historynut
17/03/2011, 2:30 PM
Aware have raised this previously.
Have just viewed the video in the Leinster Cup Thread Crettyard v Shels showing probably a decent crowd for Crettyard.
As there are now 4 senior clubs in Connacht (Sligo, Galway, Mervue & Salthill) plus one A league level team Castlebar (though now returned to junior), with a plausible quaifying system for junior teams to make say 16 teams is there any reason why a Connacht Senior Cup could not be relaunched ?
Believe previously one argument was time, but time is found for the Leinster & Munster Senior Cups, and following their examples use it as an early season tournement.
I would take it one step further and extend invites to the Ulster Province teams and Longford & Athlone. This has historical precedence as Killybegs, Longford and Athlone appeared in Connacht Junior Cup finals in the 1930's, and Athlone & Longford teams participated in the now defunct Connacht Senior league.
This would give a total of 9 senior sides (aforementioned 4 + Derry, Finn Harps, Monaghan, Athlone & Longford) plus your 2 rated A teams of Castlebar & Fanad.
A total of 11 senior/A level clubs requiring a system for qualifying junior teams to be either whittled down to 5 or or finding 21 quaifying teams.
For Junior clubs to quailfy either win their County League or reach semi finals or quarter finals of the Previous seasons Connacht Junior Cup. That itself would also surely raise the profile of Connacht Junior, clubs knowing a good run could be rewarded with a draw against a big gun the folowing season.
The county leagues gives champions from Galway, Mayo, Roscommon and Sligo & Leitrim gives 4 teams and if the invite is extended to the Ulster teams another 4 could be drawn from the champions of Ulster Senior League, Donegal & Inishowen Leagues and the best junior team from Cavan/Monaghan, giving a total of 8 champion quaifyers add them to the 8 quarter finalists of the Connacht Junior Cup gives a potentially maximum of 16 qualifiers, as some league champions may also have a good cup run and thus there could be an overlap.
The actual number of qualifiers enter qualifying rounds to whittle down to 5 (or 7 depending where A listed teams enter, obviously byes may be required), before entry of senior sides.
A stipulation could be made that where a junior club is drawn against a senior club then it is played at the Junior club and not the senior club, as surely for example Westport or Athenry at home to Sligo, Galway or Derry would draw a bigger crowd than if a played at the senior club. Also as an incentive to junior clubs to reach the Senior Cup semi-final would give automatic qualifacation for the next seasons cup.
Using the old adage of success breeds success, winning the Connacht Cup could lead to a stepping stone to other things, also some senior clubs without success for a while may have chance of puting trophies in the cabinet.
An additional benefit for the junior clubs of Connacht is the experience of playing possibly on regular basis in the Connacht Senior Cup against senior clubs would put them in good sted for better experience in the national FAI Junior Cup.
Have just viewed the video in the Leinster Cup Thread Crettyard v Shels showing probably a decent crowd for Crettyard.
As there are now 4 senior clubs in Connacht (Sligo, Galway, Mervue & Salthill) plus one A league level team Castlebar (though now returned to junior), with a plausible quaifying system for junior teams to make say 16 teams is there any reason why a Connacht Senior Cup could not be relaunched ?
Believe previously one argument was time, but time is found for the Leinster & Munster Senior Cups, and following their examples use it as an early season tournement.
I would take it one step further and extend invites to the Ulster Province teams and Longford & Athlone. This has historical precedence as Killybegs, Longford and Athlone appeared in Connacht Junior Cup finals in the 1930's, and Athlone & Longford teams participated in the now defunct Connacht Senior league.
This would give a total of 9 senior sides (aforementioned 4 + Derry, Finn Harps, Monaghan, Athlone & Longford) plus your 2 rated A teams of Castlebar & Fanad.
A total of 11 senior/A level clubs requiring a system for qualifying junior teams to be either whittled down to 5 or or finding 21 quaifying teams.
For Junior clubs to quailfy either win their County League or reach semi finals or quarter finals of the Previous seasons Connacht Junior Cup. That itself would also surely raise the profile of Connacht Junior, clubs knowing a good run could be rewarded with a draw against a big gun the folowing season.
The county leagues gives champions from Galway, Mayo, Roscommon and Sligo & Leitrim gives 4 teams and if the invite is extended to the Ulster teams another 4 could be drawn from the champions of Ulster Senior League, Donegal & Inishowen Leagues and the best junior team from Cavan/Monaghan, giving a total of 8 champion quaifyers add them to the 8 quarter finalists of the Connacht Junior Cup gives a potentially maximum of 16 qualifiers, as some league champions may also have a good cup run and thus there could be an overlap.
The actual number of qualifiers enter qualifying rounds to whittle down to 5 (or 7 depending where A listed teams enter, obviously byes may be required), before entry of senior sides.
A stipulation could be made that where a junior club is drawn against a senior club then it is played at the Junior club and not the senior club, as surely for example Westport or Athenry at home to Sligo, Galway or Derry would draw a bigger crowd than if a played at the senior club. Also as an incentive to junior clubs to reach the Senior Cup semi-final would give automatic qualifacation for the next seasons cup.
Using the old adage of success breeds success, winning the Connacht Cup could lead to a stepping stone to other things, also some senior clubs without success for a while may have chance of puting trophies in the cabinet.
An additional benefit for the junior clubs of Connacht is the experience of playing possibly on regular basis in the Connacht Senior Cup against senior clubs would put them in good sted for better experience in the national FAI Junior Cup.