Aertel's EL focus

**sligoman** · 26/09/2005, 6:19 PM

Derry take the cup

Derry City took the first silverware of the campaign with victory over UCD in the League Cup final at Belfield Park.

The League Cup has always been looked upon as our third competition, behind the league and FAI Cup.

It could be argued that it is our fourth, with the Setanta Cup's prize money and media exposure making it slightly more attractive.

The win puts Derry into next season's Setanta Cup and it seems somewhat fitting that Derry, out of all our clubs, should be in the cross-border competition.

The League Cup, as this column said earlier in the season, was often taken
less than seriously by many clubs who regularly put out nothing resembling their first choice eleven.

It was different this year with most clubs showing great enthusiasm for it.

That may have been more widespread had the decision to award a Setanta Cup place been made before the cup began.

On the other hand, the handling of the League Cup in general, particularly the final, did not please everyone.

For example, at the semi-final stage, it was announced that a venue for the
final would be confirmed when the two competitors were known.

UCD and Derry qualified, College won the toss of a coin and Belfield was chosen.

That decision wasn't greeted with universal enthusiasm.

The eircom League put on a great show and both sets of fans, along with the neutrals, enjoyed a great night in comfort and safety. The media and corporate guests were also well looked after.

But was it right to hold a final in a ground that needed to have temporary seating installed?

UCD were happy with the home advantage but boss Pete Mahon did ask in his programme notes: 'Why wasn't a venue chosen at the start of the season?' Pete added that the destination of a cup final should not end up as a 'beauty contest' between two grounds.

Considering that the FAI Cup final is always in Dublin, why not play the League Cup final at a country venue each year? One with enough seats like Flancare Park or Turner's Cross.

If either Longford or Cork reached the final this could be changed with, say, a month's notice.

Why play a final on a Tuesday night? Why not a Friday night or Sunday afternoon?

Why not the October bank holiday weekend with the FAI cup final rounding off the season in November?

Lots of questions.

Lots of things to ponder before the 2006 campaign.

**The Stars** · 26/09/2005, 6:28 PM

What a sh!t artical.who wrote this tripe?is it that mark cummins guy?

**pineapple stu** · 26/09/2005, 6:34 PM

Originally Posted by sligoman

The eircom League put on a great show and both sets of fans, along with the neutrals, enjoyed a great night in comfort and safety. The media and corporate guests were also well looked after.

The eL put on a great show?! Was it not UCD's ground, UCD's work in getting the ground presentable and UCD and Derry's teams out on the pitch?

**Bald Student** · 26/09/2005, 6:44 PM

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

The eL put on a great show?! Was it not UCD's ground, UCD's work in getting the ground presentable and UCD and Derry's teams out on the pitch?

I'd be very surprised if UCD paid for the tent, temporary seating and other improvements.

The article does read like he's contradicting himself. He's not sure wheather he's giving out about the venue itself (which he praises and criticises in quick succession) or about one team having home advantage.

**sligoman** · 26/09/2005, 6:46 PM

Originally Posted by The Stars

who wrote this tripe?is it that mark cummins guy?

Yep, it is

**Jaime** · 26/09/2005, 7:08 PM

Originally Posted by sligoman

Yep, it is

That bloke's articles are error-strewn crap.

**sligoman** · 26/09/2005, 7:41 PM

Originally Posted by Jaime

That bloke's articles are error-strewn crap.

Maybe so but at least Aertel are actually doing something with the EL

**The Stars** · 26/09/2005, 8:08 PM

Who is this mark cummins guy anyway?does he even support an Eircom League team?

**Dodge** · 26/09/2005, 8:16 PM

Originally Posted by The Stars

Who is this mark cummins guy anyway?does he even support an Eircom League team?

Prefer if he didn't tbh. give the guy a break. he's obvioulsy new at this but at least he's looking for the positive in the league. best of luck to him I say

**EnDai** · 26/09/2005, 8:54 PM

Think he's Rovers?

**The Stars** · 26/09/2005, 8:57 PM

Better not be!!!! oh you mean Shams.....

**pineapple stu** · 26/09/2005, 10:17 PM

Originally Posted by Bald Student

I'd be very surprised if UCD paid for the tent, temporary seating and other improvements.

I doubt the tent made for a much better spectacle, to be honest. The seats, fair enough. The FAI printed the tickets, but much of the promotion of the game was done by the clubs involved. I think it's disingenuous to give all the credit to the FAI or the league and ignore the role played by both clubs.

That said, this...

Why play a final on a Tuesday night? Why not a Friday night or Sunday afternoon?

Why not the October bank holiday weekend with the FAI Cup final rounding off the season in November?

...makes perfect sense and should be implemented from next season.