Proposal for renovation of the association football league

All illustrations, tables, dates, league positions, logos & sponsors contained within this document are for modelling purposes only & do not represent any approved
plans, intentions, decisions or otherwise of the association or any of its committees. 1

Introduction
 Genesis II
 It is recognised that the Genesis II report & the subsequent implementation process has injected
a new level of ambition into the domestic game with regards to professionalism, licensing, holistic
vision etc.
 However like most ambitious projects it is prudent to review progress after a period and alter
course as required, taking account of lessons learned.
 Pyramid needed
 Although successful with regard to squad development the ‘A’ league is judged insufficient as a
third Tier
 A proposal is made to integrate Intermediate football with the LOI proper. Acting as a safety net
allowing relegated clubs & clubs facing administration to move down to regional leagues where
costs are minimised & an element of competition is retained (unlike current ‘A’ league).
 A ‘National Playoff’ system is envisaged as both an incentive for the development of the
Intermediate game & a route into the LOI proper for ambitious teams.
 No team shall go straight to the LOI Proper but must achieve it organically through the structure.
 Winter Football
 A ‘Compromise Solution’ is proposed which would allow a partial return to winter football as well
as a significant ‘lead up time’ before European Football
 Encompasses a ‘Xmas Soccer Season’ as a marketable finale to the season with the last round of
Premier games taking place on St. Stephens day followed by the FAI Cup Final on New Years Day
 Major Reform!!!
 The reforms proposed in this document taken together are very substantial in both reach and
measure.
 The intention is to put this vision to consultation & gauge reaction of the various stakeholders in
Irish Football.
 Reforms can be carried out on the whole, partially or in stages & indeed the order of said stages
can be flexible.
 Further research is required concerning all of the issues highlighted & changes proposed in this
presentation, as well as with regard to how they may be implemented. i.e. All scheduling outlined is for modelling
purposes only & much more in depth analysis with regard to both viability & procedure is envisaged prior to implementation.
2
plans, intentions, decisions or otherwise of the association or any of its committees.

Three Tier System
 Tier 1: 18 Team Premier
 It is hoped to grow the Premier division gradually to a max. 18 teams allowing for a
34 round league with all of the most recognisable teams playing each other twice.
 Tier 2: 10 Team Championship
 36 rounds of football
 Evenly matched opposition
 Avoid current scenario where new entrants like Mervue etc have no chance of progression
 Tier3: National Intermediate Structure
 Northern, Southern , Eastern, Western & Central ‘Conference’ Divisions
 Relegated 1st division teams will enter competitive regional divisions; with reduced
travel costs & scaled down squads they may retain their fanbases & recover slowly
i.e. Cases like Kilkenny City etc. wouldn’t have to die, just rescale.
 Teams breaking licensing & administration rules can suffer real punishment being
relegated down the divisions as far as Intermediate football
 Tier 3a: National Intermediate Playoffs
 Funding/prize money/media attention source for Intermediate football
 Promotion & Relegation to 1st Div
 Monetary Incentive for teams to qualify to playoffs from respective divisions making
leagues more competitive
 Requires Major Scheduling Changes!!
 Both LOI proper & Intermediate to finish in December
 Intermediate starts earlier (Feb) but takes a summer break
○ See Slides 10 & 11 for scheduling details
3

Premiership
Shamrock Rovers
Cork City
Bohemians
Derry City
Sligo Rovers
Limerick
Galway United
St Pats
Waterford United
Shelbourne FC
Dundalk
Monaghan United
Sporting Fingal
Bray Wanderers
Drogheda
UCD
Finn Harps (Expansion)
Wexford Youths (Expansion)
 18 Team Elite National Division
 34 rounds of games
 Glamour teams/ties
 Larger attendances
 1 home & 1 away fixture p.a.
 Gradual expansion to reach 18
 Placings
 Winner - Champions League
 Places 2 & 3 – Europa League
 Places 1-6: Qualification for enhanced Setanta
Cup, or “byes” in other cup competitions
o Keep more teams “in the mix” longer into the season
 2 automatic promotion/relegation places p.a.
o Affording more 1st Div teams opportunity of entry to
lucrative top division
 2 teams enter relegation playoff
o Keep more teams “in the mix”
o Loser of 15 vs.16 (Prem) plays winner of 3 vs. 4 (1st)
5

National Championship
Cobh Ramblers
Athlone Town
Tullamore Town
Longford Town
Salthill Devon
Castlebar Celtic
Carlow
Tralee Dynamos
Mervue United
e.g. Kilkenny City (Expansion)
e.g. Newbridge Town (Expansion)
e.g. Mullingar (Expansion)
 10 Team Nationwide Feeder Division
 36 rounds of games
 Wide geographical spread
 Newcomers to the LOI proper are more likely to
collect points in this evenly matched division
 Top 4 of 10 positions “in play”
 ‘Carrot’ of a lucrative season in the Premier is attainable without
risky financial (mis)management
 2 home & 2 away fixtures p.a.
 Relegation keeps all places competitive
 Possibility of further expansion in the future should the
game grow in popularity / participation / attendance.
 Placings
 Automatic Promotion: Winner & Runner-up
 Places 3 & 4: Promotion Playoffs
 Last: Automatic Relegation: in the event of a qualified
licensed club winning the Conferences Playoffs
Relegation Playoff: in the event of a qualified licensed
club finishing runner up in the Conference playoffs to a non-qualified
winner
 Places 8 & 9: Relegation Playoff: in the event of a qualified
licensed club finishing runner up in the Conference playoffs to an
automatically promoted & qualified winner. Loser of 8 vs. 9 will play
said runner up for 1st Div status
• Max of 2 teams relegated
6

Regional Intermediate Conferences
 Part 1: Create North, South, East, West & Central Conferences
 East: Largest conference formed from LSL & other eastern teams wishing to apply
 South: Formed from MSL
 North: Formed from USL
 Central: Formed from CCFL + L/M/C & DL
 West: Formed from clubs in Galway, Mayo, Roscommon Sligo & Leitrim
○ Clubs may choose to play in a conference outside of their geographical region, bearing in mind they
will have to travel more & may find qualification to playoffs more difficult. i.e. LSL clubs from the Central
region may continue in East if they so wish
○ Clubs may even field separate teams in different conferences, however only 1 team from each club
may enter the National Playoffs (Higher nominated team e.g. Supposing Port Laoise A (East) & Port Laoise B (Central) were to
qualify only the nominated A team could progress)
 National Playoffs
○ To act as both a carrot and a prize money source, supporting & encouraging clubs from the sparser
regions (e.g. Connaught, rural Munster & rural Midlands) to enter & compete at an Intermediate level
○ 8 Qualifiers – See overleaf
 Part 2: Changeover of season (see slide11 for timelines)
 Switching from a continuous August to May season to a two part February to December season
 Allowing for Promotion & Relegation to the National 1st Division should clubs so wish
There are numerous obstacles & challenges with regards to bringing about these sorts of changes to the intermediate league structure,
not least convincing the numerous relevant stakeholders, scheduling a two part league ending in the winter time & travel costs, amongst
others. However it is hoped that the incentive of a marketable national competition structure may, after further study & consultation,
provide the impetus to achieve this vision. The changeover process can be designed to build this project to completion in stages.
7

8
 Five Geographical Conferences
 East – (3 qualifiers)
o Largest Conference
o Most playoff spots
o Applicant teams
o Saturday/Sunday lower divisions?
o Applicants from AUL & other leagues?
o Lose some sides to Central?
 South – (2 qualifiers)
o Strong, established MSL
o Attract new sides from further afield
 North – (1 qualifier)
o Well established USL
o Little structural change required
 West – (1 qualifier)
o Need to form new intermediate division
o Site of defunct CSL
o Bedding down of Intermediate division here to require
close support & attention of authorities
 Central – (1 qualifier)
o Inside LSL at moment
o Reduced geographical spread to make step up
to intermediate more viable
o Bedding down of Intermediate division here to require
close support & attention of authorities
 ***Restructure of scheduling &
structure are separate issues***
Regional Conferences
Regular season
Senior, Junior &
Schoolboy
District Leagues
Regular season
Senior, Junior &
Schoolboy
District Leagues
Regular season
Senior, Junior &
Schoolboy
District Leagues
Regular season
Senior, Junior &
Schoolboy
District Leagues
Regular season
Senior, Junior &
Schoolboy
District Leagues

National Conference
Playoff Series
 8 Team National Playoff competition
○ Held over 3 match days (1 week)
○ Staged over Xmas period before cup final – Part of Xmas soccer season
○ Matches held in regional stadia closest to home team (Tallaght, Turners Cross, Terryland,
Athlone, Brandywell)
 Can be expanded to 16 teams across 4 match days
 Qualification from 5 Regional Intermediate Conferences
○ North, South, East, West & Central
 Weighting to take account of stronger regions:
- East - 3 teams, South - 2,North -1 ,West - 1 & Central - 1
- Or for example: E6,S4,N2,W2,C2 in expanded format
 Winning team gains automatic promotion to Div 1 (Subject to desire of club for promotion, fulfilment of licensing
criteria etc.)
○ Runner-up eligible for playoff with second bottom team in Div 1 (Subject to desire of club for promotion, fulfilment of
licensing criteria etc.)
○ Clubs may enter & win prize money without any intentions towards promotion
 Opportunity for local & national media exposure, sponsorship, supporter buzz etc.
○ Income source to invest as clubs see fit e.g. Training facilities, clubhouse, bars, stands etc.
 Clear route to become recognised ‘National Intermediate Champion’ with minimal burden
of nationwide travel
○ Shop window/advancement route/scouting possibilities for ambitious young intermediate
players/coaches
○ Meaningful national competition for LOI standard players unable to commit to nationwide
travel in Div 1 due to work commitments etc.
○ Provides incentive towards participation/ambition at intermediate level outside of current
soccer strongholds
9

National Playoffs
10
vs.
 8 Intermediate teams
 3 from Eastern, 2 from Southern, 1 from Northern, Western & Central Conferences
 3 game series held over1 week
 Part of “Xmas Soccer Season”
 Winner gains automatic promotion to 1st Div
 Runner Up gains entry to a playoff against loser of (8th vs. 9th) in 1st Div
 Teams do not have to be seeking advancement to LOI proper in order to participate

The Winter Compromise
 May – December season
 2 Months competitive football & preseason before
European competitions begin
 Flood Lit atmospheric Football
 Season Climax over Xmas period
 Climax doesn’t clash With GAA Championship
 Clear identification “Festive Soccer Season”
 Branding & Sponsorship opportunities
 Tie in with Intermediate Playoffs & Cup Final (New Years Day)
 Clash with major English Premiership television events
 Can Marquee games rival normal EPL games on these dates?
 Will RTE welcome major products like St. Stephens Day Finale & New
Years Day Cup Final for free to air broadcast as a challenge to satellite
broadcasters?
 Will crowds attend major LOI games over the festive period?
 Other Risk Factors:
 Congestion issues surrounding abandoned games
 There may be sense in frontloading games in the summer months to allow leeway
around abandoned games towards season finale.
 Deterioration in football quality
 ‘Messy’ football towards the end of the season could damage the product
 May also ‘make things interesting’ – Shock results, Battling performances, points
gap swings.
11

Dec Jan Feb March April May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Ja
Dec Jan Feb March April May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Ja
Preseason Current Airtricity League Season (2010) Cup
Final
Preseason Proposed Airtricity League Season (2012 or 2013) Cup
Final
Intermediate & Junior Season - Finish Off Season
European Football
European Football
 Proposed Scheduling Changes:
 Late summer & autumn National League System
○ 2 months competitive football + Preseason to prepare for European competition
 Xmas/Stephens day league Finale & New Years Day Cup Final (Marketing: Festive season = LOI season!)
○ TV money? Domestic rival(marquee games!!) to compete with Cross channel Xmas packages? (Allow terrestrial TV to compete with Satellite TV)
 Intermediate leagues: National Playoffs (late Dec) & Fallow Period Introduced (Jan)
○ Series 1 matches Feb-May & Series 2 matches Aug-Dec (flexible scheduling arrangements at local level)
 Current Scheduling arrangements:
*Synchronised League Systems*
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
Play
offs
Schoolboy & Junior System (as before)Schoolboy & Junior System (as before) - Finish
Start - Intermediate & Junior Season
Pre -
season
Current Airtricity League Season (2010)
Start - Schoolboy & Junior System (as before)
Current Airtricity League Season 2010
Cup
Final
Cup
Final
Pre –
season Proposed Airtricity League Season (2012 or 2013)
Cup
Final
Play -
offs
Fallow
Pitches Start - Intermediate Season Summer Break Intermediate Season - Finish Play
offs
Play -
offs
2009
2014
2010 2012010
2015 2015 201
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Christmas Soccer Season
Christmas Soccer Season
 Culmination of LOI proper, FAI Ford Cup & Intermediate Conferences
Playoff Series.
 Bundled together in one marketable package
 ‘Run-in’ period is traditionally when the league receives most ‘buzz’
 Key periods for advertisers: Run up to Christmas & January sales (Cars etc)
 Drawbacks/Risk Factors
 Short turnaround between league end & Cup Final of only 1 week
○ Same as in England in May 2010
 Winter games risks match abandonment
○ Need to frontload season to ensure no backlog
○ Winter football could lead to exciting points swings as well as ‘messy football’
 Supporter turnout/TV Audiences
○ Could go either way; be embraced as an exciting package over a period of holidays from employment or
pass by barely noticed while public is immersed in own Christmas experience
○ Marketing effort & product positioning could be ‘make or break’ in this regard
Wed Dec 23rd 19:30 Round 1 of Conference Playoffs (4 Games)
Thurs Dec 24th No Games
Fri Dec 25th No Games
Sat Dec 26th 17:30 9x Premier Games (Round 34) & 5x 1st Div Games (Round 36)
Sun Dec 27th 19:30 Round 2 of Conference Playoffs (2 Games)
Mon Dec 28th No Games
Tues Dec 29th 19:30 Premier & 1st Div Playoff deciders (1 leg)
Wed Dec 30th 19:30 Conference Playoffs Final
Thurs Dec 31st No Games
Fri Jan 1st 15:30 FAI Ford Cup Final
Sat Jan 2nd 15:00 (&17:30) Promotion/Relegation Playoff Finals (1 leg)

Wayside Celtic
Shamrock Rovers ‘A’
Belgrove
Greystones
Cherry Orchard
Malahide United
Crumlin United
CYM Terenure
Glebe North
Glenmore Dundrum
Bluebell United
Bohemians ‘A’
Clover United
Bangor Celtic
Automatic National Playoff Qualification
Promotion/Qualification Playoff
Relegation Playoff
Automatic Relegation
Eastern Conference
Eastern Conference
Premier Div
14
Top of group placing
Bottom of group placing
 Formed from a number of strong leagues
 Difficult to bring along all stakeholders
 Politically difficult to change
 What % of club buy-in?
 Incentives
 Annual National Champion Decided
 Avenue to attain sponsorship, attention & recognition
 Players & Coaches in ‘shop window’ (UEFA Licensing standards)
 Club Development
 Pitfalls
 Splits? – Some teams to play in Central
Others to remain outside new format?

Moyle Park
Tolka Rovers
Arklow Town
Ashtown Villa
Boyne Rovers
Drogheda Town
Dublin Bus
St. Patricks Athletic ‘A’
International FC
Shelbourne ‘A’
Newbridge Town
Pegasus
Skerries Town
St. James’s Gate
Newtown Rangers
Leixlip United
Quay Celtic
Loughshinny United
Sporting Fingal ‘A’
Mount Merrion YMCA
Larkview Boys
Parkvilla
Liffey Wanderers
Trinity S & L
Whitehall Rangers
Dynamo Dublin
Athy Town
Enniskerry FC
Eastern Conference
Eastern 2nd Div
Eastern1st Div
15
 ‘A’ Sides – 2 options
 1 – Play in Regional Intermediate Leagues
 Pro
 Reserve players experience very competitive football
 They would greatly strengthen some leagues e.g.
Western & Central, helping to raise standards
 Incentive for intermediate players to compete against
‘big name’ teams
 Con
 Risking injury recovery ‘stars’ against intermediate
players wanting ‘to get stuck in’
 Would disciplined intermediate teams be happy about a
“chopped & changed” reserve side affecting the outcome
of the league standings
 2 – Play in Completely separate ‘A’ only league
 Pro
 Sheltered environment to protect players
 Con
 Lacking in realistic competitive nature
St. Patricks Athletic ‘A’
Shelbourne ‘A’

St. Mochtas
TEK United
Verona
Brayzil
Bray Wanderers ‘A’
UCD ‘A’
Ballyfermot United
CIE Ranch
Dalkey United
Drumcondra
Mullingar FC
Edenderry Town
Port Laoise
Garda
Celbridge Town
Drumcondra Athletic
Fairview CYM
Greenhills AFC
Home Farm
Kilnamanagh
Lissadel United
Sacred Heart
Shamrock Rovers ‘B’
St. Josephs Boys
St. Josephs Glasthule
Tymon Celtic
Vale View Shankill
West Park Albion
Eastern Conference Eastern 3rd Div
Eastern 4th Div
16
 Entry & Exit to/from Conference
 TBD
 Involve local committee structure
 Assessments – competency, performance etc.
 Changeover required to standard season
 Lower Divisions
 Promotion / Relegation
 Multiple finishing positions “In Play”
 Scheduling, Discipline, league operation
 Managed at local level
 More leeway at lower levels (fixture congestion,
postponements, arrangements etc.)
 Refereeing
 Integration into pyramid structure
 Player Registration
 Player passport ID card scheme

Southern Conference
Everton AFC
Rockmount
Avondale
Ballinahassig
Cork City ‘A’
St. Marys
Douglas Hall
Blarney
Castleview
Waterford ‘A’
UCC
Ballinacollig
Cobh Wanderers
CIT
Oranmore
Southern Conference
Premier Div
17
 Formed from MSL
 2 qualification places for national playoffs
 New format to encourage applicants from
outside of current strongholds
 Minimal change required to current structure
With only 3 full LOI clubs at present & 2 more in the ‘A’
structure this conference has great potential for the
future development of clubs to a national level
Established MSL sides not wishing to compete on a
national stage have an opportunity to perform well at
the national playoff level & then reinvest in club
facilities

Casement
Carrigaline
Fermoy
Garryduff
Mayfield
Leeds
Mallow
Middleton
Passage
College Corinthians
Lakewood
Glasheen
Tramore
Ennis
Temple
Killarney Celtic
Youghal
Limerick ‘A’
Castleisland FC
Shannon Olympic
Avenue United
Clonmel Town
Skibbereen
Thurles
Nenagh AFC
Bandon
Cobh Ramblers ‘A’
Newcastle Rovers
Cashel Town
Thurles Town
Southern Conference
Southern 2nd Div
Southern 1st Div
18
 Lower Levels
 Similar to lower divisions of the eastern
conference structure
 Managed/Administrated at a local level
 Flexible operation
 Entry/Exit to Junior structures subject to local
authorities, criteria etc.
 Newly formed Clubs
 Local administration structures to decide level
of entry / suitability etc.

Northern Conference
Fanad United
Buncrana
Cockhill Celtic
Convoy
Finn Harps ‘A’
Drumkeen
Bonagee
Glenea United
Keadue Rovers
Swilly
Killea FC
Letterkenny Rovers
Derry City ‘A’
Quigley's Point
Kildrum Tigers
 Formed from USL
 Minimal change required to current structure
 Expected to provide strong competitor to
National Playoffs
 Source of funding for the further
development of facilities in the region
Although the viability of a further LOI proper club
emerging from this region may be remote it is
thought that participation in this annual competition
will benefit the local division, with prize money
filtering down into local facilities as well as media
exposure providing a boost to the game.
Northern Conference
Premier Div
19

Western Conference
Roscommon Town
Athenry
Corrib Rangers
NUI Galway
Mervue United ‘A’
Ballina Town
Westport United
Iorras Aontaithe
Galway United ‘A’
Castlerea Celtic
Sligo Rovers ‘A’
Ballinasloe Town
Salthill Devon ‘A’
Strand Celtic
Oranmore
 Newly formed from Local district leagues
 Site of the defunct CSL
 A new administration structure will have to be
formed with support & impetus from central
sources
 Application & Selection process from local
district leagues
 To represent a balanced geographical spread,
established strong clubs with developmental
outlooks
 Extensive consultation required
Although past attempts to establish a senior football
structure in the region were previously abandoned it is
hoped that the carrot of competition & exposure at a
national level may provide the impetus and attract
interest & sponsorship sufficiently to affect a better
outcome this time. This region could have good
potential for growth given astute adaptations to the
local game.
Western Conference
Premier Div
20

Central Conference
Mullingar Athletic
Birr Town
Athlone Town ‘A’
Port Laoise A.F.C.
Monaghan ‘A’
Clara Town
Dundalk ‘A’
Cavan Town
Drogheda ‘A’
Middletown Wanderers
Willow Park
St. Peters
DK United
Clones Town
Trim Celtic
 Newly Formed Region
 Clubs currently competing in the LSL encouraged
 CCFL & other local structures to be developed
 Remain part of LFA
 Travel & participation costs lower than at LSL level
 Clubs can choose to compete in any regional
conference, taking account of travel costs,
competition standards etc. E.g. Meath clubs could
choose between Central or Eastern (Subject to approval
of governing bodies)
A central conference it is envisaged would cut down
on participation costs and encourage the ‘step-up’
from a number of towns which show the potential to
host LOI proper clubs. Growing clubs organically in
this fashion it is hoped will lead to advancement of
clubs with a deeper history, participation etc.
Consultation is required before any move away from
the traditional Leinster structures.
Central Conference
Premier Div
21

National Playoffs
vs.
vs.
22

Changeover Timeline
 Season 1 (2012) March - Oct
 LOI Proper: Premier Division: 10 Clubs - 1st Div: 12 Clubs (36 & 33 games)
 1 to be demoted from Premier(10), 3 to be promoted from 1st(1,2 & 3), (9 vs. 4 in playoff)
 Top 2 Qualified development sides to be promoted from ‘A’ League to 1st Div
 Intermediates: Last Intermediate season under present structure begins. (Aug - May)
 Winter transition: New arrangements decided in committee for Intermediate conferences based on
league position & other criteria
 Mini tournaments & playoffs to decide certain positions
 Season 2 (2013) May - Dec
 LOI proper: Premier Division: 12 Clubs - 1st Div: 12 Clubs (33 games ea.)
 2 to be demoted from Premier (11,12), 3 to be promoted from 1st(1,2 & 3), (10 vs. 4 in playoff)
 Top 2 Qualified development sides to be promoted from ‘A’ League to 1st Div
 Intermediates: First ever season under new format . (Feb – May; Aug – Dec)
 December Playoffs: 8 teams, 3 match days, Games in regional stadiums (Tallaght, Turners Cross,
Terryland, Athlone etc.)
 Season 3 (2014) May - Dec
 LOI proper: Premier Division: 13 Clubs - 1st Div: 13 Clubs (36 games ea.)
 1 to be demoted from Premier(13), 6 to be promoted from 1st(1-6), (12 vs. 7 in playoff)
 2 top Qualified Intermediate sides to be promoted from playoffs (or conferences)
 Season 4 (2015) – ***1st Season Proper***
 LOI proper: Premier Division: 18 Clubs - 1st Div: 10 Clubs (34 & 36 games)
 Standard future promotion/relegation: 2 up(1&2), 2 Down(17&18) & 1 playoff : [(15v16) vs. (3v4)]
 Intermediates: Standard future promotion/relegation with 1st Div
 Playoff winner (if Qualified) gains automatic promotion to 1st at expense of 10th place finisher
 Playoff Runner-up (if Qualified) can advance to playoff vs. (8v9) from 1st Div
Qualified: Qualified sides must satisfy licensing criteria, express a desire to advance to full league status & display a competence with regard to
the additional travel commitments, rigid fixture completion etc.
23

Transition from Intermediate to Div 1
 Transition after LOI proper has reached 28 clubs
A. Clubs must apply for transition before the season begins
B. Clubs must satisfy licensing criteria
C. Clubs must reach National Conference Playoffs
D. The winner of the national playoffs can be eligible for automatic
promotion subject to all other licensing application criteria
E. The Runner-Up in the national playoffs can enter into a head to head
playoff with a Div 1 side, subject to all other licensing criteria
24
 Transition while LOI proper is in development phase
A. Max. 2 clubs per annum
B. Highest finishers in current competition e.g. ‘A’ League
C. Satisfaction of licensing criteria
D. Subject to ratification & extra assessment measures

Reserve - ‘A’ Teams
 Present Scenario (Newstalk A Championship)
 ‘A’ league + selected Intermediate teams(Applying for league status) compete together in
Northern & Southern divisions
 Pro:
- Good environment to nurture young talent & rehabilitate injured players
- Successful fallback for financially pressed clubs forced to lay off 1st team squad
 Con:
- Can clubs relegated to this division from Div1 ever recover? – Will they lose hope of making it in the LOI
proper – forced to remain competing against experimental ‘A’ sides
- Very few developmental intermediate applicants
- Has failed to capture the imagination of supporters of intermediate applicants clubs
- 2 divisions across large geographical spread = high travel expenses
 Option 1 (scenario outlined above)
 Compete with Intermediate teams in Area Conferences (N,S,E,W & C)
 Pros:
- Provide good competition in smaller & newer leagues (Western, Central & Northern) – helping to develop
germinating intermediate clubs in these peripheral areas
- Less Travelling expenses for clubs
- Competition versus Intermediate sides helps to identify new talent
 Con:
- Risking peripheral & recovering players in a competitive environment (Will intermediate competitors ‘get
stuck into’ marquee players who are recovering from injury?)
- Insurance issues??
 Option 2 (Safe option)
 Separate ‘A’ only competition
○ National at first, dividing into regions as numbers increase
 Pro:
- Developmental League applicant clubs could remain separate in competitive Intermediate competition
- Insulated environment to nurture injured & young players
 Con:
- Will a reserve only league provide an adequate level of competition to aid player development?
25

Club Stories
 Club A
 Club A has been a big player in the league for generations. However after a period of
overextension financially they find themselves forced to enter a period of debt restructuring that
is in contravention of the leagues participation agreements. Under new processes that are
pursuant to newly ratified rules they find themselves relegated to their local intermediate
conference & banned from re-entry to the top divisions for a set period of time. The new rules
also contain provision to extend that period of time for repeat offences. It is felt that the new
disciplinary processes for the first time provide adequate deterrent against financial
mismanagement in the pursuit of success.
 Club B
 Club B has been one of the strongest in its provincial senior league for a long time and regularly
makes excursions into the FAI Cup early rounds. Under the new national playoff system they
fare very well; making the final on numerous occasions & even picking up the trophy from time
to time. Club B is however from a locality that has long been dominated by a major premier
league side. Choosing never to apply for league entry or fulfil the 1st Div licensing criteria Club B
is able to make use of its prize money & exposure to secure better local sponsorship deals & in
turn reinvest in the clubs training & social facilities.
 Club C
 Club C is from a rapidly growing satellite town near a major city. They have competed to a
decent level in the provincial senior league in recent times without ever reaching the top of the
pile. With the attention brought about under the new national playoffs they are able to secure
local sponsorship & participation in their club. Within a few years they are challenging for
honours at the national playoffs as well as reinvesting in club infrastructure. Local support for
the club grows organically along with the club, unlike past teams that were parachuted into the
top divisions. Eventually they secure a Div 1 license and qualify for the National Championship.
Club C spends a short time yo-yoing between Div 1 & the intermediate divisions but their
natural growth curve ensures they are a solid enough outfit to survive the rollercoaster. Over
time they come to establish themselves in the 1st Div and even spend a lucrative couple of
seasons in the top Tier hosting some of the big guns.

Club Stories
 Club D
 Club D had been a participant in the old ‘A’ league hoping to gain 1st Div status. Apart from a
few ‘die-hards’ within the club setup they never raised much of a profile in their local town or
county which was more known for success in other sporting codes. Playing against ‘A’ sides
never attracted much local attention & in turn the club was unable to generate much revenue in
terms of membership, sponsorship or other income streams. Even when they did spend a year
in the old 1st Div they found themselves cut adrift away from the rest of the pack, unable to
pick up victories against established teams. Entry into the reformed 1st Div feeder style
Championship did manage to turn things around nevertheless. Suddenly facing more similarly
matched opponents & with the promotion & relegation spots always within play interest in Club
D grew rapidly within the community. Success eventually did come in the form of promotion to
the Premiership & for the first time some of the countries big name clubs were coming to town.
On the other hand when things weren’t quite going so smoothly the club found itself in its local
regional conference where the fans still had local derbies, fierce competition & the push for
promotion to keep interest high, reduced travel costs also meant the club could cope better with
these periods of want.
 Club E
 Club E, hailing from the same county as club D was raised with the tide alongside its near
neighbour. Although never quite reaching the same dizzy heights Club E did manage to fulfil the
1st Div licensing criteria & compete for a short period of time in Div 1. The intense feeling of the
local rivalry between two towns from the same county added a new element to the LOI which
contrasted greatly with previous attempts to take local clubs & shape them into catch-alls for
the whole county. They would meet regularly in either Div 1 or their regional conference as well
as in cup competitions.
 Club F
 Club F had spent a few years cast aside at the bottom of Div 1 picking up only a handful of
victories a season, relegation to the ‘A’ league threatened to kill dead their LOI ambitions. Seen
as falling into a kind of “limbo”, hope drained from the club. It was revived however upon
establishment of regional conferences as a means of promotion. Now they were able to find
meaningful local competition, to save on travel & other overheads & to rebuild with a young
side. Club F eventually re-entered the now more evenly devised Championship, their flagging
ambitions truly revived.

Player Stories
 Player A
 Player A showed great promise as a youngster playing in the Airtricity Premiership while he
earned his degree as part of a scholarship initiative run by one of the clubs. After his education
was complete & upon taking up good employment outside football at the same time as starting
a family it seemed Player A was to be lost to the game, unable to provide the required level of
commitment required of a team competing on a national level. Still playing at intermediate level
he drew many compliments from others that he was, “better than a lot of players in the LOI.”
Under the new structure Player A found a new role for himself as a cornerstone of the ambitious
Club B as they made their assault on promotion to the league proper. Although Club B could
only pay a nominal amount of part time wages & also the fact that player A would have to leave
the setup once they “went national”, he found the meaningful competition invigorating. After
leaving them he found a place on the next ambitious high-flyer in the regional conference. He
even rejoined as a Div 1 player a little later in life as his full time job grew more secure &
flexible & his young family had settled at school.
 Player B
 Player B was on the road to great things in the English game before injury put a spanner in the
works. Loaned from his EPL team to lower divisions to try & prove his return to fitness Player B
eventually had to concede defeat & quit the game he loved so well. With a handful of promising
full international caps to his name it appeared to be a sad end to the tale as the player returned
to his local village to take up employment in the family business & reconsider his future. Too
young to be seriously considered as a professional coach Player B nonetheless began to take his
badges and work with his local regional conference team as a sideline apart from his main
career; his name & experience proving a hit as he took a number of sides to the playoff finals.
Catching the attention of his local Div 1 club who used the local Conference as a scouting
ground he eventually made his way back into the game he loved so well.

Largest Towns outside of LOI Structure (2006 Census)
Over 10,000 Population
o Navan(10th)
o Ennis(11), Shannon(43)
o Kilkenny(13)
o Naas(15),Newbridge(17), Kildare(55),
Blessington(90)
o Mullingar(18)
o Celbridge(22), Leixlip(26), Maynooth(35),
Kilcock(87)
o Clonmel(23), Carrick on Suir (65), Cahir(96)
o Port Laoise(27), Portarlington(63),
Mountmellick(89)
o Killarney(28)
o Greystones(29), Kilcoole(99)
o Arklow(33), Gorey(57)
o Ballina(36)
o Wicklow(38)
o Mallow(37), Fermoy(67)
o Middleton(39)
Under 10,000 Population
o Tramore(40)
o Enniscorthy(41)
o Ashbourne(47), Ratoath(56),
Dunshaughlin(95)
o Dungarvan(48)
o Athy(50)
o Cavan(51)
o Nenagh(52)
o New Ross(53)
o Thurles(54)
o Tuam(58)
o Trim(59)
o Youghal(60)
o Ballinasloe(62)
29

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