2025 Leinster Senior Cup

[oriel]

Didn't see a thread on this, but a classic today and keeping with tradition of bizarre events in this competition.

https://x.com/DundalkFC/status/1904202458622013794

Translated and DFC were most kind on this, the 'unforeseen circumstances' was North End could not field a team. Into the semi finals then for Dundalk and 2 wins away from the glory years once again.

Incidentally, Bray still have a group game to play, and one team is into the semi finals of the competition - outstanding stuff.

[Nesta99]

Glimpse in to the future third division....

[2 Year Contract]

Incidentally, Bray still have a group game to play, and one team is into the semi finals of the competition - outstanding stuff.

Can't imagine that Bray vs Inchicore Athletic game will go ahead either as it’s essentially now a meaningless friendly after tonight’s 1-1 draw between Athlone and Bray leaving it a dead rubber group game

[joey B]

St Mochtas beat Athlone 2 -0 tonight,incidentally Ian Ryan has had a pretty disastrous start to life as Athlone boss …

[outspoken]

So whi is actually left in comp? What stage is it at.

[RealJohn91]

So whi is actually left in comp? What stage is it at.
Going by FAI Connect last night was a quarter final, Bohs have a won a quarter final against Usher Celtic too apparently. Haven't a clue who's in the other two ties. Those aren't listed for some reason.

[2 Year Contract]

The Semi final teams are Bohs, Dundalk and St Mochta’s. The last QF to be played is Pats vs Drogheda which hasn’t had a date set yet

[Burnsie]

they need to put a bullet in this lame horse

[Louth4sam]

I'd actually forgotten all about this and my team is in the semi. As a pre-season competition it's fine. Good matches to get minutes in to the legs of players and the top premier teams can play the young lads to get them competitive minutes. However we are getting towards the end of the season now and who is going to risk any of their players in a match like this. If Dundalk get drawn with Mochtas we might be able to play the match in the free week we'll have for the cup but can't see where it or the final will fit in otherwise.

[2 Year Contract]

In true Leinster Senior Cup fashion, the 2025-26 competition is due to start before the 10th of August, which is almost certainly before that Pats vs Drogheda QF from the 2024–25 edition will be played :D

The 1st/2nd/3rd round draw is here for anyone interested in their ametuer football:

https://www.facebook.com/share/1F7AU9fMWq/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Ive also just realised I’ve no idea how it’s determined which teams enter in which of those 3 rounds but hey, it’s the LSC and it’s not supposed to be make any sense or be easy to understand I suppose!

[2 Year Contract]

Pats have announced the Quarter Final of this at home to Drogheda will be played on 5 September at 7 o’clock and that the winners will be playing away to St Mochta’s in the semi, meaning the other semi is Dundalk vs Bohs although I’ve no idea which is the home team in that one. Good to have a game to go to during the international break anyways

[2 Year Contract]

Dundalk FC will receive a bye into the PTSB Leinster Senior Cup final, where they will play the winners of Drogheda United vs St Patrick’s Athletic or St Mochtas.

Bohs have given Dundalk their second bye of the competition as they can’t agree on a date to play the game. Proper LSC stuff :D

[D24Saint]

Bohs have given Dundalk their second bye of the competition as they can’t agree on a date to play the game. Proper LSC stuff :D

When clubs wont play a semi final its time to put the competition out of its misery. They should only allow LOI u-20's to participate if the cup is to have a future.

[2 Year Contract]

When clubs wont play a semi final it’s time to put the competition out of its misery. They should only allow LOI u-20's to participate if the cup is to have a future.

It’s actually the second time Bohs have pulled out of the LSC at the semi final stage. They did the same in 2019

[sbgawa]

Indont understand bohs or anyone pulljng out of a semi final, the under 20s surely would love a crack at it...and even if a couple of under 20s are kept for the first team so what....

[2 Year Contract]

Indont understand bohs or anyone pulljng out of a semi final, the under 20s surely would love a crack at it...and even if a couple of under 20s are kept for the first team so what....
Agree with you there. And if not all of the 20s are available, some of the 17s would love the chance too. But to just pull out of it is disrespectful to Usher Celtic who they beat in the quarters who would’ve loved a chance to compete in the semi final

[Buckett]

Is there a fine, or any type of deterrent, for pulling out of a cup competition, regardless of which round it is?

[Martinho II]

Is there a fine, or any type of deterrent, for pulling out of a cup competition, regardless of which round it is?

Dont think so Buckett pretty sure this has happened before in LSC?

[sbgawa]

Agree with you there. And if not all of the 20s are available, some of the 17s would love the chance too. But to just pull out of it is disrespectful to Usher Celtic who they beat in the quarters who would’ve loved a chance to compete in the semi final
Indisnt even think of that , you are 100% right , a club like Usher Celtic would see the LSC as massive . Either there should be a fine for pulling out or the losing club gets reinstated (as would happen like in a scemerio where a club played an inelligible player

[ger121]

Indont understand bohs or anyone pulljng out of a semi final, the under 20s surely would love a crack at it...and even if a couple of under 20s are kept for the first team so what....

My thoughts exactly. An absolute shocking decision by the club.

[oriel]

100% surely their u19's or whatever could have travelled 50 mins up the road, seems bizarre decision by Bohs to be honest.

If Dundalk end up winning this, we should be allowed to keep the trophy along with the league cup (won and last played in 2019), seems zero appetite to continue both cups, although I always had a soft spot for League Cup, it was the first trophy won by the club in Sept 2014 under SK era and laid out the platform for future glory era, Derry C would have been good friends too with the LC.

The LSC seems all but dead now.

[Roones26]

In principle there is more of a case for the league cup when they bring in 20 more teams in the prospective third tier

[Acornvilla]

I'm a big fan of having the lg cup back, and keeping/improving the provincial ones as well, some clubs use them better than others but it's invaluable 1st team exposure that can be very hard earned for both kids and players who are generally subs. I'm a mad man who would probably also like a shield type thing for everyone outside of the PD, but I can make peace with that not happening :D

[D24Saint]

Just pulling out of the competition was a poor call. It denies young players a chance of a first senior appearance or medal. When the club has boundless energy and time to spend on non football activates and marketing. Then don't have the will when it comes to arranging a football match imo questions should be asked by supporters about who made the call. I remember Melia's first senior goal was in the LS Cup , its a useful tool in player development.

[sbgawa]

Just pulling out of the competition was a poor call. It denies young players a chance of a first senior appearance or medal. When the club has boundless energy and time to spend on non football activates and marketing. Then don't have the will when it comes to arranging a football match imo questions should be asked by supporters about who made the call. I remember Melia's first senior goal was in the LS Cup , its a useful tool in player development.

And its not like theyve won anything recently ...................sorry couldnt help myself ;)

[EatYerGreens]

100% surely their u19's or whatever could have travelled 50 mins up the road, seems bizarre decision by Bohs to be honest.

If Dundalk end up winning this, we should be allowed to keep the trophy along with the league cup (won and last played in 2019), seems zero appetite to continue both cups, although I always had a soft spot for League Cup, it was the first trophy won by the club in Sept 2014 under SK era and laid out the platform for future glory era, Derry C would have been good friends too with the LC.

The LSC seems all but dead now.

Having just 2 trophies for LOI clubs to compete for feels too few IMO. So I'd bring the LC back once the 3rd tier is in place

[D24Saint]

Having just 2 trophies for LOI clubs to compete for feels too few IMO. So I'd bring the LC back once the 3rd tier is in place

The issue with the league cup will be the same as before. Once there is no decent prize money or a European place on offer there is only so serious managers and fans will take it.

[EatYerGreens]

The issue with the league cup will be the same as before. Once there is no decent prize money or a European place on offer there is only so serious managers and fans will take it.

I'd disagree. Maybe the bigger clubs wouldn't take it too seriously (though they always do once it gets to the latter stages). But that would help other clubs for whom trophies are a rarity, and who winning a League Cup would be big.

[Roones26]

The problem ultimately with a league cup or any of the other second order competitions is that there arent enough senior clubs/variation of games in the game in ireland right ? As well as that the League Cup never really had a unique selling point as opposed to the FAI Cup as the composition is the same ?

Like its a hard sell for the clubs to go see the same two teams play in a game for the fifth time that season in a second order competition not covered by your season ticket right ?

[nigel-harps1954]

The problem ultimately with a league cup or any of the other second order competitions is that there arent enough senior clubs/variation of games in the game in ireland right ? As well as that the League Cup never really had a unique selling point as opposed to the FAI Cup as the composition is the same ?

Like its a hard sell for the clubs to go see the same two teams play in a game for the fifth time that season in a second order competition not covered by your season ticket right ?

I do think a third tier helps to sort that out and it would be a welcome addition to the calendar again.

[Nesta99]

I'd disagree. Maybe the bigger clubs wouldn't take it too seriously (though they always do once it gets to the latter stages). But that would help other clubs for whom trophies are a rarity, and who winning a League Cup would be big.

Nobod takes it seriously until they might win it. Its a competition thats made for cross border possibilities but yeah unless there is a pot of cash or a European slot....im sure they could work somethin though like one of these convoluted play-off for Europe systems where LC winners are in the mix. Draws could be seeded to try and keep sides who already play each other too often apart. It could become a proper reserve competition or mix of youth/players who have less than x 1st appearances or are known to be returning from injury. But all of that aside it is a trophy and one that has kick started a clubs run of silverware in the past. Derry would love another LC right now. Maybe its a tropy for trophys sake but I liked it. Competative preseason aspect to it was fine.

Dundalk didnt abandon the LSC at the height of winning trophies, we were a LC away from a clean sweep when we went out on penalties to Galway in the semis I think. Right now I dont think the clubs or fans would totally disregard even a LSC Final. Its experience for young players, a small taste of future hopes. If it ends up against Drogheda well it wont get in the way of prepping for a league game but fans wont want to lose an actual cup final thats not the Malone Cup.

[D24Saint]

Big one in Inchicore tonight Saints v Drogs KO 7pm.

[dundalkfc10]

Nobod takes it seriously until they might win it. Its a competition thats made for cross border possibilities but yeah unless there is a pot of cash or a European slot....im sure they could work somethin though like one of these convoluted play-off for Europe systems where LC winners are in the mix. Draws could be seeded to try and keep sides who already play each other too often apart. It could become a proper reserve competition or mix of youth/players who have less than x 1st appearances or are known to be returning from injury. But all of that aside it is a trophy and one that has kick started a clubs run of silverware in the past. Derry would love another LC right now. Maybe its a tropy for trophys sake but I liked it. Competative preseason aspect to it was fine.

Dundalk didnt abandon the LSC at the height of winning trophies, we were a LC away from a clean sweep when we went out on penalties to Galway in the semis I think. Right now I dont think the clubs or fans would totally disregard even a LSC Final. Its experience for young players, a small taste of future hopes. If it ends up against Drogheda well it wont get in the way of prepping for a league game but fans wont want to lose an actual cup final thats not the Malone Cup.

The away league cup final in Derry under Vinny, was one of the best days out I ever had supporting Dundalk

[Acornvilla]

Big one in Inchicore tonight Saints v Drogs KO 7pm.
Looks like Pat's won and actually put out a very strong team, using the comp to give lads who need them proper minutes and bring in some kids

[2 Year Contract]

Looks like Pat's won and actually put out a very strong team, using the comp to give lads who need them proper minutes and bring in some kids
That’s it. An enjoyable game to watch, some good football played and it’s nice to watch a game without worrying about the result too much. Only 2 of that 11 tonight will start against Galway next week (one of either Turner or Grivosti at centre back and one of Kazeem or McClelland at left back) but it’s good to get minutes into the fringe players and get some senior experience for a few of the young lads

[Nesta99]

The away league cup final in Derry under Vinny, was one of the best days out I ever had supporting Dundalk

Yeah, I'd rate the 2014 final highly among the great days in Oriel too. Weather that day helped. Higgins really showing how good e could be. It wasnt seen as in the way in a run in and it was a full side put out.