Shamrock Rovers entering a team in Div 1 next season

**NeverFeltBetter** · 17/01/2020, 3:46 PM

That Sham's were preparing to pull the B team out of the First Division at some point in the next week and a half.

**nigel-harps1954** · 17/01/2020, 4:17 PM

Because Lee Bolger told Lewis Shaw.

And so it was written.

**Olander** · 17/01/2020, 4:29 PM

Originally Posted by nigel-harps1954

Because Lee Bolger told Lewis Shaw.

And so it was written.

I don't get the weird fascination with this lad in LOI circles, like he's some sort of celebrity. He runs a LOI facebook page, so what?

I was told he is a Shamrock Rovers fan, but he does the media for Drogheda United??? That's an extremely odd situation. Then you see him posting nonsense like that and proceeding to name the source. Didn't he say a striker was signing for Shamrock Rovers recently and then posted a picture of his brother instead?

**Nesta99** · 17/01/2020, 4:51 PM

Originally Posted by Olander

I don't get the weird fascination with this lad in LOI circles, like he's some sort of celebrity. He runs a LOI facebook page, so what?

I was told he is a Shamrock Rovers fan, but he does the media for Drogheda United??? That's an extremely odd situation. Then you see him posting nonsense like that and proceeding to name the source. Didn't he say a striker was signing for Shamrock Rovers recently and then posted a picture of his brother instead?

Is it? Certainly one of the main media contributors at Dundalk is a (former) Monaghan United fan and a Dundalk fan was media officer at Limerick for a few years. I'd have though it was common enough for people to park club allegiences and work for another club. Everyone would want to be at their own club!

**Olander** · 17/01/2020, 5:02 PM

Originally Posted by Nesta99

Is it? Certainly one of the main media contributors at Dundalk is a (former) Monaghan United fan and a Dundalk fan was media officer at Limerick for a few years. I'd have though it was common enough for people to park club allegiences and work for another club. Everyone would want to be at their own club!

If it's a voluntary role, then yes it is weird. If you were being paid to do it professionally, then I think that's probably something a bit different and I think that applies to some of the examples you made.

**nigel-harps1954** · 17/01/2020, 5:04 PM

Originally Posted by Olander

I don't get the weird fascination with this lad in LOI circles, like he's some sort of celebrity. He runs a LOI facebook page, so what?

I was told he is a Shamrock Rovers fan, but he does the media for Drogheda United??? That's an extremely odd situation. Then you see him posting nonsense like that and proceeding to name the source. Didn't he say a striker was signing for Shamrock Rovers recently and then posted a picture of his brother instead?

There's a weird fascination with him alright. He's a young fella that copies and pastes news into his group page and people reckon he should be in a role within the league for it..hardly groundbreaking stuff.

Although, in fairness to him, he's a good lad. He's only 17 or 18, and has done well out of that group.

**EatYerGreens** · 17/01/2020, 6:22 PM

Originally Posted by Olander

If it's a voluntary role, then yes it is weird. If you were being paid to do it professionally, then I think that's probably something a bit different and I think that applies to some of the examples you made.

He's an 18 year old trying to get some experience on his CV in an industry he's obviously passionate about.

If only more young people had the same drive and enthusiasm tbh.

I'm sure he'd have jumped at a similar role had Rovers been willing to offer one. Drogs saw a chance to get someone with a record of action to help them out for free. And Lewis gets some experience on his CV whilst still being at school. A win-win for all involved - and not at all weird.

**Nesta99** · 17/01/2020, 7:25 PM

The more the merrier! There are a few young lads doing their own league analysis vlogs and its great to see the interest they have in the league. Some of them are pretty good too, different times but I couldnt have seen myself at 14 or so getting stuck in to analysis especially of the wider league. Dan McDonnell certainly carved out a great career with cutting his teeth with Orielweb among others.

**Ezeikial** · 07/02/2020, 9:02 AM

Shamrock Rovers considering request to only field Under-21s and younger in 'B' team

It’s just one potential solution to the First Division crisis on the table ahead of the new season

https://www.irishmirror.ie/sport/soc...-only-21437934

Changing the arrangement where Rovers first team players can move freely between the divisions and play in both teams is an obvious solution to the impasse.

**outspoken** · 07/02/2020, 11:27 AM

Originally Posted by Ezeikial

https://www.irishmirror.ie/sport/soc...-only-21437934

Changing the arrangement where Rovers first team players can move freely between the divisions and play in both teams is an obvious solution to the impasse.

It's not really the FD clubs who care about rovers getting an advantage that's more of a PD club issue. FD clubs are clear they see the involvement of a reserve team as an insult to the league and while I'd much rather 10 teams than 9 I fully agree with them and they shouldn't back down on this, the entire process has been wrong.

**dundalkfc10** · 07/02/2020, 11:44 AM

Originally Posted by outspoken

It's not really the FD clubs who care about rovers getting an advantage that's more of a PD club issue. FD clubs are clear they see the involvement of a reserve team as an insult to the league and while I'd much rather 10 teams than 9 I fully agree with them and they shouldn't back down on this, the entire process has been wrong.

Its not just an issue to PD clubs, its a clear unfair sporting advantage which cannot be allowed happen.

**Bunny Kelly** · 07/02/2020, 1:16 PM

I think you should have your squad until transfer window & can then rotate players in & out. One week you have the 3 best players in the division in the team, next week it is just kids, that doesn't seem fair.

If they were allowed to move between squads should Rovers II have to announce their squad the day before? I'm guessing oppo game planning would be quite different if the knew some top players were dropping down

**Ezeikial** · 07/02/2020, 1:25 PM

Originally Posted by outspoken

It's not really the FD clubs who care about rovers getting an advantage that's more of a PD club issue. FD clubs are clear they see the involvement of a reserve team as an insult to the league and while I'd much rather 10 teams than 9 I fully agree with them and they shouldn't back down on this, the entire process has been wrong.

I’m far from convinced about this insult hokum.

If the integrity issues surrounding the free movement of players between the squads can be resolved, the main issue is resolved.

**Mr A** · 07/02/2020, 1:51 PM

Originally Posted by Ezeikial

I’m far from convinced about this insult hokum.

If the integrity issues surrounding the free movement of players between the squads can be resolved, the main issue is resolved.

So you reckon the first division clubs are wrong about the impact of a reserve team returning to their division?

**placid casual** · 07/02/2020, 2:43 PM

As ever with LOI football, the tail wags the dog.

If the issue with non 1st team players is put forward as a solution, then that's what should be accepted. It is a fair play move that should suit all
As for the 1st division trying desperately to be taken seriously, give me a break. It's the right place for those clubs who don't have their $hit together, for one reason or another. Rovers, dundalk & Shels have all been there in the not too distant past and managed to escape it's clutches. If you don't like your club being there, get off your hole, get people into your club, into your ground and generate some income for them to try and help them GTF out of the division.. until then clubs like Rovers will refuse to bypass an opportunity like this to help the FAI out of a mess the FAI created ( with pi$$poor licensing restrictions) whilst also getting some playing time for their up and coming players. job done.

**Mr A** · 07/02/2020, 2:47 PM

I'd argue that in LOI football, whoever the top clubs happen to be at a given time tend to do the wagging.. and this is no exception.

I'd also argue that a healthy second tier should be a priority for the league.. your thinking appears to be that anyone who finds themselves there basically deserves anything they get and they don't get to have a say.

**nigel-harps1954** · 07/02/2020, 2:54 PM

Originally Posted by placid casual

As ever with LOI football, the tail wags the dog.

If the issue with non 1st team players is put forward as a solution, then that's what should be accepted. It is a fair play move that should suit all
As for the 1st division trying desperately to be taken seriously, give me a break. It's the right place for those clubs who don't have their $hit together, for one reason or another. Rovers, dundalk & Shels have all been there in the not too distant past and managed to escape it's clutches. If you don't like your club being there, get off your hole, get people into your club, into your ground and generate some income for them to try and help them GTF out of the division.. until then clubs like Rovers will refuse to bypass an opportunity like this to help the FAI out of a mess the FAI created ( with pi$$poor licensing restrictions) whilst also getting some playing time for their up and coming players. job done.

That's an incredibly horrible take on the First Division.

**ArFella** · 07/02/2020, 3:04 PM

Originally Posted by placid casual

As ever with LOI football, the tail wags the dog.

If the issue with non 1st team players is put forward as a solution, then that's what should be accepted. It is a fair play move that should suit all
As for the 1st division trying desperately to be taken seriously, give me a break. It's the right place for those clubs who don't have their $hit together, for one reason or another. Rovers, dundalk & Shels have all been there in the not too distant past and managed to escape it's clutches. If you don't like your club being there, get off your hole, get people into your club, into your ground and generate some income for them to try and help them GTF out of the division.. until then clubs like Rovers will refuse to bypass an opportunity like this to help the FAI out of a mess the FAI created ( with pi$$poor licensing restrictions) whilst also getting some playing time for their up and coming players. job done.

Wow I know Rovers fans can be cocky at times but this is incredible... Serious bang of Fine Gael off this, just replace 'first division clubs' with 'homeless people' and you'd have an election manifesto Eoghan Murphy would be proud of.

**Bunny Kelly** · 07/02/2020, 3:33 PM

In fairness the first div has a mix of progressive clubs & glorified junior clubs that would be better suited in a third tier.

I actually have no problem with Athlone, Wexford, (Cobh/Cabo, depending on a given season) keeping a national presence but they would be better suited for an amateur third tier (which I think you might have more interest in from other clubs looking to step up).

There shouldn't be any problem with Rovers II as long as no players dropping down. Giving young Dublin players an opportunity & bringing no away support, is it any different to what Kilkenny, Wexford, Athlone, Kildare did/do?