Makes up for all those times over the years that people playing in Intermediate and Junior clubs thought the LOI was a pub league :cool:
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I don't think you can contrast non-league vs LOI results with LOI in Europe. What I suspect is happening is 2 unrelated dynamics:
1) The LOI has improved, hence the gap with non-league clubs has widened.
2) Other previously-weak nations in Europe have improved at a faster rate than the LOI. Hence some of our European results.
At the same time, results suggest that there are other leagues which have regressed in Europe in recent years e.g. Finland.
Could have been worse but could have been better. Done ok this season against Drogheda but on their day they really can beat anyone.
Cork got the draw they wanted, home, Wexford, avoid Dundalk, Drogheda, Bohemians & St Pats...phew! ;)
Glad we avoided Pats and Bohs. Would have preferred Wexford or Harps but it’s still not the worst draw having to play a first division team.
Be gas if it was Drogs, Harps, Galway and Cork in the semi's.....4 home wins.
Would make the annual 4th place is good enough for Europe into a squeeky bum fight for 3rd spot.
Says it all about how Rovers are playing at the moment that im not sure i want that to happen
I'm in the minority but I'd like to see a two team playoff for the final European spot through the league. The lowest profile qualifying spot would get a high profile playoff.
That would be a glitw moment alright. 4th and 5th place playoff for a place in Europe and then drogs win the fai Cup....
if one of the top 3 dont win the cup, and Dundalk finish 4th and dont win the cup I will back you fully on this!
Dya know sbgawa, I laughed at that as it could actually have happened in LoI and the FAI solution would have been fun - taking a place off the 3rd place team (cue the court appearances) or deducted points from the 3rd placed side for complicating their best laid plans, which would then put that 3rd place side in a European play-off spot but not allowed to be involved (back to the courts), Delaney would have found a way to get Waterford in the mix (everyone goes to court)......maybe we should never over complicate things like this!!
Just wondering are there any replays any more in the cup or do the QF and SF now go straight to ET & Pens?
Not a bad draw for us and it will be a good gauge of how we're fixed for next season I think. Dundalk definitely slight favourites but it wouldn't be much of an upset if we won. With their Galway connections it's probably an easy sell so hopefully we'll see a crowd of 3k+ for it.
We've actually faced Dundalk more often than any other club in the cup - this will be the 7th tie against them - they have qualified on all previous 6 meetings. Twice we managed to bring them to a replay but lost on both those occassions.
The FAI Cup finals have had good crowds in recent years. A great end to the season. The two Fridays leading into the start of the next season is where a two legged playoff for the final European spot could fit in. A high profile start to the season with a big prize on offer.
The First Division playoffs have given the First Division a lifeline in recent years. Treaty still have hope of making the playoffs.
Start of the next season for a playoff where there’s hundreds of thousands of euros at stake that will decide your budget for that season. I don’t think there should be a playoff for the European spot as it is but that’s ridiculous.
All Quarter Finals confirmed for Friday, 15 September.