Setanta Cup 2015

[Dunny]

Seen this flying around on Twitter


Eight in Setanta hat

The draw for this year's renewal of the Setanta Cup is pencilled in for next Thursday in Abbotstown.

Speculation has surrounded the future of the cross-border competition which was damaged last year by the decision of leading northern sides Linfield and Cliftonville to pull out of the tournament.

That has led to a rethink with a change of scheduling that will facilitate clubs from either side of the border to prepare for European competition in July.

An eight-team tournament in a straight one-legged knockout format is planned with all four quarter-finals broadcast live on TV between June 20-June 24.
http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/league-of-ireland/wealth-gap-stiffens-task-for-realistic-mcdonnell-31186608.html

So as far as i can make out it will be -

Dundalk,Cork City,Shamrock Rovers and Saint Patricks Ath. from the LOI and
Crusaders,Linfield,Glenavon and Glentoran from the NIFL.

Would that be right?

[patrickccfc]

Would love linfield at home if this is happening

[patrickccfc]

Wait a minute, isn't our mid-season break June 13th-25th?

[Dodge]

Looks like they'll be the 8 teams alright. I'll be hoping Pats are away to Crusaders (as I've visited the others)

[Dodge]

Wait a minute, isn't our mid-season break June 13th-25th?

Yeah these games would played in the break (at the weekend)

[Yossarian]

Yeah these games would played in the break (at the weekend)

Kind of makes a mockery of the mid season break considering some clubs may have given players time off to get away.

On the draw, I'd like Crusaders or Glenavon away myself to tick off another ground.

[Dodge]

Most teams would have only given players a few days off and they'll still get that. Europa League is the week after so they'd have been in training anyway. Pats played Aberdeen at that time last year

[toffeejay]

The league and cup winners should get home advantage if its going to be one off ties.

A bit harsh on Sligo not getting to defend their title, especially as they would have also qualified with Cliftonville if it had taken part when it should have a couple of months back.
Precedent as well from 2009:
It is only fair for the tournament winners to be given the chance to defend their crown." Milo Corcoran, Chairman of Setanta Sports Cup Organising Committee

[Dodge]

Not really a precedent as they changed the number of teams to include an extra spot for the holders. Before that there was no provision for holders to qualify (although they all did though league/cup anyway)

They're now using it as European preparation similar to the old Super Cup

[Martinho II]

remind me again who were in the setanta cup last season-it seems a long time ago!

[PartySaint]

remind me again who were in the setanta cup last season-it seems a long time ago!

Pats
Dundalk
Sligo
Rovers

Crusaders
Coleraine
Ballinamallard
Glentoran

[oriel]

Still not entirely sure if the reason for the all LOI semi finals for the above 8 was IL teams not taking it seriously or just a better standard. Possibly mix of both.

[nigel-harps1954]

Well well..

http://www.leagueofireland.ie/#!Setanta-Sports-Cup-draw-has-been-postponed/cwp4/5549debe0cf23d01647787bf

[Mr_Parker]

A bit more detail here http://www.lurganmail.co.uk/sport/football/glenavon-fc/setanta-cup-draw-postponed-1-6727393

[nigel-harps1954]

A subsidy of €1,000 to travel to Cork? That's nice of them. Maybe Harps should look for something similar towards the trip to Cobh on Saturday week.

[oriel]

Is there any point in this going ahead now, clubs obviously can't even agree basic draw dates.

All 4 LOI clubs are in Europe and 3 of the 4 IL clubs are also, not like they will miss the 30k prize that the winner gets. Each club will see significant increases in UEFA money from this season.

Is there even an appetite for it now?

[El-Pietro]

So we get a grand if we're drawn away to anyone?
I don't understand why the games need to be midweek, we have a mid season break at that period anyway, why not play the game on the Saturday?

[oriel]

Also it's not clear if this only relates to an IL side going to Cork. Good point EP makes.

Route planner example, Glenavon (Lurgan) to Cork is 252 miles.

Cork could possibly draw Dundalk in the semi, distance is 215 miles.

[Duffman]

I love how the Glenavon chairman thinks the competition is geared to the LOI, hasn't it been consistently messed about with over the last years to keep the IFA clubs interested?

[toffeejay]

Its a combined prize of €70,000.

Would it not be better for this to be treated as the Champion of Ireland playoff. Just NIFL champion vs LOI champion. Winner gets 50k.
1 fixture on one weekend. Neutral venue or a suitable compromise on home advantage.

Stupid continuing when the benefits outweigh the effort and expenses for clubs entering.

[Charlie Darwin]

Its a combined prize of €70,000.

Would it not be better for this to be treated as the Champion of Ireland playoff. Just NIFL champion vs LOI champion. Winner gets 50k.
1 fixture on one weekend. Neutral venue or a suitable compromise on home advantage.

Stupid continuing when the benefits outweigh the effort and expenses for clubs entering.
Setanta are stumping up the money on condition they get x number of games to televise. If they don't have that, there's no prize pot, so a one-off game would be as worthless as the President's Cup.

[Louth4sam]

Setanta are stumping up the money on condition they get x number of games to televise. If they don't have that, there's no prize pot, so a one-off game would be as worthless as the President's Cup.

The Presidents cup is a fantastic competition.

[patrickccfc]

It's only glenavon that complained and not the other three?

[Dunny]

It's only glenavon that complained and not the other three?

Also appears that Linfield were pulling out anyway -


Meanwhile, it's understood that Linfield will not be participating in this year's Setanta Cup despite a schedule change to the summer which was intended to help Northern Irish participants
The eight-team tournament is pencilled in for a start towards the end of June to aid preparations for Europe but the Belfast giants - who opted out of last year's renewal - have indicated that they will opt out again for reasons of timing. League of Ireland clubs have been told the draw will take place tomorrow but there has been no official announcement from the organisers.

http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/league-of-ireland/flourishing-evans-gives-hope-to-crosschannel-rejects-

[TonyD]

Pats
Dundalk
Sligo
Rovers

Crusaders
Coleraine
Ballinamallard
Glentoran

Only 3 clubs from the LOI ;)


(couldn't resist.)

[patrickccfc]

This competition is becoming a farce at this stage. Seems nothing can be done to satisfy that lot up there. LOI clubs could be forced to play away from home in each tie and start the game with 9 men and the northern teams would still find something to complain about. Think it's unfortunately time to pull the plug on it.

[Charlie Darwin]

It's off completely now according to Rovers.

[Dunny]

F - A - R - C - E







:poo:

[Nah Nah Nah Nah]

Still Champions of Ireland then

[oriel]

I honestly can't see much of a future for it, and not just this year. I think the attitude by the Northern clubs has to change, clearly the travel is a major issue for them, as the longest away trip they must have for a league game is less than 100 miles, and half the league is within the greater Belfast area.

Dundalk played in Windsor Park in Feb 2011, a first leg game and there was less than 800 at the match with half that from the away support. The bizarre thing was they took probably more to the away game than the number of home fans that attended in Windsor.

I know the prize money isn't too big, but surely it's still worth giving it a go? Especially to prepare the IL clubs for Europe. However it looks like the appetite is just not there from the IL, Linfield and Cliftonville pulled out last year, now it appears Glenavon have concerns.

All pointing towards cancelling it for good,and that's a real shame.

[Martinho II]

unfortunately if you look at the history of loi north ireland league clashes they never seem to continue. this setanta cup must have went on the most after of all cross border comps! pity as I would never have bein in Windsor Park or Glentorans ground if only for the setanta cup!

[JC_GUFC]

Linfield have never really given a reason for not taking part just a bit of vague waffle.

I wonder if 3000 people chanting "You dirty Orange Bast***s" at them in Tallaght was the final straw for them.

[TonyD]

Linfield have never really given a reason for not taking part just a bit of vague waffle.

I wonder if 3000 people chanting "You dirty Orange Bast***s" at them in Tallaght was the final straw for them.

I'd say the regular beatings by those dirty fenians might have more to do with it. :p

[Mr_Parker]

Now Crusaders pull out due to the lack of organisation and attempts are being made to reschedule the entire competition.

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/local/crusaders/fresh-doubt-over-setanta-cup-as-crusaders-withdraw-31208103.html

[redobit]

I'd say the regular beatings by those dirty fenians might have more to do with it. :p

Defo. And they'd always be rotten drunk (midweek or not) when they came to our games in the Showgrounds. Its like they couldn't cross the border without being hammered.

[Mr_Parker]

Crues deny withdrawal, but have expressed concerns.

http://www.crusadersfc.com/newsdetail/ID/381

[Charlie Darwin]

Let it die, let it die, let it die...

[Redzer]

It's off completely now according to Rovers.
It is now.

http://www.irishmirror.ie/sport/soccer/soccer-news/setanta-sports-cup-postponed-2015-5693043

[forza]

http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/36483962

Considering how much the Nordie sides moaned about mid week trips south, it's amazing that they've agreed on potential trips to Scotland and Wales!!

[gufcfan]

It was obvious that they were being children about it and this confirms it.

[disgruntled]

Let them off.
We were getting tired of beating them anyway :jaded:

[pineapple stu]

Looking forward to Linfield v Celtic U-20s.

[sulywaterfordfc]

With Setenta now owned by Eir and having been renamed Eir Sports upon the official launch yesterday. Wonder will there be any interest from Eir to restructure the all Ireland cup or has it finally been packed in?

[nigel-harps1954]

With Setenta now owned by Eir and having been renamed Eir Sports upon the official launch yesterday. Wonder will there be any interest from Eir to restructure the all Ireland cup or has it finally been packed in?

One thing is for sure though, the rebranded Eir Sports is free now to all Eir broadband customers, which might have a nice knock on effect for more League of Ireland coverage. Slightly easier accessed than Setanta Sports was anyway.

[Nesta99]

Up to the clubs to push a case for the competition to continue rebranded - the big sell is to the Irish League so the prize money needs to be head turning! Cant see it happening though.

[Charlie Darwin]

The NI clubs have their competition with the Welsh and Scottish B sides, which I imagine is far more exciting for them, so the AIC is bust.

[Nesta99]

Be funny if the competition organisers invited LoI teams to enter at some point - Linfield et al whinging about travel costs to Dundalk yet happy to tip over to some highland club. As for Cork well thats money up front for travell!

[Charlie Darwin]

Unfortunately the Setanta Cup just didn't have anything to match the glamour of a trip to Cowdenbeath in November.

[Nesta99]

Not even those foreign Euro notes in their thousands....

[Charlie Darwin]

Not even those foreign Euro notes in their thousands....
Ah sure those Europeans with their flamboyant, brightly-coloured notes aren't to be trusted.