Setanta Cup 2013

Does anyone on here follow the DanskeThingy Premiership sufficiently to say whether these hidings are a true reflection of the gap between the leagues? The Premiership teams may well have been understrength, but the LOI teams are still gelling in pre-season. To my untrained eye, it does suggest the LOI is stronger, but I know phuq-all about our northern brethren.

From even a cursory glance at the two sides in the televised game last night, you could see which side was fitter and the more athletic. And that wasn't the side in the middle of their season. Quite a few of the Linfield players looked to be carrying extra pounds.

How long did this display of brassneckery last on the Tallaght flag pole, ha?: http://balls.ie/football/linfield-su...adium-tonight/

http://ballsdot.wpengine.netdna-cdn....unionjack1.png

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Originally Posted by gormacha

Does anyone on here follow the DanskeThingy Premiership sufficiently to say whether these hidings are a true reflection of the gap between the leagues? The Premiership teams may well have been understrength, but the LOI teams are still gelling in pre-season. To my untrained eye, it does suggest the LOI is stronger, but I know phuq-all about our northern brethren.

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What I do know is that Crusaders were at full strength last night.

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Originally Posted by gormacha

Does anyone on here follow the DanskeThingy Premiership sufficiently to say whether these hidings are a true reflection of the gap between the leagues? The Premiership teams may well have been understrength, but the LOI teams are still gelling in pre-season. To my untrained eye, it does suggest the LOI is stronger, but I know phuq-all about our northern brethren.

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The most cursory of glances to Final Score NI on a Saturday would show this to be the case. The gulf is truly getting wider. That cannot be in doubt.

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Originally Posted by BonnieShels

The most cursory of glances to Final Score NI on a Saturday would show this to be the case. The gulf is truly getting wider. That cannot be in doubt.

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fjEkjeVzL34

I've done a quick comparison. The gap isn't getting wider

http://statsthatarepointless.wordpre...e-setanta-cup/

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Originally Posted by Dodge

I've done a quick comparison. The gap isn't getting wider

http://statsthatarepointless.wordpre...e-setanta-cup/

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Handy, fair play

Jason Abbot wasnt even in Belfast last night. if he was hed have been on the bench as we didnt have any central midfielders available to bring on.
Magowan own goal.

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Originally Posted by Dodge

I've done a quick comparison. The gap isn't getting wider

http://statsthatarepointless.wordpre...e-setanta-cup/

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If we have 4 LOI semi-finalists does that not mean the gap is widening? Granted we will have to wait a couple of years to see this develop as a trend.

The quality gap is getting wider. I don't know how you could say otherwise watching the SSC.

Have you get GF and GA stats actually while you're at it? Actually I know you do. :)

Don't know if there were cameras at the game, but Daryl Kavanagh's goal for us last night was absolute world class, in off the crossbar from 30 yards out.

Seaview, Crusaders' ground, is a nice little stadium... was pleasantly surprised. Better facilities than 90% of LOI grounds. We were also welcomed into their bar at HT and FT.

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Originally Posted by BonnieShels

If we have 4 LOI semi-finalists does that not mean the gap is widening? Granted we will have to wait a couple of years to see this develop as a trend.

The quality gap is getting wider. I don't know how you could say otherwise watching the SSC.

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But its one year. Last year was the IL's best year ever. Did tht mean that the standards were dramatically narrowed last year? It proves the LOI has always been far stronger. Judging it over time rather than just this year is the key

Tournament odds from Bwin:

Sligo Rovers 2/1
Shamrock Rovers 2/1
Cork City 4/1
Drogheda 6/1
Derry City 9/1
Linfield 33/1
Glentoran 66/1

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Originally Posted by Dodge

But its one year. Last year was the IL's best year ever. Did tht mean that the standards were dramatically narrowed last year? It proves the LOI has always been far stronger. Judging it over time rather than just this year is the key

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That's why I said: Granted we will have to wait a couple of years to see this develop as a trend.

Now about those GF and GA stats...

anyone else notice at the start of the game last night shamrock rovers fans started singing "shamrock rovers champions" then quickly stopped.. was funny

Judging by the disparity in recent performances between the two League's representatives (resulting in the first time that all four semi finalists could well be LoI clubs) - are the days of this competition as a viable competitive tournament numbered?

What could be done to improve it if so?

Would do a poll in thread but it seems I can't do so...

Now now - don't be coming on here denigrating the Leinster Senior Cup

Well Dodge says there's no real disparity. :-P

If there was a proper prize on offer like European place then maybe. but most teams that would qualify for it would more than likely qualify for Europe by the cups or league anyway...

Having it as a straight knock out between the best 12 clubs from each association would help too.

Crusaders have a Wavin Pipes stand behind the goal. It even has 'WAVIN' written across the stand in white-on-red seats.

Think it should go to a one legged cup tie. would add to the ties. best 4clubs from each into a quarter or go eight clubs from each league and extend it over the season that it involves our clubs pre season and mid season and the same with the northern clubs.

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Originally Posted by Fivesilver

Now now - don't be coming on here denigrating the Leinster Senior Cup

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It's the only cup that matters. Just above coming fourth in the English Premier League.