Should the FAI restore a League Cup competition?

[Eminence Grise]

It could be a useful addition to give third tier teams a chance to play first and premier teams – gain experience, boost a couple of home gates, get a bit of marketing traction, that kind of thing. Smaller match day squads, say 16, with only three subs allowed and with a sliding requirement for starting a minimum number players aged under 21 – more for Premier teams, half the number for first division, no minimum for third tier – might cut costs, help player development and level the playing field a bit. With 40 teams (eventually) in the three tiers, eight groups of five in a round robin gives eight quarter-finalists: seven games to win it. Might be too many (and definitely would be if second placed teams qualified), so you'd look to byes and knockout single-tie rounds, but still need up to six games to win it (though more likely 5: prelim round of 16 with 24 byes, to get to a last 32, then 16, quarters, semis, final).

I’d be against a play-off for a European spot, but a double-header with the President’s Cup, a President’s Shield as it were, with the league cup winners playing the first division champions could have some merit – a bit of additional revenue for both if nowt else. Would there be enough in two games to justify staging them in the Aviva as a season curtain raiser (sorry to rain on Bohs parade there!)?

[legendz]

Be really surprised if the League Cup was to return. I think the Scottish League Cup has moved to the first half of their season. If the League Cup was to return, it should probably have a final in May at the latest before European campaigns begin.

[Nesta99]

Run it as a super cup, every 4 years on the performance for the previous league 4 seasons. Era cup if you like. Big wedge of cash for winner. If there is only I league winner in the last 4 years then it doesnt even have to be played.....Shield for 1st Division even if all in the PL. Well there are no shortage of mad ideas to resurrect it. It has the potential for a crossborder effort if done wright but needs that European possibility so winner goes in to IL playoffs.....

[Nah Nah Nah Nah]

Big wedge of cash for a team who has probably been playing in Europe every season and getting a big wedge of cash already

[Nesta99]

Yeah I dont think there was too much in that post that was particularly serious. Buuuttt if you want a successful return of the LC it needs the usual, good prizemoney, and or a possibility of Europe. It could be a cross border thing but of course they'd have to provide the European play-off opportunity.....

Whether a club is making money shouldn't really be part of the decision making. Its not the Socialist Workers Party League of Ireland!

[legendz]

On the back of a pack of cigarettes...

NW
Derry, Sligo, Galway, Harps, Longford.
NE
Shels, Bohs, Drogs, Dundalk, Athlone.
SE
Shams, Pat's, Bray, UCD, Wexford.
SW
Waterford, Cork, Cobh, Treaty, Kerry.

4 regional pools of 5. 3 knockout rounds during pre-season. Lowest 2 on league placing from each pool starting in round 1. After 3 knockout rounds, each regional pool would provide 1 semi finalist. A matter then of FAI & clubs agreeing semi final and final dates during the regular season.

[thebronze14]

Be grand as pre season comp that's regionalised for the early round. We usually end up playing Sligo and Derry every year anyway. Semi finals later in year

[legendz]

Run it as a super cup, every 4 years on the performance for the previous league 4 seasons.

A mad notion something along those lines for the old Super Cup...

Shels are the FAI Super Cup holders (2001). When there are 3 different league champions to join the Super Cup holders, have another staging of the Super Cup. Could be end of season.
A resurrected Super Cup could involve the last 3 league winners outside of Shels. The next staging then waiting until there are 3 different league winners to join the Super Cup holders.
The last 3 different league winners outside of Shels are Rovers 2025, Dundalk 2019 and Cork 2017. It would be a rare event, while bizarre or unique depending on your perspective.