league cup winners for setanta cup

**MariborKev** · 16/06/2005, 9:07 AM

Reports from the North this morning suggest that the IFA is advocating an expansion of the Setanta Cup to 8 teams, from the current six.

The radio reports were unclear but I took from it that the IFA are seeking to top two in the League, the Irish Cup and the League Cup winners to gain admission to the competition

**Peadar** · 16/06/2005, 9:14 AM

Originally Posted by Maribor

top two in the League, the Irish Cup and the League Cup winners to gain admission to the competition

I think the competition is a bit too fragmented as it is.
Games on different nights and different weeks doesn't make it easy to generate excitement about it.
If they add two more teams and persist with the same format as this season, the disjointed structure of the competition will become even worse.

The FAI would have to enter the League Champions, League runners up, the FAI Cup runners up and League Cup runners up, since we're on for the treble.

**MariborKev** · 16/06/2005, 9:16 AM

Originally Posted by Peadar

The FAI would have to enter the League Champions, League runners up, the FAI Cup runners up and League Cup runners up, since we're on for the treble.

Ye aren't the only ones

**Peadar** · 16/06/2005, 9:19 AM

Originally Posted by Maribor

Ye aren't the only ones

Thought of that after I posted.
Still think a City v City FAI Cup Final would be the dogs undercarriage.
The FAI should do all in their power to ensure it happens.

**Dodge** · 16/06/2005, 9:28 AM

Like the idea of boosting the League Cup. Also think it'll help the Setanta Cup no end. Means having two groups of four (League winners from each country being top seed in each) and having 2 fropm each in there. Also gives an oppurtunity for semis which adds to the excitement and unlikely to leave "dead rubbers"

**EnDai** · 16/06/2005, 9:37 AM

Would be great if it happened

**Roo69** · 16/06/2005, 9:51 AM

If an All-Ireland League does'nt happen then an expanded Setanta Cup is defo needed, maybe run in the same group stages format as the champions league. Personally i think it would be great to see 4 groups of 4 teams, top 2 from each group to to qualify for the quarters and so on.

Could include Winners or eL and IL
Cup Winners of eL and IL
League Cup Winners of eL and IL
2nd Place finish in the eL and IL
3rd Place finish in the eL and IL
4th Place finish in the eL and IL

Champions League format would also give the barstoolers something of a fimilar feeling to what they watch every tuesday and wedensday night with the likes of Utd, Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal, it might make them take a little more interest.

**stickyjoe** · 16/06/2005, 9:51 AM

From BBC.co.uk

A place in the big money Setanta Cup is the prize for next season's winners of the CIS Insurance Cup.
The new-look Setanta competition is being increased from six to eight teams - four each from the Irish League and Eircom League.

The Irish League quartet will comprise the CIS winners, Glentoran, Portadown and Linfield, who won the inaugural Setanta Cup last month.

The CIS Cup final will be on a Saturday for the first time, on 3 December.

Linfield were surprise 2-0 victors over Eircom League champions Shelbourne in May's decider at Tolka Park.

Glenn Ferguson and Peter Thomspon scored the goals which earned the Blues the 150,000 euro top prize.

**Cosmo** · 16/06/2005, 9:52 AM

Yeah an 8 team setanta cup would give the groups more balance.

Also like the idea of the league cup winners getting a place - would stop clubs putting out thier reserve teams for this.

**CuanaD** · 16/06/2005, 9:57 AM

Yes, this would be a good move - a positive step for the league cup as well - guarantees e30,000 prizemoney - nice.

It would allow a tightening-up of the games series also - could see two setanta games each week instead of one - live setanta each Monday AND Tuesday - I like the sound of that

**jorge** · 16/06/2005, 10:25 AM

The League Cup is the League Cup,if it was expanded to eight teams it should be the team who comes third in the league and NOT the League Cup winners it wouldnt be fair on the team that came third.

**Peadar** · 16/06/2005, 10:38 AM

Originally Posted by jorge

it wouldnt be fair on the team that came third.

This wont concern Rovers so don't worry your hooped little head about it.

I'm not happy with the timing of the competition.
It's too early in the season for us and coincides with the conclusion of too many other competitions which can't help attendances or viewing figures.

**Dodge** · 16/06/2005, 10:40 AM

Originally Posted by jorge

The League Cup is the League Cup,if it was expanded to eight teams it should be the team who comes third in the league and NOT the League Cup winners it wouldnt be fair on the team that came third.

It wouldn't be fair on the league cup winners if they give it to the team that finishes third...

and on, and on, and on, and on, and on....

**jorge** · 16/06/2005, 10:52 AM

Imagine if you had to play your strongest team in every competition (league,cup,league cup,for the fortunate ones the Setanta Cupand Europe)any team in the EL woulnt be able for it.Espesially those Langers.Btw it would concern us if we won the League cup.

**pete** · 16/06/2005, 10:55 AM

The League Cup here is just a Mickey Mouse competition. The Setanta Cup needs the best teams from both sides of the border competing. There is no point in having some crap 1st division team on Setanta tv as doesn't serve any purpose. Should be 3d place in Premier division.

I would say original reason for restricting the competition to 3 teams from each league was so Setanta guaranteed just the best teams.

**Cosmo** · 16/06/2005, 11:01 AM

'There is no point in having some crap 1st division team on Setanta tv as doesn't serve any purpose.'

Eh I think the reasoning would be that all clubs would take the League Cup seriously as a result of getting into the setanta cup. Sure using that logic, anyone could win the FAI cup and they mightnt be in the top 4 clubs in ireland and still qualify for the setanta cup

**Macy** · 16/06/2005, 11:02 AM

Originally Posted by pete

I would say original reason for restricting the competition to 3 teams from each league was so Setanta guaranteed just the best teams.

Then, as the arguement goes, not keep it to the first 3 in the league in the first place rather than the Cup winners.

Good news for the League Cup, both sides of the border, as it gives it some credability. Already has handy prize money, this will definitely give it a boost. If a crap div 1 team wins it, that's the fault of the good premier teams not beating them. If they don't take it seriously with a setanta place for the winner, that is just stupidity on their part.

Like I say, good move for the competition - one more team of winners, rather than another runner up...

**Poor Student** · 16/06/2005, 11:09 AM

I'm happy that some meaning can be given to the League Cup without having to sacrifice a European place. However if I recall correctly the Irish League Cup final was Linfield v Glentoran last year so what does that mean for the 4th NI place?

Argument about Div 1 teams winning the League Cup are stupid. We weren't that far away from a Munster Senior League team winning the FAI Cup last year. These things happen and it adds to the romance of the game. Perhaps a lower team getting into the Setanta via the League Cup could be a catalyst to big things for the said club. Has this been officially confirmed?

**crc** · 16/06/2005, 11:13 AM

Two groups of four would definately give the competition more balance, and semi-finals would be great too. I'd be for giving the fourth place to the league cup winners, but I wouldn't be that bothered if it went to the third place Premier team. However if the Cup winners (league cup or FAI cup) already qualify some other way, then the place should not go to the runners up - it should go to the next highest team in the Premier division.

I think Setanta wanted to keep the competition small while it was still in its infancy, but now that the first season has been a success, eight teams is the way to go.