All Ireland League? | Kieran Lucid on his plan and the IFA's staunch opposition

[@chameleon747]

I'd say real football fans both north and south would be up for this, better quality of football, increased competition, increased attendances, and with more money and increased sponsorship the league would radically improve, however the powers that be would fear loss of control and power, its time for a football revolution.

[@shortallliam3142]

He seems to be sincere (he has no hidden agenda,) realistic in his expectations, patient and most importantly, practical. I wish him well...

[@ziganda26]

Very admirable endeavor. But I would be surprised if it ever happens.

[@danieldineen8791]

It come a lot closer today my friend

[@ziganda26]

@@danieldineen8791 what's changed?

[@danieldineen8791]

@@ziganda26 fai and ifa both are lookin into it and UEFA have given it their backing

[@ziganda26]

@@danieldineen8791 with what's happening around Europe. Leagues from small nations looking to join together. There maybe something too it.

[@eoinwilson4228]

It will b a game changer for both nations...look at the all island leagues youtube channell

[@coms3697]

As a sports fan on this Island this would be my dream, seeing this happen would be amazing. However i just can't see it happening anytime soon. Can't see people coming together to take a chance, the powers to be are just to afraid of people criticizing them in the short term. Would be amazing if both government's put down some sort of guarantee that would let the league's go back to there old formats after 4 years if it didn't work. My two cents for what it's worth.

[@shamrockgerry]

All island professional league will be fantastic ☘️🏆⚽

[@kylemuckian574]

Im Behind Lucids plan i really hope this AIL happens as soon as Possible

[@LOGOS422]

Better facilities are key. Have modern small stadiums with nice bars and restaurants and the fans will attend as a night out, even if they're not mad about football. And all forms of sectarian chanting need to be stomped out if it's an all Ireland league.

[@aaron9042]

I agree on the first point, but I think sectarianism would be difficult to eradicate in football games. The Old Firm is a prime example of sectarianism in Scotland and it's likely that a feud like that could spring up between northern and southern clubs if an All-Ireland League was established. That being said, it also boils down to city and geographical rivalries which is natural enough between cities like Cork and Dublin for example, so it's not all based on politics and religion. A careful balance between maintaining a healthy rivalry with banter and atmosphere at games, and avoiding hooliganism and bigotry is for the best.

[@albertmccready478]

Something that I would love to see. Sadly the talk of it seems to have totally subsided . The northern clubs would be less enthusiastic I think. In terms of a fear of not competing, the travel involved is something entirely new to them..we have seen how resistant to change they are..and the 'political'aspect of an all Ireland anything could be enough to scare many of them. Ultimately it would be all about the financial benefits or potential costs .

[@evancawley3236]

If its raining in tallaght it's a destaster, only the last 3 or 4 rows in the stand will stay dry

[@oliver69cork46]

There is no doubt potential and it's a great idea but after the initial appeal and excitement, would it simmer down to average attendances and a counterproductive effect could kick in,away trips, expenses etc would be more expensive whilst revenue remains same. But why not try it just to see.

[@glennbrennan7999]

Definitely up for it, the general standard would be lifted, helping youth and local clubs grow, potentially more money for the local economies

[@MorpheusXRD]

GAA in particular and the cultural context not mentioned much by him... that will inhibit any such plans.

[@izdatsumcp]

The GAA have no power in stopping an united Irish league.

[@MorpheusXRD]

@@izdatsumcp it's not there power I am referring to, in the sense I think you mean. It is the fact that its existence and current influence over the irish sporting environment means it provides a limiting factor to the success of Irish club football. A limiting factor that does not exist, in the same way, in the examples given, Denmark and Scotland. That is, if there was no GAA in Ireland the capacity for soccer in people, time, resources, tv, the population's interest would be greater.

[@galoglaich3281]

@@MorpheusXRD Denmark has handball though ,which is posibly more popular than football

[@MorpheusXRD]

I would love to see an all ireland league in tandem with this though and an eventual one island international side... but deluded if he thinks attendances will pop ove 1 or 2000 on average.

[@izdatsumcp]

Why is he deluded? I would venture that you don't understand the benefits of a united league at all. I'd also guess you are Northern Irish due to your reflexive, ignorant response to this.

[@BigEars45]

You are aware the League of Ireland Prem average this year was ~2,185 ? Northern Irish Attendances are considerably lower, but you'd have to assume they wouldn't be taking anymore than the top 6/7 teams from each league and with renewed interest, an average of just over 2,000 would be a very good guess for All-Island league.

[@paraicmurphy469]

How’s soccer Ireland’s most popular sport

[@roryjohnmcguire]

can't argue. unfortunately

[@oliver69cork46]

How's soccer the most popular sport-quite easy if you do a little research. Most played game and most widespread from West Cork to inner Belfast to edge of connemara, it's everywhere. Huge amount of travel across to England and Scotland every year,no other game has that appeal. The past success of Irish teams at international level brought national joy not seen in any other game,Italia 90 was crazy. Most registered players of the major games,gaelic football, hurling or rugby not comparable in licenced players nevermind the leisure players who are unregistered. World's number 1 game and only true global sport.

[@galoglaich3281]

@@oliver69cork46 I couldn't find numbers for northern ireland but they are about 136000 registered players in the republic both sexes whereas gaelic football including LGFA figures is about 330 000 .May be your right overall in terms of overall participation.but not in terms of registered players.

[@albertmccready478]

Ps its FOOTBALL. all other codes involve as much use of the hands as of feet.

[@Ligerpride]

He seems like a good guy but given it seems like it's one guys mission (who has no real interest in the league here) and there's no guarantee of him not moving on to some other interest.

[@cian3299]

With the amount of his own money and time invested in this project, I would be very doubtful that he will just drop his plan and move on. It is no longer just one guys mission, the team they have put together are very knowledgeable in the sport! Once Hypercube completes its analysis of the data and work with the clubs, hopefully the IFA can get on board!

[@Ligerpride]

@@cian3299 time will tell. I think there's merit to the concept but i suspect there will be some crawling before it runs.

[@cian3299]

​@@Ligerpride I agree. Both the IFA and FAI should be looking at this as a long term investment. It will take before we see the benefits of an all island league. Clubs can upgrade their facilities and hopefully this would parachute down to the underage structures.

[@3108dd]

Seriously?! They want hundreds of Linfield and Glentoran fans descending on Dundalk, Dublin, Cork, Galway...? What could possibly go wrong! Anyone remember the "Love Ulster parade" smashing up O'Connell Street?? Or the horrible NI vs ROI game at Windsor Park in 93, when we saw exactly how these fans feel about the Republic. Seriously, is this guy on crack...?!

[@suffern63]

@Fianna Spoken like a bigot.It's all the fault of the others.Wise up.

[@galoglaich3281]

@@suffern63 Not a biggot he is being pragmatic,An all island league is going to be seen by many in loyalist areas as a harbinger of an united ireland therefore its daft to just think of it just in sporting terms.

[@suffern63]

@@galoglaich3281 I was replying to the person who suggested that Northern Ireland fans would be continually causing trouble.I also agree with the points you made.

[@galoglaich3281]

@@suffern63 I was defending him a year too late but nevertheless i felt your comment was unfair to the commenter.The vast majority of linfield and glentoran fans will behave impeccably but it only takes a few.

[@EGI_Fridays]

@@galoglaich3281 simply ban the troublemakers from attending / traveling

[@MorpheusXRD]

This chap is I la la land.

[@forwardslash1486]

The dup are in la la land

[@MorpheusXRD]

@@forwardslash1486 well that is beyond doubt.

[@izdatsumcp]

This isn't an argument.

[@EGI_Fridays]

Yeah, it makes too much sense to work over here

[@MorpheusXRD]

2 or 3 irish clubs playin in the english league, a la Wales. 2 or 3 franchises

[@MorpheusXRD]

@Fianna outsidecthe box thinking. It's how it is all going. A tiered european league is on it's way. FACT! As the Raffa might say.

[@eoinwilson4228]

That would b awful

[@EGI_Fridays]

Yeah why not just invite Wimbledon back to Dublin while we're at it? (I realise they are defunkt) We need to stop relying on British football to solve our problems, especially after brexit