Licence 2011 - LIVE blog
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5.00: And that’s it for the meanwhile, folks. Thanks for all of your comments over the past few hours. Of course, this is going to drag on and on over the next few days, so stay tuned to ExtraTime.ie for the latest updates.
4.44: Martin from Waterford has emailed us at extratimelive@gmail.com and seems incensed by how the licences are awarded. He says: "I find the whole licensing issue completely bizarre, on many fronts:Drogheda run themselves into the ground by overspending to win a title, fall apart, get relegated and then get offered a place back in the Premier? Bohs, by their own admission, don't have a team, let alone a squad, yet they get a Prem license? Whilst other clubs don't on what MUST be lesser issues? Longford get a Prem license, with the state of their ground? And, if rumours are true (which they may not be), even if Galway produce a tax clearance cert in their appeal, it won't be allowed as they secured it after the licensing date? The whole thing is a farce!"
4.39: Mons fan, and excellent blogger Adrian Harte isn't as certain as Mick Cooke. "As a MUFC fan I'm tentatively delighted though not as convinced as Mick - hopefully he knows something I don't. What is irritating to say the least is that just over two weeks before the start of the season we don't even know which teams are in which division and potentially whether there will even be two division. On a tribal note, Monaghan will have less than two weeks to put together a squad for the Premier Division. The reason's for Galway's failure seems flimsy and surmountable but there is supposedly no new evidence allowed on appeal. Also if there was a fair chance of Galway getting their info or finances updates surely they would have received a conditional licence like Limerick?" Great point on the conditional licence - that would point towards Galway receiving little hope. What keeps popping into my mind - and this is just speculation - is that could Galway end up in the First Division after appealing?
4.37: "Is that chickens being counted that I hear?" Sean Flaherty asks us on our Facebook page. Gotta say, I agree with you to an extent Sean, but Mons do seem very very confident.
4.35: "Presumably all those folks who bleat about too many Dublin teams are in heaven now we're replacing Fingal with, eh, Monaghan," TheJoyOfSix says on Twitter. Amusing, considering Mons spent most of last season training in Dublin, while their bus 'home' from away games only went to the capital.
4.27: Some more news from the Galway United Supporters Trust is that they will be on TG4 news later this evening to discuss their official stance, although it is a given at this stage that they will be appealing.
4.19: We have been trying to speak with FAI press officer Stephen Finn about the issues, but he was not in a position to discuss anything until appeals are lodged. Nonetheless, our reporter Simon O'Gorman says that: "Stephen did confirm that any licence appeal would only consider the facts at the time of the original deadline and not anything that may happen after that." In that case, we are led to believe that if the Galway saga is down to having no tax clearance cert, then they would NOT be allowed submit it according to the rules.
4.08: "Will the FAI help Galway like they did Bohs?" Graeme Taylor asks on Twitter. To be honest, I don't think I can answer that one for you!
4.05: In some different news, Kevin Doyle is backing Mick Wallace to be elected on Friday week. “Mick is a great man, absolutely brilliant for me and all young lads in Wexford and he’s obviously still doing it with Wexford Youths and the amount of effort he puts into the running of that club is unbelievable,” Doyle said. "If he puts the same effort in that he did getting lads to play soccer and trying to give them confidence to play well and by giving them something to do in the afternoons then I’m sure he’ll be a great politician.”
3.56: Word reaching us now that the previous suggested rumour of Galway owing money to three individuals isn't actually true. That would point solely to the issue of the tax clearance certificate that has been mentioned a few times this afternoon. Still, this is all just speculation and we are still awaiting official confirmation from the club.
3.48: These are very strongly-worded quotes from Mons Chairman Jim McGlone before the decision was announced today: "For the last 10 to 15 years, Monaghan have been a credit to the league, keeping within budgets, paying our players and doing everything required by licensing. Drogheda have been an embarrassment to the league for the last three years. It is only six weeks ago that they were saying their existence as a club was at stake." I bet it isn't bothering McGlone now, as his side look likely to be going up to the Premier at Galway's expense. Those quotes, by the way, are from this morning's Sun.
3.45: And thanks again to Clarke for replying with this: "@ExtratimeNews sorry, just annoyed that bargainhunt ain't livin up to expectation. the live blog is great idea and service to #LOI fans." To be honest, I was trying to emulate Sky with this, but I don't have enough flash yellow ticker bars at my disposal to do so. Desperate, I know!
3.42: There seems to be a very mixed reaction to Drogheda United moving back up to the Premier. Comments on our Facebook page have ranged from 'jokeshop' to 'get in'. All you can say is that this league will never bore us.
3.37: The one and only Brendan Clarke doesn't seem impressed on his Twitter: "tell ye what, @ExtratimeNews's blog is kind of like transfer deadline day on sky. I wonder if bargainhunt on bbc2 is more excitin #doubtful" Eh, thanks for that Brendan.
3.34: The reason circulating at the moment for Galway's failure to get a licence surrounds their inability to produce a tax clearance certificate, while there are also rumours that three players are still owed wages. However, remember the club haven't confirmed anything officially yet and this is still only speculation. Regardless, they have five days to appeal now, which seems a given.
3.26: Via Facebook, Matt Kirkham has said: "10 team first division means 6 less games! Where are the clubs going to get the revenue from to bridge the gap or will it go to playing each other 4 times like the premier? Does that also mean a whole new fixture list for the first division?" Great point Mark. I think we'll have to wait a couple of days for confirmation with appeals likely. It could even be possible that we have a lopsided 11 team First Division if Galway are 'promoted' from the 'A' Championship up to the First Division - but who knows? There will be more twists and turns, I'm afraid to say. Of course, we were expecting Cobh Ramblers to be granted a First Division licence after their application seemed to be going smoothly, but that hasn't materialised either.
3.20: This from Bray Wanderers GM Jack O'Neill after his club were awarded a Premier Division licence. "On behalf of Bray Wanderers, I would like to thank everybody involved in assisting the club in once again achieving the Premier Division Licence. In particular, the Board of Directors, our Supporters Clubs (senior and junior), Bray Town Council and the various organisations and volunteers that support the club throughout the season. I would also like to thank the business community and our sponsors for continuing to support the club and we look forward to the new season which kicks off on the 4th March when we host Bohemians at the Carlisle."
3.15: Limerick fans have been very quiet so far...what do you make of your club being awarded a 'conditional' licence? Get in contact at the usual outlets.
3.09:Thomas O'Connor has been in touch again to ask: "Has there been any confirmation that mons will indeed be going up? or are they going to wait until the appeals are over?" We have an interview with Mick Cooke live on the site now, and he seems pretty definite. Ultimately, it looks to be an arduous task for Galway to be given a Premier licence if they can't even obtain a First Division one.
3.06: Glenn Dowd has voiced his strong opinions on Facebook. He says: "With the state the league is in, more thought should be given to the structure of it. An All Ireland league or indeed a 22 team premier division may well be the way forward. The FAI also have to take a look at themselves, the marketing of the league is shambolic." I agree with you to a certain extent, Glenn. Some reform is needed ASAP. As it stands, there are only ten teams confirmed in the First Division, rather than the 12 that was expected. Of course, that's subject to appeals.
3.00: "Can you explain the galway situation a bit more?" Robert Purfield asks via our Facebook page. At the minute Robert, fierce rumours are flying around about the reasons for Galway's rejection. The only official line we have been given is from the FAI, who in their statement this morning said: "Galway United were refused a Premier Licence for failure to fulfil the financial criteria as set down in the Club Licensing manual. The club were awarded an “A” Championship Licence." At the moment, the club are playing the no comment line. Understandably, they're trying to decide which direction to take.
2.58: Mons fan Julie-Ann Sherlock is clearly delighted to be back in the top division. She has got in touch on Facebook, saying: "Absolutely gutted for Galway, it is never good to have a team in difficulties and I hope they dont hold it against us for celebrating the fact that we are back. We have worked so hard over the last few years and had a plan of steadying the ship, developing our ground and progressively improving the team to move to Premier. We came so close on the pitch and it is with thanks to Mick Cooke and our great squad that we got to be sitting pretty waiting for promotion. Thank you Mick. Who got the Mons up? Cooke Cooke Cooke Cooke.
2.52: Thomas O'Connor has tweeted us with a good question: "is there a chance at all after the appeals that Galway do recive a Premier Division license?" At the moment, we haven't received any official comment from the Tribesmen. They are more than likely planning to appeal the decision, but have yet to confirm.
2.47: Des Feeney has tweeted us @extratimenews to say: "Galway must be gutted! And how did Bohs get a licence?" Well, Des, the licencing committee must have been satisfied with the club's state. The question now though, is what sort of team can they put together at Dalymount Park in the space of two weeks?
2.45: "I was amazed when I heard we were going up, and in place of Galway, but my concern is Monaghan.” - Mick Cooke after learning that Monaghan United look to be moving up to the top table. We have an exclusive interview coming up at 3pm with Cooke.
2.41: Thanks to Luke Gallagher, who has Facebooked us. He is wondering "who will be coming into the 1st division?" At the moment, there are only 20 licenced clubs - so there is a possibility that we will have a ten-team First Division too. Cobh Ramblers seemed certain last week that they would get a licence to come back up, but they have only been given an 'A' licence.
2.37: Graeme Taylor via our Twitter @extratimenews says "Limericks conditional licence must have something to do with the court case." While Ruairi Kavanagh has tweeted us, saying: "another fiasco of a day for our beloved league. Did Finn Harps get a licence?" And to confirm Ruairi: Harps have been given a First Division licence.
2.35: We have an interview with Monaghan United boss Mick Cooke coming up on the site in a few minutes. He seems definite that Mons will be in the Premier Division after Galway's failure to obtain a licence.
So Drogheda United have made a Lazarus-like comeback into the Premier Division. There is no comment from Galway United after they were NOT awarded a licence to compete in the league for 2011. We presume that they will appeal, but it looks like Monaghan United are going to replace them at the top table.
Bohemians, despite concerns over their finances recently, have been awarded a licence for the top division – although they still have a shortage of players with little over two weeks until the season kicks-off.
It looks like there might only be ten teams in the First Division too. Cobh Ramblers had expected to be awarded a First Division licence, but have only been given an ‘A’ Championship.
We’re here all day with updates from the clubs on the current situation, but more importantly, this is about YOU the fans.
Waterford fans: are you disgusted that you haven’t been awarded a Premier Division licence or is it not as much of a shock as Drogs getting one? Are Bohs fans relieved to have gotten a licence? Monaghan fans, are you looking forward to the prospect of top tier football? Supporters in Galway, where has it all gone wrong?
You can get in touch on our Facebook, by Twitter (@extratimenews) or emailing us at extratimelive@gmail.com.
4.44: Martin from Waterford has emailed us at extratimelive@gmail.com and seems incensed by how the licences are awarded. He says: "I find the whole licensing issue completely bizarre, on many fronts:Drogheda run themselves into the ground by overspending to win a title, fall apart, get relegated and then get offered a place back in the Premier? Bohs, by their own admission, don't have a team, let alone a squad, yet they get a Prem license? Whilst other clubs don't on what MUST be lesser issues? Longford get a Prem license, with the state of their ground? And, if rumours are true (which they may not be), even if Galway produce a tax clearance cert in their appeal, it won't be allowed as they secured it after the licensing date? The whole thing is a farce!"
4.39: Mons fan, and excellent blogger Adrian Harte isn't as certain as Mick Cooke. "As a MUFC fan I'm tentatively delighted though not as convinced as Mick - hopefully he knows something I don't. What is irritating to say the least is that just over two weeks before the start of the season we don't even know which teams are in which division and potentially whether there will even be two division. On a tribal note, Monaghan will have less than two weeks to put together a squad for the Premier Division. The reason's for Galway's failure seems flimsy and surmountable but there is supposedly no new evidence allowed on appeal. Also if there was a fair chance of Galway getting their info or finances updates surely they would have received a conditional licence like Limerick?" Great point on the conditional licence - that would point towards Galway receiving little hope. What keeps popping into my mind - and this is just speculation - is that could Galway end up in the First Division after appealing?
4.37: "Is that chickens being counted that I hear?" Sean Flaherty asks us on our Facebook page. Gotta say, I agree with you to an extent Sean, but Mons do seem very very confident.
4.35: "Presumably all those folks who bleat about too many Dublin teams are in heaven now we're replacing Fingal with, eh, Monaghan," TheJoyOfSix says on Twitter. Amusing, considering Mons spent most of last season training in Dublin, while their bus 'home' from away games only went to the capital.
4.27: Some more news from the Galway United Supporters Trust is that they will be on TG4 news later this evening to discuss their official stance, although it is a given at this stage that they will be appealing.
4.19: We have been trying to speak with FAI press officer Stephen Finn about the issues, but he was not in a position to discuss anything until appeals are lodged. Nonetheless, our reporter Simon O'Gorman says that: "Stephen did confirm that any licence appeal would only consider the facts at the time of the original deadline and not anything that may happen after that." In that case, we are led to believe that if the Galway saga is down to having no tax clearance cert, then they would NOT be allowed submit it according to the rules.
4.08: "Will the FAI help Galway like they did Bohs?" Graeme Taylor asks on Twitter. To be honest, I don't think I can answer that one for you!
4.05: In some different news, Kevin Doyle is backing Mick Wallace to be elected on Friday week. “Mick is a great man, absolutely brilliant for me and all young lads in Wexford and he’s obviously still doing it with Wexford Youths and the amount of effort he puts into the running of that club is unbelievable,” Doyle said. "If he puts the same effort in that he did getting lads to play soccer and trying to give them confidence to play well and by giving them something to do in the afternoons then I’m sure he’ll be a great politician.”
3.56: Word reaching us now that the previous suggested rumour of Galway owing money to three individuals isn't actually true. That would point solely to the issue of the tax clearance certificate that has been mentioned a few times this afternoon. Still, this is all just speculation and we are still awaiting official confirmation from the club.
3.48: These are very strongly-worded quotes from Mons Chairman Jim McGlone before the decision was announced today: "For the last 10 to 15 years, Monaghan have been a credit to the league, keeping within budgets, paying our players and doing everything required by licensing. Drogheda have been an embarrassment to the league for the last three years. It is only six weeks ago that they were saying their existence as a club was at stake." I bet it isn't bothering McGlone now, as his side look likely to be going up to the Premier at Galway's expense. Those quotes, by the way, are from this morning's Sun.
3.45: And thanks again to Clarke for replying with this: "@ExtratimeNews sorry, just annoyed that bargainhunt ain't livin up to expectation. the live blog is great idea and service to #LOI fans." To be honest, I was trying to emulate Sky with this, but I don't have enough flash yellow ticker bars at my disposal to do so. Desperate, I know!
3.42: There seems to be a very mixed reaction to Drogheda United moving back up to the Premier. Comments on our Facebook page have ranged from 'jokeshop' to 'get in'. All you can say is that this league will never bore us.
3.37: The one and only Brendan Clarke doesn't seem impressed on his Twitter: "tell ye what, @ExtratimeNews's blog is kind of like transfer deadline day on sky. I wonder if bargainhunt on bbc2 is more excitin #doubtful" Eh, thanks for that Brendan.
3.34: The reason circulating at the moment for Galway's failure to get a licence surrounds their inability to produce a tax clearance certificate, while there are also rumours that three players are still owed wages. However, remember the club haven't confirmed anything officially yet and this is still only speculation. Regardless, they have five days to appeal now, which seems a given.
3.26: Via Facebook, Matt Kirkham has said: "10 team first division means 6 less games! Where are the clubs going to get the revenue from to bridge the gap or will it go to playing each other 4 times like the premier? Does that also mean a whole new fixture list for the first division?" Great point Mark. I think we'll have to wait a couple of days for confirmation with appeals likely. It could even be possible that we have a lopsided 11 team First Division if Galway are 'promoted' from the 'A' Championship up to the First Division - but who knows? There will be more twists and turns, I'm afraid to say. Of course, we were expecting Cobh Ramblers to be granted a First Division licence after their application seemed to be going smoothly, but that hasn't materialised either.
3.20: This from Bray Wanderers GM Jack O'Neill after his club were awarded a Premier Division licence. "On behalf of Bray Wanderers, I would like to thank everybody involved in assisting the club in once again achieving the Premier Division Licence. In particular, the Board of Directors, our Supporters Clubs (senior and junior), Bray Town Council and the various organisations and volunteers that support the club throughout the season. I would also like to thank the business community and our sponsors for continuing to support the club and we look forward to the new season which kicks off on the 4th March when we host Bohemians at the Carlisle."
3.15: Limerick fans have been very quiet so far...what do you make of your club being awarded a 'conditional' licence? Get in contact at the usual outlets.
3.09:Thomas O'Connor has been in touch again to ask: "Has there been any confirmation that mons will indeed be going up? or are they going to wait until the appeals are over?" We have an interview with Mick Cooke live on the site now, and he seems pretty definite. Ultimately, it looks to be an arduous task for Galway to be given a Premier licence if they can't even obtain a First Division one.
3.06: Glenn Dowd has voiced his strong opinions on Facebook. He says: "With the state the league is in, more thought should be given to the structure of it. An All Ireland league or indeed a 22 team premier division may well be the way forward. The FAI also have to take a look at themselves, the marketing of the league is shambolic." I agree with you to a certain extent, Glenn. Some reform is needed ASAP. As it stands, there are only ten teams confirmed in the First Division, rather than the 12 that was expected. Of course, that's subject to appeals.
3.00: "Can you explain the galway situation a bit more?" Robert Purfield asks via our Facebook page. At the minute Robert, fierce rumours are flying around about the reasons for Galway's rejection. The only official line we have been given is from the FAI, who in their statement this morning said: "Galway United were refused a Premier Licence for failure to fulfil the financial criteria as set down in the Club Licensing manual. The club were awarded an “A” Championship Licence." At the moment, the club are playing the no comment line. Understandably, they're trying to decide which direction to take.
2.58: Mons fan Julie-Ann Sherlock is clearly delighted to be back in the top division. She has got in touch on Facebook, saying: "Absolutely gutted for Galway, it is never good to have a team in difficulties and I hope they dont hold it against us for celebrating the fact that we are back. We have worked so hard over the last few years and had a plan of steadying the ship, developing our ground and progressively improving the team to move to Premier. We came so close on the pitch and it is with thanks to Mick Cooke and our great squad that we got to be sitting pretty waiting for promotion. Thank you Mick. Who got the Mons up? Cooke Cooke Cooke Cooke.
2.52: Thomas O'Connor has tweeted us with a good question: "is there a chance at all after the appeals that Galway do recive a Premier Division license?" At the moment, we haven't received any official comment from the Tribesmen. They are more than likely planning to appeal the decision, but have yet to confirm.
2.47: Des Feeney has tweeted us @extratimenews to say: "Galway must be gutted! And how did Bohs get a licence?" Well, Des, the licencing committee must have been satisfied with the club's state. The question now though, is what sort of team can they put together at Dalymount Park in the space of two weeks?
2.45: "I was amazed when I heard we were going up, and in place of Galway, but my concern is Monaghan.” - Mick Cooke after learning that Monaghan United look to be moving up to the top table. We have an exclusive interview coming up at 3pm with Cooke.
2.41: Thanks to Luke Gallagher, who has Facebooked us. He is wondering "who will be coming into the 1st division?" At the moment, there are only 20 licenced clubs - so there is a possibility that we will have a ten-team First Division too. Cobh Ramblers seemed certain last week that they would get a licence to come back up, but they have only been given an 'A' licence.
2.37: Graeme Taylor via our Twitter @extratimenews says "Limericks conditional licence must have something to do with the court case." While Ruairi Kavanagh has tweeted us, saying: "another fiasco of a day for our beloved league. Did Finn Harps get a licence?" And to confirm Ruairi: Harps have been given a First Division licence.
2.35: We have an interview with Monaghan United boss Mick Cooke coming up on the site in a few minutes. He seems definite that Mons will be in the Premier Division after Galway's failure to obtain a licence.
So Drogheda United have made a Lazarus-like comeback into the Premier Division. There is no comment from Galway United after they were NOT awarded a licence to compete in the league for 2011. We presume that they will appeal, but it looks like Monaghan United are going to replace them at the top table.
Bohemians, despite concerns over their finances recently, have been awarded a licence for the top division – although they still have a shortage of players with little over two weeks until the season kicks-off.
It looks like there might only be ten teams in the First Division too. Cobh Ramblers had expected to be awarded a First Division licence, but have only been given an ‘A’ Championship.
We’re here all day with updates from the clubs on the current situation, but more importantly, this is about YOU the fans.
Waterford fans: are you disgusted that you haven’t been awarded a Premier Division licence or is it not as much of a shock as Drogs getting one? Are Bohs fans relieved to have gotten a licence? Monaghan fans, are you looking forward to the prospect of top tier football? Supporters in Galway, where has it all gone wrong?
You can get in touch on our Facebook, by Twitter (@extratimenews) or emailing us at extratimelive@gmail.com.
About Alan Smith
Alan Smith works as a sub-editor for the Guardian newspaper in London. Originally from Cork, he freelances for several other newspapers and websites. Follow him on twitter @alansmith90. View Full Profile