The First Division Thread

adineen98 wrote:

kevincronin2000 wrote:

Its a shame we don't have a proper pyramid system in Irish football that would allow relegation/promotion from/to the first division to the provincial senior leagues.

In theory that's a good idea, but the MSL, LSL, and USL are really just glorified Cork, Dublin, and Donegal leagues, respectively

True at the moment and a lot of the junior clubs at the moment would be better than senior clubs, but if there was a path to the LOI at stake, I'm sure a lot of clubs from outside Cork, Dublin and Donegal would upgrade to senior status.

ringerbell wrote:

The USL is a mess too only 7 teams in it and 2 of them are Derry and harps reserves. And it wouldn't be the a surprise if it finishes with less than 7 teams as it's happened in the past of teams pulling out of the league

I'd say give it a few years and the USL will be consigned to history like the CSL

The White Cafu wrote:

True at the moment and a lot of the junior clubs at the moment would be better than senior clubs, but if there was a path to the LOI at stake, I'm sure a lot of clubs from outside Cork, Dublin and Donegal would upgrade to senior status.

I think a return of something similar to the A Championship would be a good idea, it could potentially lead to the return of the likes of Monaghan Utd/Monaghan-Cavan FP, Kilkenny City, Carlow, and make it easier for the mooted Kerry and Mayo sides to make the transition to senior football, and then continue a pyramid underneath that.

Of course, I'm not the first person to suggest this or something similar, I won't be the last, and I think it's safe to say we won't be seeing a pyramid structure in this country anytime soon Unhappy

Tír gan teanga, tír gan anam

First Division Fixtures 2018
http://cms.sseairtricityleague.ie/sites/default/files/inline-files/2018%20Season%20SSE%20Airtricity%20League%20Fixture%20List.pdf#page=10
(Page 10, I can't get the pdf file to link to the specific page)

[B}Series 1
Friday 23rd February 2018
Cabinteely v Wexford Stardbrook, Blackrock RFC, 19:45
Drogheda Utd v Finn Harps United Park 19:45
Galway Utd v Athlone Town Eamonn Deacy Park 19:45
UCD AFC v Shelbourne The UCD Bowl 19:45

Saturday 24th February
Longford Town v Cobh Ramblers City Calling Stadium 19:30

Edited by UCDFAN - 19 Dec 2017 at 5:01pm

www.ucdsupporters.ie

First division , hummmmmm I feel like jumping off a cliff .

Lansdowne Road debut aged 52 and 201 days .

Goodness so much not looking forward to reading this thread for the next 9 months Cry

Lansdowne Road debut aged 52 and 201 days .

ShamtheRam wrote:

Things not going well for Ramblers this pre season. Big struggle to get players in and sponsors not coming in either. As of today only 12 players signed and all of those were signed last season and majority are nothing special.

Wouldn't be surprised if Henderson was lured away by Limerick job.

Thats such a shame but I can't say Im surprised unfortunately. I head down to St. Colemans 4 or 5 times a year to catch a game and usually theres about 200 people there, 50 of which are Cork City fans, 50 are the players family and friends, and the rest could be a few Ramblers fans and away fans. There is almost zero support for Ramblers in the town, it looks like they just have no appetite for LOI football.

RKBarmyArmy wrote:

There is almost zero support for Ramblers in the town, it looks like they just have no appetite for LOI football.

Not necessarily true. The appetite is there however there are very bigger deterrents for the locals. The manager and some of the people he's got involved with the running of the club for starters.

YBIG NPF founder and CEO

Harps sign Michael O'Connor on loan from shamrock rovers. Ollie putting together a decent squad to play attacking football but could do with 1 or 2 more defensive players before the league starts

the closest i will ever come to playing for ireland https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0_7w4JyvI4

horsebox wrote:

Thought he was going to Burnley?

for €400k too!