FAI Further Pandering to Derry: Super Cup

**Bohs11** · 27/02/2012, 8:58 PM

http://www.independent.ie/sport/socc...h-3031332.html

Meanwhile, after positive soundings during the week about possible funding for the redevelopment of the Brandywell, there could be more good news for McClean's old club Derry City after Fran Gavin confirmed they may represent the Airtricity League in this year's Dublin Super Cup.
A representative side lined out in 2011, but the new organisers, Iconic, are considering going for a settled club team instead.
It would be compensation for Derry after they were refused entry to the Europa League due to the mistakes of the previous regime.

Absolute disgrace of a decision

**Jofspring** · 27/02/2012, 9:02 PM

Originally Posted by Bohs11

Absolute disgrace of a decision

But no decision has been made.

Shamrock Rovers should be the representative team but they will most likely be unavailable at that time due to european matches.

**Aaron** · 27/02/2012, 9:07 PM

Originally Posted by Bohs11

http://www.independent.ie/sport/socc...h-3031332.html

Absolute disgrace of a decision

Why dont you give us all your explanation as to why its an absolute disgrace of a decision? Didnt it cross your mind that both Shamrock Rvs and Sligo, along with St Pats and yourselves will likely be in European action at that time? No, probaby not, typical of someone to just whinge rather than look at the possible reasons behind it

**Dalymountrower** · 27/02/2012, 9:21 PM

I`m not sure what the attraction is for a club to commit itself mid -season to a meaningless competition where the organisers are willing you to get knocked out asap. Will Derry get to change in a proper dressing room? Is there appearance money? I remember Derry spoiled a previous bar stool fest by beating Celtic in the semi, hopefully they can ruin the FAI`s party again
Not a bad precedent for the highest placed team of the previous season not in European competition to get an invite to this.

**El-Pietro** · 27/02/2012, 9:31 PM

its actually a good call, Derry would likely outperform a select XI

**gormacha** · 27/02/2012, 9:47 PM

I think the point the OP was making, and if so I agree, is why should Derry be compensated?

It's not how they will perform, or whether they will spoil the FAI party that's important, but why be rewarded for failing to fulfill EUFA criteria?

**nigel-harps1954** · 27/02/2012, 9:50 PM

I said it before, it's much better off having an actual league team represent the LOI rather than a LOI XI which was a disgrace last year.
Even as a Harps fan, I'd give them full backing before I'd give a league XI full backing.
Fair play if they get into it. It will be during the mid-season break and will be a great chance to keep match fitness up whilst also giving players a chance to put themselves in the shop window for a big money move.

**pineapple stu** · 27/02/2012, 10:08 PM

Originally Posted by nigel-harps1954

I said it before, it's much better off having an actual league team represent the LOI rather than a LOI XI which was a disgrace last year.

Originally Posted by El-Pietro

its actually a good call, Derry would likely outperform a select XI

I'd agree with these. People complain when it's a league select because the players meet two days before the game and get hammered. Obvious solution is to invite the highest-placed non-European qualifier.

If it goes back to a LoI select the year after, then we can look at it being a disgrace.

**CSFShels** · 27/02/2012, 10:52 PM

I don't think its a bad idea to have the highest placed non euro qualifier in this, but the fact that this is compensation for being punished for cheating is ****in disgraceful.

**gormacha** · 27/02/2012, 10:58 PM

Originally Posted by CSFShels

I don't think its a bad idea to have the highest placed non euro qualifier in this, but the fact that this is compensation for being punished for cheating is ****in disgraceful.

That's the point I'd like to see addressed by posters who think putting Derry in is a good idea.

**nigel-harps1954** · 27/02/2012, 11:02 PM

Originally Posted by CSFShels

I don't think its a bad idea to have the highest placed non euro qualifier in this, but the fact that this is compensation for being punished for cheating is ****in disgraceful.

Originally Posted by gormacha

That's the point I'd like to see addressed by posters who think putting Derry in is a good idea.

In complete agreement with these two points. But I'd still prefer them being in before a LOI select.

**MagicMon** · 27/02/2012, 11:08 PM

Originally Posted by gormacha

That's the point I'd like to see addressed by posters who think putting Derry in is a good idea.

It's straight from the LOI/FAI book on public relations.

"The FAI are to announce that the highest ranked team from last year's league will have a place in the Dublin Super Cup, depending on European commitments. This means that Derry City are likely to grab the spot if Shamrock Rovers, Sligo and St. Pats progress to later rounds of the UEFA competitions.... etc etc"

See, no worries there, fair enough idea, good to see an actual club side invovled. But, throw in the 'compensation' word and then the problems start.

**Aaron** · 27/02/2012, 11:14 PM

Now hold on a minute, have the FAI actually mentioned compensation, or are people just diving head first into what they think just because Dan McDonnell said it in his article?

**nichold** · 27/02/2012, 11:20 PM

I would have thought the whole compensation thing would have been more just a passing remark by the article writer than the official FAI line...

As a Derry fan I think it's fair to say that at the club level it has similar benefits as disadvantages - prestige, match fitness, possible transfer money, experience on one hand, against extra matches mid-season, possible injuries, possibly losing our best players mid-season etc. At the league level, i dont think there is much argument in that 1 LoI team is probably a better choice than an Airtricity XI.

**SwanVsDalton** · 27/02/2012, 11:24 PM

Originally Posted by Aaron

Now hold on a minute, have the FAI actually mentioned compensation, or are people just diving head first into what they think just because Dan McDonnell said it in his article?

Precisely. Someone want to dig out a quote where the FAI or Fran Gavin have said this is compensation?

**Sam_Heggy** · 28/02/2012, 4:55 AM

Originally Posted by SwanVsDalton

Precisely. Someone want to dig out a quote where the FAI or Fran Gavin have said this is compensation?

So, if Derry do compete in this who-ha, they will do so without any percentage of gate receipts, TV rights, sponsorship, etc?

**El-Pietro** · 28/02/2012, 7:31 AM

the FAI can't win. They actually make a good decision and people start tearing shreds out of them

**Spudulika** · 28/02/2012, 7:57 AM

They can go the whole hog, instead of a backside covering exercise. Have a proper LOI XI team that plays 4-5 matches a year against other leagues (and the Super Cup), give players exposure and reward them. It'd make it much easier for them, the organisers and most of the crowd if there was no LOI team at all. Just 4 "name" sides in for the cash and jolly up.

**Dodge** · 28/02/2012, 8:41 AM

Clubs already stretched with a load of midweek games, they just can't fit in representative games. Shame as I always enjoyed them

If this is going ahead, it will happen on a weekend with league fixtures. So Derry will have a game postponed. Compensation will be interesting to see

Small chance for the FAI to try and piggyback some advertising for the LOI fixtures that weekend.

Don't mind Derry getting this, but there's a fair chance that most Irish Euro qualifiers would be long gone from Europe if this is August. You don't really want a situation where finishing outside the Euro places is more lucrative than qualifying

**legendz** · 28/02/2012, 8:45 AM

If they need advanced notice on who to select, I'd see it as a fair call to select the next team that missed out on Europe. Had Derry been in Europe, I'd have seen Bohs as the next team to take the place. Teams need to be known early for organisation of the tournament. When team are involved in Europe, it wouldn't be ideal to pick them as last years players of clubs involved were unavailable.