Setanta Cup goes ahead

**awec** · 29/07/2009, 6:24 PM

Originally Posted by EalingGreen

The other eight teams qualified virtue of League placings or Cup Finals. However, I think I'm right in saying Cork qualified by virtue of being last season's Winner. Since last season's Runner-Up (Glens) have qualified by being IL Champions, there is no obvious like-for-like replacement.

Therefore why automatically go to the LOI highest placed non-qualifier (Bray) and not also consider the IL equivalent (Crues)?

Normally I'd be happy enough to accept that with the LOI being stronger than the IL, it can justify 5 teams out of nine. However, Bray have performed v.poorly over the last six months, whereas Crues have steamed ahead in the same period, so maybe they merit their chance against Bray in a 2-leg playoff?

It would add a bit of interest to kick-start the competition (imo).

Whites!

It would be Distillery v someone. The competition lags behind our league.

**Mr_Parker** · 29/07/2009, 7:22 PM

I just noticed that the link provided only gives you a brief part of the article. Here is the story in full

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sp...-14436176.html

**thischarmingman** · 29/07/2009, 9:45 PM

Originally Posted by Schumi

The quotes in that piece don't seem to tally with the first line saying that Glentoran are "slamming" the organisers.

Newspaper in sensationalism shock

**Ezeikial** · 30/07/2009, 12:14 AM

It seems that the Irish League clubs have a valid complaint here, assuming that the lack of consultation or discussion is true. It is not cut and dried that any replacement for Cork should come from the LoI, and certainly handing a seeding to them is daft.

**ifk101** · 30/07/2009, 6:59 AM

The main focus should be on ensuring that the competition continues beyond the current season as it was touch and go as to whether the Setanta Cup would take place this season at all.

In saying that perhaps the most sensible solution to the Cork situation is to allocate Sligo and Cliftonville to the other two groups and make two groups of four as in previous years. I know there'll be moans about fixture congestion and all that drivel but if the clubs want the competition to continue they need to demonstrate some flexibility.

**EalingGreen** · 30/07/2009, 9:41 AM

Originally Posted by ifk101

The main focus should be on ensuring that the competition continues beyond the current season as it was touch and go as to whether the Setanta Cup would take place this season at all.

Perhaps Corcoran and the Organising Committee are taking advantage of the IL club's overall desire to keep it going; if nothing else, the clubs may already have budgeted for a certain income from the competition.

Originally Posted by ifk101

In saying that perhaps the most sensible solution to the Cork situation is to allocate Sligo and Cliftonville to the other two groups and make two groups of four as in previous years. I know there'll be moans about fixture congestion and all that drivel but if the clubs want the competition to continue they need to demonstrate some flexibility.

Good suggestion. If Sligo went in with Coleraine, Glens and Bohs, and C'ville in with Linfield, DCFC and Pats, it would keep a neat LOI/IL split and even travelling distances.

**The Betting Man** · 30/07/2009, 9:48 AM

Originally Posted by ifk101

In saying that perhaps the most sensible solution to the Cork situation is to allocate Sligo and Cliftonville to the other two groups and make two groups of four as in previous years. I know there'll be moans about fixture congestion and all that drivel but if the clubs want the competition to continue they need to demonstrate some flexibility.

Thats what i thought they would of done it would still work the same eg semi final and final and it would still be League of Ireland v Irish League and then there can be no moaning from fans as to why X team got Cork's place instead of this team.Maybe that way will go that way but I would be surprised

**Real ale Madrid** · 30/07/2009, 9:57 AM

Cork City qualified as winners last year - thier place in the competition should go to the next best placed team that hasn't already qualified.

And thats Drogheda.

**pineapple stu** · 30/07/2009, 9:58 AM

How do you figure that? Bray finished higher than Drogheda in the league last year.

Edit - or is it Drogheda did best in the Setanta last year of those who didn't qualify this year?

**Real ale Madrid** · 30/07/2009, 10:03 AM

Yeah sorry - next best placed in last years SC that hasn't got in already. Think that's the fairest?

**WindmillWarrior** · 30/07/2009, 10:13 AM

Originally Posted by Real ale Madrid

Think that's the fairest?

yes, most definitely!

**RoversHead** · 30/07/2009, 10:42 AM

Better to invite the Welsh champions to replace Cork.

**redobit** · 30/07/2009, 11:16 AM

Originally Posted by Real ale Madrid

Yeah sorry - next best placed in last years SC that hasn't got in already. Think that's the fairest?

Seems the most logical way of doing it. Two away trips up to visit the nordies for us would be great too.

**Mr_Parker** · 30/07/2009, 7:32 PM

Originally Posted by Real ale Madrid

Yeah sorry - next best placed in last years SC that hasn't got in already. Think that's the fairest?

How do you conclude that one?

**Candystripe** · 31/07/2009, 3:58 AM

Two groups of four teams has to be the fairest way of doing it if Cork can't play.

I suppose that's too sensible though in this country.

**Real ale Madrid** · 31/07/2009, 6:37 AM

[QUOTE=Mr_Parker;1202742]How do you conclude that one? QUOTE]

Cork City only got into the SC this year because they won it. nothing to do with league positions, which league they come from etc, logically thier place should go to the next best team from last years competition that has not qualified already, regardless of which league they are from.

Lets face it - putting another IL team in there would only dilute the quality of the cometition.

**Mr_Parker** · 07/08/2009, 3:16 PM

Are any other clubs concerned that with about three weeks to the first round of games that the fixtures are yet to be confirmed? There does seem to be some feet dragging going on regardless of the delays over the Cork issue.

**sligoman** · 07/08/2009, 6:24 PM

Originally Posted by Mr_Parker

Are any other clubs concerned that with about three weeks to the first round of games that the fixtures are yet to be confirmed? There does seem to be some feet dragging going on regardless of the delays over the Cork issue.

Was wondering about the fixtures myself. Are any dates confirmed? Can't find them anywhere. Although according to a local paper we're home to Cork in September and away to Cliftonville in mid-October.

**MariborKev** · 07/08/2009, 8:29 PM

Originally Posted by Mr_Parker

Are any other clubs concerned that with about three weeks to the first round of games that the fixtures are yet to be confirmed? There does seem to be some feet dragging going on regardless of the delays over the Cork issue.

It's Irish football. If it was organised I'd think there'd be some sort of bloodless coup.