Setanta cup gone?

[SkStu]

Well isn't that something. Could we invite some lower-end SPL clubs in? Would it be worth their while?

that's what they should do, and approach the Welsh FA too.

[legendz]

Sure look if it's gone it's gone. Like the A Championship, it's a tough market for new competitions to try and become established. A lot of the chopping and changing of format did the competition no favours. Maybe a LoI XI could take on an IL XI home and away? On this subject, I'd like to see a LoI XI take on a ROI B team as well. During Mick McCarthy's time there was two ROI B v LoI XI games.

Getting somewhat back on topic, with the Setanta Cup gone, maybe the League cup could adopt a group format, giving teams 3 group games before the LoI season kicks into full swing.

[sadloserkid]

Getting somewhat back on topic, with the Setanta Cup gone

But it's not gone?

[AnnaghRed]

The novelty value of this competition quickly wore off, outside of Shamrock Rovers or maybe Derry City none of your teams were ever going to attract big crowds up here...though I had hoped - when it started - that it would have been a success.

[oriel]

The novelty value of this competition quickly wore off, outside of Shamrock Rovers or maybe Derry City none of your teams were ever going to attract big crowds up here...though I had hoped - when it started - that it would have been a success.

Big crowds ? A lot of Irish League PD games attract less than 1k, so that's hardly a valid point.

I was at Windsor Park in Feb 2011, Linfield v DLK, I was more shocked at the standard of the home team than the crowd of less than 1k, and we took 10 coach loads up. I think we actually finished 8th that year, and we beat every NI team that entered as we drew all of them from start to semi final stage.

I really don't understand Linfield and Cliftonville's stance on this. It's very disappointing to say the least from both.

[citybone]

The top Welsh club maybe with the two remaining northern teams an top 3 for Loi. for a season. keep the welsh and nordies apart.

[Charlie Darwin]

I really don't understand Linfield and Cliftonville's stance on this. It's very disappointing to say the least from both.

It's fairly clear they were only in it because the prize money was so disproportionate to the competition's actual worth. Now that Setanta have reduced the sponsorship money in line with how much the competition is actually worth, the IL teams are no longer willing to get hammered for little financial reward. For LOI teams, it's still worth it for the pre-season preparation and the small boost in advertising income of a freely-broadcast tournament, but IL teams don't even have that.

[disgruntled]

The fat lady clears her throat.
I much prefer the County Antrim Shield in any case

[avvenalaf]

Ballinamallard have accepted an invite to take part so the fat lad can keep her gob shut for another while.

[Charlie Darwin]

Ballinamallard have accepted an invite to take part so the fat lad can keep her gob shut for another while.

And Coleraine.

Do Ballinamallard still play Sligo youth players?

[AnnaghRed]

Big crowds ? A lot of Irish League PD games attract less than 1k, so that's hardly a valid point.

The point is that the competition never caught the imagination of the dwindling band of fans that still attend Irish league games...despite some encouraging results at the start for Portadown ie 3-3 v Shelbourne and 1-0 v Cork, you'd still have got a bigger attendance at Shamrock Park for a league game against Larne.

[legendz]

If the setanta cup keeps going despite the 2 opting, there's a good chance the competition will remain. Going with just 4 teams from each league and straight into quarter-finals is probably a good move. Each team will have at least one round against a team from the other league.

[Dodge]

Lost in all the hubbub yesterday was the fact that Setanta agreed to a new 3 year sponsorship deal.

Looking forward to this year's competition

[nigel-harps1954]

Do Ballinamallard still play Sligo youth players?

Rumored to be signing Ivan Sproule.

[legendz]

Lost in all the hubbub yesterday was the fact that Setanta agreed to a new 3 year sponsorship deal.

Looking forward to this year's competition

Is that a tv deal? If so, is a competition sponsor still to be found?

[outspoken]

Is that a tv deal? If so, is a competition sponsor still to be found?

No that is a title sponsorship deal. The full statement is on the Airtricity league website afaik

[colonelwest]

http://www.airtricityleague.ie/match...cup-until-2016

The prize fund of €73,000 will be distributed as follows:
Winners: €30,000 plus €3,000 for participating.
Runners-Up: €10,000 plus €3,000 for participating.
Other participants: €4,500 each.

Much reduced but I suppose another couple of attendance gates to add to the takings.

[NeverFeltBetter]

So, they'll invite the next highest two from the IFA right?

[Charlie Darwin]

So, they'll invite the next highest two from the IFA right?

Ballinamallard and Coleraine have already accepted.

[GCdfc]

Would the small crowds also have something to do with the scheduling of matches? Surely if they were a Friday night they would draw bigger crowds. Monday and Tuesday matches never attract that many even when they are LOI league games.