Setanta Cup 2011

**harleyleeds** · 20/04/2011, 11:58 PM

Originally Posted by avvenalaf

Child, it is precisely because of the manner in which Shams spanked Rovers that I can state with certainty that Dundalk have no chance of winning that final.

Now you really are having a laugh. Rovers were crap. You talk as if they are the second best team in the league but they look far from it.Your being arrogant without cause and Im no child I just grew up in the shed where you would never be praising shams lad.

**Guinney** · 21/04/2011, 12:01 AM

For me if the final is in Tallaght it would give Rovers an unfair advantage. If Rovers were not in the final Tallaght would be probably the best option. But a neutral ground is must. Dalymount anyone?

**HulaHoop** · 21/04/2011, 12:07 AM

Originally Posted by Ezeikial

It is refreshing that Ian Foster is adopting that approach and is showing confidence in his teams ability no matter where the final is played.

If the question was put to Foster about playing the final in Oriel Park I imagine you would get a similar answer

No one is arguing that Tallaght is not an acceptable venue and if that were the outcome of a toss of the coin, then so be it.

Fairness and giving equal chances to both clubs should be a given

Do you honestly think that Oriel is a suitable venue to host a cup final? Only 3000 seats, many of which are bolted onto an uncovered crumbling terrace, as well a main stand that is dated and old fashioned. You're living in dreamland if you think Oriel should host it.

The Aviva, Tallaght, Turners Cross, RDS and Windsor Park would be the only venues in the country suitable to hosting a game like this. With the Aviva and the RDS unavailable what option would you pick next?

**mypost** · 21/04/2011, 12:12 AM

Linfield beat Shels in Tolka. Drogheda beat Linfield in Windsor. Derry coped well enough against us when we last had a "home" cup final.

But it looks like the excuses are being offered already.

**HulaHoop** · 21/04/2011, 12:13 AM

Originally Posted by Guinney

For me if the final is in Tallaght it would give Rovers an unfair advantage. If Rovers were not in the final Tallaght would be probably the best option. But a neutral ground is must. Dalymount anyone?

Capacity in Dalymount is restricted to about 3500 with only the Jodi and shed end in use. Connaught Street death trap is not passed by health and safety. Same goes for Tolka too.

**White Horse** · 21/04/2011, 1:00 AM

Originally Posted by HulaHoop

Do you honestly think that Oriel is a suitable venue to host a cup final? Only 3000 seats, many of which are bolted onto an uncovered crumbling terrace, as well a main stand that is dated and old fashioned. You're living in dreamland if you think Oriel should host it.

The Aviva, Tallaght, Turners Cross, RDS and Windsor Park would be the only venues in the country suitable to hosting a game like this. With the Aviva and the RDS unavailable what option would you pick next?

Of course Oriel Park could host this game. It is an approved Europa League venue.

However, in my opinion, it should not be staged in Oriel Park or at the council ground in Tallaght.

A cup final merits a neutral venue. The final should be held when one is available.

The competition and the finalists deserve nothing less.

**SkStu** · 21/04/2011, 1:29 AM

Originally Posted by HulaHoop

Capacity in Dalymount is restricted to about 3500 with only the Jodi and shed end in use. Connaught Street death trap is not passed by health and safety. Same goes for Tolka too.

I personally dont think Dalymount is suitable for a cup final if the Connaught is not used, and i dont think it should be. The set up would be all wrong for a final without the Connaught.

I do agree with the Dundalk statement in that I think it should be at a neutral venue and if it is not then Tallaght should be treated as a neutral venue in terms of home/away dressing rooms etc etc.

**Nesta99** · 21/04/2011, 5:25 AM

Oriel Park, Tolka, Dalymount are not feasable as final venues! Playing out of a SDCC municipal ground fine as long as ticket allocation is 50/50! As underdogs, colour of shirt, dressingroon etc will play more on the minds of shams. Dundalk expected to win and all that ..

**micls** · 21/04/2011, 8:59 AM

Originally Posted by Ezeikial

There are loads of example of finals being played in the home ground of one of the participating clubs.

In every case that I am aware of this was either (a) set in advance of the competition (b) was agreed between the clubs or (c) as a result of the toss of a coin.

It is a big deal otherwise

None of those 3 happened when we played Glentoran at Turner's Cross. I'm skeptical about them happening the other years either. Most finals were played at someone's home ground and Setanta don't give a fudge about being fair.

I'd be shocked if this wasn't in Tallaght

**HulaHoop** · 21/04/2011, 9:58 AM

Originally Posted by White Horse

Of course Oriel Park could host this game. It is an approved Europa League venue.

However, in my opinion, it should not be staged in Oriel Park or at the council ground in Tallaght.

A cup final merits a neutral venue. The final should be held when one is available.

The competition and the finalists deserve nothing less.

Sure if it's only a council ground in Tallaght then that surely constitutes a neutral venue?

Why was there never this level of whinging when FAI cup finals were played in Tolka and Dalymount with Shels/Bohs playing? We played Derry in a cup final in Tolka when we were playing home games there. 3 of the the 5 Setanta Cup finals have been played in one of the finalists home venues without a whimper. In a case of choosing between Oriel and Tallaght there really is only one choice.

**Ezeikial** · 21/04/2011, 10:09 AM

Lilywhites to challenge Setanta Cup final venue

http://www.independent.ie/sport/socc...e-2625846.html

Dundalk are prepared to object if Tallaght, as expected, is announced today as the venue for the Setanta Cup final with Shamrock Rovers on May 14.
The Oriel Park club feel that the location should be decided by the toss of a coin rather than a straight choice being made to stage the showpiece at the home of their opponents.
Club officials would have accepted Tallaght if it had been outlined at the start of the competition that the new stadium would host in the event of an all-League of Ireland decider.
They are unhappy that such a call would be made after the identity of the finalists became known.
Dundalk will receive half the gate and a toss of the coin will take place to determine which party wears their favoured home kit.
Earlier in the week, Lilywhites boss Ian Foster had said he would play the final "anywhere" if those conditions were met. However, his club's hierarchy feel they should take a stand, although the ultimate decision will lie with the competition's organising committee.
Shamrock Rovers boss Michael O'Neill said that the matter should be left in the hands of the authorities.
"I wouldn't like people to think it's an unfair advantage for us," he said. "If it's 50-50 gate on it or whatever, then it should be fairly neutral but we'll see what happens.
O'Neill is a fan of the flagging cross-border competition, although he believes that the earlier rounds should be staged at weekends in future to increase profile and make it easier for Northern clubs.
- Daniel McDonnell

**Charlie Darwin** · 21/04/2011, 12:25 PM

As long as both sides say "Tallaght" I have no problem with a coin toss.

**avvenalaf** · 21/04/2011, 1:03 PM

Originally Posted by harleyleeds

Now you really are having a laugh. Rovers were crap. You talk as if they are the second best team in the league but they look far from it.Your being arrogant without cause and Im no child I just grew up in the shed where you would never be praising shams lad.

Sonny, I'm not praising Shams - just not blinkered to the facts. Grew up on the shed and now harleyleeds - that figures. Now, lets wait and see what happens in the final.

**Macy** · 21/04/2011, 1:06 PM

Has to be Tallaght - it's just wrong to play finals on astro.

**passerrby** · 21/04/2011, 1:12 PM

Just heard the great roddy on the radio this morning talking about our game on monday,I nearly crashed when he said dundalk are one of the best clubs in the country but have one major fault the fans hate leaving dundalk he he

**Ezeikial** · 21/04/2011, 1:40 PM

Originally Posted by Macy

it's just wrong to play finals on astro.

Agree with you there. Should not be played on cement or concrete either!

If you mean matches should not be played on a FIFA 2-Star Certified FieldTurf 3G pitch, then I disagree - as do the FAI, EUFA and FIFA

**bullit** · 21/04/2011, 1:44 PM

Originally Posted by passerrby

Just heard the great roddy on the radio this morning talking about our game on monday,I nearly crashed when he said dundalk are one of the best clubs in the country but have one major fault the fans hate leaving dundalk he he

You "near crashed" because as a Mons fan you know that just isnt the truth,right......?

**Charlie Darwin** · 21/04/2011, 1:58 PM

Originally Posted by Ezeikial

Agree with you there. Should not be played on cement or concrete either!

If you mean matches should not be played on a FIFA 2-Star Certified FieldTurf 3G pitch, then I disagree - as do the FAI, EUFA and FIFA

Pitch looked pretty ropey for the Cliftonville match to be fair.