Setanta Sports Cup

[Graemerz]

Any one know when the draw is?

[iceman]

Any one know when the draw is?

Seems to be a considerable lack of interest this year from Setanta , now that they are keeping the barstoolers happy with cross-channel football on Monday nights.

[Dodge]

Not really. The draw was due last week but postponed. Sometime in January. Setanta Ireland and Setanta Uk are basically seperate channels...

[Supersaint]

any news of a format change?
welsh/scottish teams...
more irish clubs?
change of night etc?

[Dodge]

I'd say a change of night is a very real possibility. The others aren't (and shouldn't be)

[Supersaint]

I'd say a change of night is a very real possibility. The others aren't (and shouldn't be)

yeah wouldnt fancy a weekday trip to some welsh ground,i doubt scottish clubs would even consider the SSC.

[Danny]

draw next thurs
new format
3 games from feb-april
then a break then the rest of the games from sep - oct

http://www.fai.ie/index.php?option=c...k=view&id=2762

[Flexy]

draw next thurs
new format
3 games from feb-april
then a break then the rest of the games from sep - oct

http://www.fai.ie/index.php?option=c...k=view&id=2762

What a load of rubbish having a four month break

[all drogged up]

I reckon it's fair enough.

The way it was before was a bit of a mismatch - we were playing without match practice after the close season and they were in the run-in for the end of their season an important time.

Now it'll be vice versa for the Sept. to Oct. part of the league.

both sets of teams have to play games when busy and when down on match practice or building a new squad.

I know we'll be finishing our season when semi's and final is on but let's just see how it works out.

[Graemerz]

Not sure about the gap thing...

I'd prefer it if it is to be spread through February to October to play a match(es) in May, June, August. Obviously July isn't a good time for football in NI plus there is UEFA matches in July too. I know the NI season ends in May but sure whats a single match in June matter that much?

[willymccann]

if any of the Eircom League teams have a good run in Europe, they could be looking at a fixture back log in September - October, and the Setanta Cup games would not help.

[kingdomkerry]

What teams are in it this year

LOI: Drogheda, Derry, Cork, Pats
IL: Linfield, Glentoran, Cliftonville.

Who am i missing?

[Danny]

Dungannon Swifts

[Tis-smeee]

if any of the Eircom League teams have a good run in Europe, they could be looking at a fixture back log in September - October, and the Setanta Cup games would not help.

Big IF though

[Flexy]

Dungannon Swifts

Is it not Portadown, Dungannon Swifts didnt win anything last year and didnt finish 3rd in the league.

[dcfc_1928]

I think Dungannon qualified as Irish Cup runners-up?

Is it not Portadown, Dungannon Swifts didnt win anything last year and didnt finish 3rd in the league.

[Graemerz]

I think Dungannon qualified as Irish Cup runners-up?

Correct.

[paudie]

I don't think the gap from April to September will help the momentum of the tournament.

Also the IL teams may have substantially different squads as it will cover 2 of their league seasons.

[GavinZac]

this has rendered it pointless, we would hope to have better things to be doing in september than thrashing dungannon.

[SolitudeRed]

When does setanta's sponsorship deal for this competition run out? I take it they'll not be renewing it now they've got Englissh Premiership matches and that this competition will get the chop like the many North v South cup competitions before it