More serious than the previous years when the money was better?
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I think in the past few years the top clubs had ideas above their station, as in the money wasnt that big of a deal with the ever fabled European qualification around the corner.
With greater financial reality settling into the league surely the top clubs wont turn their noses up at that money.
Being reported that Linfield may not enter the competition due to Setantas insistance on "the authority to shift fans around the grounds to accommodate the TV cameras."
To be honest I feel that this tournament is a complete waste of time. When it started off it was a great tournament that had some fantastic fixtures but between the numerous reformating, the withdrawal of Derry and Cork mid way through the last tournament the Setanta Sports died on its arse.
Changing the format hasn't helped. The initial two groups of 4 seemed to have worked ok. I didn't like the 3 groups of 3 format at all. I think this new format will work. We'll find out next year when it's put into practice. It's good to have more clubs involved and good for clubs in European competition to get a few games in the two-leg format early in the season ahead of the summer and the various qualifiers.
I'd like to see Welsh clubs included in this competition in the future, if it is practical. All 3 leagues need more support. They could work more together in trying to promote their leagues.
News of the draw here: http://twitter.com/#!/distilleryworld
That page blocked for me here in work...has draw been made yet??
Nothing yet.
Linfield vs. Dundalk
Bohs vs. Portadown, Cliftonvile vs. St. Pat's, Fingal vs. Lisburn.
Happy to be visiting a new ground.
Linfield/Dundalk proves the draw isn't fixed.
We get Glentoran if we get past Linfield.
Delighted with the draw...hopefully a big travelling support from Dundalk...bus escorts from police i presume
Yeah, we got them the last couple of years. Buses stopped at some retail park outside city. Police guard into another retail park near ground, and through walkway into away stand. Very weird the first time there with armed guard for first 20 minutes (until they decided nothign was happening)
I hope there will be no need for a game-long armed guard when we travel to Windsor.. however im not going to bank on it.. The last time we met there was unholy war in Dundalk.. I'd like to think people have grown up and moved on.. But knowing certain elements of our support, i doubt that has happened.. Heres hoping anyway!
Linfield website says winners play us, Dundalk website says winners play Glentoran.
Any site that has the full draw?