Gavin Defends Setanta Decision

[Mr A]

Fran Gavin defends the decision to allow the D1 winners into the Setanta Cup playoff and says it should remain for next year.

http://www.independent.ie/sport/socc...n-1209053.html

[Dodge]

Fran Gavin defends the decision to allow the D1 winners into the Setanta Cup playoff and says it should remain for next year.

And I agree.

Just a warnign for people about to post on this thread. DO NOT let it descend into another harps v Derry discussion. Loads of them about if you want to post there...

[Jerry The Saint]

Fran Gavin defends the decision to allow the D1 winners into the Setanta Cup playoff and says it should remain for next year.

http://www.independent.ie/sport/socc...n-1209053.html

Division 1 clubs are already allowed into the League Cup so I don't see why they should be given two chances to qualify through this route.

[bigmac]

I think it's a good idea as well. It makes the Fisrt Division a little bit more interesting and gives the promoted teeam a chance to inject some money into the coffers. No surprise that the teams complaining are those who may miss out on the Setanta by one place.

[Stato]

It should at least be given a year or two to see how it works. For a start the Division 1 winners still have to beat the League Cup winners so, arguably, if they manage to do that they are a better side than the League Cup winners and deserve their place.

If, however, we end up with a situation where the Div 1 champions lose all 6 games by a cricket score it'll need to be reviewed. In saying that, Pats managed to put 13 goals past Portadown and Dungannon in four games and Cork managed something similar.

[Stato]

Division 1 clubs are already allowed into the League Cup so I don't see why they should be given two chances to qualify through this route.

Premier clubs had four opportunities to qualify (League x 2, FAI Cup and League Cup). First division clubs only ever had two opportunities (FAI Cup and League Cup) so I don't see a problem with giving them a third shot.

[endabob1]

Surely they have to earn the extra shot by getting themselves promotted, it sounds like a terrible idea to me, rewarding mediocrity.

[btid1]

Surely they have to earn the extra shot by getting themselves promotted, it sounds like a terrible idea to me, rewarding mediocrity.

Agreed.

You dont see this happening in any other country.Do Liverpool or Arsenal have to play off against the Championship winners for their Champions League place?

If you want to qualify for major tournaments win a trophy or be playing at the highest level.Anything other than that is making the competition a joke!!

[Dodge]

Surely they have to earn the extra shot by getting themselves promotted, it sounds like a terrible idea to me, rewarding mediocrity.

As opposed to the league cup?

All comparisons to the European places in other countries are ridiculous too. Can't see how anyone would think having Harps or Cobh in the Setanta Cup ahead of Derry is a bad thing.

[btid1]

As opposed to the league cup?

Well any hopes they had of rescuing the credibility of the competition is surely gone now!

Why dont Premier teams just drop to the first div win that and get Setanta football that way.Im sure the likes of UCD and Bohs would win the first div handy enough but wont get Setanta cup football in their current position.

[Dodge]

Why dont Premier teams just drop to the first div win that and get Setanta football that way.Im sure the likes of UCD and Bohs would win the first div handy enough but wont get Setanta cup football in their current position.

Rightly so. How is awarding the first division winners a crack at the league cup winners branded as awarding mediocrity but awarding it to possible 3rd or 4th place finishers not?

[Lionel Ritchie]

I support a First division club and, while I can see the logic of trying to spread the wealth -what there is of it, I think this initiative lacks natural justice.

I can see at least as compelling a case for whoever tops a "fair play" league getting a bite of the cherry too.

[Dodge]

I can see at least as compelling a case for whoever tops a "fair play" league getting a bite of the cherry too.

But they already get rewarded with the chance* of uefa cup

[OneRedArmy]

Can't see how anyone would think having Harps or Cobh in the Setanta Cup ahead of Derry is a bad thing.

Whats that got to do with it

[Dodge]

Whats that got to do with it

Isn't that the whole argument? I was using Derry as an example (being this years League Cup winners) and Harps/Cobh for similar reasons.

[OneRedArmy]

Isn't that the whole argument? I was using Derry as an example (being this years League Cup winners) and Harps/Cobh for similar reasons.

A) I thought per your warning above you didn't want it to descend into an argument about the two likely teams in the playoff; and
B) if the system is a farce, which it is because of the reasons stated above, then it doesn't matter who gets through.

[Sonic]

Its just a case of Rico and sean connor being a pair of sour auld w@nkers thats all. I think it is brilliant to give the first division champions a fair chance in the setanta.

[niallsparky]

Its just a case of Rico and sean connor being a pair of sour auld w@nkers thats all. I think it is brilliant to give the first division champions a fair chance in the setanta.

Why, because you have a good chance of getting into the playoff spot next season?

[Dodge]

A) I thought per your warning above you didn't want it to descend into an argument about the two likely teams in the playoff;

Fair enough. Using other teams "Can't see how anyone would think having Athlone in the Setanta Cup ahead of Bohs is a bad thing"

B) if the system is a farce, which it is because of the reasons stated above, then it doesn't matter who gets through.

I disagree about it being a farce and have yet to see any credible reason why people think it is. Procedure clearly laid down before this season, and now before next season. Opens up Setanta Cup qualification for numerous clubs and at the very least provides extra income for the team that wins the first division. Team can win the league cup by playing 4 games (all at home possibly). I fail to see how the winners feel they're being cheated out of anything

[btid1]

Its just a case of Rico and sean connor being a pair of sour auld w@nkers thats all. I think it is brilliant to give the first division champions a fair chance in the setanta.

They got their fair chance through the League Cup the first time.If I was a Derry fan and they lost the playoff I would feel very hard done by.

Still no answer from Dodge as to an example of another country in which this is done.Simple reason because it is not done anywhere else.

How apt the old adage is now - Only in Ireland!!!!