is 12th dec for clubs to be notified , I still believe that the problem is not this year but when the league has to drop to 10 teams will it be the bottem team our the team with the lowest points

Think you have a valid point there. I think it will be the lowest points ranked teams. Have also heard a bit of a story saying that Rovers probably have to win the 1st to get into the new top division.

So for this season I think what is in the premier this year will stay and the winner of the 1st will make up the 12. Just based this on what I have heard.

**Conor H** · 02/10/2006, 10:27 PM

Originally Posted by Dodge

As it stands the Carlisle grounds is better than Terryland and if you're going to get promoted on a website...

When was the last time in Terryland.Stupid comment about the website.

**holidaysong** · 02/10/2006, 10:39 PM

Originally Posted by Poor Student

This is what makes me nervous. There's only 100 points seperating UCD in 9th and Dundalk in 15th. I don't have very much faith in the off field criteria. There's a potential 500 points to win and claw back that 100 point deficit.

That's what makes me optimistic. If we don't come top then fair enough but if we win the division and don't get invited to the big party then I'll be gutted.

Dundalk, Galway and Rovers to go up. Waterford and Bray to go down. I don't think many could complain about that.

**pineapple stu** · 02/10/2006, 10:46 PM

Originally Posted by Conor H

Stupid comment about the website.

You brought the website up.

**Dodge** · 02/10/2006, 11:00 PM

Originally Posted by Conor H

When was the last time in Terryland.Stupid comment about the website.

Last year, and you brought it up...

**CollegeTillIDie** · 03/10/2006, 5:46 AM

Given the financial plight of some of the so-called bigger clubs , who have struggled to pay player's wages this season, it's more likely there may only 20 clubs in the League next season, or maybe even fewer still........