Leinster has received a number of queries with regard to the various scenarios in the Leinster League at the end of this season in relation to the possibility of a Leinster team (or two) getting relegated from the AIB League…
Following a Working party report that was adopted by the Competitions Committee, a circular was distributed on 16th September that outlined the four possible outcomes for next season 2010-11. An extract from that circular is below, followed by an explanation on how the numbers will be arrived at in each Division.
LEINSTER LEAGUE
2010-11
It is being strongly recommended that Division 1A should remain at 8 teams for season 2010-11. This is chiefly because, if this division absorbs an extra team or two as a result of relegation from the AIB League, it will then become largely unmanageable within the time constraints imposed upon it.
It is recommended that if there are one or two extra teams as a result of teams getting relegated from the AIB League then the adjustment in numbers should be made in Div 1B.
It is also recommended that with the likely addition of West Offaly Lions and Tallaght in Div 3 the Super Six should be discontinued and the 14 teams should be divided into two divisions of 7 teams each i.e. Div 3A and 3B.
Div 3A will consist of the bottom two teams relegated from Div 2 in 2009-10, the teams that finish 3rd, 4th and 5th in Div 3 Super Six Section A in 2009-10, the winner of Div 3 Super Six Section B in 2009-10 and the winner of a play off between the 6th placed team in Div 3 Super Six Section A in 2009-10 and the runner up in Div 3 Super Six Section B in 2009-10
There are four possible permutations, which are listed below, with regard to promotion and relegation to and from the AIB League and how the various Divisions would stack up if this proposal is adapted
1. No Change (including no team promoted and no team relegated or one team promoted and one team relegated)
Div 1A – 8 teams
Div 1B – 8 teams
Div 2 – 10 teams
Div 3 – 14 teams (with the likely addition of West Offaly Lions and Tallaght) – sub divided into Div 3A and Div 3B with 7 teams in each Div
2. 1 team promoted to AIB League
Div 1A – 8 teams
Div 1B – 8 teams
Div 2 – 9 teams
Div 3 – 14 teams (with the likely addition of West Offaly Lions and Tallaght) – sub divided into Div 3A and Div 3B with 7 teams in each Div
3. 1 team relegated from AIB League (including two teams relegated and one team promoted)
Div 1A – 8 teams
Div 1B – 9 teams
Div 2 – 10 teams
Div 3 – 14 teams (with the likely addition of West Offaly Lions and Tallaght) – sub divided into Div 3A and Div 3B with 7 teams in each Div
4. 2 teams relegated from AIB League
Div 1A – 8 teams
Div 1B – 10 teams
Div 2 – 10 teams
Div 3 – 14 teams (with the likely addition of West Offaly Lions and Tallaght) – sub divided into Div 3A and Div 3B with 7 teams in each Div
Seeding Structure for 2010-11
A seeding structure has been drawn up that will be used to rank teams at the end of this season. This seeding structure will then be used to allocate teams to the various leagues when the AIB League and Round Robin have been completed at the end of April.
The playoffs will be held as soon as possible on completion of the various Divisions as it’s unfair to have teams hanging around until the end of April when the AIB League process including the Round Robin is complete.
The results of the play offs will determine a club’s position on the seeding structure.
A chart, which is attached, has been drawn up with the seeding structure and the outcome of the four possible scenarios, which are described below. We used the names of American sporting teams in order to try and maintain a neutral perspective but you can apply your own club where appropriate.
It is envisaged that this seeding structure will become the basis for the composition of the Leinster League the following season 2011-12 (when the top three Divisions will be ring-fenced at 8 teams each) and beyond.
The 4 possible compositions of the League in 2010-11 are as follows:
1.No Change (including no team promoted and no team relegated or one team promoted and one team relegated)
Division 1A – 1st (or team relegated from AIB League), 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, team promoted from Div 1B (winner), winner of Div 1A/1B promotion/relegation playoff – bottom team relegated to Div 1B
Division 1B – team relegated from Div 1A, loser of Div 1A/1B promotion/relegation playoff, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, team promoted from Div 2 (winner), winner of Div 1B/2 promotion/relegation playoff – bottom team relegated to Div 2
Division 2 – team relegated from Div 1B, loser of Div 1B/2 promotion/relegation playoff, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, teams promoted from Div 2 (winner & runner up) – bottom 2 teams relegated to Div 3
Division 3A – 2 teams relegated from Div 3, 3rd, 4th, 5th in Div 3 Super Six Section A, the winner of Div 3 Super Six Section B in 2009-10 and the winner of a play off between the 6th placed team in Div 3 Super Six Section A in 2009-10 and the runner up in Div 3 Super Six Section B in 2009-10
Division 3B – loser of a play off between the 6th placed team in Div 3 Super Six Section A in 2009-10 and the runner up in Div 3 Super Six Section B in 2009-10, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th in Div 3 Super Six Section B in 2009-10, Tallaght and West Offaly Lions
2. 1 team promoted to AIB League
Division 1A – 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, team promoted from Div 1B (winner), winner of Div 1A/1B promotion/relegation playoff, loser of Div 1B promotion/relegation playoff – bottom team relegated to Div 1B,
Division 1B – team relegated from Div 1A, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, team promoted from Div 2 (winner), winner of Div 1B/2 promotion/relegation playoff, loser of Div 1B/2 promotion/relegation playoff – bottom team relegated to Div 2
Division 2 – team relegated from Div 1B, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, teams promoted from Div 2 (winner & runner up) – bottom 2 teams relegated to Div 3
Division 3A – 2 teams relegated from Div 3, 3rd, 4th, 5th in Div 3 Super Six Section A, the winner of Div 3 Super Six Section B in 2009-10 and the winner of a play off between the 6th placed team in Div 3 Super Six Section A in 2009-10 and the runner up in Div 3 Super Six Section B in 2009-10
Division 3B – loser of a play off between the 6th placed team in Div 3 Super Six Section A in 2009-10 and the runner up in Div 3 Super Six Section B in 2009-10, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th in Div 3 Super Six Section B in 2009-10, Tallaght and West Offaly Lions
3. 1 team relegated from AIB League (including two teams relegated and one team promoted)
Division 1A – team relegated from AIB League 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, team promoted from Div 1B (winner), – bottom team relegated to Div 1B,
Division 1B – team relegated from Div 1A, winner of Div 1A/1B promotion/relegation playoff, loser of Div 1B promotion/relegation playoff, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, team promoted from Div 2 (winner), winner of Div 1B/2 promotion/relegation playoff – bottom team relegated to Div 2
Division 2 – team relegated from Div 1B, loser of Div 1B/2 promotion/relegation playoff, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, teams promoted from Div 2 (winner & runner up) – bottom 2 teams relegated to Div 3
Division 3A – 2 teams relegated from Div 3, 3rd, 4th, 5th in Div 3 Super Six Section A, the winner of Div 3 Super Six Section B in 2009-10 and the winner of a play off between the 6th placed team in Div 3 Super Six Section A in 2009-10 and the runner up in Div 3 Super Six Section B in 2009-10
Division 3B – loser of a play off between the 6th placed team in Div 3 Super Six Section A in 2009-10 and the runner up in Div 3 Super Six Section B in 2009-10, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th in Div 3 Super Six Section B in 2009-10, Tallaght and West Offaly Lions
*** In Division 1A – 1st may be replaced by team No 2 relegated from AIB League
4. 2 teams relegated from AIB League
Division 1A – 2 teams relegated from AIB League 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, team promoted from Div 1B (winner), – bottom team relegated to Div 1B,
Division 1B – team relegated from Div 1A, 6th team Div 1A, winner of Div 1A/1B promotion/relegation playoff, loser of Div 1B promotion/relegation playoff, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, team promoted from Div 2 (winner), winner of Div 1B/2 promotion/relegation playoff – bottom team relegated to Div 2
Division 2 – team relegated from Div 1B, loser of Div 1B/2 promotion/relegation playoff, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, teams promoted from Div 2 (winner & runner up) – bottom 2 teams relegated to Div 3
Division 3A – 2 teams relegated from Div 3, 3rd, 4th, 5th in Div 3 Super Six Section A, the winner of Div 3 Super Six Section B in 2009-10 and the winner of a play off between the 6th placed team in Div 3 Super Six Section A in 2009-10 and the runner up in Div 3 Super Six Section B in 2009-10
Division 3B – loser of a play off between the 6th placed team in Div 3 Super Six Section A in 2009-10 and the runner up in Div 3 Super Six Section B in 2009-10, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th in Div 3 Super Six Section B in 2009-10, Tallaght and West Offaly Lions
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