Welsh clubs invited to Setanta Cup!

**Dodge** · 22/06/2007, 5:27 AM

Originally Posted by holidaysong

And I think it goes against the overall goal of an All-Ireland league.

Well it might not be Setanta's aim but it probably is the main reason why the IFA are proposiong this, to make it feel less "All Ireland"

It won't happen though as there is no upside to Setanta Ireland, and they are the ones who call the shots. Whatever chance they have of getting people to look at Linfieldv Derry, they have no chance of getting people to watch TNS v Gretna

**Steve Bruce** · 22/06/2007, 10:12 AM

Originally Posted by holidaysong

It won't be much good if the Welsh sides see it as a "a pre-Europe warm up tournament"... I can't see the Welsh and Scottish teams taking it seriously. And I think it goes against the overall goal of an All-Ireland league.

I'm sorry to disapoint you, but the Setanta cup is in no way a stepping stone towards an all-island league.

Before that will happen, the two countries have to be one, and that isn't likely to happen in our life times anyway.

People need to get this all-island league out of their heads. It is pie in the sky.

What we have now is the best way for our two countries to play each other. At the moment the LOI have the upper hand, but hopefully the gap will begin to close once we get our league structures sorted out and also get a bit of investment.

**Steve Bruce** · 22/06/2007, 10:13 AM

Originally Posted by Dodge

Well it might not be Setanta's aim but it probably is the main reason why the IFA are proposiong this, to make it feel less "All Ireland"

It won't happen though as there is no upside to Setanta Ireland, and they are the ones who call the shots. Whatever chance they have of getting people to look at Linfieldv Derry, they have no chance of getting people to watch TNS v Gretna

I think Setanta seen a market and went for it. I don't think they really give a damn about an all-island league.

But I think involving the welsh and scottish teams is a mistake unless they double the prize money so then we dont lose out on traveling expenses.

**Dodge** · 22/06/2007, 10:19 AM

Originally Posted by Steve Bruce

I think Setanta seen a market and went for it. I don't think they really give a damn about an all-island league.

Obviously.

Can't see teams down here looking forward to having our allocation halved either

**superfrank** · 22/06/2007, 10:22 AM

No, no, no.........what is wrong with them??

I think it's grand the way it is. No Welsh teams please and for God's sakes no Scottish teams. It'll ruin the whole inter-provincial/national rivalry. Lots more fans over here would rather be the "All Ireland Champion" than the "Champion of Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland (well not really, because the two best Scottish teams won't be involved.)"

It'll devalue the competition and certainly put me off it.

**BohsPartisan** · 22/06/2007, 11:26 AM

Originally Posted by SligoBrewer

they changed it at the end of last season when we should have qualified just because they wanted.. why not again?

How many Sligo fans does it take to change a lightbulb?
What lightbulb? It was given to Pats!

**Neish** · 22/06/2007, 11:36 AM

Bad Idea.

Most LOI & IL clubs can barely afford the travel costs of sending their players away every 2nd weekend to games in their own countries. Now their are gonna have to fork out to send players to Wales or Scotland during midweek. It could sent a lot of clubs to the wall.

Not to mention the fact that most of LOI & I.L players are Part-timers and have jobs to work during the week.

**Steve Bruce** · 22/06/2007, 11:46 AM

The only way it would work, is if the Prize money for entering was on the 100k sterling mark. Winners get a further 250k, Runners up a further 150k, Semi Finals get further 75k.

Then it would be financially lucrative. But it will still take away from the supporters experience. I cannot afford to go to Scotland and wales midweek and I'm not talkin about flights etc. It's losing 2 days work as well.

**Dodge** · 22/06/2007, 11:50 AM

Well it would only be 2 clusb from each league. League winners and Pats from the EL and probably league winnners and Irish cup winners (or whover Linfield) from the IL so t wouldn't affect "loads of clubs"

Agree with your general point (and Steve Bruce's)

**mypost** · 22/06/2007, 12:01 PM

Originally Posted by Steve Bruce

At the moment the LOI have the upper hand, but hopefully the gap will begin to close once we get our league structures sorted out and also get a bit of investment.

The NI league won't improve, until they change to summer football. Until then, they'll continue to get walloped by LOI clubs in pre-season. Setanta are getting fed up with that already, hence this idea.

**Steve Bruce** · 22/06/2007, 1:02 PM

Originally Posted by mypost

The NI league won't improve, until they change to summer football. Until then, they'll continue to get walloped by LOI clubs in pre-season. Setanta are getting fed up with that already, hence this idea.

You would obviously know more about the IL than I would, I only go to IL matches every week

**paddigol** · 23/06/2007, 1:33 PM

Originally Posted by Steve Bruce

I'm sorry to disapoint you, but the Setanta cup Before that will happen, the two countries have to be one, and that isn't likely to happen in our life times anyway.

Can't say I agree with that. An all-island league is a non-political suggestion based on economica and footballing factors.
Rugby, for example, has an all-island league so I don't see how the 'two countries having to be one' argument works.

**pete** · 23/06/2007, 1:50 PM

I would guess the only reason Setanta are looking at this is because they could then show the games live on Setanta 1 or 2 in the UK. That and the fact the competition is currently struggling...

**Soper** · 23/06/2007, 2:01 PM

The matches are already shown here on Sky through Setanta Ireland, although I guess through other mediums such as ordinary digital television, your point stands