Irish League 2008-09 format.

[paudie]

Both are linked, you see.

DC have started to get a bit of a reputation within the IL fraternity for smokescreens. 'All fart and no ****' was an eloquently turn of phrase. Numerous perfectly timed press releases stating their predictament with regards their stadium and their future within the IL.

Permutations from what I can see.
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- Portadown's Invitational League application is considered, and they duly make the 'TWELVE'. This would lead to an appeal - leading probably to the courts - on the grounds that they clearly broke a rule by submitting their application late.
- Portadown are refused admission. DC get in. Bangor then launch an appeal against Coleraine's accumulation of league points over the past seasons while 'apparently' not a member club. A fallacy.
- Portadown are refused admission. Bangor/Stute beat DC to the 12th place, resulting in DC then going down the Coleraine route.
Fun times ahead.
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No doubt there will be fun and games when the decision is made but IMO it will be worth it if the league as a whole and the clubs in it are run in a more professional basis.

[AnnaghRed]

By f*ck after tonights decision every other club better cross every "t" and dot every "i"

[Graemerz]

And imo Donegal Celtic have earned their place too via their league position, quite why Bangor are being considered for the league is beyond me.

Fair comment in relation to their on-pitch antics however Bangor have a better ground, and a better fan base. If they changed their name to Bangor Celtic and wore green/white hoops they'd probably be there ahead of Donegal Celtic.

BTW has the line up for the 12 team league been finalised, bearing in mind Portadown's ongoing difficulties?

Apparently its decided on 8th May. Portadown are appealing the decision this Friday. (2nd May)

Curently I'd imagine the teams are :- Linfield, Glentoran, Cliftonville, Coleraine, Lisburn Distillery, Ballymena United, Glenavon, Dungannon Swifts, Crusaders, Donegal Celtic, Institute, Newry City. If Portadown somehow win the appeal I'd suspect Institute may make way.

[AnnaghRed]

What happens if a number of teams have made a balls of their application and less than 12 meet the criteria? Or was it just a matter of submitting the application to have it rubber-stamped?

Clutching at straws here, but i'm presuming Portadown left it so late coz they were having fine details ironed out.

[Morrissey]

If you're talking about the IFA Premiership then you're getting mixed up. The domestic licenses have been awarded, now it's the turn of the Invitational League applications.

Portadown were late submitting theirs. It is not a matter of being awarded a license but a ranking system. The top 12 teams in that ranking, with a domestic license to their name, will make up the new league.

AFAIK, the deadline for the PIL is the 31st May.