tyrone reserve football

[Fionntamhnach]

Would agree that a new reserve league & championship format should be trialled. I'm not sure an east/west split on its own would be enough though as in the west some significant travelling could still happen, e.g. Clann na nGael or Owen Roes away to Fintona or Trillick, for example. You'd also need to tighten up the lists of 12 that are submitted.

Just as an example for a potential format (rip it apart if you want!)

League - All-County "main" reserve league, 20 teams, two divisions of 10 teams each, double round-robin (18 games). Bottom two in Div 1 relegated to Div 2, top two in Div 2 promoted. Bottom two teams in Div 2 relegated to "local" tier, third from bottom into promotion/relegation play-off. "Local" tier below all-county division 2 reserve league; split the county into either two or three districts. e.g. for two districts, east & west, have hopefully in the region of 14-16 teams competing in each district. Each district split into two divisions of 7-8 teams each. To expand, West Tyrone Reserve Football League divisions 1 & 2 - team finishing top of WTRFL Div 1 is promoted to ACRFL Div 2. Team finishing second in WTRFL Div 1 plays off against second in ETRFL Div 1, winner then plays 8th in ACRFL Div 2 in promotion/relegation play-off. Bottom team in WTRFL Div 1 is relegated to WTRFL Div 2, replaced by WTRFL Div 2 winners. Runners-up in WTRFL Div 2 play against second from bottom in WTRFL Div 1 in promotion/relegation play-off. Same idea for promotion & relegation of teams in an East Tyrone RFL.

Championship - All teams playing in that years ACRFL play in the Tyrone Reserve "A" championship. Preliminary round involving the eight lowest finishing teams in the reserve league in the previous year before first round proper. Reserve "B" Championship competed for by west & east Tyrone Div 1 teams, Reserve "C" championship by west & east Tyrone Div 2 teams.

Second reserve (or "third") teams - a club that either has a reserve team in the ACRFL or in division 1 of a district league would be allowed to field a third string. This third team would not be allowed to play in the all-county reserve league, nor be promoted into Div 1 of their district league if their second string is to play in West/East Div 1 the next season - promotion or play-off rights would be granted to the team finishing below them.

Current rule that allows ACL reserve Div 2 and Div 3 league games to be played 13-a-side if at least one team cannot field 15 players to remain in place for West & East reserve leagues. All championship games plus promotion/relegation play-offs remain 15-a-side.

Games where practical played on Friday evenings with a 7.00 to 7.30pm throw-in, dependent on daylight. Start from early April with an aim to finish the leagues, excluding play-offs, no later than mid-September. No postponements for any club that has a player in a county panel from minor and above during the league.

[Mikhailov]

I'd be inclined to agree about a separate reserve league but my suggestion would be split the county east and west and have 2 leagues of 12 (or whatever the split is) and run the league off from that. Reason being it may be hard to gather a reserve team on a Friday night if derrytresk had to travel to urney for example. Championship could then be run as an all county thing. Think some kind of change in structure should be tried out sooner rather than later.

Not a bad idea that. Four divisions. East D1, East D2, West D1, West D2. All Friday night games.

Current system doesn't work- esp in smaller clubs where lads double off. We took lads off at half time in reserves at the weekend to save them for senior game- weren't used but then there were no black cards- in this instance our reserves went on to win the game- but chances are that wouldn't happen every week.

UL - great idea. four regional divisions giving consistent football to reserve players with games on a weekly basis. Think you could be onto something there...

[tyroneboi]

East 1           East 2                  East 3
Ardboe           Brackaville          Aghaloo
Clonoe           Derrylaughan          Beragh
Coalisland   Dungannon          Brocagh
Cookstown   Edendork                  Derrytresk
Donaghmore   Galbally                  Killyman
Eglish           Kildress                  Rock
Errigal           Moy                          Stewartstown
Moortown    Pomeroy                  Kileeshil
      
West 1           West 2                  West 3
Augher           Aghyaran                  Castlederg
Carrickmore   Gortin                  Clann na Gael
Dromore           Greencastle          Dregish
Eskra           Loughmacrory          Drumquin
Killyclogher   Newtownstewart    Drumragh
Omagh           Clogher                  Glenelly
Strabane           Urney                  Owen Roes
Trillick           Fintona                  Tattyreagh
      
      
8 teams playing each other twice   
14 league games guaranteed ran off on Friday evenings or whenever suits the clubs involved
Top 2 promoted, bottom 2 relegated   
Divisional all county championships ran off in August/September

[Stall the Bailer]

I would not agree to reserve football only on a Friday night, it would cause too many problems.
Saturday would suit or  Monday evening might be a possibility.

The problems with a Friday night match would come about where panels already train on a Friday night (due to players working or studying away during the week).
They could no longer train on a Friday night due to the reserve games.

If the reserve panel are away on a Friday night they would have a max of 15 seniors at training (more than likely less than that). If the club has only one pitch this again rules out training on a Friday night when playing a home game.

If the match does go ahead on Friday night the senior management will not see the game if they are training the senior panel.

This would also mean the reserve players would only train once a week

[Under Lights]

I would not agree to reserve football only on a Friday night, it would cause too many problems.
Saturday would suit or  Monday evening might be a possibility.

The problems with a Friday night match would come about where panels already train on a Friday night (due to players working or studying away during the week).
They could no longer train on a Friday night due to the reserve games.

If the reserve panel are away on a Friday night they would have a max of 15 seniors at training (more than likely less than that). If the club has only one pitch this again rules out training on a Friday night when playing a home game.

If the match does go ahead on Friday night the senior management will not see the game if they are training the senior panel.

This would also mean the reserve players would only train once a week

Plenty. Lads that are on the senior panel training once and playing a match in reserves would keep them sharp. Lads that are playing senior only need to train the twice a week.

Monday night might be more viable though as it would mean fresher players for senior match.

[Stall the Bailer]

I would not agree to reserve football only on a Friday night, it would cause too many problems.
Saturday would suit or  Monday evening might be a possibility.

The problems with a Friday night match would come about where panels already train on a Friday night (due to players working or studying away during the week).
They could no longer train on a Friday night due to the reserve games.

If the reserve panel are away on a Friday night they would have a max of 15 seniors at training (more than likely less than that). If the club has only one pitch this again rules out training on a Friday night when playing a home game.

If the match does go ahead on Friday night the senior management will not see the game if they are training the senior panel.

This would also mean the reserve players would only train once a week

Plenty. Lads that are on the senior panel training once and playing a match in reserves would keep them sharp. Lads that are playing senior only need to train the twice a week.

Monday night might be more viable though as it would mean fresher players for senior match.

You would want your senior fringe players who usually make up the sub bench for the seniors to train twice a week. Friday night reserve football would make this hard if they are also playing reserve.

For example the
Seniors play Sunday, all train Tuesday, all train Thursday, reserve match Friday, senior match Saturday (as this weekend due to Easter/other times due to county game etc)

Reserve players would be out 3 nights in a row. If they study/work in Belfast they would also be doing plenty of travelling and a few late nights/little rest.

[LeoMc]

I would not agree to reserve football only on a Friday night, it would cause too many problems.
Saturday would suit or  Monday evening might be a possibility.

The problems with a Friday night match would come about where panels already train on a Friday night (due to players working or studying away during the week).
They could no longer train on a Friday night due to the reserve games.

If the reserve panel are away on a Friday night they would have a max of 15 seniors at training (more than likely less than that). If the club has only one pitch this again rules out training on a Friday night when playing a home game.

If the match does go ahead on Friday night the senior management will not see the game if they are training the senior panel.

This would also mean the reserve players would only train once a week

Does that not also rule out Monday nights?

Anyway, semantics and aside, I think Fionn / CL / TB are onto something. This could potentially give a lot more football to a lot of players. the promotion / relegation element of it will make it more competitive and the timing (allowing players outside the 12 to be available) will up the standard.

18 guaranteed games run during the summer months on top of whatever Reserve championship / occasional senior league and McElduff cup appearances sure beats training 2-3 times a week from Feb to October for 10-12 games in the current format.

IIRC there was some lip service paid a few years ago to bringing in non-competitive or casual games to increase participation and allow those who could not commit fully to get a bit of football. This could also go some way to addressing that need.

[Under Lights]

I would not agree to reserve football only on a Friday night, it would cause too many problems.
Saturday would suit or  Monday evening might be a possibility.

The problems with a Friday night match would come about where panels already train on a Friday night (due to players working or studying away during the week).
They could no longer train on a Friday night due to the reserve games.

If the reserve panel are away on a Friday night they would have a max of 15 seniors at training (more than likely less than that). If the club has only one pitch this again rules out training on a Friday night when playing a home game.

If the match does go ahead on Friday night the senior management will not see the game if they are training the senior panel.

This would also mean the reserve players would only train once a week

Plenty. Lads that are on the senior panel training once and playing a match in reserves would keep them sharp. Lads that are playing senior only need to train the twice a week.

Monday night might be more viable though as it would mean fresher players for senior match.

You would want your senior fringe players who usually make up the sub bench for the seniors to train twice a week. Friday night reserve football would make this hard if they are also playing reserve.

For example the
Seniors play Sunday, all train Tuesday, all train Thursday, reserve match Friday, senior match Saturday (as this weekend due to Easter/other times due to county game etc)

Reserve players would be out 3 nights in a row. If they study/work in Belfast they would also be doing plenty of travelling and a few late nights/little rest.

Depends on your club. I know some clubs where there are two completely separate panels- ie they have 19/20 that don't tog out for the reserves at all any given Sunday. If that means 5 play no football at the weekend thats just the way they do it.
Basically I think if you are a fringe player and are training once a week with the seniors and playing a match for the reserves you should be sharp enough.
Are you working on set pieces or something at training?

Training during the playing year is scaled back whereby a Thursday/Friday session usually consists of a few sharp handpassing drills, bit of shooting etc. 15 of a senior team at training would be plenty for that.

[Under Lights]

Better for refs as well. Every Sunday you need 2 refs at each venue, one for reserve one for senior. With reserves separate night would allow for some to officiate a match friday night and one sunday- could even mean weekends off for some refs too.

[Stall the Bailer]

I would not agree to reserve football only on a Friday night, it would cause too many problems.
Saturday would suit or  Monday evening might be a possibility.

The problems with a Friday night match would come about where panels already train on a Friday night (due to players working or studying away during the week).
They could no longer train on a Friday night due to the reserve games.

If the reserve panel are away on a Friday night they would have a max of 15 seniors at training (more than likely less than that). If the club has only one pitch this again rules out training on a Friday night when playing a home game.

If the match does go ahead on Friday night the senior management will not see the game if they are training the senior panel.

This would also mean the reserve players would only train once a week

Does that not also rule out Monday nights?

That's why I said a possibilty. At least with Monday night all the player could train on a Friday night. You would also have fresh panel for the Seniors on a Sunday. 

[Stall the Bailer]

I would not agree to reserve football only on a Friday night, it would cause too many problems.
Saturday would suit or  Monday evening might be a possibility.

The problems with a Friday night match would come about where panels already train on a Friday night (due to players working or studying away during the week).
They could no longer train on a Friday night due to the reserve games.

If the reserve panel are away on a Friday night they would have a max of 15 seniors at training (more than likely less than that). If the club has only one pitch this again rules out training on a Friday night when playing a home game.

If the match does go ahead on Friday night the senior management will not see the game if they are training the senior panel.

This would also mean the reserve players would only train once a week

Plenty. Lads that are on the senior panel training once and playing a match in reserves would keep them sharp. Lads that are playing senior only need to train the twice a week.

Monday night might be more viable though as it would mean fresher players for senior match.

You would want your senior fringe players who usually make up the sub bench for the seniors to train twice a week. Friday night reserve football would make this hard if they are also playing reserve.

For example the
Seniors play Sunday, all train Tuesday, all train Thursday, reserve match Friday, senior match Saturday (as this weekend due to Easter/other times due to county game etc)

Reserve players would be out 3 nights in a row. If they study/work in Belfast they would also be doing plenty of travelling and a few late nights/little rest.

Depends on your club. I know some clubs where there are two completely separate panels- ie they have 19/20 that don't tog out for the reserves at all any given Sunday. If that means 5 play no football at the weekend thats just the way they do it.
Basically I think if you are a fringe player and are training once a week with the seniors and playing a match for the reserves you should be sharp enough.
Are you working on set pieces or something at training?

Training during the playing year is scaled back whereby a Thursday/Friday session usually consists of a few sharp handpassing drills, bit of shooting etc. 15 of a senior team at training would be plenty for that.

For the clubs who struggle to get numbers out this would not be the case (looking at the amount of walkover matches from previous years, this seems to be a lot from all divisions)

I'd say it would would be rare that you would get 15 for a Friday night. With players carrying a niggle or working and other excusses etc it probalby would be more like 10-12. You have too account for all clubs not just the big ones.

[Stall the Bailer]

A quick improvement that could be made now would be to have senior matches first and no cancellation of reserve match due to minor or senior county matches.

[blewuporstuffed]

A quick improvement that could be made now would be to have senior matches first and no cancellation of reserve match due to minor or senior county matches.

I think the senior game first would be something worth trialing at least, even if it was only fro a run of 3 or 4 league games to see how it works. if its not workable, then it can always go back to the way it was

[blackball]

A quick improvement that could be made now would be to have senior matches first and no cancellation of reserve match due to minor or senior county matches.

I think the senior game first would be something worth trialing at least, even if it was only fro a run of 3 or 4 league games to see how it works. if its not workable, then it can always go back to the way it was

How is playing the senior match first first going to improve things?

[blewuporstuffed]

A quick improvement that could be made now would be to have senior matches first and no cancellation of reserve match due to minor or senior county matches.

I think the senior game first would be something worth trialing at least, even if it was only fro a run of 3 or 4 league games to see how it works. if its not workable, then it can always go back to the way it was

How is playing the senior match first first going to improve things?

At the minute we have players being held for the senior game (incase of black cards/injury etc) and maybe not getting used at all then.
If the senior game is first, any unused subs in it can still get a game in the reserves.