The Setanta cup

[Dodge]

By someome official? Fair play. Did they mention anythin about the other spots?

[White Horse]

By someome official? Fair play. Did they mention anythin about the other spots?

This is what was posted by the club's communications officer:

"We are confirmed as participants in the Setanta Cup based on league places from 2009

Bohemians, Shamrock Rovers and Sporting Fingal are also confirmed for the Tournament which commences in February 2011.

There will be two additional places available based on performances this season on the following ranking:


1). 2010 Airtricity Premier Division League champions.
2). 2010 FAI Ford Cup winners (or the runners-up if the same Club wins both the Premier Division League and the FAI Ford Cup).
3). 2010 Airtricity Premier Division League runners-up.
4). 2010 EA SPORTS Cup winners.
5). 2010 Airtricity Premier Division League third placed Club.

It is not clear whether they will go further down the league places to fill the spots if the above ranking does not provide the extra two teams. Sligo Rovers appear to be fairly certain of a place and St Patricks Ath likely to complete the list."

[Dodge]

Obviously I'm not saying this becase Dundalk are involved (and they'd qualify from this year too) but its a bit weird that clubs qualify for a tournament starting in February 2011, in October 2009.

Doesn't really make a difference this year as its likely that the top 6 are to qualify

[Magicme]

If st pats don't make it, technically we still could as runners up in EA. Am I right in that?

[pineapple stu]

Runners-up in the League Cup get nothing. We got nothing in 2005 when we lost to Derry.

[White Horse]

I think it is due to the change in the timing of the tournament. Rather than a 2010-11 competition and spanning two LOI seasons, it will now take place within one LOI season.

They must have decided that it would be unfair on clubs to ignore the 2009 league placings. However, no matter what way they do it, it will be unfair on someone.

I hope that the involvement of a border club will be good for the competition. Dundalk is now only 50 minutes from Belfast, so it may entice more northern fans to travel. Dundalk fans will certainly travel to away fixtures.

[Dodge]

Just so UCD don't feel further persecuted, Wexford and Waterford didn't get an invite either.

[Dodge]

Dundalk is now only 50 minutes from Belfast, so it may entice more northern fans to travel. Dundalk fans will certainly travel to away fixtures.

Northern fans have travelled in great numbers. Or at least Glentoran and Linfield fans have

[holidaysong]

Obviously I'm not saying this becase Dundalk are involved (and they'd qualify from this year too) but its a bit weird that clubs qualify for a tournament starting in February 2011, in October 2009.

Doesn't really make a difference this year as its likely that the top 6 are to qualify

My reading into it is that the four clubs that would have qualified for the 2010 edition of the tournament were guaranteed their spot and this wasn't taken away from them despite the competition being postponed.

It doesn't seem that weird that the clubs that qualified in 2009 should have their spots reserved when the 2010 competition was cancelled due to factors beyond their control.

With the decision to expand to 6 teams from each league, two more clubs were then able to qualify through 2010 results.

[legendz]

It's fair enough that teams that had qualified for 2010 are included. Moving forward, I hope the 2011 League of Ireland is used for the 2012 SSC.