FAI CUP

FAI CUP 2011

          Well with the league of Ireland title wrapped up my attentions turns to the second most prestigious tournament in Ireland (soccer wise) the FAI Cup. The titans of this tournament Shamrock Rovers-24 Cups titles) have already been knocked out. It is time to shine a little light on some of the other clubs in the league.

Sligo Rovers vs Bohemians
St Patrick Athletic vs Shelbourne

          The Sligo Rovers as I have said are the defending champions of the FAI Cup. They are the only club not from Dublin. The Sligo Rovers are the defending champions and will do their best to be repeat winners. The Rovers also look like they will finish second in the League of Ireland. Sligo will be up against the northside of Dublin club, Bohemians.
          The Bohemians last won the FAI Cup in 2008. Their fans are quite envious of their southern rival (Shamrock Rovers) getting most of the media attention this year. Bohemians have also had great teams winning the league of Ireland title in 2008 and 2009. They would like to get their hand on some more hardware.
    
          St Patrick Athletic is the other southern Dublin club who last won the league in 1999 and the FAI Cup way back in 1959 and 1961. That is 50 years ago. Ouch. Needless to say the Saints fans are starving for the FAI Cup. They have been in the Championship game as recently as 2006 and 2003 only to become runner ups. They always put of good teams but have had heartbreak trying to get some hardware.

          Shelbourne is the other Northern Dublin club in Ireland. Shelbourne won the league in 2006 and last won the FAI Cup in 2000. This proud club was relegated to the First Division after financial trouble. After toiling with First Division clubs this tournament is where they can show the big boys their quality too.

            I am pulling for St Patrick Athletic fans here just so their fans get a taste of victory.

Expansion of the League 2012, Rovers are Champions

                Premier League expands to 12 teams for the 2012 season. There was no big marketing plan, no balloons, no hoopla what so ever. There was not even a grand announcement from the FAI. Since I live in Boston and follow MLS I can see the huge contrast in marketing from each league. Dan Garber would be front and center at the podium, talking about the league’s expansion. He would have been talking about the great competitive year the league is having in 2011. He would be chatting up 2 more teams and the freshness they would bring to the league. We get nothing of that from the FAI and I wonder why?

                http://www.extratime.ie/newsdesk/articles/6868/league-play-offs-scheduled/

                Well there is only one week left in the season and the Shamrocks Rovers have wrapped up their second league title is as many years. That’s correct the Rovers are the League of Ireland Champions once again. This brings their total to 17 League Titles which is a record for the league. The next best champion is Shelbourne with 13.

                I usually like when a new club wins the title however I think this is good for the league. The Shamrock Rovers are alos representing the league in the Europa League. The Shamrock Rovers are the deepest team and have the best chance at doing well in this tournament.

                This always begs the question as to how good is this League of Ireland. Will this league establish a few dominant teams like other leagues.(Rangers, Celtic). Will the Shamrock Rovers becomes as popular as some of these international teams. Well the League of Ireland surly has the hard part down. There is a constant arrival of new footballers who fill in when the stars depart. Maybe some day the crowds will be able to support their star players.

                As far as me, I enjoy reading about this league as see its progress. I really enjoy the international games against other European competition.

Who will get promoted to the Premier League 2012?

First Division League table

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Shelbourne	23	19	2	2	49	16	+33	59
2	Cork City	24	14	9	1	53	20	+33	51
3	Monaghan United	23	15	5	3	43	20	+23	50
4	Limerick FC	24	14	6	4	33	20	+13	48
5	Longford Town	24	10	3	11	30	30	0	33
6	Waterford United	23	9	3	11	27	22	+5	30
7	Mervue United	24	8	4	12	32	37	−5	28
8	Athlone Town	24	7	4	13	15	39	−24	25
9	Finn Harps	24	6	5	13	20	29	−9	23
10	Wexford Youths	23	3	1	19	22	45	−23	10
11	Salthill Devon	24	2	4	18	13	55	−42	10

 

  Shelbourne and Cork City were dropped to the First Division because of their financial issues. The Premier Division did not want to lose a club in the "prestigious" Premier Division. That would have been embarrassing. Looking at the present standings we can see Cork City has only lost 1 game and the shells have only lost 2. These clubs belong in the Premier Division.

    The Shels are in a comfortable lead with 8 points over the second place team (Cork City). The Shells are use to fighting for a Championship in the Premier Division. They have been one of the top clubs winning the second most Championships with 13. The Shells only trail the Shamrock Rovers in Championships. They are using this year to get their financial house in order. I believe the northern Dublin club will get the automatic berth to the Premier Division. They will be a great addition to have one of the best derbies (Shels vs Bohemians) reborn again in the Premier Division. The Shels, Tolka Park and their fans would be a welcome addition back and would greatly develop the marketing aspect of the league.

      Cork City is another club that should be in the Premier Division. The Premier Division needs the market of Cork City to promote the league. Cork has had 11 Championships to the city between (Cork United, Cork City, Cork Athletic, Cork Celtic and Cork Hibernians). There are just to many people in and around the 2nd largest city in the Republic of Ireland. This market needs a strong club in the top league in Ireland. Cork City also has a good team that could challenge for the League title in the Premier Division. i am hoping they go through.

    Limerick FC plays in the 3^rd largest city in the Republic. (Excluding Derry of course). Limerick FC has also has one of the best if not the best model to promote the sport in the country. They have one of the best “grassroots” organizations that is heavily involved in the community. They also have a plans for a new stadium. The new location will be Markets Field that will be very close to the City. This would be a great location to stay involved with the community and have great attendance. Limerick FC would be another great addition to the Premier League.

The 4^th place team Monagham United does not seem to be ready for the “professional”commitment yet. Here are some quotes from Roddy Collins their manager. Roddy is ruling out the chances of his side being in with a shout of automatic promotion at this stage. He also believes that the Shells and Cork are the 2 top clubs now….“Shelbourne or Cork will get promoted automatically. We’d be hopeful of third place, but it’s between Waterford, Limerick, Shels and Cork really. They’re the strongest squads in the league.

I am hoping the Premier Division expands to 12 clubs (adding 2). Each club can play each other 3 times for a total of 33 games. This will reduce the number of game by 5, from the current 38. The LOI Champion has to play in the Champions League, which is extreanly important for the League of Ireland club to do well there. The Shamrock Rovers did very well there this year and were placed into the playoff Round of the Europa League. The Rovers finally became the first League of Irelnd club to reach teh group stage of the Europa League. The Rovers have brought great exposure to themselves and the League.
     3 more clubs will play in the Europa League. LOI clubs need to be ready for international play. The League does not want to be embarrassed and lose badly to other international clubs. Winning will  gain respect and prestige not only for the club but also the league.
     Then there is the FAI Cup , League of Ireland Cup and the Sentana Cup  that the clubs teams have to play in.  This is just too many games for teams that have most players holding down jobs.

     I am hoping the league expands to 12 and Shelbourne and Cork City get invited. I believe these 2 clubs can compete for the League title in the Premier Division. They will bring freshness to the PRemier Division in 2012. Limerick FC comes in third place to get the automatic berth to the premier Division. Then Monaghan 2nd plays either Longfordtown or Waterford United in the playoff. This winner would play the loser of the playoff between UCD or Drogheda United for the last spot in and expanded Premier League.

This would be great

Republic of IReland v Russia



Luzhniki Stadiu, Moscow

 Luzhniki Stadium is where the boys in green will travel to and try and get a win. The Russian team is talented but beatable. Ireland has to shore up it's defensive back line and score on their opportunities. I will be watching on ESPN3. Looking for a little Luck from the Irish....

Irish supporters

Ireland v Slovakia = stalemate

Robbie Keane had Ireland best chance on this header that sailed just over cross bar

This was 2 equally match nations batteling to a 0-0 draw. both nations missed their opportunities and both left frustrated after a draw in Dublin.
The host nation (Republic of Ireland) have already lost to group leader (Russia) at home and needed a win at home to have a better shot at gaing top spot and even the second place in the group.
  Ireland really has their work cut out for themselves now......

Shamrock Rovers make history...

   The Shamrock Rovers became the first club from the League of Ireland (LOI) to advance to the group stage of the Europa League. Here are the highlights...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xtSYArUtt0&feature=related

This is great for the Rover but also great for the league itself. The Rovers will earn 1Million and more $ to come with more TV exposure. Any League club that will have the exposure of the Group Games will also reflect well on the League.

The group The Rovers were placed in will be against

1. England (Totterham Hotspurs)
2. Russia (Rubin Kazan)
3. Greece (PAOK)
4. Ireland (Shamrock Rovers).

These games will be broadcasted through out Europe. Exposure like this to a League of Ireland club is great for the league.

The League finally gets some love from the Independent noting the dramatic and historic game.