- See also: FAI Premier Division and FAI First Division
The FAI eircom League of Ireland (Irish: Curadh na hÉireann Cumann Peile na hÉireann) is the Republic of Ireland's new national football league system created following the merging of the FAI and the League of Ireland. It is a revamped continuation of the old league. The merger brought an end to the administration system that was inaugurated in 1921 and run by the league's clubs. It replaced it with a new one under the sole auspices of the FAI. As planned, the league contains a total of 22 clubs (20 from the old League of Ireland system and 2 new clubs - Wexford Youths F.C. and Limerick 37 - to replace the now defunct Dublin City FC as well as Limerick FC who failed to receive a First Division licence on appeal) split into the 12-teamed Premier Division and the 10-teamed FAI First Division. The league is due to kick off in March 2007. There had initially been worries that the First Division would have to kick off with just 8 teams if 2 new suitable replacements could not be found in time to fill the empty slots. The FAI eircom League of Ireland Premier Division (or eircom League Premier, as commonly referred to in the media and by the public) is the top tier of the Republic of Irelands new national football league created following the merging of the FAI and the League of Ireland. ...
The FAI First Division is the second tier of the Republic of Irelands new FAI National League created following the merging of the FAI and the League of Ireland. ...
Image File history File links Current_sport. ...
The clubs competing in the 2007 FAI eircom League of Ireland. ...
Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ...
A player (wearing the red kit) has penetrated the defence (in the white kit) and is taking a shot at goal. ...
// For an extensive coverage see 2006 in athletics (track and field) May 12 — Justin Gatlin equals the 100m world record. ...
Image File history File links Flag_of_Ireland. ...
Image File history File links Flag_of_the_United_Kingdom. ...
Shelbourne can refer to : Shelbourne, a neighbourhood in Dublin, Ireland. ...
The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) is the organising body for the sport of association football (soccer) in the Republic of Ireland. ...
The Football League of Ireland, usually known simply as the League of Ireland or the eircom League (from the leagues sponsorship by Irish telecommunications company eircom), is a league of football clubs in Ireland. ...
Wexford Youths Football Club are an Irish football club from Wexford who compete in the First Division of the FAI National League. ...
Limerick 37 FC is the name conferred upon a Limerick-based football club formed by members of the Soccer Limerick consortium to represent the city in 2007s edition of the FAI National League of Ireland. ...
Dublin City FC is a Irish football club playing in the Football League of Ireland. ...
Limerick FC is a Irish football club playing in the Football League of Ireland. ...
The FAI First Division is the second tier of the Republic of Irelands new FAI National League created following the merging of the FAI and the League of Ireland. ...
The FAI eircom League of Ireland Premier Division (or eircom League Premier, as commonly referred to in the media and by the public) is the top tier of the Republic of Irelands new national football league created following the merging of the FAI and the League of Ireland. ...
The FAI First Division is the second tier of the Republic of Irelands new FAI National League created following the merging of the FAI and the League of Ireland. ...
The new league will be managed and marketed entirely by the FAI and improved standards are expected. All clubs participating in the old league were invited to apply for inclusion in the new Premier Division. Those that did not make the cut will play in the FAI First Division, so long as they are in possession of the required licence.
The league includes one club from Northern Ireland, Derry City. Derry City formerly played in the Irish Football League, but was forced to leave that league following the 1972-73 season because of safety and security concerns. Derry City joined the Republic's league at the second level in 1985, after a special dispensation from the Irish Football Association (IFA) and UEFA. It won promotion in 1987, and has stayed in the top flight ever since, being granted entry to the new Premier Division recently also. No teams from the Republic play in the northern league. Northern Ireland is a part of the United Kingdom lying in the northeast of the island of Ireland, covering 5,459 square miles (14,139 km², about a sixth of the islands total area). ...
Derry City F.C. are an Irish football club based in the city of Derry. ...
Official logo of the Carnegie Premier League. ...
Year 1973 (MCMLXXIII) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar) of the 1973 Gregorian calendar. ...
The Irish Football Association (IFA) is the organising body for football in Northern Ireland. ...
The Union of European Football Associations, almost always referred to by the acronym UEFA (pronounced (you-AY-fuh) or (oo-Ay-fuh) or ), is the administrative and controlling body for European football. ...
Chairman and promotional officers
At the final AGM of the League of Ireland on Friday 8 December 2006, out-going eircom League chairman Paddy McCaul was voted in unopposed as the FAI's new league chairman.[1] He went on to describe the new venture as "the dawn of a new era". The Football League of Ireland, usually known simply as the League of Ireland or the Eircom League (from the leagues sponsorship by Irish telcom Eircom), is a league of football clubs in the Republic of Ireland. ...
is the 342nd day of the year (343rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...
For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ...
A National Promotion Officer was also appointed with the role of promoting the league to the public throughout the country. The appointment of a League Director as well as the selection of local Club Promotion Officers to each of the 12 Premier Division clubs was left to a later date. During 2007, the FAI will make €120,000 available to Premier Division clubs in order to deploy Club Promotion Officers to market the club and all its activities at local level to boost revenue, attendances, interest in the game, links with other local clubs and organisations promoting soccer in the club's catchment area.
The Independent Assessment Group, their decision and resulting controversy On June 29 the clubs of the League of Ireland voted to accept John Delaney's proposals for change in the league system.1[2] The league make-up for 2007 onward would be decided by an Independent Assessment Group chaired by former FAI President Des Casey and appointed by the FAI. This group was to work from a set of pre-determined criteria for selection. Initially former footballer Niall Quinn was a member of the group before becoming manager of Sunderland. is the 180th day of the year (181st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...
The Football League of Ireland, usually known simply as the League of Ireland or the Eircom League (from the leagues sponsorship by Irish telcom Eircom), is a league of football clubs in the Republic of Ireland. ...
John Delaney is the chief executive of the Football Association of Ireland. ...
Niall John Quinn (Honorary) MBE (b. ...
Sunderland Association Football Club is a professional football club, based at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, in North-East England. ...
The decision of the Group was finally announced on 11 December in the Citywest Hotel, Dublin.[3] The 21 clubs which took part in the process were ranked on the basis of points scored as a result of their achievements over the past five seasons on the pitch and how they measured up against specific criteria covering areas such as infrastructure, governance, strategic planning, finance, youth development and marketing. Twelve football clubs were chosen to participate in the Premier Division. A large quantity of speculation surrounded this decision. It was certain that Shelbourne, Derry City, Drogheda United, Cork City, Bohemians, St. Patrick's Athletic, Longford Town, Sligo Rovers, Shamrock Rovers and UCD would feature. Bray Wanderers were next in line. That left one remaining place which was expected to be filled by either Waterford United, Galway United or Dundalk. Out of these three Galway United were selected to participate. December 11 is the 345th day of the year (346th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...
CityWest, formerly known as CityTel, provides wireline and cellular telephone and internet services in Prince Rupert, British Columbia. ...
The Spire at night WGS-84 (GPS) Coordinates: , Statistics Province: Leinster County: Dáil Éireann: Dublin Central, Dublin North Central, Dublin North East, Dublin North West, Dublin South Central, Dublin South East European Parliament: Dublin Dialling Code: 01, +353 1 Postal District(s): D1-24, D6W Area: 114. ...
Shelbourne Football Club is an Irish football club playing in the FAI National League. ...
Derry City F.C. are an Irish football club based in the city of Derry. ...
Drogheda United is an Irish football club playing in the Football League of Ireland. ...
Cork City F.C. is an Irish football (soccer) club playing in the Football League of Ireland. ...
Bohemian F.C. (Irish: An Cumann Peile Bóithéimeach), more commonly referred to as Bohemians, are an Irish soccer club playing in the Football League of Ireland. ...
St Patricks Athletic F.C. is a Irish football club playing in the Football League of Ireland. ...
Longford Town F.C. is an Irish football club playing in the Football League of Ireland. ...
Sligo Rovers F.C. (Irish: An Cumann Peile Ruagairà Shligigh) is an Irish football club playing in the Football League of Ireland. ...
Shamrock Rovers Football Club (Irish: Cumann Peile Ruagairà na Seamróige) are a football club from Dublin, Republic of Ireland. ...
University College Dublin Association Football Club is an Irish football club playing in the FAI League of Ireland. ...
Bray Wanderers A.F.C. is an Irish football club playing in the Football League of Ireland. ...
Waterford United is an Irish football club playing in the Football League of Ireland. ...
Galway United F.C. was founded as Galway Rovers in 1937. ...
Dundalk Football Club are an Irish football club based Dundalk, County Louth. ...
Galway United had issued a statement on their website prior to the official announcement that claimed they would be playing in the Premier Division but the club then said that it was only a conclusion they themselves reached after carrying out their own assessment of criteria. Their geographical status and facilities strengthened their case for inclusion.
The final selection sparked controversy in Dundalk. Despite the fact that Dundalk FC had won what they perceived to be or believed should have been the annual promotion/relegation Play-Off, and what would have been a promotion/relegation game in any other normal season, in November 2006, they were one of the teams omitted from the 2007 FAI Premier Division and were, instead, chosen to play in the FAI First Division. Dundalk, however, argued that they had a right to compete in the Premier Division following their Play-Off defeat of Waterford United. "What was the point of the league taking our players and fans all the way down to Waterford if it counted for nothing?", questioned one official even though they were one of the clubs to vote for the FAI's new proposals earlier in 2006. Dundalk's protests had no real weight, however, as the 2006 season's game had never been billed as a promotion/relegation fixture. Furthermore, the claim that the game counted for nothing was technically incorrect - the Play-Off's purpose was solely to decide which teams were to be positioned in 12th and 13th place within the overall season standings of all 21 clubs for the purpose of the IAG's process and their dispensing of assessment points, and thus, it did contribute points to Dundalk's final assessment tally. However, that was little consolation. The difference between the two positions of 12th and 13th was a mere point anyway, which in the grand scheme of things did not make a significant difference to the final decision of the IAG. Although the game did count for something, it counted for very little and verged on pointlessness. Meanwhile, Galway United, who finished the season in 3rd place behind Dundalk's 2nd were chosen for the Premier Division. This infuriated Dundalk fans and on 13 December 2006 a disgruntled fan protested the Independent Assessment Group's decision by entering the headquarters of the FAI in Dublin and dousing the reception area in petrol whilst threatening to set it alight. After about an hour the stand-off that developed ended peacefullly.[4] After a subsequent meeting with the FAI, Dundalk's CEO, Gerry Matthews, expressed his satisfaction with the process, which he viewed to be above board.[5] WGS-84 (GPS) Coordinates: 54. ...
The FAI eircom League of Ireland Premier Division (or eircom League Premier, as commonly referred to in the media and by the public) is the top tier of the Republic of Irelands new national football league created following the merging of the FAI and the League of Ireland. ...
The FAI First Division is the second tier of the Republic of Irelands new FAI National League created following the merging of the FAI and the League of Ireland. ...
Waterford United is a Irish football club playing in the Football League of Ireland. ...
Galway United FC was founded as Galway Rovers in 1937. ...
December 13 is the 347th day of the year (348th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...
For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ...
The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) is the organising body for the sport of association football (soccer) in the Republic of Ireland. ...
The Spire at night WGS-84 (GPS) Coordinates: , Statistics Province: Leinster County: Dáil Éireann: Dublin Central, Dublin North Central, Dublin North East, Dublin North West, Dublin South Central, Dublin South East European Parliament: Dublin Dialling Code: 01, +353 1 Postal District(s): D1-24, D6W Area: 114. ...
Ranking system Entry into the FAI Premier Division was determined by the ranking in points of the former League of Ireland teams by the Independent Assessment Group conforming to a number of selection criteria. The twelve highest ranked teams were entered into the FAI Premier Division for 2007, while the remainder made up the FAI First Division. The FAI eircom League of Ireland Premier Division (or eircom League Premier, as commonly referred to in the media and by the public) is the top tier of the Republic of Irelands new national football league created following the merging of the FAI and the League of Ireland. ...
The Football League of Ireland, usually known simply as the League of Ireland or the Eircom League (from the leagues sponsorship by Irish telcom Eircom), is a league of football clubs in the Republic of Ireland. ...
The FAI First Division is the second tier of the Republic of Irelands new FAI National League created following the merging of the FAI and the League of Ireland. ...
Entry criteria and points allocation There is a 50-50 sporting/non-sporting breakdown to reinforce the FAI's position that on and off-pitch standards are of equal importance. | Criteria | Scoring | Detailed Breakdown / Notes | | 2002/03 - 2005 Seasons | 30% | Performances across the league, cups and European competition in the 2002/03; 2003; 2004 and 2005 playing seasons were scored in accordance with the system approved. Tallied points equated to rankings from 1 to 21 and scoring points were allocated from 300 pts. through to 90 pts. | | 2006 Season | 20% | FIFA system was used as a template. Total points gained across all competitions during the season were tallied and used to rank clubs from 1 to 21. Scoring points were assigned against rank from 200 pts. for the club ranked 1st through to 67 pts. for the club ranked 21st as follows:
200 - 193 - 187 - 180 - 173 - 167 - 160 - 153 - 147 - 140 - 133 - 127 - 120 - 113 - 107 - 100 - 93 - 87 - 80 - 73 - 67 | | Infrastructure | 10% | Considerations here included: Safe-holding (minimum of 3,000), unencumbered access, ownership, long-term lessee, number of covered seats, plans regarding infrastructure development, etc.
Long-term view: Club Infrastructure Development Plan (CIDP) = 60 pts.
Immediate view: Stadium certificate = 40 pts. | | Governance and Finance | 15% | Only those applicants eligible to apply for an 'A' licence were considered for the assessment process.
Governance: Organisational Structure / Suitability / Business plan / Stability / Ownership / Board and Roles = 50 pts.
Finance: Controls, Health Check, Status, etc. = 100 pts | | Sustainability: Benchmarking, Youth Development and Strategic Planning | 15% | Benchmarking was based on licensing compliance record (i.e. 3-year trends) and provided the Independent Assessment Group with a clear picture of the applicant’s performance against the licensing requirements. It also provided a good indication as to progress made and the future sustainability/governance/infrastructure of applicants. The benchmarking process was carried out by the Licensing Unit and monitored by the Licensing Committee. Each applicant was asked to submit its strategy for the continuing development of its organisation. Club representatives were invited to meet with the IAG. The outcomes of the one-to-one meetings and the comprehensive analysis of the material provided allowed the IAG to form an opinion and allocate a score.
Benchmarking: Licensing compliance record = 30 pts. (10 pts. per year 04, 05 and 06)
Youth Development = 50 pts.
Previous performance (e.g. Evidence / Rollout of Technical Development plan) = 20 pts.
Plans for 07 (as per Licensing Requirements) = 10 pts.
Plans for the Future = 20 pts.
Each club was invited to meet the IAG (between 18-20 October) to discuss its strategy for development. Presentations and material provided = 70 pts. | | Target Markets, Population Densities and Attendance Figures | 10% | Population data was used to highlight densities against existing clubs and the trends in their attendance rates. Those applicants, who stood alone in areas of large target markets and who have established a solid base of support as indicated by their consolidated attendance figures were allocated high scores in this category.
Top Attendances (Average of Three Seasons) = 30 pts.
Attendances weighted against league standings to recognise success in promoting club in challenging environment = 30 pts.
Future Plans = 40 pts.
|
Participation licences Participation by teams was also subject to the granting of specific participation licences. Participation in the Premier Division is subject to the attaining of an 'A' licence, while participation in the First Division is subject to the attaining of a 'B' licence. Currently, 12 clubs have been granted 'A' licences and 8 clubs have been designated 'B' licences. The licence system is compulsory under UEFA rules and sets a lower caliber threshold for participation in an attempt to maintain a consistent standard of quality, as well as promote development. The Union of European Football Associations, almost always referred to by the acronym UEFA (pronounced (you-AY-fuh) or (oo-Ay-fuh) or ), is the administrative and controlling body for European football. ...
Participation agreement In order to receive a participation licence, clubs must have signed a participation agreement, which is based on contractual principles. The participation agreement comprises a contract and 4 schedules. The schedules are detailed rules and regulations governing the operation of such matters as: - League Rules
- Club Licensing
- Commercial Rules
- Anti-Doping
Each rule/condition is supported by a governing/quasi-legal infrastructure allowing for critical aspects of the management of this agreement to be discharged consistently and fairly. The disciplinary infrastructure allows for charges to be proffered/complaints made, sanctions imposed, appeals heard and disputes resolved. In the event that a dispute arises, the process to be followed will be clear and in accordance with FAI Rules 28 and 29, which covers the areas of appeals and arbitration. The FAI National League Committee will be directed under its terms of reference to seek to mediate and come to an agreed solution as soon as possible in the event of a dispute. However, certain matters such as fixtures will not be subject to appeals.
Selection of clubs for inaugural season | Clubs chosen to compete in the Premier Division: Image File history File links Size of this preview: 474 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (632 × 800 pixel, file size: 607 KB, MIME type: image/png) Clubs competing in the 2007 FAI Premier and First Divisions. ...
| The remainder of clubs will play in the First Division: Bohemian FC This is a copyrighted and/or trademarked logo. ...
Bohemian F.C. (Irish: An Cumann Peile Bóithéimeach), more commonly referred to as Bohemians, are an Irish soccer club playing in the Football League of Ireland. ...
Image File history File links Bray Wanderers F.C. crest File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ...
Bray Wanderers A.F.C. is an Irish football club playing in the Football League of Ireland. ...
Image File history File links Cork_City_FC.png Logo of Cork City F.C. File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ...
Cork City F.C. is an Irish football (soccer) club playing in the Football League of Ireland. ...
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Derry City F.C. are an Irish football club based in the city of Derry. ...
Image File history File links Drogheda United FC File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ...
Drogheda United is an Irish football club playing in the Football League of Ireland. ...
Image File history File links GalwayUnited. ...
Galway United F.C. was founded as Galway Rovers in 1937. ...
Image File history File links LongfordTown. ...
Longford Town F.C. is an Irish football club playing in the Football League of Ireland. ...
Image File history File links Shamrock Rovers FC File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ...
Shamrock Rovers Football Club (Irish: Cumann Peile Ruagairà na Seamróige) are a football club from Dublin, Republic of Ireland. ...
Image File history File links SligoRovers. ...
Sligo Rovers F.C. (Irish: An Cumann Peile Ruagairà Shligigh) is an Irish football club playing in the Football League of Ireland. ...
Image File history File links St. ...
St Patricks Athletic F.C. is a Irish football club playing in the Football League of Ireland. ...
Image File history File links Adopted August 2005 by University College Dublin. ...
University College Dublin Association Football Club is an Irish football club playing in the FAI League of Ireland. ...
Image File history File links WaterfordUnited. ...
Waterford United is an Irish football club playing in the Football League of Ireland. ...
| Image File history File links AthloneTown. ...
Athlone Town A.F.C. is a Irish football club playing in the Football League of Ireland. ...
Image File history File links Cobhramblers. ...
Cobh Ramblers Football Club (CRFC) is an Irish football club playing in the Football League of Ireland. ...
Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ...
Dundalk Football Club are an Irish football club based Dundalk, County Louth. ...
Image File history File links FinnHarps. ...
Finn Harps F.C. is an Irish football club playing in the Football League of Ireland. ...
Kildare County FC This is a copyrighted and/or trademarked logo. ...
Kildare County F.C. is an Irish football club playing in the Football League of Ireland. ...
Image File history File links Kilkennycity. ...
Kilkenny City F.C. is an Irish football club playing in the Eircom League Divison 1. ...
Image File history File linksMetadata No higher resolution available. ...
Image File history File linksMetadata No higher resolution available. ...
Limerick 37 FC is the name conferred upon a Limerick-based football club formed by members of the Soccer Limerick consortium to represent the city in 2007s edition of the FAI National League of Ireland. ...
Image File history File links Monutd. ...
Monaghan United F.C. is an Irish football club playing in the Football League of Ireland. ...
Shelbourne FC crest This is a copyrighted and/or trademarked logo. ...
Shelbourne Football Club is an Irish football club playing in the FAI National League. ...
Wexford Youths Football Club are an Irish football club from Wexford who compete in the First Division of the FAI National League. ...
Two new clubs Following on from Dublin City's withdrawal from the League of Ireland Premier Division in the middle of the 2006 season, the number of clubs in the old league was reduced to twenty-one (eleven in the old Premier Division). This left an extra gap to fill which was taken by a club that would have otherwise played in the new FAI First Division. That in turn required a new club to be accepted into the league to fill the slot and make up the numbers in the First Division. Dublin City F.C. was an Irish football club playing in the Football League of Ireland. ...
The FAI First Division is the second tier of the Republic of Irelands new FAI National League created following the merging of the FAI and the League of Ireland. ...
Furthermore, on 15 December 2006 it was revealed that Limerick FC, who were benchmarked to play in the First Division for the 2007 season subject to a successful licence appeal, were not granted the requisite licence by the FAI's Club Licensing First Instance Committee. They appealed to the Club Licensing Appeal Board but the initial decision was upheld.[6] The club licensing process governed by UEFA has been in operation since 2004 and sets out to ensure certain minimum standards are in place at every club. With almost €4,000 in outstanding fines, a below-par youth system and no stadium, as a long-term lease on Hogan Park had not been agreed, Limerick FC's league involvement came to the end of the road. The ruling meant that Limerick, the Republic's third largest city, could have been without a senior soccer side for the 2007 season - a first in 70 years - but John Delaney, the FAI's chief executive, although disappointed, urged prospective applicants from the area to make a case for inclusion in the new FAI-run league. Eager to welcome applications for a licence from other clubs in the Limerick area, he stated, "We want a healthy Limerick based club in the new eircom League of Ireland and if interested entities seek a licence, we would assess them carefully for their suitability to meet the criteria required to play in the league." is the 349th day of the year (350th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...
For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ...
Limerick FC is a Irish football club playing in the Football League of Ireland. ...
The Union of European Football Associations, almost always referred to by the acronym UEFA (pronounced (you-AY-fuh) or (oo-Ay-fuh) or ), is the administrative and controlling body for European football. ...
WGS-84 (GPS) Coordinates: , Irish Grid Reference R574572 Statistics Province: Munster County: Area: 20. ...
John Delaney John Adrian Delaney (born June 29, 1956) is an American politician of the Republican Party. ...
The final identity of the possible two new clubs no longer remained unknown after it was announced on 6 February, 2007 that Wexford Youths F.C., were invited to partake. The establishment of this new side owed to a growing support for a senior club in County Wexford, led by millionaire construction magnate Mick Wallace.[7] It was also understood that a new entity, known as Limerick 37, had formed and applied with the intention of taking the place of Limerick FC in the First Division for the 2007 season. Outside of Limerick and Wexford, other early indications had pointed to a possible new club from the south or west, in particular County Mayo or County Kerry. If the FAI had not been successful in finding replacements due to a failure on the applicants part in meeting the required standard for entry, they may have had to start the 2007 season with only 8 First Division sides. February 6 is the 37th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ...
Wexford Youths Football Club are an Irish football club from Wexford who compete in the First Division of the FAI National League. ...
Statistics Province: Leinster County Town: Wexford Code: WX Area: 2,352 km² Population (2006) 131,615 Website: www. ...
Limerick 37 FC is the name conferred upon a Limerick-based football club formed by members of the Soccer Limerick consortium to represent the city in 2007s edition of the FAI National League of Ireland. ...
Statistics Province: Connacht County Town: Castlebar Code: MO Area: 5,397 km² Population (2006) 123,648 Website: www. ...
Statistics Province: Munster County Town: Tralee Code: KY Area: 4,746 km² Population (2006) 139,616 Website: www. ...
However, to add further complications to the beginning of the new season, Limerick FC chairman, Danny Drew, was granted an interim court injunction on 16 January 2007 stopping the introduction of any new clubs into the leagues. The injunction prevented the FAI from negotiating any contracts with any new entity to replace Limerick FC for a period. It was also believed that the injunction stopped the FAI from granting a licence to another new team and also prevented the participation agreement being signed by any of the proposed new national league sides which had applied for a licence. Worries were that the decision could have resulted in the formation of the new look Premier Division and First Division being put back while the case ran its course as initially the FAI had planned to have all clubs signed up to the participation agreement by 17 January 2007.[8] However, the case failed at the subsequent stage and it seemed only to have delayed the expected invitation of Limerick 37, who were eventually awarded with a First Division licence on 9 February 2007. is the 16th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ...
Year 2007 (MMVII) is now the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ...
January 17 is the 17th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ...
Year 2007 (MMVII) is now the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ...
is the 40th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ...
Year 2007 (MMVII) is now the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ...
Competition format, prize money, media coverage and sponsorship
Competition
2007 There are twelve participating clubs in the Premier Division (although the FAI is planning to reduce this to ten clubs by 2009) and the plans are to have ten clubs in the First Division for 2007. During the course of the 2007 season (which will last from March to November) each Premier Division club will play the respective others three times. A pre-season draw will decide which clubs will have the benefit of two home games in these matches. First Division sides will play each other four times throughout the season - two games at home and two games at the stadium of the opposition. Each team in the Premier Division will play 33 matches in total during a season, while those in the First Division will play 36 games. Teams will receive three points for a win and one point for a draw. No points will be awarded for a loss. Teams will be ranked by total points, then goal difference and then goals scored. If there is equality in points, goal difference and goals for tallies the clubs involved must partake in a play-off to decide their finishing positions. At the end of the season, the club with the most points in their division will be crowned as champion of that division. The lowest placed team in the Premier Division is automatically relegated into the First Division and the top team from the First Division will be automatically promoted to the Premier Division. In addition, the 2007 winner of the First Division will have a once-off play-off with the winners of the FAI League Cup for a Setanta Cup place. Furthermore, the second-last placed team in the Premier Division will play either the second-best or third-best placed team in the First Division in a two-legged promotion/relegation play-off after the second-placed and third-placed teams play each other in a once-off play-off match. The second-placed team in this pairing will have home advantage with the winner of the game having the chance to play the 11th-place finisher in the Premier Division both at home and away (with the First Division side being given the choice of home advantage in the first or second leg of the series). The aggregate winner of this two-legged tie will play the following 2008 season in the Premier Division with the loser resigned to playing in the First Division. The team that finishes last in the First Division must re-apply to the FAI for membership to the following season's league. The FAI League Cup is a football competition open to all Football League of Ireland clubs. ...
The Setanta Cup is a football competition featuring clubs from both political entities on the island of Ireland. ...
2008 The 2008 season will be a transitional season which should see the Premier Division being reduced to 10 teams from 12 for the 2009 season. 2008 will also see the introduction of an 'A' League Championship (comprising of non-league entities and applicants) national competition. The three bottom clubs will be automatically relegated from the Premier Division at the season's conclusion with three teams being promoted from the First Division - its winner.No play-off will be necessary.
The 'A' Championship, for initiation in the 2008 season, will contain between 20 and 30 clubs depending on the strategic needs of the FAI. The idea developed from the accepted need to link underage competition, national league standard competition and other structures operating at non-professional levels. It builds on the need to ‘enliven’ the prospect of relegation from First Division and the objectives of the FAI to provide player and organisational pathways to the highest level of the game in Ireland. The last-placed team in the First Division will be challenged by the best non-league performer for its place in the First Division.
The 'A' Championship is to give a chance for ametuer teams to get stronger and better and richer.
2009 In 2009 the Premier Division will contain ten teams and the First Division will be made up of twelve sides. Only clubs which have entered into a Participation Agreement with the FAI will be allowed to compete.
Movement between the Premier Division and the First Division will be via one automatic promotion (first place in the First Division) and one automatic relegation place (tenth/last place in the Premier Division) along with a play-off series. The eighth and ninth-placed finishers in the Premier Division will contest a play-off match. The winner of this game will retain their place in the top tier, while he loser will compete in a home-and-away play-off series against the winner of a second-versus-third-place play-off match from the First Division to decide the final place for the next season's Premierhip.
Movement between the First Division and the ‘A’ Championship will be via a promotion/relegation play-off between last place (12th in the First Division) and an ‘A’ Championship qualifier seeking promotion to the First Division.
As part of its ongoing work in overseeing the continuing development of the League, the FAI National League Committee will be charged with reviewing upwards the amount of prize money on offer by the start of the 2009 season.
Qualification for European competitions The top team in the Premier Division qualifies for the UEFA Champions League first qualifying round and must win three two-legged knockout ties against higher seeded and stronger opposition with progression in order to enter the group phase. The second-placed team qualifies for the UEFA Cup first qualifying round. They, similarly, must go through three two-legged knockout ties in order to enter the Second Round group phase of that competition. The third-placed team enter the Intertoto Cup. There is another UEFA Cup first qualifying round slot reserved for the winners of the domestic FAI Cup. If it were to happen that a cup-winner has already qualified for the UEFA Cup via the league, the cup-win qualification will take prominence and the league-place qualification will be transferred to the next team who finished below them in the league. This, in turn, will also cause a downward transfer of the Intertoto Cup qualification place to the next team in line. However, if the case is that the cup-winner has already won the league, that team will take a place in the UEFA Champions League qualifying rounds, by way of its league-win, and the losing team in the FAI Cup final will take the UEFA Cup spot on offer from that competition. The UEFA Champions League (also known as the European Cup, UCL, CE1, C1[1] or CL) is a seasonal club football competition organized by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) since 1955 for the most successful football clubs in Europe. ...
The UEFA Cup is a football competition for European club teams, organized by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA). ...
The UEFA Intertoto Cup is a summer football competition for European clubs that have not qualified for one of the main UEFA competitions (the Champions League and the UEFA Cup). ...
The FAI Cup is a knock-out football competition contested annually by teams from the Republic of Ireland. ...
UEFA coefficient The FAI National League's UEFA coefficient accumulates to a total value of 6.498 as of the 2006/07 European season (now completed as all Irish entrants have been knocked out). In European football, the UEFA coefficients are statistics used for ranking and seeding teams in club and international competitions. ...
Current national league UEFA ranking -
Image File history File links Flag_of_Bosnia_and_Herzegovina. ...
Image File history File links Flag_of_Lithuania. ...
Image File history File links Flag_of_Ireland. ...
Image File history File links Flag_of_Moldova. ...
Image File history File links Flag_of_Liechtenstein. ...
Background information Ireland's national league coefficient has been steadily improving in recent years. The League of Ireland's move to 'Summer football' at the beginning of the 2003 season, which was seen to be beneficial for team fitness and coherency when the qualifying campaigns come round, and the introduction of full-time professional football by a number of top sides, has aided this promising progress. Due to the swift development in the past few years, combined with the fact that UEFA accords its coefficient values based on results over five previous seasons, Irish clubs' coefficients give a somewhat inaccurate impression of the current standard of play in the eircom League, with many believing that an accurate representation of the standard of play would see Irish clubs ranked higher. Signs of the vast improvement are evident in the fact that League of Ireland clubs have consistently overcome sides from the Swedish league (currently ranked 28th by UEFA after the position has deteriorated recently due, in a large way, to the steady latter-day success of Irish teams over their Swedish counterparts to quite an extent) in recent years. Cork City, for example, went past Djurgårdens IF in 2005 after having earlier beaten Malmo FF 4-1 on aggregate in 2004, while Derry City beat former UEFA Cup winners, IFK Göteborg, 2-0 on aggregate in 2006. They then went on to defeat Gretna, a side from the Scottish First Division, the second tier in the Scottish system (the Premier League is ranked 10th by UEFA), 7-3 on aggregate. The Football League of Ireland, usually known simply as the League of Ireland or the Eircom League (from the leagues sponsorship by Irish telcom Eircom), is a league of football clubs in the Republic of Ireland. ...
The Union of European Football Associations, almost always referred to by the acronym UEFA (pronounced (you-AY-fuh) or (oo-Ay-fuh) or ), is the administrative and controlling body for European football. ...
The Football League of Ireland, usually known simply as the League of Ireland or the Eircom League (from the leagues sponsorship by Irish telcom Eircom), is a league of football clubs in the Republic of Ireland. ...
This article is about the football league. ...
This article is about Djurgårdens IFs football department. ...
Malmö FF is a Swedish football club from Malmö. Malmö FF is in the highest division in Sweden, and has won the Swedish championship fifteen times. ...
The UEFA Cup is a football competition for European club teams, organized by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA). ...
The IFK Göteborg squad year 1905. ...
Wikipedia does not yet have an article with this exact name. ...
The poor ranking (currently 34th) has led to arrogant under-estimation of the league's standard and before Derry City's win over IFK Göteborg, Niclas Alexandersson rather misguidedly suggested that his team could take a holiday and still walk over the League of Ireland side.[9] Niclas Alex Alexandersson [IPA: nɪklÉ‘s É‘lÉ›ksÉ‘ndÉ›(r)ʃɔn] (born December 29, 1971 in Vessigebro) is a Swedish football midfielder. ...
Discipline If a player accumulates four cautions he shall be suspended for 1 game. Following the suspension, if the same player accumulates a further four cautions, he shall be suspended for another 1 game. Any player who receives in excess of 12 cautions in any one season shall receive a 2-match suspension for the 12th caution and thereafter 3 matches for every further 4 cautions. Any suspension or part thereof, which remains outstanding at the end of the season must be served at the commencement of the following season. However, at the end of each season, players with up to 3 outstanding cautions shall not have these cautions carried forward to the next season.
In all FAI National League competitions and FAI National Cup competitions an expulsion automatically incurs a suspension from the subsequent match of the same competition. Following receipt of the referees report the relevant disciplinary body may at its discretion extend the duration of the suspension and/or impose fines. If it is not possible to impose the automatic one match suspension on a player in that current season, then the Disciplinary Body shall have the power to impose the automatic one match suspension in another domestic competitive match. Should the same player be dismissed again in the same season the following punishments shall apply:
- 2nd sending off - suspended for 1 match
- 3rd sending off - suspended for 2 matches
- 4th sending off - suspended for 4 matches
For five or more dismissals in the season the player shall be suspended for 6 matches. Any suspension or part thereof which remains outstanding at the end of the season must be served at the commencement of the following season. All of the foregoing suspensions are the minimum penalties. Leagues may impose suspensions above this minimum depending on the nature of the offences committed. With the exception of the Automatic one match suspension, all of the mentioned penalties may be appealed through the various Divisional Associations and in accordance with the Rules of the Association and FIFA. The International Federation of Football Association (French: ), commonly known by its acronym, FIFA, is the international governing body of association football. ...
Prize funds Between the National League, FAI Cup, FAI League Cup and the Setanta Cup a prize fund in excess of €1 million will be available. The FAI will be investing a total of €803,000 for prize funds in 2007. The prize fund for the Premier Division in 2007 will reach €450,000 with the winner being awarded €225,000. The First Division winner's prize fund in 2007 will be €50,000, with the total amount available reaching €100,000. The FAI Cup is a knock-out football competition contested annually by teams from the Republic of Ireland. ...
The FAI League Cup is a football competition open to all Football League of Ireland clubs. ...
The Setanta Cup is a football competition featuring clubs from both political entities on the island of Ireland. ...
Media coverage The broadcasting partners of the FAI - Setanta Sports, TG4 and RTÉ - will show over 50 live games in the 2007. These games will include FAI National League games, as well as Setanta Cup matches and FAI Cup matches. TV3 will show a highlights programme, eircom League Weekly, every week. However, given that both RTÉ and Setanta Sports show one FA Premiership game per week, many FAI eircom National League of Ireland fans see this as a token gesture from the national broadcaster. Setanta Sports (pronunciation: ) is an international sports broadcaster, operating 12 channels in 24 countries. ...
TG4 is an Irish television channel aimed at Irish language speakers and established as a wholly owned subsidiary by Radio TelefÃs Éireann in 31 October 1996; it was known as TeilifÃs na Gaeilge or TnaG before a rebranding campaign in 1999. ...
Radio TelefÃs Éireann (RTÉ; Irish for Radio and Television of Ireland) is the national publicly-funded broadcaster of Ireland. ...
The Setanta Cup is a football competition featuring clubs from both political entities on the island of Ireland. ...
The FAI Cup is a knock-out football competition contested annually by teams from the Republic of Ireland. ...
TV3 Ireland is the sole commercial television channel in the Republic of Ireland. ...
eircom League Weekly is the name of a weekly football programme on TV3 in Ireland which shows highlights from the FAI National League. ...
Radio TelefÃs Éireann (RTÉ; Irish for Radio and Television of Ireland) is the national publicly-funded broadcaster of Ireland. ...
Setanta Sports (pronunciation: ) is an international sports broadcaster, operating 12 channels in 24 countries. ...
The FA Premier League (often referred to as the Barclays English Premier League for sponsorship reasons) comprises the top 20 football clubs in the league system of English football. ...
Sponsorship The FAI National League is sponsored by Irish telecommunications company, eircom. eircom Group plc is the largest telecommunications operator in the Republic of Ireland. ...
History - See Football League of Ireland History for a brief history of the national league of the Republic of Ireland.
The Football League of Ireland, usually known simply as the League of Ireland or the eircom League (from the leagues sponsorship by Irish telecommunications company eircom), is a league of football clubs in Ireland. ...
Past winners
Premier League - See League of Ireland Premier Division Winners for a list of past winners of the Republic of Ireland's top tier competition between 1921 and 2006.
The Football League of Ireland, usually known simply as the League of Ireland or the eircom League (from the leagues sponsorship by Irish telecommunications company eircom), is a league of football clubs in Ireland. ...
First Division - See League of Ireland First Division Winners for a list of past winners of the Republic of Ireland's second tier competition between 1985 and 2006.
The Football League of Ireland, usually known simply as the League of Ireland or the eircom League (from the leagues sponsorship by Irish telecommunications company eircom), is a league of football clubs in Ireland. ...
Derbies - The following is a list of notable derbies that occur in the league.
The Munster Derby - Limerick 37 FC v. Waterford United FC The Leinster Derby - Wexford Youths FC v. U.C.D Cork City FC is a Irish football club playing in the Football League of Ireland. ...
The Spire at night WGS-84 (GPS) Coordinates: , Statistics Province: Leinster County: Dáil Éireann: Dublin Central, Dublin North Central, Dublin North East, Dublin North West, Dublin South Central, Dublin South East European Parliament: Dublin Dialling Code: 01, +353 1 Postal District(s): D1-24, D6W Area: 114. ...
Bohemian F.C. (Irish: An Cumann Peile Bóithéimeach) is an Irish football club playing in the Football League of Ireland. ...
Shamrock Rovers FC is a Irish football club playing in the Football League of Ireland. ...
St Patricks Athletic F.C. is a Irish football club playing in the Football League of Ireland. ...
Shelbourne FC is an Irish football club playing in the Football League of Ireland. ...
// Overview The Northwest Derby is the name of the football match played between the Finn Harps and Derry City football clubs of Ireland. ...
Finn Harps FC is a Irish football club playing in the Football League of Ireland. ...
Derry City FC is a Irish football club playing in the Football League of Ireland, it is also the only club in the league from Northern Ireland. ...
Statistics Province: Leinster County Town: Dundalk Code: LH Area: 820 km² Population (2006) 110,894 Website: www. ...
Drogheda United is an Irish football club playing in the Football League of Ireland. ...
Dundalk FC is a Irish football club playing in the Football League of Ireland. ...
The Irish midlands are made up of the central plain of Ireland. ...
Longford Town FC is an Irish football club playing in the Football League of Ireland. ...
Athlone Town FC is a Irish football club playing in the Football League of Ireland. ...
Statistics Area: 17,713. ...
Galway United F.C. was founded as Galway Rovers in 1937. ...
Sligo Rovers FC is a Irish football club playing in the Football League of Ireland. ...
Footnotes Note 1: FAI/eircom League Implementation Committee - Proposals on the strategic direction of the National League 2007-2012 PDF Document.
Note 2: Liechenstein has no properly recognised league championship. Therefore, the country has no UEFA Champions League entrants, although the cup winners enter the UEFA Cup.
Note 3: There are currently 5 Dublin sides in the League of Ireland. Any Dublin team playing another is regarded as a Dublin derby but these derbies are usually contested most keenly.
PDF is an abbreviation with several meanings: Portable Document Format Post-doctoral fellowship Probability density function There also is an electronic design automation company named PDF Solutions. ...
The UEFA Champions League (also known as the European Cup, UCL, CE1, C1[1] or CL) is a seasonal club football competition organized by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) since 1955 for the most successful football clubs in Europe. ...
The Liechtenstein football Cup has been organised annually by the Liechtenstein Football Association (LFV) since 1946. ...
The UEFA Cup is a football competition for European club teams, organized by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA). ...
The Football League of Ireland, usually known simply as the League of Ireland or the Eircom League (from the leagues sponsorship by Irish telcom Eircom), is a league of football clubs in the Republic of Ireland. ...
References - ^ "Final meeting of the old-style National League marks the end of an era", FAI.ie, 2006-12-08.
- ^ "eircom League clubs back FAI merger", RTÉ.ie, 2006-06-29.
- ^ "FAI name the 12 clubs who will participate in the Premier Division", FAI.ie, 2006-12-11.
- ^ "Standoff at FAI headquarters is ended", RTÉ.ie, 2006-12-13.
- ^ "FAI welcomes Dundalk's satisfaction with IAG process", FAI.ie, 2006-12-23.
- ^ "Limerick FC fail in license bid", RTÉ.ie, 2006-12-15.
- ^ "Wexford favourites for 22nd spot", FAI.ie, 2006-12-06.
- ^ "Injunction puts eircom League start in doubt", RTÉ.ie, 2007-01-17.
- ^ "Candystripes spurred by comments", Eleven-a-side.com, 2006-07-13.
For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ...
is the 342nd day of the year (343rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...
rte. ...
For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ...
is the 180th day of the year (181st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...
For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ...
December 11 is the 345th day of the year (346th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...
rte. ...
For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ...
December 13 is the 347th day of the year (348th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...
For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ...
December 23 is the 357th day of the year (358th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...
rte. ...
For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ...
is the 349th day of the year (350th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...
For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ...
December 6 is the 340th day of the year (341st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...
rte. ...
Year 2007 (MMVII) is now the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ...
January 17 is the 17th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ...
For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ...
is the 194th day of the year (195th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...
See also The Football League of Ireland, usually known simply as the League of Ireland or the eircom League (from the leagues sponsorship by Irish telecommunications company eircom), is a league of football clubs in Ireland. ...
External links - The FAI Rules effective from 11 October, 2006 (PDF document)
- FAI National League merger proposals (PDF document)
- Galway included in Premier Division
- Selection Criteria for the New FAI Premier League
- Club officials outline Galway United’s case for inclusion in Premier Division
- Foolish not to promote Dundalk - The Argus (free registration required)
|} The clubs competing in the 2007 FAI eircom League of Ireland. ...
The FAI eircom League of Ireland Premier Division (or eircom League Premier, as commonly referred to in the media and by the public) is the top tier of the Republic of Irelands new national football league created following the merging of the FAI and the League of Ireland. ...
Bohemian F.C. (Irish: An Cumann Peile Bóithéimeach), more commonly referred to as Bohemians, are an Irish soccer club playing in the Football League of Ireland. ...
Bray Wanderers A.F.C. is an Irish football club playing in the Football League of Ireland. ...
Cork City F.C. is an Irish football (soccer) club playing in the Football League of Ireland. ...
Derry City F.C. are an Irish football club based in the city of Derry. ...
Drogheda United is an Irish football club playing in the Football League of Ireland. ...
Galway United F.C. was founded as Galway Rovers in 1937. ...
Longford Town F.C. is an Irish football club playing in the Football League of Ireland. ...
Shamrock Rovers Football Club (Irish: Cumann Peile Ruagairà na Seamróige) are a football club from Dublin, Republic of Ireland. ...
Sligo Rovers F.C. (Irish: An Cumann Peile Ruagairà Shligigh) is an Irish football club playing in the Football League of Ireland. ...
St Patricks Athletic Football Club is an Irish football club playing in the Football League of Ireland Premier Division. ...
University College Dublin Association Football Club is an Irish football club playing in the FAI League of Ireland. ...
Waterford United is an Irish football club playing in the Football League of Ireland. ...
The FAI First Division is the second tier of the Republic of Irelands new FAI National League created following the merging of the FAI and the League of Ireland. ...
Athlone Town A.F.C. is a Irish football club playing in the Football League of Ireland. ...
Cobh Ramblers Football Club (CRFC) is an Irish football club playing in the Football League of Ireland. ...
Dundalk Football Club are an Irish football club based Dundalk, County Louth. ...
Finn Harps F.C. is an Irish football club playing in the Football League of Ireland. ...
Kildare County F.C. is an Irish football club playing in the Football League of Ireland. ...
Kilkenny City A.F.C. is an Irish football club playing in the First Division of the Football League of Ireland. ...
Limerick 37 F.C. is the name conferred upon a Limerick-based football club formed by members of the Soccer Limerick consortium to represent the city in 2007s edition of the FAI National League of Ireland. ...
Monaghan United F.C. is an Irish football club playing in the Football League of Ireland. ...
Shelbourne Football Club is an Irish football club playing in the FAI National League. ...
Wexford Youths Football Club are an Irish football club from Wexford who compete in the First Division of the FAI National League. ...
The clubs competing in the 2007 FAI eircom League of Ireland. ...
Image File history File links Flag_of_Ireland. ...
Association football is often known as both football and soccer in the Republic of Ireland, sometimes to avoid confusion with gaelic football (one of the countrys national games). ...
The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) is the organising body for the sport of association football (soccer) in the Republic of Ireland. ...
First international Italy 3 - 0 Ireland (FAI) (Turin, Italy; 21 March 1926) Biggest win Republic of Ireland 8 - 0 Malta (Dalymount Park, Republic of Ireland; 16 November 1983) Biggest defeat Brazil 7 - 0 Republic of Ireland (Uberlândia, Brazil; 27 May 1982) World Cup Appearances 3 (First in 1990) Best...
This article is in need of improvement. ...
Republic of Ireland B is a secondary football team run occasionally as support for the Republic of Ireland national football team. ...
A List of association football (soccer) clubs in Ireland. ...
The FAI eircom League of Ireland Premier Division (or eircom League Premier, as commonly referred to in the media and by the public) is the top tier of the Republic of Irelands new national football league created following the merging of the FAI and the League of Ireland. ...
The FAI First Division is the second tier of the Republic of Irelands new FAI National League created following the merging of the FAI and the League of Ireland. ...
The FAI Cup is a knock-out football competition contested annually by teams from the Republic of Ireland. ...
The FAI League Cup is a football competition open to all Football League of Ireland clubs. ...
The Setanta Sports Cup, commonly known as the Setanta Cup, is a club football competition featuring teams from both football associations on the island of Ireland. ...
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