Setanta Cup - The Verdict

**A face** · 26/03/2007, 11:14 PM

Right lads, whats your verdict on the Setanta Cup so far. Its in its third year, there have been ten teams in it so far, six for LOI and four from IL. By and large its been good viewing, Setantas subscriptions must be up now, as a direct result of running it.

What do you all think of it?

**Poor Student** · 26/03/2007, 11:18 PM

It's great. It's more domestic football on tv, it's on a Monday night when there's usually nothing else on and it gives the opportunity to see new teams like Linfield that you don't usually see. From scanning the results I think tonight IL football took a big blow tonight though. As usual Linfield are the only IL side to acquit themselves respectably.

**CharlesThompson** · 26/03/2007, 11:19 PM

Can't see the IL sides taking any more of an interest in it in the future if results like tonights continue for much longer. The competition is doomed.

**OneRedArmy** · 26/03/2007, 11:39 PM

Already covered in the other thread.

Tonight was the final nail in the coffin.

We may as well invite Linfield to enter the FAI Cup and get Setanta to sponsor it for all the good the tournament is doing.

**dcfcsteve** · 26/03/2007, 11:44 PM

The Irish League is a one-horse show.

Sadly - the only horse worth showing (Linfield) has no interest in getting involved in the much better horse show that occurs elsewhere on the island. They say its for reasons such as access to European equestrian tournaments, but we all know its just down to political horse play.

As a result - they will continue to be the best looking horse in one hell of an ugly field full of stunted foals and three legged donkeys.

Setanta has increasingly exposed that brutally for all to see. Linfield are wasted on the IL, but haven't got the ambition, the balls or the maturity to realise that and act accordingly. Whither the Irish League, as a result - and with it any point in having a Setanta tournament involving anyone bar Linfield.

**TheBoss** · 26/03/2007, 11:56 PM

If Linfield played any League of Ireland team mid season, they would struggle, the fitness levels at the moment is what is keeping on terms with Drogs and Derry.

**dcfcsteve** · 26/03/2007, 11:58 PM

Originally Posted by TheBoss

If Linfield played any League of Ireland team mid season, they would struggle, the fitness levels at the moment is what is keeping on terms with Drogs and Derry.

Shaky decision-making by Fenlon, and our team passing like idiots and coasting on a 2:0 lead is what's keeping Linfield on terms with Derry....

**BleusAvantTout** · 27/03/2007, 12:06 AM

Originally Posted by dcfcsteve

Shaky decision-making by Fenlon, and our team passing like idiots and coasting on a 2:0 lead is what's keeping Linfield Swifts on terms with Derry....

Our reserves came back well last night!

DCFC AHA AHA AHA...........................!!!!! Classic adaptation!!

**blueman1886** · 27/03/2007, 1:56 AM

Originally Posted by TheBoss

If Linfield played any League of Ireland team mid season, they would struggle, the fitness levels at the moment is what is keeping on terms with Drogs and Derry.

Like when linfield played shelbourne midish season in tolka and stuffed um?

**Dodge** · 27/03/2007, 2:11 AM

Enjoyed my first season of it so far. Think it just fell poorly on three northern teams (Ports, Swifts and Glens) as it caught them in poor run of form/injuries.

Thankfully none of the drubbings has been caught on live tv (does Pats beating Cork 3-1 count?)

I certainly hope Linfield qualify for the semis. My hope is, ourselves and Linfield win groups, and then play in final in Windsor after beatiing Derry and Cork respectively

**chippie0001** · 27/03/2007, 6:52 AM

Originally Posted by OneRedArmy

Already covered in the other thread.

Tonight was the final nail in the coffin.

We may as well invite Linfield to enter the FAI Cup and get Setanta to sponsor it for all the good the tournament is doing.

Of a matter of interest, in the first two years how many IL teams have made it out of the group stages? Is it just Linfield as again this year it may well be only Linfield again. Its a good competition, would love to be in it, but does seem that the IL teams cannot live with the LOI teams. That will destroy it long run as the interest will get worse as the results do.

**ifk101** · 27/03/2007, 6:55 AM

Originally Posted by blueman1886

Like when linfield played shelbourne midish season in tolka and stuffed um?

Aye but Shels are a first division team.

Anyways I think what dcfcsteve meant was that LOI clubs are further down the professionalism road than IL clubs and logically we can presume that over the course of a season Linfield would struggle to finish above mid-table in the LOI.

**David** · 27/03/2007, 8:09 AM

The patronising nonsense from Derry City fans in particular is annoying. Why criticise Linfield for wanting to do what most other clubs do ie play in the league of their own country? Yes I would like an AIL if the conditions are right but Linfield wanting to stay in their own league surely has to be respected.

**razor** · 27/03/2007, 8:10 AM

Originally Posted by Dodge

(does Pats beating Cork 3-1 count?)

not considering we nearly got a draw out of it, if it wasn't for that pesky dodgy penalty right at the end.

**OneRedArmy** · 27/03/2007, 8:47 AM

Originally Posted by chippie0001

Of a matter of interest, in the first two years how many IL teams have made it out of the group stages? Is it just Linfield as again this year it may well be only Linfield again. Its a good competition, would love to be in it, but does seem that the IL teams cannot live with the LOI teams. That will destroy it long run as the interest will get worse as the results do.

Pineapple Stu posted all the entrants records since the competition began in the other thread.

All bar Linfield are very poor. Whilst its clear the IL is an inferior league, it would appear based on the views of the Linfield fans, manager and players that they take the competition a lot more seriously than the other teams which simply exacerbates the differential.

**Dodge** · 27/03/2007, 9:31 AM

Bit misleading in that in the first year only group winners qualified so it was 50/50 in year one, and 75/25 in years two.

Looks the same this year. Most of us down here think our league is better and we've been proven right but its by no means a walkover. Think people are overreacting slightly to two heavy defeats last night

**Peadar** · 27/03/2007, 9:38 AM

We've beaten Ports 11-0 on aggregate. That's pretty comprehensive in any man's language. We went up there with a squad of 14 players & a string of injuries.
While Swifts have fared somewhat better, we should put them to the sword at Turners Cross.
Something drastic will need to happen if the IL teams are ever going to compete.

**MyTown** · 27/03/2007, 9:49 AM

Really enjoyed it this year because it conincided with our arrival back in the top division & it was good to see how our opponents were faring on live TV.

Difficult to see whats in it for the Irish League teams after last nights results, but the live TV games were all pretty good so far.

Well done Setanta for having a go at generating some revenue for the clubs involved and a bit of interest beyond the die-hards.

**Dodge** · 27/03/2007, 9:57 AM

Originally Posted by Peadar

We've beaten Ports 11-0 on aggregate. That's pretty comprehensive in any man's language

Of course it is, but look at Portadown's recent league record. Its pretty poor. Apart from Linfield the other three are doing poorly within their own league at the moment, and the results reflect this

**Jerry The Saint** · 27/03/2007, 10:04 AM

Originally Posted by razor

not considering we nearly got a draw out of it, if it wasn't for that pesky dodgy penalty right at the end.

Maths Lesson:

3 GOALS (Pats) MINUS 1 GOAL ("Dodgy" peno) = 2 GOALS WHICH IS > 1 GOAL (Cork)

So far, I'm loving the Setanta Cup (or "Phase 1" as it's known in Pats circles

)

Maybe Portadown and Glentoran should do a Shels and refuse their invitation, seeing as they don't seem to care. Going a couple of places further down the league might not lower the standard too much if the teams were genuinely committed to the competition (and the associated prizemoney)