Semi Finals were played home and away in the mid to late 80`s, dont know why they changed as both clubs were guaranteed season best crowds. It seems to work ok for the Champs Lge !
With the structure of football in this country the neutral venue would never work, too many games would have to be played in dublin.
I remember (just about) one semi final when oriel was used as a neutral venue in the 70's. finn harps v athlone, 1974 i think, this match turned into a pure shambles as the athlone keeper (in his own version of soccer am`s crossbar challenge) tried to get the game called off by swinging like a madmad on the crossbar, he eventually broke it but it was fixed up and the game re-started, i think finn harps won 4-0.................the clip was shown worldwide...........
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