From a distant vantage point down south in Cork I can only admire Linfield's marvellous season. Winning every league game except one draw is impressive. I think it makes Linfield favourites to retain the Setanta Cup provided they are up for it and the prizemoney on offer should keep them keen. I recently had a wonderful visit to NI. I met so many friendly and kind people.
The debate rages down here about the merits of an All-Ireland League. Clubs in the Eircom League may have more cash but I believe the standard of the Carnegie Premier is superior to the EL and Linfield are without doubt in my mind the best team in Ireland.
Derry City, Shelbourne and Cork City have all improved in recent seasons but outside of these 3 clubs I don't believe the EL itself has got any better even though clubs budgets down here are huge in comparison to clubs in NI.
Do clubs and supporters in NI take the Setanta Cup seriously and would it be fair to say that some supporters stay away from attending Setanta Cup games for political reasons as it may signal the slippery slide into an all-ireland league?