Setanta Cup Final

[holidaysong]

Secondly - you suggest that not using neutral grounds "has been the way it was run form day one". So why was Cork v Drogs played at a neutral ground then ? The first Setanta final would also have been at a neutral ground had Linfield not made it, as it was always planned to be Windsor.

The first Setanta final was Shelbourne vs. Linfield. It most definitely would not have taken place in Windsor if Linfield hadn't gotten there as that would have meant two LOI sides playing in Belfast..

In the first year (2005) it was always intended to be in Tolka unless two IL sides got to the final whereby it'd be in Windsor. In the second year (2006) it was intended to be in Windsor unless two LOI sides got to it, in which case it would be in Tolka (and that happened with Cork vs. Drogheda taking place in Tolka). In the third year (2007), as it hadn't yet taken place in the North yet it was again earmarked for Windsor unless it was two LOI sides. Therefore we got Linfield vs. Drogheda in Windsor. The precedent therefore has been set that it would be Tolka for an all LOI final, Windsor for an all IL final but alternate between the two capitals for an IL vs. LOI final..

[micls]

The precedent therefore has been set that it would be Tolka for an all LOI final

Then why was is supposed to be at Turners Cross if it were us vs Drogs last year?

[holidaysong]

Then why was is supposed to be at Turners Cross if it were us vs Drogs last year?

I don't remember that being announced.. The SSC committee obviously wanted to stop using Tolka (for whatever reason) and decided to change the policy of having finals in the south in Tolka. That would also explain their decision then to use Turners Cross this year, in which case they should have said at the start of the 2008 competition that Tolka Park wouldn't necessarily hold to final and then Glentoran wouldn't have any reason for getting angry with them. By not saying anything about the final venue until now, they've given people a reason to be angry at the decision..

[micls]

I don't remember that being announced.. The SSC committee obviously wanted to stop using Tolka (for whatever reason) and decided to change the policy of having finals in the south in Tolka. That would also explain their decision then to use Turners Cross this year, in which case they should have said at the start of the 2008 competition that Tolka Park wouldn't necessarily hold to final and then Glentoran wouldn't have any reason for getting angry with them. By not saying anything about the final venue until now, they've given people a reason to be angry at the decision..

It was announced. Ask the Drogs fans.

It happening twice doesnt make it policy, maybe it was simply the most convenient thing at those times...which it was.

They never said Tolka would hold this years final, in fact it specifically states that the final venue will be at the discretion or the organising committee. Given last years decision I dont think anyone could say it was that unlikely that the same would happen if we made the final this year.

They couldnt announce Turners Cross until we were there, it would have been useless if it were Derry Glens. They never claimed it would be in a specific place and last years precedent gave reason to believe there was a chance it'd be at Turner's cross.

Bigger crowd= more money and better tv coverage for Setanta

[holidaysong]

It was announced. Ask the Drogs fans.

It happening twice doesnt make it policy, maybe it was simply the most convenient thing at those times...which it was.

They never said Tolka would hold this years final, in fact it specifically states that the final venue will be at the discretion or the organising committee. Given last years decision I dont think anyone could say it was that unlikely that the same would happen if we made the final this year.

They couldnt announce Turners Cross until we were there, it would have been useless if it were Derry Glens. They never claimed it would be in a specific place and last years precedent gave reason to believe there was a chance it'd be at Turner's cross.

Bigger crowd= more money and better tv coverage for Setanta

I'm not disagreeing with you. That the final was held twice in Tolka did create precedent, if not policy. I'm sure a lot of Glentoran fans didn't know about Turners Cross being announced last year (I didn't), hence the reason for their anger with Setanta breaking from what they perceived as the precedent (even if it wasn't actually policy).

As you say, the fact that they announced Turners Cross as a possible venue last year means they are justified (if they even needed any extra justification) in holding it there this year, especially when they say that the final venue will be at the discretion of the organising committee.

[micls]

I dont blame the Glens fans for being annoyed, in fact I would have picked Dublin for fairness sake.

But this is Setanta, they dont and never have cared about fans. Its the whinging(factually incorrect whinging) of some other fans(non glens) on here that gets tiring.

It's done, get over it.

[razor]

Its the whinging(factually incorrect whinging) of some other fans(non glens) on here that gets tiring.

In fairness steve isn't usually like that

[corkboy360]

Does anyone know if there are going to be tickets made available for netural fans or if there will be tickets available at Turners Cross on the night of the game.

Sold out at the moment.If more come available maybe someone in Cork might pick one up for ya but ya wont get them on the night FACT!

because maybe - with a small grain of truth in it - it is screwing them over?

Not a suprising comment from a rambler

Two. Vs Shels and vs Bohs. Given that it's supposedly a random toss of a coin, 50/50 is about right, isn't it?

FAI don't do 50/50

[pete]

Latest pictures from the cross.

Rear of new roof

Closer angle

Will look good when completed but does not look like would be open on Saturday.

[fionnsci]

Why can't people sit in the stand while the roof is being asembled? Safety hazard?

[A face]

Why can't people sit in the stand while the roof is being asembled? Safety hazard?

I'd say so, its technically a building site even though its going on over head.

[viagogo]

St Annes end closed. Two sections of the shed closed off. Only 4,000 at game. Could have been way more. Loads of City fans going all year unable to get tickets for game. Another mess for Irish football. Munster FA said that the roof would be ready for final.

[micls]

St Annes end closed. Two sections of the shed closed off. Only 4,000 at game. Could have been way more. Loads of City fans going all year unable to get tickets for game. Another mess for Irish football. Munster FA said that the roof would be ready for final.

Absolute farce. Our owner offered to bring his own men in and get it finished but was refused permission.

**** up and brewery

[holidaysong]

St Annes end closed. Two sections of the shed closed off. Only 4,000 at game. Could have been way more. Loads of City fans going all year unable to get tickets for game. Another mess for Irish football. Munster FA said that the roof would be ready for final.

Quite a few Glentoran fans have booked travel and hotels and now are left ticket less.. I hope the media picks up on this and has a real go at Setanta for having the final in Cork in the first place if that stand couldn't be guaranteed! What a joke..

[micls]

Quite a few Glentoran fans have booked travel and hotels and now are left ticket less.. I hope the media picks up on this and has a real go at Setanta for having the final in Cork in the first place if that stand couldn't be guaranteed! What a joke..

I agree.

Allthough apparently the MFA guaranteed it'd be done, the FAI just took the clowns at their words and didnt check.

Rumour is Coughlan has offered to get his own men in and have it fit for 2000 poeple anyway but the MFA have refused

[holidaysong]

I agree.

Allthough apparently the MFA guaranteed it'd be done, the FAI just took the clowns at their words and didnt check.

Rumour is Coughlan has offered to get his own men in and have it fit for 2000 poeple anyway but the MFA have refused

Yeah, I seen your posts about it all over on ILS. It looks like a complete and utter **** up by the SSC/FAI/MFA! I really hope they don't get away with it though..

[dcfcsteve]

Sudden change of tune in here, with people now accepting that it was daft to give the Final to Turners Cross.

So the capacity will only be 4,000 ? That's shocking if true.

In the immortal words of Maxi : "It's a faaaarrrcceeee !"

[micls]

Sudden change of tune in here, with people now accepting that it was daft to give the Final to Turners Cross.

Well given that circumstances have changed then yes....that tends to happen when things change.

My first opinion was that it should have been in Dublin, but had the St Annes been open(as it should be) at least anyone who wanted a ticket would have gotten one.

This on the other hand is just ridiculous.

So the capacity will only be 4,000 ? That's shocking if true.

Shed-1200
because they still think its necessary to close an entire block, 400seats, for segregation...as if the gap between the stands wasnt enough.

Derrynane-1100
Glentoran fans. It just emphasises what a screw up this was because the Glens were promised as many tickets as they needed. Fai planned to give them to them out of the St Anne's allocation and gave us the other 2 stands to sell. They promptly sold out and now there are no more tickets for teh Glens fans who are entitled to them

Donie Forde-1900
1600 and odd City fans and the rest for suits.

4200 altogether

In the immortal words of Maxi : "It's a faaaarrrcceeee !"

True

[brianw82]

I hope the media picks up on this and has a real go at Setanta for having the final in Cork in the first place if that stand couldn't be guaranteed! What a joke..

Asking the Irish media to pick up a negative story about domestic football is like asking a group of starving dogs to fight over a chunk of meat, ie. not at all necessary.

[EalingGreen]

Ralph fury over ticket shortage

Glentoran chairman Aubry Ralph slammed Setanta Cup organisers after hundreds of Glens fans have been left without tickets for Saturday's final in Cork.
"We have received 1100 tickets but the stand for which we hoped to get extra tickets has not been issued with a safety certificate and will be closed.
"Fans have paid for accommodation and travel but have no tickets which is a recipe for disaster," said Ralph.
"Any pleasure we had in getting to this final has been seriously eroded."
Ralph explained that at least 200 supporters had been left ticketless, including some who are due to travel from the United Kingdom and one from Hamburg.
"We were promised an extra 400 or 500 tickets, in addition to the initial 1100, but obviously can't happen now.
"My grievance is not with Cork City but with the Setanta Cup Organising Committee as it is obvious that Turner's Cross is not fit to host such a final."Construction work has been going on at the ground for some time and I have to question the individuals who planned this and why it was allowed to get to this stage.
"How do we explain the situation to supporters without tickets and all this could have been avoided."
The Oval chairman reiterated his objection that Turner's Cross was chosen to stage the final but said his club had been realistic in the allocation they had requested.
"We were confident that we could sell 1500 tickets and would have remained hopeful that that would be the case.
"The IFA has been lobbying on our behalf and I have sent a very strongly worded email to Milo Corcoran and Michael Hayes at the FAI calling on those men to consider their position.
"We have been treated disgracefully for this final and have already held informal talks with Linfield about the future of the competiton.
"I will take a lot of convincing that Glentoran should be part of the Setanta Cup next year under the present regime and there will have to be serious changes to the organisation of the tournament.
"The prize money is considerable but the tournament must be operated on a fair basis and I believe that the FAI has too much sway in how the thing is run at the moment.
"It is time for clubs in Northern Ireland to stand up and be counted."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/foot...sh/7700557.stm

Cork get home ground advantage.
Glens have to travel a distance which means coach fans MUST stay overnight.
Cork get more than half the tickets, with the Glens getting fewer than they could sell.
Glens fans who've already arranged to travel will not get tickets.
Total capacity is around 4,000, because building work was not completed in time.

TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE.

If Corcoran and Hayes don't either resign or are sacked, I hope the Glens turn up, win the game, bank the cheque, then tell Setanta and the FAI to shove the competition up their arse.