Four new clubs in eircom League of Ireland

**pineapple stu** · 20/12/2007, 3:58 PM

Originally Posted by Dodge

maybe they're just sticking with "new" u20 league and waiting to see how the A league pans out? If it looks like it wouldn't be too expensive to operate in we might see more clubs added

Do we know if teams can do that? Is there a provision for new teams to enter whenever they want, or was this their only window of opportunity to join?

**passerrby** · 20/12/2007, 4:40 PM

remember that old line from monthy pyton " hes making it up as he goes along"

**Lim till i die** · 20/12/2007, 5:53 PM

Originally Posted by jebus

For once I actually have a degree of sympathy for Galway United, ridiculous to have that many clubs from what traditionally isn't exactly a footballing hotbed.

Meh.

Really it's only what's been happening in Limerick since the year dot but on a much smaller scale.

Although in fairness there are probably far more players in Limerick

**Topman** · 20/12/2007, 9:41 PM

Originally Posted by historynut

On WIkipedia, Letterkenny Rovers were billed as very interested.
Interesting to note route to full league membership now available to Intermediate/Junior clubs who desire it.
To enter A league both Salthill Devon/Mervue Utd must desire eventualy to obtain full league membership (why enter if not the goal), if that happens - Terryland groundshare ?
Tullamore ex as stated old B division, and Leinster League, are they not now in the combined central league - anyone know their history ?
The Fingal club - have they not been set up from scratch for this set up ?
Was there not a club recently formed around Carlow especially for this league - what happens to them ?
Would imagine final hurdle must be minimum ground criteria (spectator facilities) for promotion to Division 1.
May shake some Div 1 clubs up, some grounds would be a shame to be lost to the league, a hurling smooth stoned city springs to mind. And I dare say some grounds would'nt be missed !
Was not a reason for Newcastlewest's withdraw was to up-grade stadium ?

www.sefc.ie we are slowly getting there and hopefully part of the U20s set up for the new season

**monutdfc** · 21/12/2007, 6:47 AM

Originally Posted by drummerboy

That was the case until recently. Now the team is called an Amateur International team and can include LSL, MSL, and USL players once they have not played EL football

Thanks drummerboy, I didn't know that. Sounds like a good idea.

**gufct** · 21/12/2007, 8:33 AM

hey garry like the tracksuit.

**Topman** · 21/12/2007, 9:32 AM

Originally Posted by gufct

hey garry like the tracksuit.

Tom, i wanted our lads to wear the Superhoops but nobody would listen

QPR IN THE MONEY

**jebus** · 21/12/2007, 9:38 AM

Originally Posted by Lim till i die

Meh.

Really it's only what's been happening in Limerick since the year dot but on a much smaller scale.

Although in fairness there are probably far more players in Limerick

It's why I have a degree of sympathy, we know exactly what it's like to have the juniorballers cut the legs put from under you.

To level things out with my reputation here I'll add that it couldn't have happened to a nicer club

**London-Irish** · 21/12/2007, 11:07 AM

Do any of these new clubs have spectator facilities like a grandstand or covered standing? In fact, how many current clubs below the League of Ireland have spectator facilities?

**GuisaSaigon** · 21/12/2007, 11:17 AM

Spectator facilities at Mervue and Salthill's grounds are currently non existent.

**pineapple stu** · 21/12/2007, 3:14 PM

Originally Posted by monutdfc

Originally Posted by drummerboy

That was the case until recently. Now the team is called an Amateur International team and can include LSL, MSL, and USL players once they have not played EL football

Thanks drummerboy, I didn't know that. Sounds like a good idea.

I wonder is it? If a player plays eL football, they're excluded from playing for their country. Does that discourage players from trying the eL? In particular, the lower, lesser-paying clubs would be hit.

**Lim till i die** · 21/12/2007, 5:17 PM

Originally Posted by GuisaSaigon

Spectator facilities at Mervue and Salthill's grounds are currently non existent.

They could probably just use Terryland??

**Gaillimh Al** · 21/12/2007, 5:53 PM

Spectator facilities in a reserve division. I doubt they would have to be in place yet. Both clubs will probably now have plans to put them in, but hopefully they won't use Terryland as there are enough games played there already. Both Galway clubs are saying these teams will be an outlet for their underage development. Mervue have won 3 underage national titles in the last 5 years and their chairman said their application would not have happened if a Connacht Senior league existed. As for running costs in this new division, neither team is short of a few pound.

**Raheny Red** · 21/12/2007, 7:36 PM

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

I wonder is it? If a player plays eL football, they're excluded from playing for their country. Does that discourage players from trying the eL? In particular, the lower, lesser-paying clubs would be hit.

I know of plenty of amateur players, if the opportunity arose to play eL, they would turn it down as they wouldn't be able to line out for the international side again. Mikey Keogh of Killester United, top scorer of the FAI Cup 2006, recently returned from Glenavon and is now back with KUFC won't be able to play for Ireland Amateur's again!

Originally Posted by Dodge

But they don't have to...

AFAIk AUL clubs only need access to changing rooms!

**pineapple stu** · 22/12/2007, 1:09 AM

Originally Posted by Raheny Red

I know of plenty of amateur players, if the opportunity arose to play eL, they would turn it down as they wouldn't be able to line out for the international side again. Mikey Keogh of Killester United, top scorer of the FAI Cup 2006, recently returned from Glenavon and is now back with KUFC won't be able to play for Ireland Amateur's again!

So basically, there is one specific pointless rule making things more difficult for the eL?

Really does sum up football in this country.

**Bald Student** · 22/12/2007, 2:40 AM

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

So basically, there is one specific pointless rule making things more difficult for the eL?

Really does sum up football in this country.

It's not pointless. If you play professionally you're not allowed to play for the amateur team. Otherwise there'd be no such thing as the amateur team.

**incident** · 22/12/2007, 7:50 AM

Originally Posted by Bald Student

It's not pointless. If you play professionally you're not allowed to play for the amateur team. Otherwise there'd be no such thing as the amateur team.

Although you could question the value of having an Amateur National Team to start with..

I'll admit I don't know much about the setup so could well be missing something important, but what purpose does the team serve exactly? It looks and sounds like a thinly masked excuse for junkets..

**geezer** · 22/12/2007, 10:38 AM

the GUFC has been stung into action despite being undermined by buffoons at the fai that are only interested in grinding axes over old local political ****e at the expense of a strong regional effort. 250 season tickets excluding tiger (juvenile) tickets sold to date ranging from €250 to €1500 a pop. With 3 months to go to seasons start thats not bad. Also good to see lims fans out in shopping centres promoting their club

**pineapple stu** · 22/12/2007, 11:07 AM

Originally Posted by Bald Student

It's not pointless. If you play professionally you're not allowed to play for the amateur team. Otherwise there'd be no such thing as the amateur team.

But why should playing professionally for, say, one season rule you out of the team forever, as dummerboy suggests?

**soccerc** · 22/12/2007, 11:30 AM

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

But why should playing professionally for, say, one season rule you out of the team forever, as dummerboy suggests?

Simple, it's for players who have never been professional footballers, same as the restrictions at underage level.

The pros have the Senior, B, U23's and U21's.