Talk of Setanta Cup reform

**Poor Student** · 25/02/2007, 4:42 PM

It was in one of the tabloids today that a meeting has taken place with a view to balancing out the inequality in the Setanta Cup due to it taking place in opposite ends of the season for LOI and IL clubs. Playing one Saturday every four weeks was mentioned. Sadly that's about as specific as the article got and I can't remember which paper it was.

**sonofstan** · 25/02/2007, 4:48 PM

Something like what they do in the CL maybe? half the matches now, at the beginning of the EL season/ end of IL one, and half in August/ Sept - end of El/ beginning of IL?

**kdjaC** · 25/02/2007, 5:09 PM

Linfield manager mentioned that last week. As crowds are down or something when they would get more on a sat afernoon.

kdjac

**Risteard** · 25/02/2007, 5:23 PM

While i think this is a good and fair idea, i reckon the IL teams would really be shown up if the Republics teams and Derry were in-season.

**A face** · 25/02/2007, 8:54 PM

Originally Posted by Risteard

While i think this is a good and fair idea, i reckon the IL teams would really be shown up if the Republics teams and Derry were in-season.

I agree here aswell, and no disrespect to the IL at all. It think having it at the start of our season it benefits both league this way. The IL clubs are match fit and it makes for a much better competition.

**Dr.Nightdub** · 25/02/2007, 11:59 PM

Lads, bearing in mind that it's a cup competition so not necessarily a true barometer of which league is stronger, is all the patronising of the IL teams not kinda overlooking the fact that Linfield won it the first time it was held?

**JW.** · 26/02/2007, 11:47 AM

I think the midweek thing works fine. It's a novetly thing as well. The attendances haven't been too bad really.

**Shelsman** · 26/02/2007, 12:52 PM

Originally Posted by Dr.Nightdub

Lads, bearing in mind that it's a cup competition so not necessarily a true barometer of which league is stronger, is all the patronising of the IL teams not kinda overlooking the fact that Linfield won it the first time it was held?

Yes but in reality 3 out of the 4 semi finalists last year were from the eL. I think it will be the same this year, though having St.Pats in it might tip the balance back in favour of the Irish League this year ( I'm sure Pat's will be strong once they've gelled, just not sure they can turn it on so quickly ).

**Shelsman** · 26/02/2007, 12:53 PM

Originally Posted by JW.

I think the midweek thing works fine. It's a novetly thing as well. The attendances haven't been too bad really.

Yes, floodlit football and some good telly to go home to. There's also the potential to draw in non-eL fans as it's the only televised footie on a Monday night ( that I know of ).

**Dodge** · 26/02/2007, 12:59 PM

If there's any change to schedules it'll be because Setanta Sports want to move the fixtures to fir their schedules. No other reason at all

**JW.** · 26/02/2007, 3:45 PM

Originally Posted by Dodge

If there's any change to schedules it'll be because Setanta Sports want to move the fixtures to fir their schedules. No other reason at all

Spot on.

**pete** · 27/02/2007, 9:58 AM

Originally Posted by Dodge

If there's any change to schedules it'll be because Setanta Sports want to move the fixtures to fir their schedules. No other reason at all

Was at the Dungannon game last night so only saw some of the Setanta coverage however I heard they didn't show footage from anywhere expect United Park. I would take this as a sign that Setanta losing interest. I believe this is that last year of the agreed 3 year deal? Have Setanta said they will extend?

I suppose we should not be surprised they lose interest in irish football as they acquire more glamorous events...

**charliesboots** · 27/02/2007, 10:17 AM

According to Niall Cogley's piece in our programme last night Setanta have signed up until 2011

**Jerry The Saint** · 27/02/2007, 10:17 AM

Originally Posted by pete

Was at the Dungannon game last night so only saw some of the Setanta coverage however I heard they didn't show footage from anywhere expect United Park. I would take this as a sign that Setanta losing interest. I believe this is that last year of the agreed 3 year deal? Have Setanta said they will extend?

I suppose we should not be surprised they lose interest in irish football as they acquire more glamorous events...

I think the message from Cogley in last night's programme said something about investing a further �2m and were extending it for 4 years. Bad sign that they wouldn't even show brief highlights from the other games (nothing bar Drogs-Linfield on TV3 either).

**Mr_T** · 27/02/2007, 11:29 AM

DO they still put the goals up on their website? Anyone got a link?

**pete** · 27/02/2007, 12:27 PM

Originally Posted by Mr_T

DO they still put the goals up on their website? Anyone got a link?

They only had cameras at United Park so not much to show...

**Dodge** · 27/02/2007, 1:05 PM

Pats should have clips of our goals on our website this evening

**wws** · 27/02/2007, 1:16 PM

Originally Posted by Dodge

Pats should have clips of our goals on our website this evening

???

doubt it. later in the week more realistic

**Dodge** · 27/02/2007, 1:27 PM

Lazy shoite

**kdjaC** · 27/02/2007, 6:16 PM

Originally Posted by Shelsman

Yes but in reality 3 out of the 4 semi finalists last year were from the eL. I think it will be the same this year, though having St.Pats in it might tip the balance back in favour of the Irish League this year ( I'm sure Pat's will be strong once they've gelled, just not sure they can turn it on so quickly ).

Spot on

kdjac