Fuente: © UEFA (English)
http://www.uefa.com/

WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP: Galway joy galling for Dundalk

/noticias.info/ by Aidan Fitzmaurice
from Dublin

Galway United FC have been elevated to the Irish top flight even though the club finished outside the promotion places at the end of the 2006 season.

New criteria
As part of the league's takeover by the Football Association of Ireland (FAI), there was no automatic promotion or relegation in the Republic of Ireland this year. Instead places in the Premier Division and first division were awarded according to the criteria of a new licensing system.

Galway rewarded
Teams were given points by an FAI-appointed body called the Independent Assessment Group for their off-pitch activities as well as their achievements on the field of play. Consequently the progressive Galway came out ahead of Dundalk FC, who will have to stay in the second tier despite beating Waterford United FC in a promotion/relegation play-off.

'Everyone knew the rules'
Galway and division one winners Shamrock Rovers FC will compete in the 2007 Premier Division while Dundalk and Waterford play one level below. "Everyone knew the rules before the season started," Galway manager Tony Cousins told uefa.com. "I feel sorry for Dundalk but I believe we deserve to be in the Premier Division."

'It's crazy'
However, Dundalk are not happy. "It's enough to make you walk away from the game. I am considering my position in football," said their manager John Gill. "We played 36 games, we played a play-off and won but we're still left out. It's crazy." Dundalk must now reflect on a season in which they beat Galway three times in four league meetings, drawing the other match 0-0. Galway finished behind them in third but their total of 389 points from a possible 500 for off-field criteria proved decisive. notas_de_prensa_archivo