Eircom League Focus(Aertel)
The much-maligned eircom League Cup competition gets under way this week with little or no publicity.
With no European place on offer to the winner and less prize money than other competitions, it's not high on the agenda of the big clubs while crowds are often quite low.
Most sides will put out their second string and give younger players a chance of tasting competitive football.
Smaller sides have traditionally done well in the League Cup since its introduction in 1973-74.
Noel O'Connor guided Limerick FC to victory over Derry City in 2002 while Athlone Town reached the final in 2000.
On the other hand, Shels and Rovers have only won it once while Bohs have recorded just two victories.
In fairness, the regionalisation of the group stage in recent years has helped the smaller regional sides to progress.
But two big Dublin based Premier Division side often found themselves grouped together with, for example, Bray or Drogheda.
The 2005 version sees the introduction of a new, somewhat confusing, set up.
The regional pools are still there but clubs involved in European action later in the summer have gone straight into the second round.
To make sure there are 16 teams in the second round, others, including the likes of Kilkenny City and Cobh Ramblers, have been given byes. With the thoughts of the big guns possibly on more important things as this competition progresses, there's every likelihood that a minnow may make it all the way to August's final.
But should there be a more meaningful prize for the eventual winners, which would make it more interesting for fans, the media and the big clubs?
Maybe the Intertoto Cup spot could be reserved for the League Cup winners or,as this column suggested before, an expanded Setanta Cup could accommodate the winners?
