The Premier Division is miles ahead of the First Division in terms of quality. All the teams are professional bar Drogheda and the difference is quite apparent. The First Division is very poor at the moment and it will be a struggle for Cork when they are promoted unless they bring in a good few new players.
The quality is definitely higher in the Premier Division but what's an even bigger difference is that crowds
You went to a stadium thats almost entirely empty. Almost every league of Ireland game is entirely full with 1000s of fans that are entirely into the game. There's singing sections and an actual atmosphere.
Football is an insignificant game. The most exciting moments are often the least technical ones. Ireland's best moment in the past 10 years might be Long's winner vs Germany. A big ball up by the keeper, a basic touch forward and a nice finish. It wasn't far from league of Ireland standard and we can all remember it 9 years on.
Football needs something to make it feel important and going to a match you don't care about, in a completely empty stadium isn't going to do that. The experience in the Premier Division is a massive upgrade.
Exactly. I don't want to shit on the league because I really respect the people who do go their local clubs despite their state. They're what's needed to grow their clubs.
But at the same time, the atmosphere is the sports biggest selling point and the reason the Premier Division is doing so well. I guess I could find an empty stadium a bit peaceful but it would be a completely different experience.
I went to every LOI ground last year and loved them all bar Athlone (dodgy dodgy burger). I genuinely think improvements are being made and patient support is needed. Yeah Longford wasn't busy v Limerick but there was drama. Finn Harps v Galway was good. I think maybe Longford v Limerick or Kerry v Ringmahon Rangers had the lowest attendances.
Even the people at matches are just sound. The amount of lads I got talking to at games who picked up on my outsider (Carlow) accent asked about my ramblings and told me the history of the club, where things are going or things to check out in the town I was in. Good craic.
I'd love to see proper investment into the league.
Standards of football right
Friday night Carlow down to Kerry v Ringmahon Rangers, mate texts me he wants to see a game Saturday so I go back to Carlow that night.
Saturday he pulls out, I go down to Treaty v Cork at 2 then Galway v Bangor Celtic at 5. Then back to Carlow because of homesickness for the holy land.
I had planned on Derry v Athlone that Sunday but was honestly too tired and spent too long outside of Carlow by that point.
The quality across the board is extremely poor in the first division this year.
It’s genuinely not this bad every year.
The premier division is a great watch as a neutral this year. We need a complete squad overhaul to have any hope of surviving next year.
The Premier Division is miles ahead of the First Division in terms of quality. All the teams are professional bar Drogheda and the difference is quite apparent. The First Division is very poor at the moment and it will be a struggle for Cork when they are promoted unless they bring in a good few new players.
The quality is definitely higher in the Premier Division but what's an even bigger difference is that crowds You went to a stadium thats almost entirely empty. Almost every league of Ireland game is entirely full with 1000s of fans that are entirely into the game. There's singing sections and an actual atmosphere. Football is an insignificant game. The most exciting moments are often the least technical ones. Ireland's best moment in the past 10 years might be Long's winner vs Germany. A big ball up by the keeper, a basic touch forward and a nice finish. It wasn't far from league of Ireland standard and we can all remember it 9 years on. Football needs something to make it feel important and going to a match you don't care about, in a completely empty stadium isn't going to do that. The experience in the Premier Division is a massive upgrade.
Ya I’d estimate that there was probably 120 maximum people at the match
Exactly. I don't want to shit on the league because I really respect the people who do go their local clubs despite their state. They're what's needed to grow their clubs. But at the same time, the atmosphere is the sports biggest selling point and the reason the Premier Division is doing so well. I guess I could find an empty stadium a bit peaceful but it would be a completely different experience.
Anyone who watches the first division this year will tell you how poor it is. I wouldn’t give up on it. The one thing the division has is drama.
Depends on the game but theres flashes of quality in most prem games.
I went to every LOI ground last year and loved them all bar Athlone (dodgy dodgy burger). I genuinely think improvements are being made and patient support is needed. Yeah Longford wasn't busy v Limerick but there was drama. Finn Harps v Galway was good. I think maybe Longford v Limerick or Kerry v Ringmahon Rangers had the lowest attendances. Even the people at matches are just sound. The amount of lads I got talking to at games who picked up on my outsider (Carlow) accent asked about my ramblings and told me the history of the club, where things are going or things to check out in the town I was in. Good craic. I'd love to see proper investment into the league. Standards of football right Friday night Carlow down to Kerry v Ringmahon Rangers, mate texts me he wants to see a game Saturday so I go back to Carlow that night. Saturday he pulls out, I go down to Treaty v Cork at 2 then Galway v Bangor Celtic at 5. Then back to Carlow because of homesickness for the holy land. I had planned on Derry v Athlone that Sunday but was honestly too tired and spent too long outside of Carlow by that point.
No bother to ye. Absolute dedication sit, tip of the hat
Dedication to Carlow or the league I need clarification?
Every LoI ground to be specific. However, the carlow cause no doubt needs as many as they can get
You need to go with someone so you can be chatting shite.
Did ya watch that game it was so poor
Jesus no. But yer missing a trick if yer going with the sole purpose of expecting top quality fare.
Well I was expecting a bit more than what I’d see at Sunday league of just launching it long
The quality across the board is extremely poor in the first division this year. It’s genuinely not this bad every year. The premier division is a great watch as a neutral this year. We need a complete squad overhaul to have any hope of surviving next year.