Setanta Cup looks way forward for Irish game

**Raheny Red** · 26/04/2006, 12:29 PM

Last year a LSL selection hammered a Welsh league selection 7-2, now what does that say, if a LSL team could do that then what would happen if an eL team played a Welsh team on a regular basis. Now they played on the weekend just gone and the Welsh League won 1-0 agianst a "heavily depleted LSL panel". So a 1-0 defeat ain't a bad result considering the circumstances. On reflection of this do we really want this shower in the Setanta Sports Cup

- the only benefit I can is the odd pish up in Wales

**sligoman** · 26/04/2006, 12:37 PM

Originally Posted by Roverstillidie

top of the league

You sure? Check again:

Limerick FC 6 5 0 1 6 3 15
Shamrock R 6 4 2 0 8 1 14

Originally Posted by Roverstillidie

and pushing 600 mins without conceding.

600 mins of First Division football

.

**Schumi** · 26/04/2006, 12:52 PM

Macy has it spot on. An all-Ireland league would be great but if the opportunity isn't taken to address all the problems that both leagues have now, very little would change.

**thejollyrodger** · 26/04/2006, 9:20 PM

any all ireland league would need major sponsorship from the likes of Eircon.

**Poor Student** · 26/04/2006, 9:43 PM

Originally Posted by Macy

FIFA/UEFA to ban under 18's/21's leaving their country to sign for foreign clubs.

That would be utterly contrary to Europen Union law. You as an 18 year old have the right to go to the UK and take up any other job you like. However yes, if all our top players in Britain played here then concentration of talent wouldn't be a problem.

**Macy** · 27/04/2006, 9:59 AM

Originally Posted by Poor Student

That would be utterly contrary to Europen Union law. You as an 18 year old have the right to go to the UK and take up any other job you like. However yes, if all our top players in Britain played here then concentration of talent wouldn't be a problem.

Never said it was possible, or even likely if it was. But what about Under 18's?

I'd also like to see the FAI use the stick of no caps at all at any level ever unless you stayed until 21. Obviously an exception for 2G's not born here, again no chance considering the Staunton going around looking for anyone who's had a pint of porter and might qualify (and ready to appeal even if they don't!)...

Edit - Obviously with the carrot of all these top rate academies tied to the eL clubs.

**Dodge** · 27/04/2006, 11:10 AM

Pete, TV ratings are, at best, guesswork. Have you ever been asked what you watch? Do you know anybody who's ever been asked?

I was in a packed pub on Saturday and there was a t least 150 people watching the game. It only takes 100 more pubs throughout Ireland to double the figure quoted.

To answer sirhamish, NTL give Setanta prime location at Nos 105 (in general) and 401 in sport (SkySports 1is 402) on digital platform and also makes it available through the basic analogue service (which you can safely so most of Dublin, Waterford and Galway subscribe to)

**monkey magic** · 27/04/2006, 7:01 PM

Originally Posted by Schumi

Macy has it spot on. An all-Ireland league would be great but if the opportunity isn't taken to address all the problems that both leagues have now, very little would change.

thats about spot on, such a new league would have to have a minimum requirement in terms on facilities etc for entry to gain credability... at a stroke, those clubs not up to standard could be deemed ineligible.. you might argue that this was what liscencing was supposed to do, but its a lot easier to do with a new league than with existing established clubs in an established league.