Derry take the cup
Derry City took the first silverware of the campaign with victory over UCD in the League Cup final at Belfield Park.
The League Cup has always been looked upon as our third competition, behind the league and FAI Cup.
It could be argued that it is our fourth, with the Setanta Cup's prize money and media exposure making it slightly more attractive.
The win puts Derry into next season's Setanta Cup and it seems somewhat fitting that Derry, out of all our clubs, should be in the cross-border competition.
The League Cup, as this column said earlier in the season, was often taken
less than seriously by many clubs who regularly put out nothing resembling their first choice eleven.
It was different this year with most clubs showing great enthusiasm for it.
That may have been more widespread had the decision to award a Setanta Cup place been made before the cup began.
On the other hand, the handling of the League Cup in general, particularly the final, did not please everyone.
For example, at the semi-final stage, it was announced that a venue for the
final would be confirmed when the two competitors were known.
UCD and Derry qualified, College won the toss of a coin and Belfield was chosen.
That decision wasn't greeted with universal enthusiasm.
The eircom League put on a great show and both sets of fans, along with the neutrals, enjoyed a great night in comfort and safety. The media and corporate guests were also well looked after.
But was it right to hold a final in a ground that needed to have temporary seating installed?
UCD were happy with the home advantage but boss Pete Mahon did ask in his programme notes: 'Why wasn't a venue chosen at the start of the season?' Pete added that the destination of a cup final should not end up as a 'beauty contest' between two grounds.
Considering that the FAI Cup final is always in Dublin, why not play the League Cup final at a country venue each year? One with enough seats like Flancare Park or Turner's Cross.
If either Longford or Cork reached the final this could be changed with, say, a month's notice.
Why play a final on a Tuesday night? Why not a Friday night or Sunday afternoon?
Why not the October bank holiday weekend with the FAI cup final rounding off the season in November?
Lots of questions.
Lots of things to ponder before the 2006 campaign.
