Clubs await final licensing announcement
Credit:
The Independent Licensing Committee meet today to finalise the club licensing process with clubs forced to wait for the final verdict.
The FAI has confirmed that while the meeting is being held today, the decision will be “released tomorrow”.
“There will be a statement tomorrow, until then I really have no more information”, an FAI spokeman said, leaving fans, managers and players awaiting an end to a rather bizarre off-season.
The deadline was thrown back until Monday due to Limerick’s licensing appeal requiring an extension for unknown reasons, despite Limerick’s recent investments and improvements in financial structure. Although an extension is required, the awarding of a First Division license to the Shannonsiders is widely anticipated.
“All decisions will be made today after the deadline, the Independent Licensing Committee have been working directly with Limerick on the matter, and in terms structure, all will be revealed tomorrow”.
The ring of confusion began back with the withdrawal of a license application from Santry-based Sporting Fingal only a few weeks back. This left a void to be filled in the Premier Division, with Waterford United looking most likely due to final standings last year and Drogheda’s apparent financial obscurities. Waterford were then awarded only a First Division license, which led to Monaghan United’s promotion, pending Galway’s failure to receive a Premier Division license was certain, which it appeared was certain.
However, it was revealed on the original deadline for licensing appeal, that Galway had been resurrected back to the top tier of Irish football after their appeal was successful. This leaves Monaghan in the First Division once more, but with only ten teams set to play in the First Division and with Limericks license expected to be announced tomorrow, this leaves an eleven team First Division which makes for a highly irregular format.
So what of Limerick, Monaghan, and the Airtricity League First Division structure? The FAI have made it fairly simple, all will be revealed “tomorrow”.
The FAI has confirmed that while the meeting is being held today, the decision will be “released tomorrow”.
“There will be a statement tomorrow, until then I really have no more information”, an FAI spokeman said, leaving fans, managers and players awaiting an end to a rather bizarre off-season.
The deadline was thrown back until Monday due to Limerick’s licensing appeal requiring an extension for unknown reasons, despite Limerick’s recent investments and improvements in financial structure. Although an extension is required, the awarding of a First Division license to the Shannonsiders is widely anticipated.
“All decisions will be made today after the deadline, the Independent Licensing Committee have been working directly with Limerick on the matter, and in terms structure, all will be revealed tomorrow”.
The ring of confusion began back with the withdrawal of a license application from Santry-based Sporting Fingal only a few weeks back. This left a void to be filled in the Premier Division, with Waterford United looking most likely due to final standings last year and Drogheda’s apparent financial obscurities. Waterford were then awarded only a First Division license, which led to Monaghan United’s promotion, pending Galway’s failure to receive a Premier Division license was certain, which it appeared was certain.
However, it was revealed on the original deadline for licensing appeal, that Galway had been resurrected back to the top tier of Irish football after their appeal was successful. This leaves Monaghan in the First Division once more, but with only ten teams set to play in the First Division and with Limericks license expected to be announced tomorrow, this leaves an eleven team First Division which makes for a highly irregular format.
So what of Limerick, Monaghan, and the Airtricity League First Division structure? The FAI have made it fairly simple, all will be revealed “tomorrow”.
About Andrew Cunneen
Andrew joined Extratime for the 2010 season and covers all the on-goings down in Limerick. Having first experienced the League of Ireland in 2002, Andrew became hooked, even at such an early age. He is … View Full Profile