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Ruth Gorman: Monday, 02 November 2009

How do we 'fix' the problem?

Sport

Are there too many fixtures in the Irish League?

The debate is ongoing, particularly amongst managers.

The fixtures have already come thick and fast for a handful of clubs this season between Europe, the Carling Premiership, the Setanta Cup, the County Antrim Shield and the Co-Operative Cup.

And we haven't even got to Irish Cup stage yet.

Already Glentoran have played 23 games this season, that will be 24 after their Setanta game with Coleraine on Tuesday, on the same night Linfield will have played 23 following their league match against Distillery and Cliftonville aren't far behind on 22.

Eddie Patterson has made his feelings clear on the matter and has had a frustrating time with injuries as a result of a packed schedule.

Larger squads like Linfield and Glentoran don't suffer to quite the same extent as they have more options.

This becomes obvious during the so called 'lesser' competitions.

We have already seen both sides field weaker teams in the County Antrim Shield.

The advantage of that comes into play more at the end of the season when other teams run out of steam.

In effect the odds are always on one of Belfast's Big Two to lift the Gibson Cup in May.

So does something need to be done with the fixture schedule?

And if so what?

We want to know what you think so leave your comments below.

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4 Comments

At 20:44 on 05 November 2009, Darren wrote:

I think the IFA should seriously consider the matter of asking clubs to play so many matches in a season, in what is a league made up of players who are around 95% part-time. The figures just do not add up, plus there is the added disadvantage of the clubs competing against top class football on the box. I applaud Ronnie McFall's decision to pull Portadown out of the Mid-Ulster Cup and Co. Antrim Shield years ago. In my opinion, the late 80's to the mid 90's were the golden era for the Irish League, which had an abundance of talent and crowds to match, nearly every club had a player you would have paid money to watch. Can you say that now? As well as Linfield and Glentoran, you had teams like Portadown, Glenavon, Coleraine, Crusaders, Bangor and even Ards competing for honours. Too many matches make for boring lifeless football and yes it's true, it does favour the bigger clubs who can pay the money to have bigger squads and sign up what lack of talent there is around.

At 18:19 on 05 November 2009, Barry wrote:

Definately way too many games being played in the Irish league. It's not good for player fitness. As a Derry City fan I don't have much interest in the Irish league but even at that i noticed there are too many "mickey mouse" tournaments. Its time to cut the crap and stick to the important games and competitions.

At 11:12 on 04 November 2009, Aaron wrote:

Can't disagree too much with Trevor Lyttles sentiments. I'd echo the points on making CIS knock-out instead of 2legged and to scrap the CAS, surely this is not financially viable any longer. Like there's has been a Saturday that the CIS was played but surely playing a round of Setanta games would've been a better option? We need to play the Setanta and stuff Derry for the last time before it's night night for them.

At 13:50 on 03 November 2009, TREVOR LYTTLE wrote:

I follow Irish League football every week and agree there are too many fixtures. I have emailed the IFA on this but as usual when you email them I have not yet had a reply. Playing the CIS cup over 2 legs for 2 rounds and also giving 2 Saturdays for this competition is a joke. The Co Antrim Shield should also be scrapped as there are now only 6 senior clubs who play in it. I am also annoyed that the IFA took a home friendly at such short notice which will also disrupt the Irish League schedule. I don't see why the friendly could not have been played on the Sunday/Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday leaving Saturday free for the League and also also intermediate/junior football which will also have to reaarranged.

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