QuoteTreaty United are the only LOI side that will avoid a League of Ireland team in the first two rounds, and there's a chance there'll be at least one intermediate team in the semis that they could draw too.
Treaty United are the only LOI side that will avoid a League of Ireland team in the first two rounds, and there's a chance there'll be at least one intermediate team in the semis that they could draw too.
The President's Cup has become established over the last 10 seasons. It could expand to include the top 3 from the league, FAI Cup winner as is, defending President's Cup winner and League Cup winner. 6 clubs in total. Where FAI Cup winner, President's Cup winner and/or League Cup winner already qualify through the league, the next best league team can be included.
The League Cup could return to be contested by 14 clubs. There has been some discussion around bringing back the League Cup. The UEFA Conference League has branched from the UEFA Europa League. The President's Cup and League Cup could be a tiered cup competition format. Elite 6 in the President's Cup. The remainder entering the League Cup.
Rovers v pats in the presidents Cup could be the first opportunity to see if we can fill 10000 seats in tallaght. Although I don't know if its even due to be played there
League winner gets home advantage? I think Tallaght wasn't available this year, hence why it was moved to the Brandywell.Originally Posted by sbgawa
I don't like the idea of clubs contesting Cups in a pre season. For fairness clubs should really have their squads finalised before entering national competitions. Its also more respectful to the competition, not great having AN Other or Trialist in those games.
Presidents Cup works well as is. Bring back LC during first half of regular season.
Manager: Fergal, have you your boots with ya?
Fergal: Ya, I have them here.
Manager: Ah good stuff, well give them to this man so, he forgot his!
Cheers id forgotten Tallaght wasnt available at the start of the season and thought there was some other criteria i didnt know about.
Id be hoping Rovers get someone over in Jan/Feb to do a proper stadium opening but Rovers Pats for the PResidents cup might pull a decent crowd.
Will clubs who've qualified for Europe be keen on a return of the League Cup?
While the President's Cup is working well, it could be expanded to include all teams who've qualified for Europe. If the League Cup was then for the remaining clubs, the League Cup winner should at least qualify for the next President's Cup. The President's Cup winner could also be guaranteed a spot in the next President's Cup.
The idea then is 6 clubs playing 2 or 3 rounds in the President's Cup. Not an over exertion on clubs qualified for Europe. 14 clubs in the League Cup would play 3 or 4 rounds.
Does anyone know if there is a particular date we are expecting 2024 fixtures to be released? I'd assume early December?
This time of year is usually spent speculating over licenses and if new (or B) teams are joining the first division.
I'm guessing we'll find out when the fixtures are released if there'll be a return of the league cup. I would have thought it was unlikely to come back until the PFAI stated that they wanted it to return.
There could be an argument to be made to bring forward the start date a week to widen the season and reduce midweek fixtures. Do we still have one of the longer off seasons in europe? ~3 months seems about right to me.
From memory it has been just before Christmas lately. Open to correction
Based on the LOI Twitter a/c today, we can safely say that no issues are expected with the licences (last year they were issued the Wednesday after the Cup final):
Yes, the fixtures were released almost exactly a month after the divisions were confirmed (December 15th last time):
https://www.radiokerry.ie/sport/2023...eleased-309807
So, all in all, if any new teams do plan on joining, it's more likely going to be the 2025 First Division, rather than any eventual third tier at this stage.
The League of Ireland off season is too long. The new League season should be starting the first weekend of February. Two extra Friday nights and less Monday night league games.
The First Division finished up on October 20th. The First Division could have finished a week later, with one legged playoff semi-finals and final on the following Monday and Friday.
Yeah I think the widening of the season is something they'll be looking at in the off-season and maybe next season as well. Maybe bring it forward a week this year and and other one the following year.
Given that crowds drop off in the summer getting a couple more games out of the way early-doors would surely be a non-controversial suggestion.
The problem with starting earlier is pitches. The only benefit to the long off season is that pitches get a proper rest and a chance to recover. There's little to no growth in winter, and a pitch that's struggled at the end of one season is going to struggle at the start of the following season.
https://kesslereffect.bandcamp.com/album/kepler - New music. It's not that bad.
A fair reality. It doesn't leave much scope for fitting in 5 rounds for a return of the League Cup.
Feb 10-12, weekend before start of league.
Feb 20, Monday after start of league.
Mar 13, Monday after first Monday night league round.
Apr 17, Monday after second Monday night league round.
May 08, Monday after third Monday night league round.
Looking at this year's fixture list, for the League Cup to possibly return, it would have to start with eight First Division clubs in Round 1 on the weekend of the President's Cup. Round 2 following on the first Monday after the league starts.
The quarter-finals, semi-finals and final on the Mondays after a Monday night league round. Ideally clubs wouldn't want to be playing two Mondays in a row. Where unavoidable, league fixtures would probably be preferable on the first Monday.
From Donegal Live.
“Derry City will come to Finn Park on January 14 with another friendly between the two clubs scheduled for January 27 at the Brandywell. In between times, Harps will go to Inishowen League side Gleneely Colts on January 21 as part of an open day at Glenview Park.
Before the start of the 2024 season, Sligo Rovers will come to Finn Park in early February.”
Irish by birth ,Harps by the grace of god.
Leinster Senior Cup has changed format and has a group stage at the 4th round stage which is set to be played during LOI pre-season. Group D is Pats, UCD, St Mochta's, Usher Celtic. Each team play each other once and the games are scheduled for 22nd Jan, 29th Jan, 5th Feb.
I haven’t seen a definite list of all groups anywhere but other groups I have seen are:
Group B is Longford, Maynooth, Athlone, Shamrock Rovers.
Group A is Dundalk, Malahide United, Drogheda, Bohs.
EDIT: Also seeing now that Group C is Bray, shels, Evergreen, Wexford. That may be all of the groups
Last edited by 2 Year Contract; 06/12/2023 at 10:18 AM.
Paaatrick's Agletic
That's just what the LoI needs - more LSC games.
It's a compromise instead of bringing League Cup back- use regional competitions as sort of semi competitive preseason games instead.
Plan is to get something ramped up in Connacht / Ulster as well
#NeverStopNotGivingUp
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