Yes, almost a month ago, and here ever since ...Quote:
Originally Posted by JC_GUFC
... and format details in braywanderersfc as noted above, since 21 June.
:)
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Yes, almost a month ago, and here ever since ...Quote:
Originally Posted by JC_GUFC
... and format details in braywanderersfc as noted above, since 21 June.
:)
https://twitter.com/BrayWanderers/st...53875047411712
Draw for second round Thursday at 1pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by patrickccfc
Rangers U20 went out last night beaten by Dumbarton 2-1, be interesting to see who Bray and Sligo get, not expecting much from this competition to be honest but a bit of diversion for Bray and Sligo who have had a bit of a mare of a season for two different reasons
Celtic out as well; lost 3-1 to Annan
Sligo Rovers v Falkirk
Elgin City v Bray Wanderers
Crusaders v Motherwell
Albion Rovers or Spartans v Linfield
TNS v Livingston
Dumbarton v Connah’s Quay Nomads
Peterhead v Annan
Dundee United v Alloa
Berwick Rangers v Queen of the South
St Mirren v Hearts Colts
Hamilton Colts v Cove Rangers
Aberdeen Colts v Inverness Caley Thistle
Ayr United v Montrose
Stranraer v Partick Thistle Colts
Buckie Thistle v Dunfermline Athletic
Raith Rovers v Ross County
Games to be played on weekend of September 2/3.
Interesting enough fixtures there.
I'd expect both Bray and Sligo to progress, but Sligo could be a risk. Falkirk have had a shaky start to their season, whilst Sligo have been no great shakes this season either. Hard to see how they won't still be in a relegation scrap by the time this fixture comes round, so they may not be that bothered about winning it.
Tricky tie for Crusaders. If Linfield face Albion Rovers it could turn into a proxy Old Firm match. They're based in Coatbridge, which is not only near Glasgow but is also the west of Scotland's biggest Catholic town.
Albion are under investigation for playing an in eligible player in the last round and had a "pay what you can" entrance fee for their game v Spartans. They are managed by Brian Kerr.
If they tried to sell their ground twice , I claim "house" in Scotlands version of League of Ireland bingo.
Crues are playing Motherwell's u20s. Should be favourites for that; the u20 sides aren't up to much so far
Seeing as our only game between now and then is away to Cork I think it's a safe assumption to say we'll still be in a relegation scrap. May as well give it a go. Only 2 other games in September.Quote:
Originally Posted by EatYerGreens
Bray and Sligo are both out of the FAI cup and will only play every second week in the League in September so both should progress a few rounds in this competition. Will be interesting to see how they fair to compare the standards
Both Sligo and Bray should be looking to win this competition, never mind seeing how far they can go in it. The highest ranked sides are second division Scottish teams ffs..
I was thinking this myself. Unfortunately for Sligo and Bray, neither are having the best of seasons at present, but they should be able to give it a decent go all the same.Quote:
Originally Posted by nigel-harps1954
Just worth bearing in that the semi-final and final take place after the Scottish winter break, so could be very different squads by then.
The likes of Dundee United, Inverness, Falkirk, Dunfermline and Saint Mirren are all decent sized clubs especially by Irish standards. And the Scottish 2nd tier has standards of facilities and professionalism we can only dream of as a league. But am sure Sligo and Bray will batter all comers.
Standards of professionalism and facilities don't always translate onto the pitch.
Plus the biggest teams may not take it too seriously.
Elgin take the lead against Bray shortly after the break.
Encouraging stuff...
Must be nearly over that one. Disappointing if it stays like that.Quote:
Originally Posted by pineapple stu
2-0 Elgin.
So much for going easy on them!
Average crowd in the second flight in Scotland last season was 4400 btw. Every club was bigger than Bray. I think people have been getting carried away here.
Erm...... Elgin are in the 4th tier not the 2nd Stu , what an embarrassment to the league Bray are....
Yeah, I know.
I was pointing out that the expectation the LoI teams should be looking to win was over the top. But I could have been clearer alright.
Elgin's crowds are around Bray's - 600/700 - so I don't think it's an absolute embarrassment. But it is a wake up call. Dundalk and Cork aside - maybe Rovers have potential too - the LoI is poorer than I've ever seen. And I think that's feeding into the ****e in Georgia tonight.
Followed it a bit on the live betting on bet365, Bray were odds on up until Elgin scored also thought Bray missed a pen around the 80th minute turned out the ref awarded it then changed his mind.
Sligo 1-0 down inside ten minutes
1-1 in Sligo
Make that 1-2
Thought both had a shout of getting through, although Sligo got a tougher draw. Bray's result was disappointing, thought they had a good chance of advancing.
That's embarrassing for League of Ireland football.
Falkirk have an average home crowd of 4000, an 8000 all seater stadium and a team that cost over 4 million to put together. Nothing embarrassing to losing to them.Quote:
Originally Posted by nigel-harps1954
I would safely imagine thats it not that long ago that Falkirk were in the top flight?
Hibs were in the Scottish Championship last season, banking home crowds of up to 15,000 for each game and taking quite a few away, so you can't treat that league average as in any way indicative of the norm. Clubs like Dumbarton get crowds around Bray's level usually. You'll see a substantially lower league wide average this year.Quote:
Originally Posted by pineapple stu
They were last in the SPL in 2010.Quote:
Originally Posted by Martinho II
They were unlucky over the last few seasons to have had Rangers and Hibs at their level, as they'd have probably won the Championship last year if Hibs weren't there. They've had a terrible start to the current season however.
Both fair enough alright. But then other factors - TV deals; potential Cup matches against Old Firm - would be an extra boost worst considering.
Still think the idea that the LoI clubs should be looking to win the tournament outright is a bit much. Even if two first-round defeats is a bit surprising.
The Bray result was awful. God knows what happened there.Quote:
Originally Posted by nigel-harps1954
Sligo were always going to face a difficult challenge, but home advantage should have helped them.
I think we've not been helped by the fact that of the 2 teams entered into the Irn Bru this year on the basis of performances last year, one has since been racked by turmoil whilst the other is in a relegation struggle. I think Rovers and Derry would have been better reps in hindsight, though that would've had the potential to cause Euro issues.
There's definitely more money in the Scottish Championship than in the LOI, but that doesn't necessarily make it of a higher standard. There's probably no country in Europe equal to or bigger than Ireland who's league doesn't offer more money than the LOI - even in poorer countries.Quote:
Originally Posted by pineapple stu
Only a number of years of participation in the Irn Bru Cup would give an accurate reflection of the comparative standards. Let's not forget that Linfield won the first ever Setanta Cup at a time when they weren't even IL champions, so it took the following years to see a truer reflection of where the LOI and IL were via that competition.
Quote:
Originally Posted by EatYerGreens
It was a pretty even game. Of course I'm biased but a draw probably would have been a fairer result. We gifted them the first goal when we were playing well - Sharkey came across for a ball, slipped and they scored. We didn't start Schlingerman or Russell either. Talking to their fans it was their first team out too. Dundalk would wipe the floor with them.
Would win any tournament for 'most complete waste of time' tournament.
Travel aside, t's no less a waste of time than the Setanta Cup was IMO. It's certainly more competitive anyway. And like the Setanta, it has some value in scoping out whether there is potential in cross-jurisdiction competitions. A European Super League is probably an inevitability in football at some point, so it would be helpful for the smaller leagues in this corner of the continent to have some sense of how would be the best way to respond to that if it happened.Quote:
Originally Posted by Straightstory
I agree EYG but given the likelihood that LOI teams in general won't make the group stages of Europe you'd have to wonder would we not be better off letting Cork and Dundalk play in it next year.
It would be a better reflection of the league.
Are you mad??Quote:
Originally Posted by sbgawa
Imagine the uproar if the FAI asked Dundalk or Cork to play in a lowly Scottish cup - thereby assuming that neither have a chance to get into European group stages.
If one of the Irish clubs won or went close to winning this it might provide a bit of a boost to the perception of the game here but clubs exiting early will make very little impact, if any. I doubt it's a competition that has made much of an impression on the public imagination.
It's not a bad idea though and I'd love to see Harps in it some year just for the laugh and chance to get a spin to Scotland for a game.
Don't see what possible further justification is needed really.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr A
Would be good to see it expanded - presuming the Scottish teams are ok obviously. Tis their tournament after all