FAI Cup 2008

[oriel]

With some high profile cup semi finals aroudn this time of the year, champs lge, uefa cup, I was thinking, does anyone else agree that its a very unfair advantage to be drawn away in the FAI Cup semi final?

Why did the fai stop the two leg version ? surely this is a better way for everyone, increased crowds at both games, better for TV etc, and if away goals apply, then both sides would have an equal chance to progress.

When was it changed, late 80`s? (last one I can recall was Dlk v Bohs 87, same year of the last game in Milltown Rovers v Sligo in the other semi)

OK we`re not a big enough league to have neutral venues (although this was tried in the 70`s), but I think its something that needs looked at in the long term.

[Sheridan]

The only reason for the two-legged semis was that several semi-final ties in the late seventies and early eighties went to three or four replays and held the entire season up. Not a problem anymore with penalty shoot-outs at the end of the first.

[Paddyfield]

OK we`re not a big enough league to have neutral venues (although this was tried in the 70`s), but I think its something that needs looked at in the long term.

The FAI used 'neutral' venues in 1985. Galway United played Limerick City in the FAI Cup semi final at TOLKA PARK. It ended in a 2 - 2 draw and the replay was played midweek at 2pm in ATHLONE (no floodlights) which Galway United won after extra time.

I agree that there should be a 2 legged semi final. It would bring extra cash into Clubs.

[thischarmingman]

Not to mention the farce involving the League Cup final venue.


Not that it'll change the name on the trophy.

[Schumi]

With some high profile cup semi finals aroudn this time of the year, champs lge, uefa cup, I was thinking, does anyone else agree that its a very unfair advantage to be drawn away in the FAI Cup semi final?

No more of a disadvantage than in every other round surely?

[dcfcsteve]

I don't think we have the support in our league to justify a neutral venue and/or two-legged Cup Semi to be honest.

There's no point being pedantic about the rules other footballing countries/competitions have, and then playing our semis in near-empty neutral stadiums, or reducing away support by having two legs.

We don't even have the League Cup Final at a neutral venue any more, largely again I believe because of crowds.

[Dodge]

We don't even have the League Cup Final at a neutral venue any more, largely again I believe because of crowds.

Largely because it was never nuetral. Was two legged for a while

I think we've been drawn away in the last 5/6 semis we've played

[GavinZac]

No more extra matches, please. We already have at least 5 setanta cup games in autumn.

scrap the league cup, scrap the setanta, and have a truely all-ireland cup competition, i.e. knockouts.

[WoodquayBoy]

Anyone know when the draw is this year? We need something to look forward to down this neck of the woods

[SunderlandBohs]

Here's an idea for the League Cup final. Play it on the October Bank Holiday weekend in RDS or Thomond Park. It'll add to the occasion and raise the profile of the cup.

[superfrank]

What I hate about the Cup is that they schedule the semis for a weekend that already has league games. Why?

I've noticed they do this in other countries too. Or people stupid or what?

[GavinZac]

Or people stupid or what?

Apparently.

[Dodge]

What I hate about the Cup is that they schedule the semis for a weekend that already has league games. Why?

Because the semis affect 4 teams, a max of maybe 8. Why should other teams have a week off when they could potentially be playing. Don't forget most clubs' finances live week to week

[superfrank]

Yeah but in Ireland, more often then not, it'll be four Premier sides competing, meaning re-arranging two, at least, fixtures towards the end of the season when teams are knackered and the risk of games being called off due to the weather is much greater.

[dcfcsteve]

Here's an idea for the League Cup final. Play it on the October Bank Holiday weekend in RDS or Thomond Park. It'll add to the occasion and raise the profile of the cup.

Thomond Park ?!? Too far for pretty much any likely finalists.

As for the RDS - same issue again : What if it was Derrry v Sligo, or Galway v Harps etc. What's the point in expecting both sets of fans to travel big distances for an EL competition that is only the third most important, and is on TV ?

[osarusan]

What if it was Derrry v Sligo,

I see you're taking this seriously Steve.

[Celdrog]

We already have at least 5 setanta cup games in autumn.

Where do you propose the sixth coming from? The final (and semi) goes to penalties if its a draw. Not that you have ever got that far.
Now, playing the Setanta final at the home ground of your competitor without a draw, Setanta simply telling you at the semi final stage - that's unfair (not that it made any difference)

[Dodge]

Setanta simply telling you at the semi final stage - that's unfair (not that it made any difference)

In fairness when the competition started they said that they'd alternate between Dublin and Belfast if it was FAI v IFA

Shouldn't have been a surprise to you

[Stato]

does anyone else agree that its a very unfair advantage to be drawn away in the FAI Cup semi final?

To get back to the original question, look at the last four seasons:

2007 Semis:
Dalymount: Bohs 0-2 Cork
Belfield: UCD 0-1 Longford

2006 Semis:
Tolka: Rovers 0-2 Pats
Showgrounds: Sligo 0-0 Derry

2005 Semis:
Turner's Cross: Cork 1-0 Derry
United Park: Drogheda 2-1 Bray

2004 Semis:
Brandywell: Derry 1-2 Waterford
Flancare: Longford 0-0 Drogheda

Two home wins, two draws and four away wins in eight matches, statistically the advantage is with the away teams.

[Stato]

Now, playing the Setanta final at the home ground of your competitor without a draw, Setanta simply telling you at the semi final stage - that's unfair (not that it made any difference)

The Setanta final venue rules are simple. If the two finalists are from the Carnegie League, it's played in Windsor, if they're both from the eircom League it's played in Tolka. When there is one team from each league it alternates between Tolka and Windsor. That's been the rule since the start of the competition in 2005. All clubs that have competed in it know that.

2005: Shels v Linfield was in Tolka
2006: Drogheda v Cork was in Tolka
2007: Drogheda v Linfield was in Windsor

Therefore if it's one team from each league the 2008 final will be in Tolka.