Setanta playoff farce?

[Poor Student]

Am I right in saying at this point the FAI/eL have set no format or provisional date for this playoff? I've seen it suggested that if it's Finn Harps v Derry it'll be two legged, if it's Cobh it'll be one leg at the Brandywell. Following the cup final debacle it's more amateur behaviour from the custodians of our game. The format and date should have been set out from the begining of the season.

[kdjaC]

Waiting to see Pats get in via the league if not its a tri pronged mini league with pats having a 9 point head start and 4 extra players.


kdjac

[Aaron]

Am I right in saying at this point the FAI/eL have set no format or provisional date for this playoff? I've seen it suggested that if it's Finn Harps v Derry it'll be two legged, if it's Cobh it'll be one leg at the Brandywell. Following the cup final debacle it's more amateur behaviour from the custodians of our game. The format and date should have been set out from the begining of the season.

It is a farce. The date should have been set long time ago, regardless of who would be participating. If what you have heard is true, then I can only assume the FAI are looking at 2 big crowds at both games and a great atmosphere. What galls me though is we do this then they go and fine both of us for creating an atmosphere.

[Flexy]

it should be 1 leg only at the League Cup winners home ground. All teams have had a chance to win the League Cup and failed to do so. Cobh could win the 1st Division, have been beaten by Derry in the League Cup and still qualify for the Setanta Cup. What a joke

[Sonic]

I can see that they are trying to make the race for the last setanta spot more interesting by throwing in the winners of division one but with the situation as messy as it is the idea clearly wasnt thought through.

[Mr A]

There's nothing to stop the FAI sorting this out. Decide whether it's one leg or two (preferably the latter), set the dates and there you go, simple. It could have been nasty if Bohs had won the league cup, but they didn't. It was not well planned but it can be easily rescued. Except they're not going to of course!

I see no reason at all why who wins the first division should make a difference to the format.

[OneRedArmy]

Unfortunately its in the FAI and the clubs interests to keep it vague.

If its Harps from the first, both sides will be rubbing their hands together for a two-legged tie, with the potential for 4,000 plus at both games and a split gate.

Agree that its a farce BTW, but a not unexpected one.

[gspain]

It is a farce. The date should have been set long time ago, regardless of who would be participating. If what you have heard is true, then I can only assume the FAI are looking at 2 big crowds at both games and a great atmosphere. What galls me though is we do this then they go and fine both of us for creating an atmosphere.

It's very simple really.

If Harps/Derry or Cobh win the playoff then Galway get the Setanta Cup spot.

[Dodge]

It's very simple really.

If Harps/Derry or Cobh win the playoff then Galway get the Setanta Cup spot.

No, you're thinking of a place in the top league. Pats are the Setanta Cup's favourite team and as such all rules are variable to fit us in.

[Sam_Heggy]

Personally I think it would be a real up yours if Harps/ Cobh got the setanta spot.
No one outside of the two clubs want us in, its a farce.
How many times will farce be mentioned in this topic? I reckon farce will be used alot as in all fairness it is a farce

[Lim till i die]

Slightly OT but speaking of FAI farces this A-League thingy has gone pretty quiet...............

[Mad Moose]

If its true its more amateur goings on by those in charge of the game. The play off and for a setanta cup place is a massive incentive for both Finn Harps and Cobh Ramblers, both of whom have been excellent this season and made for a very exciting first division title race.Both cubs deserve to know what awaits them even if priority is achieving promotion first and foremost. The inclusion in the Setanta cup is a massive financial incentive and would see either club giving themselves a decent chance of finance and staying in the Premier Division. The possibility of a place in the competition has got to have some bearing on that coveted 1st place on the league. They at least deserve to know what that is, what format and when.

[bohsmug]

The concept in itself is ridiculous to begin with. Division 1 teams enter the league cup. Both cups offer them the opportunity to qualify.

The league cup has taken on a new life since the Setanta spot has been up for grabs. The way I see it Setanta cup qualification is the main prize of winning the league cup. For some reason the winners now have to play a team who have already been knocked out of the competition in a "playoff". It's ridiculous*!





* For ridiculous read "farcical" if you're that way inclined.

[Dodge]

The reasons the first division teams are in there is obvious. It was their pay off for agreeing to Delaney's SuperLeague, and specifically for agreeing to a ten team premier...

[Mad Moose]

The concept in itself is ridiculous to begin with. Division 1 teams enter the league cup. Both cups offer them the opportunity to qualify.

The league cup has taken on a new life since the Setanta spot has been up for grabs. The way I see it Setanta cup qualification is the main prize of winning the league cup. For some reason the winners now have to play a team who have already been knocked out of the competition in a "playoff". It's ridiculous*!





* For ridiculous read "farcical" if you're that way inclined.

You won't hear Harps or Cobh complain if they get a return from the play-off. Sorry I shouldn't just say Harps and Cobh.Dundalk are in the shake up also. Anyhow if Harps win the first division you won't hear them complain with a financial incentive in taking on Derry City over two leagues. A timely boost at the end of the season. It might pay for the title win bonus I've heard is on offer.

Either way thats a game I'd love to return to Ballybofey for again.

[Bald Student]

The funniest thing about this discussion is that someone in Merrion Square is reading it and and has just realised that they forgot to organise the game.

[Stato]

On the basis that the idea was first mooted in the FAI's Proposals for the Strategic Direction of the National League 2007 to 2012, which was officially launched at the end of May 2006, you'd hope someone might've remembered.

[John83]

The funniest thing about this discussion is that someone in Merrion Square is reading it and and has just realised that they forgot to organise the game.

I was just thinking that.

Personally I think it would be a real up yours if Harps/ Cobh got the setanta spot.
No one outside of the two clubs want us in, its a farce.
How many times will farce be mentioned in this topic? I reckon farce will be used alot as in all fairness it is a farce

I don't think people will begrudge it to you. Moan and bitch about the FAI, sure, but it's not Cobh's fault that there's some farcical playoff in place.

[Stato]

Moan and bitch about the FAI, sure, but it's not Cobh's fault that there's some farcical playoff in place.

No, it's the fault of the 22 league clubs that voted for the merger with this included (or rather 21 clubs with Dublin City abstaining as far as I remember).

[John83]

No, it's the fault of the 22 league clubs that voted for the merger with this included (or rather 21 clubs with Dublin City abstaining as far as I remember).

I think there were a couple of more abstentions, but regardless, yes, that was ultimately where the decision was made. I'm still going to blame the FAI for thinking of it though.