Appeal failure renders Limerick a soccer-free zone

**gael353** · 14/12/2006, 10:00 PM

Edit : I have copied this post from another thread given its relevance.

This is the crux of the problem. Limerick were about to gain the lease some months ago however the FAI stepped in without consulting Limerick and offered to take the lease instead. Now its clear the FAI dont like DD, but they should have told him. In responce DD stopped investing in the ground or paying fines concerning the ground(why should he if he doesnt have responsibility for it) These were (if we have been refused the licence) some of the reasons given. Lets make one thing clear Limerick are not being refused a licence on criteria. THe one everyone is pointing out btw is the physiotherapist aspect. As per licence rules every club in the LOI must have at all home and away games a CHARTERED physiotherapist. Limerick have a sports physiotherapist. So how many of the other 21 clubs have a chartered physiotherapist on their books

YOuth system; so limerick start one up, who would they play? every club locally would revolt and turn against them. Why do Athlone Town have to travel to Dublin every weekend to play their underage matches. Yes Athlone Town underage teams play in the DDSL.

So we have a clean tax cert, reasons for not pumping tons of money into Hogan Park (btw have the FAI got that lease yet?

) We do schools coaching programmes as to not upset local underage bodies, and our Physiotherapist is like all other 20 clubs in the LOI. UNCHARTED. So why are we being refused a licence again?

**A face** · 15/12/2006, 1:00 AM

Appeal failure renders Limerick a soccer-free zone

Limerick FC have failed in their appeal against the FAI�s decision to deny the club a licence to take part in next year�s eircom League of Ireland, leaving the city effectively without senior soccer representation for the first time in almost 70 years.

Limerick was the only one of the 21 existing clubs to miss out on a licence following the decision of the Club Licensing Committee earlier this month. The club appealed against the ruling, but their plea fell on deaf ears at FAI headquarters in Dublin on Wednesday morning.

Read more at www.eleven-a-side.com

**A face** · 15/12/2006, 1:16 AM

Fair enough the Dundalk and Waterford thing but the FAI have been completely underhanded in this one it seems. It stinks to be honest. We/they can sing their praises all the want about stuff they should have been doing years ago (why did league clubs leave first day?) but for (what should be) most is actually only what they should have been doing all along. But this kind of thing is just not on.

We have got fella pouring petrol on themselves and no one bates an eyelid when they are at this kind of crap. Turns my stomach to be honest.

The Emperors New Clothes until they are actually seen to be otherwise.

**harpskid** · 15/12/2006, 9:55 AM

From the FAI

Limerick FC unsuccessful in attaining League Licence

Dublin, December 15th

The FAI today confirmed that Limerick FC had not been successful in attaining a League Licence for the 2007 season. The club had appealed the decision of the Club Licensing First Instance Committee to the Club Licensing Appeal Board which upheld the original decision.

The awarding of a League Licence is based on fulfilling criteria across Sporting, Personnel & Administrative, Legal, Infrastructural and Financial areas of the club. The Club Licensing process, governed by UEFA, now in its 4th year, sets out to ensure certain minimum standards are in place at every club and has, since 2002, helped many clubs bring a more businesslike approach to their operations in the Eircom League of Ireland.

Limerick FC�s failure to receive a licence is the first occasion since the process was introduced that an Irish club has not been awarded any licence.

Commenting on the situation, FAI Chief Executive Officer, John Delaney said it was disappointing that any club would fail to attain a licence but added that the minimum standards applied to all clubs and that many clubs had used the process to improve their operations considerably as they sought greater success both on and off the pitch. �The adjudication both at first instance and appeal stages is carried out by two separate committees comprising independent outside experts in the fields of legal, financial, infrastructural and sporting administration�.

Delaney said that the FAI wanted to see an Eircom League club in the major population centres in the country including Limerick. �In the light of today�s decision, we would welcome other applications for a Licence from the Limerick area�, he said. �We want a healthy Limerick based club in the new Eircom League of Ireland and if interested entities seek a licence, we would assess them carefully for their suitability to meet the criteria required to play in the League�, he added.

The Association is committed to developing the game in Limerick and is in detailed talks to take over the lease of Hogan Park. Once this is complete the FAI plan to develop the facility as a base for senior football in the area. �We are also due to meet with the local authorities in the area to discuss the placement of extra, co-funded, development officers in the region and bring the same benefits to the area which are currently proving so successful through the work of the FAI�s Football in the Community Development Officers in Dublin City, particularly in the disadvantaged areas�, he said.

ENDS

**Tir Oilean** · 15/12/2006, 10:02 AM

How can Shels get a licence when financial is part of the criteria....... Players and manager left en masse cos they were not getting paid!!!!!! Your right it turn the stomach.

**Dodge** · 15/12/2006, 10:08 AM

So 12 team premier and 8 team first. That'll be fun for them. Relegate the bottom two IAG performers I say

**Philly** · 15/12/2006, 10:36 AM

Judging by what Delaney said, it's simple.

Limerick get their house in order ASAP and apply for membership.

**CharlesThompson** · 15/12/2006, 3:16 PM

Whatever about the gripes of Dundalk - which seems to be getting most attention in the media, this is a far more serious and grave situation. I am surprised and saddened that Limerick (Irelands 3rd City) will be without representation in next years 1st division let alone in the Premier Division which they should surely be in.

If the FAI are stepping in to help Rovers, then the least they can do is extend the same level of support for Limerick.

**4tothefloor** · 15/12/2006, 5:45 PM

It's clear that they want Danny Drew out. It's also clear that they want EL football in Limerick. What will be interesting will be how they get around this. If they get the lease on Hogan Park it will render Danny Drew's Limerick FC dead, but it will be interesting to see who they put in place to run any new club. Interesting, but a mess all the same......I can see court cases and disputes ahead.....

**passerrby** · 15/12/2006, 6:30 PM

If limerick has been refused a licence that should mean nobody else can be brought into the first div unless the undergo the full licensing inspection.

**jebus** · 15/12/2006, 6:31 PM

Originally Posted by passerrby

If limerick has been refused a licence that should mean nobody else can be brought into the first div unless the undergo the full licensing inspection.

That's just common sense talk out of you, and the FAI will hear none of it I tell you!

**Poor Student** · 15/12/2006, 6:48 PM

These noises of there having to be an entity operating out of Limerick is very franchise type talk. If Limerick FC cease to continue then I hope all footballing bodies and figures in the city sit down and plan a way forward for senior football there rather than the FAI encouraging a rushed scramble to get something together in time for March.

**sniffa** · 15/12/2006, 6:53 PM

It seems that Limerick FC have no support from the other clubs in Limerick. Please correct me if Im wrong.
It also seems that Danny Drew is a pain in the side to Delaney.
The FAI could have been looking at the Limerick situation for quite a while now and planning, behind the scenes, for a new club to be formed. The most obvious one would be a group with strong connections to the Junior Football League. Maybe if Limerick FC had got the licence last season it would have put a spanner in the works so the intervention of the FAI was a successful attempt at derailing the future of DD and Limerick FC.

Cloak and Dagger stuff in Limerick.

**eamo1** · 15/12/2006, 8:03 PM

seem to just be limping along each year and going close every few months to going to the wall.theyve been refused licences before but been given chances.its the general public in limerick who are letting this happen by not coming out to support their side.attendances have been pitifull at their matches.monaghan and kilkenny get about the same amount if not fewer at their games and never finish higher the limerick but they have no trouble getting their licences.the differences are that those 2 clubs are better run then limerick,that would then seem to be drews fault.that might be why the FAI want a change in ownership.for eg,where are these polish investors??????was all a load of s*ite as we suspected.DREW OUT.

**A face** · 15/12/2006, 10:05 PM

I know clubs signed up for this but why would you ??

Seriously here now like, i follow Cork City and we are pretty much safe (we think) for next year to go ahead with another season. But if you think about it, why would you actually bother when you actually witness this crack.

Would things be different if the FAI had stayed out of it and not jumped in on the eleventh hour with Father Joe?

What are the FAI actually playing at here ??

If you were a sponsor, would you even dream of putting money in when you witness this stuff? I mean we are talking about people who know the league and dont rely on mainstream media, people who actually know whos who and know what is happening here?

I know i wouldn't sponsor a bib with the FAI at this kinda lark. I am dead serious here, i actually think this is an all-new-low for the FAI.

**A face** · 15/12/2006, 10:15 PM

Originally Posted by eamo1

seem to just be limping along each year and going close every few months to going to the wall.theyve been refused licences before but been given chances.its the general public in limerick who are letting this happen by not coming out to support their side.attendances have been pitifull at their matches.monaghan and kilkenny get about the same amount if not fewer at their games and never finish higher the limerick but they have no trouble getting their licences.the differences are that those 2 clubs are better run then limerick,that would then seem to be drews fault.that might be why the FAI want a change in ownership.for eg,where are these polish investors??????was all a load of s*ite as we suspected.DREW OUT.

Eamo .... i wont contest your opinion but the point itself, i dont agree. I would have thought that Limerick given the changes that they have had to impact recently were doing OK. Certainly since Drew was on the scene its been better. No offence to anyone, its been better that what was before him.

Kilkenny and Monaghan are two very very well run clubs. The prudent approach by both clubs are actually showing example to the rest of the league. Not having a dig at Shels but compare their management and the resources and what has actually happened.

Eamo, your argument does not address what the FAI are actually doing either. It does seem that they are apply rules to Limerick and not to other clubs, not even that .... there seems to be an agenda there.

If it were Dundalk next week would you share the same opinion? and i dont mean go out and burn yourself to death by the green door.

**pete** · 16/12/2006, 11:56 AM

The eL & FAI have been criticises over the years for bending the rules & now that they are following the rules as set out they are being criticised. I would like a city of the size of Limerick to have a club BUT its been obvious for years now that little or no support for the club or football in the city/county. For City of its size crowds have been very poor.

FAI set out club licencing system
- Limerick far from achieving the minimum standard - FAI criticises for not bending the rules & making exceptions
- FAI set out IAG process, all clubs agree to this. Dundalk lose out & complaints that process unfair. If FAI make u-turn would they alos be criticised for this.

Conclusion - eL fans moan about everything.

**bohs til i die** · 16/12/2006, 12:01 PM

Originally Posted by pete

The eL & FAI have been criticises over the years for bending the rules & now that they are following the rules as set out they are being criticised. I would like a city of the size of Limerick to have a club BUT its been obvious for years now that little or no support for the club or football in the city/county. For City of its size crowds have been very poor.

FAI set out club licencing system
- Limerick far from achieving the minimum standard - FAI criticises for not bending the rules & making exceptions
- FAI set out IAG process, all clubs agree to this. Dundalk lose out & complaints that process unfair. If FAI make u-turn would they alos be criticised for this.

Conclusion - eL fans moan about everything.

I think in the case of Limerick there is a case to be made for the FAI being more supportive in trying to assist a regional club to stay in the league.

The way things are going we will have another Leinster side in the league [Wexford] and if Limerick leave I wouldnt be surprised to see yet another Leinster side [Mullingar maybe] get in.

**pete** · 16/12/2006, 12:25 PM

Originally Posted by bohs til i die

I think in the case of Limerick there is a case to be made for the FAI being more supportive in trying to assist a regional club to stay in the league.

We've all been saing for years that don't want favourtism. I find it hard to believe that if Limerick got their act together they wouldn't be supported by the FAI. If you get a ground & if you tryi to improve things grants are available. The Limerick public don't appear to be bothered...if they don't support how can anyone else...

**4tothefloor** · 16/12/2006, 1:04 PM

The FAI's agenda is to get Drew out and start off a new club in Limerick free of past ties and past politics. In other words, end the messing once and for all and have a properly structured and run club. I don't blame them at all. The ironic thing is the FAI are actually trying to save Limerick!