Official Premiership Thread

**JW.** · 11/12/2006, 4:46 PM

I find it laughable that people are giving out about what happened today. The clubs practically unanimously agreed to this process. Then, not now, was the time to be debating its merits.
I always maintained that the playoff was stupid this year because it was of so little actual value towards the overall points process.
I would have preferred if we'd finished in the top two, but it doesn't matter a damn because everyone knew that this was an exceptional season as regards the future.
Galway United are the best-run club in the league and, on the basis that it was 50-50 on- and off-the-pitch, it was always going to be odds-on in my view that we'd make it.
For those who haven't, there'll be promotion next season. We might well get relegated.

**gerryscore** · 11/12/2006, 4:47 PM

oh and congrats to ucd, nice to see them performing so well enough as to throw a spanner in delaney's plan. here's to another good season for them next season

**pineapple stu** · 11/12/2006, 4:48 PM

Originally Posted by JW.

I find it laughable that people are giving out about what happened today. The clubs practically unanimously agreed to this process.

The fans were largely opposed. Don't see how anybody can complain about fans complaining about this whole farce.

**JW.** · 11/12/2006, 4:50 PM

You must have written a book-worth of stuff by now stu.
The clubs vote on the future of the league, not the fans.

**pineapple stu** · 11/12/2006, 4:51 PM

And the fans are complaining about it, not the clubs*. The fact that the clubs voted it in doesn't mean the fans aren't entitled to complain.

* - apart from the clubs who are complaining...

**DmanDmythDledge** · 11/12/2006, 4:51 PM

Originally Posted by Raheny Red

Can't see how clubs can complain if they signed up to the bloody thing

Something in UEFA documents about fair play and on the pitch is the only way that can be used. They're not the exact words obviously because of UEFA licensing but it was something along those lines. If UEFA suddenly said that the FAI can't do what they are after doing the only way it could remain if FAI pulled out of UEFA, which would mean that the national team wouldn't be able to qualify for WC or Euros, or that Irish clubs wouldn't be able to qualify for CL etc.

Originally Posted by OneRedArmy

Was it someone from Waterford alleged this?

Don't think so. Des Cahill read out that Waterford scored more points than Galway but that the IAG (presume he meant FAI?) chose to pick Galway ahead of Waterford.

**gerryscore** · 11/12/2006, 4:52 PM

john gill 'considering his future in football' according to local radio here. he committed to dundalk at the end of this season knowing rightly we may not be promoted. would be embarrassed and ashamed if he left.

**jebus** · 11/12/2006, 4:53 PM

Originally Posted by JW.

The clubs vote on the future of the league, not the fans.

Truly you are a supporter of Franchise FC. Is it not the fans who are going to be the ones to make this league work? You know by doing a little thing like supporting these clubs and this league? If this is supposed to be a step in the right direction for League of Ireland then how is this supposed to attract new fans? All it has done is alienate current ones

**thomas** · 11/12/2006, 4:59 PM

The lack of understanding from some people is unreal. The clubs agreed to the process and it was well explained to them in advance.

The next thing to watch out for is the 3 clubs being relegated next season. I predict Bray, Longford and one of Sligo, Galway and Bohs.

**GalwayFrancis** · 11/12/2006, 4:59 PM

Originally Posted by jebus

Truly you are a supporter of Franchise FC.

how do you figure we are Franchise Fc?

**Terry** · 11/12/2006, 5:01 PM

If w'ford did finish on more points than GUFC then it is a disgrace that we were put in infront of them, BUT, I would never believe what cahill says. For e.g. I heard in work that GUFC actually finished higher than a few other clubs (points wise) that are also in the premier, so what story do you believe?

By the way, commiserations to waterford but Im sure ye'll be back. Delighted to see UCD still there too, totally deservant.

**DmanDmythDledge** · 11/12/2006, 5:01 PM

Originally Posted by thomas

The lack of understanding from some people is unreal. The clubs agreed to the process and it was well explained to them in advance.

The next thing to watch out for is the 3 clubs being relegated next season. I predict Bray, Longford and one of Sligo, Galway and Bohs.

It's still one down, one playoff next year. The season after 3 clubs are relegated.

**thedoyler** · 11/12/2006, 5:01 PM

Genius stuff, delighted we are in, was sitting in a college exam hall from 11-4 with no way of finding out what happened, just got the news now, im thrilled. Well done to the other clubs.

**thomas** · 11/12/2006, 5:02 PM

Originally Posted by DmanDmythDledge

It's still one down, one playoff next year. The season after 3 clubs are relegated.

D'oh!

**geezer** · 11/12/2006, 5:03 PM

GUFC got what they deserved, and in reality and this will drive dundalk and waterford mad but it makes no odds now and it will probably ensure Galway United stays alive for another 5 years and in reality that is some bonus

**OneRedArmy** · 11/12/2006, 5:03 PM

Originally Posted by DmanDmythDledge

Something in UEFA documents about fair play and on the pitch is the only way that can be used. They're not the exact words obviously because of UEFA licensing but it was something along those lines. If UEFA suddenly said that the FAI can't do what they are after doing the only way it could remain if FAI pulled out of UEFA, which would mean that the national team wouldn't be able to qualify for WC or Euros, or that Irish clubs wouldn't be able to qualify for CL etc.

I am sick of reading straw-clutching ill-informed verbiage like this.

Red herring 1) This has nothing to do with Fair Play. THE LEAGUE WAS DISBANDED AND APPLICATIONS WERE SOUGHT BASED ON DEFINED CRITERIA.

Red herring 2) UEFA are bigging up licensing in a major way and have a new version of UEFA licensing (moving the bar even higher) that will apply to Irish clubs in Europe next season and to all Premier clubs the season after. OFF-FIELD STUFF MATTERS.

The naive assumptions being made on here about football being solely about 22 players on a pitch with a ball would carry more weight if the League (ie the clubs) hadn't stumbled from one shambles to another over the past 30 years in almost terminal decline

Irish domestic football is broken, and badly broken at that. By all means discuss if the FAI's actions were the right way to fix it, but if you can't even see the problems, quite frankly you need your head examined.

**jebus** · 11/12/2006, 5:04 PM

Originally Posted by GalwayFrancis

how do you figure we are Franchise Fc?

Because of you lot bleating on about your club's marketability? Because of your emphasis on off the pitch results rather than on the pitch results? Because of you lot gloating over being promoted despite being able to get the job done on the pitch?

Did I answer all of your previous questions to your satisfaction? Care to respond to why I don't consider Conor H a proper supporter? Or to why your assertion that Derry had to go to an IAG meeting so it means that there was a possibility that they were in danger?

**JW.** · 11/12/2006, 5:04 PM

Galway United Supporters Trust has a place on the GUFC board
If the fans ran the clubs and decided the future of the league, it would remind me of Flann O'Brien's synopsis of the consequences of giving everyone third-level education in Ireland.

**DmanDmythDledge** · 11/12/2006, 5:06 PM

Originally Posted by OneRedArmy

THE LEAGUE WAS DISBANDED AND APPLICATIONS WERE SOUGHT BASED ON DEFINED CRITERIA.

That has got absolutely zero to do with what was in the UEFA document. It is on their website somewhere but I can't find it at the moment.

**chippie0001** · 11/12/2006, 5:07 PM

Originally Posted by thomas

The lack of understanding from some people is unreal. The clubs agreed to the process and it was well explained to them in advance.

The next thing to watch out for is the 3 clubs being relegated next season. I predict Bray, Longford and one of Sligo, Galway and Bohs.

Since you are so well informed, why would you predict Bohs? My understanding from now on it is based on, on the pitch results.