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