PIKE Rovers will learn their FAI Junior Cup fate on Wednesday afternoon when the District League club takes part in an arbitration hearing which could have a dramatic effect on their entire 2009-10 campaign.
The Hoops opted to go to arbitration following the FAI’s decision to throw them out of the FAI Junior Cup.
Three weeks ago the defending District League champions were left reeling when news reached the club that the Football Association of Ireland had ruled against them and denied the Hoops their chance to reach a first-ever FAI Junior Cup final.
Pike Rovers beat St. Michael’s 4-2 in the quarter-finals at Cooke Park, but the Tipperary club then lodged objections against six of the Pike players on the grounds that they were ineligible to take part in the competition.
The objection concerned the movement of players from League of Ireland clubs back to junior football.
Originally, the FAI Junior Council heard that appeal and ordered a replay of the game. However, both Pike Rovers and St. Michael’s appealed that decision to the senior body.
The FAI’s decision effectively means that St. Michael’s will now take on Clonmel Town in the FAI Junior Cup semi-finals with a place in the final against Limerick’s Fairview Rangers up for grabs.
Prominent members of the Pike Rovers club are furious that the FAI made their decision based on the ineligibility of a player during the earlier rounds of the competition.
St. Michael’s lodged an objection concerning their quarter-final clash, but the player in question was eligible for that particular game.
Effectively the Football Association of Ireland made their decision based on the fact that the player was illegal during the earlier rounds of the competition even though no objection was lodged concerning those particular games.
The Pike Rovers players were devastated by the FAI’s decision and their suffering was made all the more acute when the club learned that their Munster Junior Cup semi-final against Carrick United (scheduled for Sunday, April 18) would be postponed.
The Munster Junior Council have decided to await the result of the arbitration process before deciding on what action to take in relation to Pike Rovers’ involvement in that competition. To make matters worse for Pike Rovers there is also the possibility that the FAI decision could affect their Kilmurry Lodge Premier League campaign.
The Hoops are chasing a third consecutive Limerick District League title, but following the recent FAI decision it is understood that at least two local clubs have approached the LDMC requesting that they be awarded the points from their encounters with Pike Rovers this season.
BRIAN MCDONNELL
Showing posts with label fai junior cup. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fai junior cup. Show all posts
Monday, May 10, 2010
Monday, April 26, 2010
Pike await a date for FAI arbitration
PIKE Rovers are facing one of the most important periods in their history as the Limerick club prepares to enter arbitration following the FAI’s decision to throw the Hoops out of the FAI Junior Cup - Pike Rovers have submitted a letter to the FAI requesting an arbitration hearing with the national association expected to schedule that hearing within the next two weeks.
Almost a fortnight ago the defending District League champions were left reeling when news reached the club that the Football Association of Ireland had ruled against them and effectively thrown the Hoops out of the 2009-10 FAI Junior Cup at the semi-final stage.
Pike Rovers beat St. Michael’s 4-2 in the quarter-finals at Cooke Park, but the Tipperary club then lodged objections against six of the Pike players on the grounds that they were ineligible to take part in the competition.
The objection concerned the movement of players from League of Ireland clubs back to junior football.
Originally, the FAI Junior Council heard that appeal and ordered a replay of the game.
However, both Pike Rovers and St. Michael’s appealed that decision to the senior body. The FAI’s decision effectively means that St. Michael’s will now take on Clonmel Town in the FAI Junior Cup semi-finals with a place in the final against Limerick’s Fairview Rangers up for grabs.
Prominent members of the Pike Rovers club are furious that the FAI made their decision based on the ineligibility of a player during the earlier rounds of the competition.
St. Michael’s lodged an objection concerning their quarter-final clash, but the player in question was eligible for that particular game. Effectively the FAI made their decision based on the fact that the player was illegal during the earlier rounds of the competition even though no objection was lodged concerning those particular games.
The Pike Rovers players were devastated by the FAI’s decision and their suffering was made all the more acute when the club learned that their Munster Junior Cup semi-final against Carrick United (scheduled for Sunday, April 18) was postponed last week. The Munster Junior Council have decided to await the result of the arbitration process before deciding on what action to take in relation to Pike Rovers’ involvement in the Munster Junior Cup.
To make matters worse for Pike Rovers there is also the possibility that the FAI decision could affect their Kilmurry Lodge Premier League campaign. The Hoops are chasing a third consecutive league title, but following the recent FAI decision it is understood that at least two local clubs have approached the LDMC requesting that they be awarded the points from their encounters with Pike Rovers this season.
BRIAN MCDONNELL
Almost a fortnight ago the defending District League champions were left reeling when news reached the club that the Football Association of Ireland had ruled against them and effectively thrown the Hoops out of the 2009-10 FAI Junior Cup at the semi-final stage.
Pike Rovers beat St. Michael’s 4-2 in the quarter-finals at Cooke Park, but the Tipperary club then lodged objections against six of the Pike players on the grounds that they were ineligible to take part in the competition.
The objection concerned the movement of players from League of Ireland clubs back to junior football.
Originally, the FAI Junior Council heard that appeal and ordered a replay of the game.
However, both Pike Rovers and St. Michael’s appealed that decision to the senior body. The FAI’s decision effectively means that St. Michael’s will now take on Clonmel Town in the FAI Junior Cup semi-finals with a place in the final against Limerick’s Fairview Rangers up for grabs.
Prominent members of the Pike Rovers club are furious that the FAI made their decision based on the ineligibility of a player during the earlier rounds of the competition.
St. Michael’s lodged an objection concerning their quarter-final clash, but the player in question was eligible for that particular game. Effectively the FAI made their decision based on the fact that the player was illegal during the earlier rounds of the competition even though no objection was lodged concerning those particular games.
The Pike Rovers players were devastated by the FAI’s decision and their suffering was made all the more acute when the club learned that their Munster Junior Cup semi-final against Carrick United (scheduled for Sunday, April 18) was postponed last week. The Munster Junior Council have decided to await the result of the arbitration process before deciding on what action to take in relation to Pike Rovers’ involvement in the Munster Junior Cup.
To make matters worse for Pike Rovers there is also the possibility that the FAI decision could affect their Kilmurry Lodge Premier League campaign. The Hoops are chasing a third consecutive league title, but following the recent FAI decision it is understood that at least two local clubs have approached the LDMC requesting that they be awarded the points from their encounters with Pike Rovers this season.
BRIAN MCDONNELL
Monday, March 16, 2009
Fairview face an injury crisis
FAIRVIEW Rangers face an injury crisis with their FAI Junior Cup quarter-final clash against Mayo’s Erris United mere days away.
Fairview will host Erris United at the Fairgreen on Sunday (kick-off 2pm), but in the meantime manager Jason Purcell faces a potential nightmare scenario with both first-choice centre-halves, Brian Buckley and Martin Neary, struggling with injury.
But if anyone can guide Fairview through this difficult period it’s Purcell. Purcell won four FAI Junior Cups (1997, 1999, 2003 & 2004) with the ‘View and with another multiple medal winner Jimmy Sheehan helping out the management team have a wealth of experience to draw from - should Fairview Rangers beat Erris United this weekend they will then face the winner of the Bohemians-Ballymun United clash at home in the semi-finals.
Purcell, thanks to a prolonged playing career, has been taught plenty of salutary lessons on the subject of counting chickens and he won’t let his players take Erris United for granted - in the seventh round Erris United, who are based in Carne Nash near Belmullet, beat Kinsale FC away from home while they saw off the challenge of Limerick’s Pike Rovers (3-2) in the sixth.
“I’m hoping to talk to Declan Considine (Pike Rovers manager) during the week and to make contact with the Kinsale manager as well,” Jason Purcell told Leader Sport.
“I’d really like to know more about them. Usually I’d go to have a look at a team, but in Mayo they play summer soccer so I haven’t had a chance to do so. They’re only playing in the FAI and to be honest, with no competitive football, they’ve done exceptionally well to get this far.”
Although Fairview warmed up for this weekend with a 2-1 Lawson Cup win over Granville Rangers on Sunday their form in the Limerick District League has been disappointing. Rangers are well off the pace in the Kilmurry Lodge Premier League, but, in stark contrast, they have excelled in the FAI Junior Cup beating Evergreen (Kilkenny - 4-1), Redcastle (Donegal - 2-0) and Tipperary’s Rock Rovers (3-2) since they entered the open round (last 64).
“We’re playing well in the big games, but locally we’re not and I would be disappointed about that,” admitted Jason Purcell.
“We should be doing much better in the league, but we’re not. The club in general gets excited when the FAI games come along and I think that has a lot to do with the players’ performances. We’ve a good team, but it’s getting them to perform on a regular basis that’s the problem.”
The current Fairview side, featuring the brilliant Colm Heffernan in midfield, the tenacious Christy Doyle up front and a plethora of FAI Junior Cup medal winners in Paul Harmon, Trevor Cosgrove, Ross Cosgrove, Brian Buckley and Robbie Kelleher are already inspiring comparisons with Dermot Finnan’s all-conquering side. But, explains Jason Purcell, this current side is still a long way off scaling those heights and should not be burdened with too much expectation: “I think we were 4/6 favourites before the game against Evergreen (in the last 16) which was just ridiculous. We did win four-one, but we could have been two-nil down at half time. There are no favourites at this stage of a competition like this and there won’t be much between the teams on Sunday.
“Still though I’m really looking forward to the game - this is why I got involved with the team. I wanted to get the club back to this level because I felt it deserved to be there.”
Fairview Rangers became the first Limerick club to win the FAI Junior Cup when they beat Douglas at the Market’s Field in 1965.
The club then won six FAI Cups in eight extraordinary years - 1997, 1998, 1999, 2002, 2003 and 2004.
No Limerick club has won the FAI Junior Cup since Fairview’s three-nil triumph over Carrick United in the 2004 decider.
Brian McDonnell
Fairview will host Erris United at the Fairgreen on Sunday (kick-off 2pm), but in the meantime manager Jason Purcell faces a potential nightmare scenario with both first-choice centre-halves, Brian Buckley and Martin Neary, struggling with injury.
But if anyone can guide Fairview through this difficult period it’s Purcell. Purcell won four FAI Junior Cups (1997, 1999, 2003 & 2004) with the ‘View and with another multiple medal winner Jimmy Sheehan helping out the management team have a wealth of experience to draw from - should Fairview Rangers beat Erris United this weekend they will then face the winner of the Bohemians-Ballymun United clash at home in the semi-finals.
Purcell, thanks to a prolonged playing career, has been taught plenty of salutary lessons on the subject of counting chickens and he won’t let his players take Erris United for granted - in the seventh round Erris United, who are based in Carne Nash near Belmullet, beat Kinsale FC away from home while they saw off the challenge of Limerick’s Pike Rovers (3-2) in the sixth.
“I’m hoping to talk to Declan Considine (Pike Rovers manager) during the week and to make contact with the Kinsale manager as well,” Jason Purcell told Leader Sport.
“I’d really like to know more about them. Usually I’d go to have a look at a team, but in Mayo they play summer soccer so I haven’t had a chance to do so. They’re only playing in the FAI and to be honest, with no competitive football, they’ve done exceptionally well to get this far.”
Although Fairview warmed up for this weekend with a 2-1 Lawson Cup win over Granville Rangers on Sunday their form in the Limerick District League has been disappointing. Rangers are well off the pace in the Kilmurry Lodge Premier League, but, in stark contrast, they have excelled in the FAI Junior Cup beating Evergreen (Kilkenny - 4-1), Redcastle (Donegal - 2-0) and Tipperary’s Rock Rovers (3-2) since they entered the open round (last 64).
“We’re playing well in the big games, but locally we’re not and I would be disappointed about that,” admitted Jason Purcell.
“We should be doing much better in the league, but we’re not. The club in general gets excited when the FAI games come along and I think that has a lot to do with the players’ performances. We’ve a good team, but it’s getting them to perform on a regular basis that’s the problem.”
The current Fairview side, featuring the brilliant Colm Heffernan in midfield, the tenacious Christy Doyle up front and a plethora of FAI Junior Cup medal winners in Paul Harmon, Trevor Cosgrove, Ross Cosgrove, Brian Buckley and Robbie Kelleher are already inspiring comparisons with Dermot Finnan’s all-conquering side. But, explains Jason Purcell, this current side is still a long way off scaling those heights and should not be burdened with too much expectation: “I think we were 4/6 favourites before the game against Evergreen (in the last 16) which was just ridiculous. We did win four-one, but we could have been two-nil down at half time. There are no favourites at this stage of a competition like this and there won’t be much between the teams on Sunday.
“Still though I’m really looking forward to the game - this is why I got involved with the team. I wanted to get the club back to this level because I felt it deserved to be there.”
Fairview Rangers became the first Limerick club to win the FAI Junior Cup when they beat Douglas at the Market’s Field in 1965.
The club then won six FAI Cups in eight extraordinary years - 1997, 1998, 1999, 2002, 2003 and 2004.
No Limerick club has won the FAI Junior Cup since Fairview’s three-nil triumph over Carrick United in the 2004 decider.
Brian McDonnell
Monday, March 09, 2009
Fairview heartened by FAI home draw
DESPITE losing their critical Kilmurry Lodge Premier League clash with Pike Rovers on Sunday morning Fairview Rangers will be heartened by a home draw in the quarter-finals of the FAI Junior Cup.
Fairview, to keep their hopes of challenging for the Premier League title alive, desperately needed to beat the league leaders, but they lost 1-2 and now find themselves six points behind while Rovers also hold a game in hand on the ‘View.
Ironically Fairview have been drawn at home against Erris United (Mayo), the side that knocked Pike Rovers out of the FAI Junior Cup, in the quarter-finals while, should they win that encounter, they will also enjoy home advantage against Bohemians FC (Waterford) or Ballymun United in the semi-finals.
In the remaining quarter-final ties Clonmel Town will host Sheriff YC while St. Peter’s will host Lisselton Celtic or City United - all four quarter-finals will take place on March 22 while the semi-finals are fixed for April 5.
In the seventh round Erris United made the 540-kilometre round-trip to face and beat Kinsale (2-1) while Fairview beat Kilkenny side Evergreen 4-1. The sixth round saw Fairview beat Redcastle (Donegal) 2-0 while Erris United beat Pike Rovers 3-2 in Mayo. In the fifth round Erris United beat Dublin Bus while Fairview saw off Tipperary’s Rock Rovers (3-2).
Erris United are is based at Carne Nash, near Belmullet.
Limerick FC slumped to their first defeat of the season at the Belfield Bowl on Friday night when they lost 2-1 at the hands of UCD.
Limerick struggled to contain a young UCD side and didn’t muster their first shot on target until the 86th minute, but the side, now jointly-managed by Paul O’Donnell and Mick Shiels until March 25, stuck to their task and kept the students at bay in the first half. UCD broke the deadlock in the 57th minute when Ciaran Kilduff opened the scoring while Chris Mulhall added a second in the 73rd minute. Limerick did manage a late Paul Cummins strike (91st minute), but ultimately UCD deserved all three points.
Despite that defeat the Super Blues are eagerly looking forward to this Friday night’s clash with Mervue United at Jackman Park (kick-off 7.45pm).
Tommy Barrett, a stalwart of the side, was frustrated by the UCD result, but he is looking forward to the visit of the Galway city side to Jackman Park: “The UCD result was a bit frustrating, but we’ve had no real pre-season so we can’t get too upset about it. We’re looking forward to the game against Mervue, we’ll try to play good football and hopefully Limerick people will come out, like they did last season, to support us.”
Mervue United played their first-ever League of Ireland game against Athlone Town on Friday night at Terryland Park, but failed to mark that auspicious occasion with three points.
Mervue United beat Kildare County 5-2 on aggregate last December to qualify for the First Division. That result should have brought Kildare County’s seven-year stint in the League of Ireland to an end, but the untimely demise of Cobh Ramblers has seen the Thoroughbreds also take their place in the First Division. Two former Super Blues, Nigel Keady and Dave Goldbey, could feature for Mervue at Jackman Park while the side is managed by Johnny Glynn. The Mervue United players returned from a pre-season trip to Spain recently and Johnny Glynn will be hoping that the likes of the former Galway United and Athlone Town striker David O’Dowd can earn his side the points against Limerick on Friday night.
Limerick FC however are more than capable of recording their first win of the season in their first home game and despite the poor result against UCD the Super Blues will be expected to see off the challenge of Mervue United.
Brian McDonnell
Fairview, to keep their hopes of challenging for the Premier League title alive, desperately needed to beat the league leaders, but they lost 1-2 and now find themselves six points behind while Rovers also hold a game in hand on the ‘View.
Ironically Fairview have been drawn at home against Erris United (Mayo), the side that knocked Pike Rovers out of the FAI Junior Cup, in the quarter-finals while, should they win that encounter, they will also enjoy home advantage against Bohemians FC (Waterford) or Ballymun United in the semi-finals.
In the remaining quarter-final ties Clonmel Town will host Sheriff YC while St. Peter’s will host Lisselton Celtic or City United - all four quarter-finals will take place on March 22 while the semi-finals are fixed for April 5.
In the seventh round Erris United made the 540-kilometre round-trip to face and beat Kinsale (2-1) while Fairview beat Kilkenny side Evergreen 4-1. The sixth round saw Fairview beat Redcastle (Donegal) 2-0 while Erris United beat Pike Rovers 3-2 in Mayo. In the fifth round Erris United beat Dublin Bus while Fairview saw off Tipperary’s Rock Rovers (3-2).
Erris United are is based at Carne Nash, near Belmullet.
Limerick FC slumped to their first defeat of the season at the Belfield Bowl on Friday night when they lost 2-1 at the hands of UCD.
Limerick struggled to contain a young UCD side and didn’t muster their first shot on target until the 86th minute, but the side, now jointly-managed by Paul O’Donnell and Mick Shiels until March 25, stuck to their task and kept the students at bay in the first half. UCD broke the deadlock in the 57th minute when Ciaran Kilduff opened the scoring while Chris Mulhall added a second in the 73rd minute. Limerick did manage a late Paul Cummins strike (91st minute), but ultimately UCD deserved all three points.
Despite that defeat the Super Blues are eagerly looking forward to this Friday night’s clash with Mervue United at Jackman Park (kick-off 7.45pm).
Tommy Barrett, a stalwart of the side, was frustrated by the UCD result, but he is looking forward to the visit of the Galway city side to Jackman Park: “The UCD result was a bit frustrating, but we’ve had no real pre-season so we can’t get too upset about it. We’re looking forward to the game against Mervue, we’ll try to play good football and hopefully Limerick people will come out, like they did last season, to support us.”
Mervue United played their first-ever League of Ireland game against Athlone Town on Friday night at Terryland Park, but failed to mark that auspicious occasion with three points.
Mervue United beat Kildare County 5-2 on aggregate last December to qualify for the First Division. That result should have brought Kildare County’s seven-year stint in the League of Ireland to an end, but the untimely demise of Cobh Ramblers has seen the Thoroughbreds also take their place in the First Division. Two former Super Blues, Nigel Keady and Dave Goldbey, could feature for Mervue at Jackman Park while the side is managed by Johnny Glynn. The Mervue United players returned from a pre-season trip to Spain recently and Johnny Glynn will be hoping that the likes of the former Galway United and Athlone Town striker David O’Dowd can earn his side the points against Limerick on Friday night.
Limerick FC however are more than capable of recording their first win of the season in their first home game and despite the poor result against UCD the Super Blues will be expected to see off the challenge of Mervue United.
Brian McDonnell
Tuesday, March 03, 2009
'It’s a real honour for us to play an international match in what is now a fabulous stadium'
THE visit of Australia to Thomond Park on August 12 next could be the first of three soccer internationals to be staged in Limerick inside the next 12 months.
Speaking in the home of Munster rugby yesterday, where he confirmed this summer’s international soccer friendly, John Delaney, Chief Executive Officer of the Football Association of Ireland, said that further dates were available for soccer internationals in Limerick.
“It’s one of a couple of internationals that we would like to play over a course of time,” Delaney told Leader Sport when announcing the visit of the Socceroos.
“There are some dates that we can look at and with dates available we will now look for opposition.
“We will look at other dates - there could be one in September and one in the New Year,” said the FAI’s CEO.
September 9 is a possible date for the second of three possible matches.
“We are away to Cyprus (September 5) and then there is a Wednesday that is free to us - we will talk to other opposition and Giovanni (Trapattoni),” explained Delaney.
“We had opportunities to play friendlies away in August, but when the possibility of playing in Thomond Park became available - the idea of coming here was something that you couldn’d but do,” explained Delaney.
“I am very happy to have reached this agreement with Thomond Park Stadium. I thank the stadium’s management and board for their foresight in opening up Thomond Park to other sports which will enable us to bring senior international football to Limerick for the first time. Thomond Park is a great sporting venue and we look forward to an exciting game against Australia in August.”
Delaney said that he expects a capacity crowd of 26,000.
“When you have football stars like Robbie Keane, Damien Duff, Richard Dunne, Shay Given and Giovanni Trapattoni coming down as manager with Tardelli and Liam Brady, it’s a huge attraction. When it was first mooted about a month ago that there was the possibility of a game being played here, the reaction was huge - we were rang every day to know when it was on and who we were playing,” outlined Delaney.
Pim Verbeek’s Australian side is currently ranked 27th in the FIFA world rankings, two places above the Republic of Ireland.
The Socceroos are likely to include the likes of Scott McDonald (Celtic), Harry Kewell (Galatasaray) and Tim Cahill (Everton).
“This completes the hat-trick - Australia have played here in rugby, they are coming for the International Rules in October and now the soccer,” said Delaney, who was visiting Thomond Park for the first time since its re-development.
“It’s a real honour for us to play an international match in what is now a fabulous stadium,” he said.
The FAI are set to meet with the University of Limerick regarding the possibility of using the university facilities for training purposes.
“I met Dave Mahedy at the rugby match on Saturday and I am sure that he would love us to be out there - we play our Kennedy Cup out there every year. It would be the ideal venue for the players to train.
“We haven’t spoken to any hotels yet, but with the Castletroy Park now open, something like that would work very well,” said the CEO.
John Delaney also confirmed that Thomond Park could be used if the FAI and the IFA proceed with proposals to co-host the 2013 European under-21 championships.
“We have spoken to the IFA on a number of occasions and spoke with them yesterday (Sunday) about co-hosting a European under-21 tournament together. That has become a big tournament and it is something that we had agreed to co-bid before with the IFA, but they couldn’t meet stadium criteria,” explained Delaney.
“It is now a possibility with Thomond, the Aviva Stadium and Tallaght, which will have 6,200 seats by June,” he outlined.
The IFA would offer Windsor Park or a re-developed Brandywell.
Jerome O'Connell
Speaking in the home of Munster rugby yesterday, where he confirmed this summer’s international soccer friendly, John Delaney, Chief Executive Officer of the Football Association of Ireland, said that further dates were available for soccer internationals in Limerick.
“It’s one of a couple of internationals that we would like to play over a course of time,” Delaney told Leader Sport when announcing the visit of the Socceroos.
“There are some dates that we can look at and with dates available we will now look for opposition.
“We will look at other dates - there could be one in September and one in the New Year,” said the FAI’s CEO.
September 9 is a possible date for the second of three possible matches.
“We are away to Cyprus (September 5) and then there is a Wednesday that is free to us - we will talk to other opposition and Giovanni (Trapattoni),” explained Delaney.
“We had opportunities to play friendlies away in August, but when the possibility of playing in Thomond Park became available - the idea of coming here was something that you couldn’d but do,” explained Delaney.
“I am very happy to have reached this agreement with Thomond Park Stadium. I thank the stadium’s management and board for their foresight in opening up Thomond Park to other sports which will enable us to bring senior international football to Limerick for the first time. Thomond Park is a great sporting venue and we look forward to an exciting game against Australia in August.”
Delaney said that he expects a capacity crowd of 26,000.
“When you have football stars like Robbie Keane, Damien Duff, Richard Dunne, Shay Given and Giovanni Trapattoni coming down as manager with Tardelli and Liam Brady, it’s a huge attraction. When it was first mooted about a month ago that there was the possibility of a game being played here, the reaction was huge - we were rang every day to know when it was on and who we were playing,” outlined Delaney.
Pim Verbeek’s Australian side is currently ranked 27th in the FIFA world rankings, two places above the Republic of Ireland.
The Socceroos are likely to include the likes of Scott McDonald (Celtic), Harry Kewell (Galatasaray) and Tim Cahill (Everton).
“This completes the hat-trick - Australia have played here in rugby, they are coming for the International Rules in October and now the soccer,” said Delaney, who was visiting Thomond Park for the first time since its re-development.
“It’s a real honour for us to play an international match in what is now a fabulous stadium,” he said.
The FAI are set to meet with the University of Limerick regarding the possibility of using the university facilities for training purposes.
“I met Dave Mahedy at the rugby match on Saturday and I am sure that he would love us to be out there - we play our Kennedy Cup out there every year. It would be the ideal venue for the players to train.
“We haven’t spoken to any hotels yet, but with the Castletroy Park now open, something like that would work very well,” said the CEO.
John Delaney also confirmed that Thomond Park could be used if the FAI and the IFA proceed with proposals to co-host the 2013 European under-21 championships.
“We have spoken to the IFA on a number of occasions and spoke with them yesterday (Sunday) about co-hosting a European under-21 tournament together. That has become a big tournament and it is something that we had agreed to co-bid before with the IFA, but they couldn’t meet stadium criteria,” explained Delaney.
“It is now a possibility with Thomond, the Aviva Stadium and Tallaght, which will have 6,200 seats by June,” he outlined.
The IFA would offer Windsor Park or a re-developed Brandywell.
Jerome O'Connell
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Newspaper coverage doesn’t make sense!
A man I know places Moses’ 40-year trek across the Sinai in the shade; his efforts to guide the fortunes of junior and schoolboy football in Limerick dwarfs that biblical character’s commitment to the cause. And what thanks does he get for it, well very little - at least Moses’ got his hands on the Ten Commandments.
My man doesn’t mind though, he loves what he’s doing, but he does have a point to make: he believes the coverage of soccer in Ireland is utterly skewed.
Here’s his point: next week in Leader Sport we will attempt to make a fuss about the launch of the 2009 Eircom League season in general and Limerick FC in particular. On Friday night Limerick will travel to Belfield to take on UCD in their opening game of the season and will probably take a 20-man squad to Dublin.
But here’s the rub: despite the attention we will foist on Limerick FC for the remainder of the season the involvement of those players will only represent 1% of the total number of players taking to the soccer fields of Limerick on a given weekend. This weekend, between junior and schoolboy football, 153 games will take place in Limerick. So if you assume that 22 players start every game with a possible six players introduced as substitutes you have 2,142 kicking a ball in anger.
Now although Leader Sport makes a genuine effort to cover junior and schoolboy soccer on Shannonside as best it can, the figures suggest we should be trying harder. Indeed the media as a whole should be trying harder.
Every week the national newspapers are flooded with coverage of the English Premier League and while they often fail to do the domestic league (Eircom League) justice they often ignore junior and schoolboy soccer completely.
Tomorrow, right here in Limerick, you can sample what junior soccer is all about by toddling along to what promises to be one of the most entertaining games of the season when Janesboro (starring Shane Clarke who is pictured above) take on Clonmel Town in the last 16 of the FAI Junior Cup at Pearse Stadium (2.30pm).
Put those eyebrows down immediately. This is going to be a serious game with the winners claiming their place in the last eight of the biggest amateur soccer tournament in Europe (680 teams entered).
Don’t bother watching the Carling Cup final - for God’s sake you know Man United are going to win the damn thing. Get along to Pearse Stadium and give it a go, I guarantee you won’t be disappointed!
Brian McDonnell
My man doesn’t mind though, he loves what he’s doing, but he does have a point to make: he believes the coverage of soccer in Ireland is utterly skewed.
Here’s his point: next week in Leader Sport we will attempt to make a fuss about the launch of the 2009 Eircom League season in general and Limerick FC in particular. On Friday night Limerick will travel to Belfield to take on UCD in their opening game of the season and will probably take a 20-man squad to Dublin.
But here’s the rub: despite the attention we will foist on Limerick FC for the remainder of the season the involvement of those players will only represent 1% of the total number of players taking to the soccer fields of Limerick on a given weekend. This weekend, between junior and schoolboy football, 153 games will take place in Limerick. So if you assume that 22 players start every game with a possible six players introduced as substitutes you have 2,142 kicking a ball in anger.
Now although Leader Sport makes a genuine effort to cover junior and schoolboy soccer on Shannonside as best it can, the figures suggest we should be trying harder. Indeed the media as a whole should be trying harder.
Every week the national newspapers are flooded with coverage of the English Premier League and while they often fail to do the domestic league (Eircom League) justice they often ignore junior and schoolboy soccer completely.
Tomorrow, right here in Limerick, you can sample what junior soccer is all about by toddling along to what promises to be one of the most entertaining games of the season when Janesboro (starring Shane Clarke who is pictured above) take on Clonmel Town in the last 16 of the FAI Junior Cup at Pearse Stadium (2.30pm).
Put those eyebrows down immediately. This is going to be a serious game with the winners claiming their place in the last eight of the biggest amateur soccer tournament in Europe (680 teams entered).
Don’t bother watching the Carling Cup final - for God’s sake you know Man United are going to win the damn thing. Get along to Pearse Stadium and give it a go, I guarantee you won’t be disappointed!
Brian McDonnell
Monday, December 22, 2008
2009: What happens when you stare into a crystal ball for an inordinate amount of time?
In terms of drama and black comedy 2008 has raised the bar and it may prove difficult for 2009 to match the events of the last twelve months. But, as we look into the crystal ball, we can do so with the confidence that anything, in Limerick sport at least, is truly possible . . .
January
Munster crush the Sale Sharks to advance to the knock-out stages of the Heineken Cup. The FAI throws €2 million at the Market’s Field and senior soccer returns to that famous old ground.
February
The hurlers and footballers begin their respective league campaigns in rare form and just for the crack win a couple of games.
March
Árdscoil Rís stun the entire province winning the Dr. Harty Cup for Limerick and in the process beat Thurles CBS (a bunch of cocky Tipperary lads) in the final. The Eircom League kicks off, the new single-division Eircom League mind, with Limerick thrashing Shamrock Rovers to within an inch of their lives (9-0) at the Market’s Field.
April
Darren Sutherland (who obviously thinks he smells sweeter than most) takes on Andy Lee at the UL Arena. Lee makes Sutherland suffer for a while before knocking the Olympic bronze medallist into the following week. Garryowen complete an emotional year when they win the AIL Division One title beating Cork Con in the final.
May
Before hammering Leinster in the Heineken Cup final Munster beat Leinster with a last minute try to also win the Magners League. On the last day of the English Premier League season Lee J Lynch scores a hat-trick against Liverpool which helps Albion avoid relegation and denies Liverpool the title. The Limerick hurlers, as they prepare to face Waterford in the league final, come up with a devious plan: they throw that game and then surprise the Déise in the Munster semi-final - obviously they go on to beat Tipperary in the provincial decider.
June
Although Regional United win the Premier League Fairview Rangers steal their thunder winning the FAI Junior Cup with a superb 2-0 win against the all-conquering Killester United at Tolka Park. Incidentally Pike Rovers win the Munster Junior Cup as well. And, just for extra fun, the Desmond League win the Oscar Traynor Trophy for the second consecutive season.
July
Limerick’s footballing men stun the entire province and streak to their first Munster title since 1896. Conor Niland shocks the tennis world by qualifying for the first round proper of Wimbledon and then beating the highly-annoying Andy Murray. Niland is then struck down by injury in the quarter-finals when the Limerick star has Andy Roddick on the ropes.
August
The hurlers, drawn against Kilkenny after the Cats incredibly lose the Leinster final to Anthony Daly’s Dublin, beat Brian Cody’s side in a bloodbath in Thurles and happily clear the way for a Tipperary side, stung by their defeat to Limerick in the Munster final, to go on and win the All-Ireland.
September
The Limerick footballers, who celebrated a tad too much after winning their first provincial title in 103 years, are beaten by Mayo in the All-Ireland final.
October
Although Limerick have won their first Munster title since 1996 the County Board incredibly sack Justin McCarthy and the interview process begins to select a new manager. Adare win the county hurling final, again.
November
Drom-Broadford, after successfully defending their county championship, face and beat Nemo Rangers (again) in the provincial final. Adare, making up for their defeat in the 2008 Munster final at the hands of De La Salle, thrash Toomevara in the Munster hurling final.
December
After a competent season in the Eircom League Limerick 37 see off Cork City in the FAI Cup final. Andy Lee and John Duddy clash for the world middleweight title in Las Vegas. Duddy tries hard, but Lee does enough to stop Duddy in the ninth round.
Brian McDonnell
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