Of course it is but it's a minor competition so it'll always have lower crowds anyway. Wouldn't really like to see league games moved around for it
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Of course it is but it's a minor competition so it'll always have lower crowds anyway. Wouldn't really like to see league games moved around for it
Unfortunate that Belfast clubs pulled out but Linfield, in particular, have been cool on the competition in recent years. Given reduced prize fund it should be run on a pure knockout basis, top 4 from each League with (first round of) 4th in LOI playing 1st in IL 3rd in LOI plays 2nd in IL and so on. Shorter sharper and each game would have ross border element. Hopefully a shorter campaign would allow clubs play the games at more crowd friendly times, travelling cross country in winter on a Monday night is not a great attraction for supporters.
I would till hope that an all island league is the best way forward for the development of football in both current Leagues so would hope that Setanta Cup survives.
Quarter-Final Draw:
Shamrock Rovers v Glentoran
Crusaders v Sligo Rovers
Dundalk v Coleraine
Ballinamallard v St. Pat's
Two leg matches with a one off Final match on Saturday 10th May.
I think the reduced prize fund makes clubs want at least one home gate even more. I'd love it to be knock out myselfQuote:
Originally Posted by marinobohs
It is knockout this year is it not? Home and away legs for the quarters and semi's and then a one leg final:
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.n...16568703_n.jpg
yeah, I meant straight knock out (as in just one leg)
Aye, I get you, this is what happens when you're rared on the FA(I) Cup! :D Though with the prize money/ participation money down this year at least one guaranteed home gate for each team is fair enough. The only downside is the potential for nothing to play for in the second legs though for the teams at home then but with the smaller amount of teams in it it does give a bit more competition wise with the two legged rounds.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dodge
Great draw all round I think, of the four ties only Crusaders and Sligo met in the Setanta Cup before. Ballinamallard/St. Pat's is a first, Coleraine and Dundalk's only meeting was in 1970, Shamrock Rovers and Glentoran haven't played each other competitively since 1969.
Setanta called Coleraine 'debutantes' but this is their third entry in the SSC.
http://www.setanta.com/ie/setanta-sports-cup-draw-3/
Using the feminine form of debutant was a bit uncalled for.Quote:
Originally Posted by Professor K
Setanta have announce they will broadcast games from the competition again this season also which is great news.
Given the imbalance between the two leagues I think the only way to spark a bit of interest attendance-wise is for IL teams to be at home in the 1st leg.....Rovers v Glens looks tasty, but if Glentoran are 3 goals down come the 2nd leg then I doubt there'll be many at the Oval.
There were feck all in the Oval last year when they knocked out Pats too.Quote:
Originally Posted by AnnaghRed
The draw is made to have 2 teams from each league at home each week (for the first round anyway)
I was in Portadown this year for the Portadown X Drogheda clash, after Portadown drew 2-2 away and had big chances of qualifying.
The attendance was similar to a Portadown X Linfield match I've been to months later in the beginning of the season (this match was in a sunny saturday afternoon rather than a Monday in March. Has to be considered that Linfield obviously brought way more supporters than Drogheda so it means that the home attendance was actually bigger). The team did seem to be making an effort to promote the match, they were even accepting euros for payment in the turnstiles. That said, I've sat among the Portadown supporters and talked to them about the match. They weren't exactly playing the game of their lives, but their supporters were really mad at being eliminated and by the 75th minute, when Drogheda was already 4 or 5-0 ahead, they left the stadium en masse.
By that experience I thought they cared more about the competition, maybe this game was an exception. That even Cliftonville doesn't give a damn about it surprises me quite a lot.
BOYLESPORTS ODDS
Setanta Cup 2014 ~ Outright Betting, (place terms: 1/2 the first 2)
-------------------------------------------------
11-4 St Patrick's Athletic
11-4 Shamrock Rovers
7-2 Sligo Rovers
9-2 Dundalk
10 Crusaders
14 Glentoran
25 Coleraine
33 Ballinamallard United
Sneaky Queen's shilling on Ballinamallard. I'm feeling lucky!
A few eyebrows being raised by Coleraine and Glentoran fans about ticket prices for their away games against Dundalk and Rovers. Tickets have been priced at £15 Stirling. Going by their website, Dundalk are charging home fans €15. Can anyone confirm how much Rovers are charging their home fans? Also, does anyone know what price are Sligo and St Pat's fans are being charged coming North?
We are being charged £10 for adults and £6 for concessions or of you don't have Sterling it's €12/€8Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr_Parker
Shamrock Rovers I'm sure will be charging 15 euro in for the Setanta cup game v Glentoran. Thats what it always is.
Are you being allowed to pay cash, rather than needing tickets?Quote:
Originally Posted by PartySaint