Setanta Cup. Does anyone really care anymore?

gimmick · 23-09-2008 8:15am #1

Coming to the end of its fourth season, has this competition lost it lustre?

Attencences are consistently low.

Only one IL team have ever progressed and are likely to ever progress.

The midweek format stinks.

The ticket prices are too high €15 at least.

Last night there were 959 at the City V Dungannon game. Now some might argue that as the group was already decided, and City wer unlikely to overturn Drogs superior goal difference made people keep their money in their pockets, but this does not hold up when you look at how many were in Drogs the week previous for Drogs Vs City. And god help us if we look at the games between 2 IL sides.

Of course the reason to compete is the excellent proze money on offer. But the question is, how long will Setanta keep putting this money in for poor attendences, and what i assume, poor viewership?

Perhaps the competition needs to be made a straight knock out, as the only part of the competition which is exciting is from here in the semi finals.

Pigman II · 23-09-2008 8:25am

It would be cool if they scrapped the 2x league cups and replaced it with an "All Ireland" knockout competition open to all Irish Leage prem and Eircom league teams. I guarentee it would be more popular than the Setanta cup , especially long term.

gimmick · 23-09-2008 9:00am

I like that idea.

x in the city · 23-09-2008 10:25am

the selotanta cup..zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Nalz · 23-09-2008 10:32am

gimmick wrote: »

I like that idea.

+1

citytillidie · 23-09-2008 10:42am

I think also spliting this years Setanta Cup in two was a bad idea.

stovelid · 23-09-2008 11:00am

Pigman II wrote: »

It would be cool if they scrapped the 2x league cups and replaced it with an "All Ireland" knockout competition open to all Irish Leage prem and Eircom league teams. I guarentee it would be more popular than the Setanta cup , especially long term.

Yeah, this would be a great idea. Espeically as a knockout competition.

ArmaniJeanss · 23-09-2008 11:33am

It was a great novelty at the start, but doesn't seem to have been able to build on its early success.

I think its a sympton of an underlying apathy of LOI fans.
If our team qualified for the Champions League 4 years running we'd be complaining. Bloody Barcelona again, on a Tuesday, and its raining, think we'll give it a miss.

monkey9 · 23-09-2008 11:37am

I don't know, i'm looking forward to heading down to Richmond Park tonight. I just see the competition as a bonus!

glenjamin · 23-09-2008 12:20pm

Pigman II wrote: »

It would be cool if they scrapped the 2x league cups and replaced it with an "All Ireland" knockout competition open to all Irish Leage prem and Eircom league teams. I guarentee it would be more popular than the Setanta cup , especially long term.

Would an All Ireland league not be better? It would mean an All Ireland cup aswell.

applehunter · 23-09-2008 12:22pm

The League down south is so far ahead is the killer.

Games are not competitive.

Linfield, Glens and derry is getting a bit tiresome as well.

Was good when we had Linfield heading to Longford with a 1000 supporters in toe.

loyatemu · 23-09-2008 12:52pm

P | Team | PLD | GD | PTS
1 | Drogheda Utd | 6 | 10 | 14
2 | Cork City | 6 | 9 | 14
3 | Cliftonville | 6 | -5 | 4 |
4 | Dungannon Swifts | 6 | -14 |1

I think that sums it up - not competitive

citytillidie · 23-09-2008 1:12pm

Only Linfield and Glentoran are good enough from the Northern League to compete in a group stage, and they always seem to get drawn with Derry.

gimmick · 23-09-2008 1:41pm

Have Derry and SPA qualified out of their group already? Thats what Newstalk said earlier anyway?

monkey9 · 23-09-2008 1:47pm

gimmick wrote: »

Have Derry and SPA qualified out of their group already? Thats what Newstalk said earlier anyway?

No, sure Pat's are only third. Ourselves, Derry and Linfield can all qualify. Glentoran are out!

Pigman II · 23-09-2008 1:50pm

To paraphrase the Simpsons : "the road to the Setanta Cup final is long and pointless".

bohsman · 23-09-2008 2:22pm

Who cares, it brings in money for the clubs.

pablomakaveli · 23-09-2008 5:51pm

It would be nice to see teams from Wales and non-old firm teams from scotland added and make it a Celtic club cup.

_blank_ · 23-09-2008 6:07pm

An All-Ireland League Cup with a UEFA Cup Europa League place is the way to go.

RebelRockChick · 24-09-2008 12:11am

The attendance was shocking at Turner's Cross the other night, obviously the games being played on weeknights doesn't exactly help either

.

An All Ireland competition would certainly be a great idea and a welcomed change.

Wasn't there talk before of expanding the competition to include some Scottish clubs?

djpbarry · 24-09-2008 9:40am

Pigman II wrote: »

It would be cool if they scrapped the 2x league cups and replaced it with an "All Ireland" knockout competition open to all Irish Leage prem and Eircom league teams. I guarentee it would be more popular than the Setanta cup , especially long term.

I like that idea; combine two half-assed ideas into one proper competition. Might I suggest you put your idea in writing and contact the relevant body in the FAI?

ArmaniJeanss wrote: »

It was a great novelty at the start, but doesn't seem to have been able to build on its early success.

Largely due to the gulf in class between the two leagues.

glenjamin wrote: »

Would an All Ireland league not be better?

Not realistic in the short-to-medium term.

loyatemu wrote: »

P | Team | PLD | GD | PTS
1 | Drogheda Utd | 6 | 10 | 14
2 | Cork City | 6 | 9 | 14
3 | Cliftonville | 6 | -5 | 4 |
4 | Dungannon Swifts | 6 | -14 |1

I think that sums it up - not competitive

Ah yes, but:

|P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | Pts
Derry City| 5| 3| 1| 1| 8| 5| 3| 10
Linfield| 5| 2| 1| 2| 8| 9| -1| 7
Glentoran| 5| 1| 2| 2| 9| 10| -1| 5
St Patrick's Ath| 5| 1| 2| 2| 6| 7| -1| 5

Although, admittedly, I think this is just a one-off this year, largely due to a poor showing from Pats

.

pablomakaveli wrote: »

It would be nice to see teams from Wales...

Yeah, a few quality outfits like Rhyl would really add something to the mix :rolleyes:.

citytillidie · 24-09-2008 9:59am

Linfield have always been competive not just a poor showning from Pats

djpbarry · 24-09-2008 10:04am

citytillidie wrote: »

Linfield have always been competive not just a poor showning from Pats

True, but ironically, Pats' only win so far has come against Linfield.

citytillidie · 24-09-2008 10:21am

I still think Pats will go through if we put out a good team against Linfield and beat them finally at the Brandywell

monkey9 · 24-09-2008 11:49am

citytillidie wrote: »

I still think Pats will go through if we put out a good team against Linfield and beat them finally at the Brandywell

Yeah, but will you's though??

Am i right in saying that assuming we win (cos if we don't, that's it so might as well just assume) that as long as Linfield don't win, we go though on goal difference at least. Is it goal difference or head to head that decides?

Pigman II · 24-09-2008 12:00pm

It appears Setanta don't particularily care about the Setanta Cup either.

RESULTS
http://setantasports.com/en/Sport/Football/Competition/?facets/sport-space/football/great-britain-locale/Setanta-Sports-Cup/&section=results

FIXTURES
http://setantasports.com/en/Sport/Football/Competition/?facets/sport-space/football/great-britain-locale/Setanta-Sports-Cup/&section=fixtures

OhNoYouDidn't · 24-09-2008 12:48pm

Rovers and Bohs will be in it next season which will give it a much needed boost.

djpbarry · 24-09-2008 1:10pm

monkey9 wrote: »

Is it goal difference or head to head that decides?

I think it's GD, but it doesn't really matter. If Pats win and Linfield don't, Pats will beat them on both counts.

OhNoYouDidn't wrote: »

Rovers and Bohs will be in it next season which will give it a much needed boost.

Didn't realise you could get into the Setanta with a sympathy vote?

OhNoYouDidn't · 24-09-2008 1:27pm

djpbarry wrote: »

Didn't realise you could get into the Setanta with a sympathy vote?

4th place will qualify, and we have caught up with a freefalling cork and drogs have tailed off. its very possible.

bohsman · 24-09-2008 1:59pm

OhNoYouDidn't wrote: »

4th place will qualify, and we have caught up with a freefalling cork and drogs have tailed off. its very possible.

And there was that great result against a strong Galway team last week.

djpbarry · 24-09-2008 2:01pm

OhNoYouDidn't wrote: »

4th place will qualify...

How's that?

OhNoYouDidn't wrote: »

...and we have caught up with a freefalling cork and drogs have tailed off. its very possible.

Wishful thinking. Rovers have only taken 5 points from their last 5 games; same as Cork. Drogs have taken 8 from their last 5.

OhNoYouDidn't · 24-09-2008 3:17pm

If Derry win the LC and one of the teams above Rovers win the cup 4th place gets the Setanta. Its very much within sight. Cork will drop like a stone, Drogs aren't exactly firing on all cylenders.

All I'm saying is the big Dublin 2 in it for the first time will give the thing a boost, Rovers v Linfield would be huge, and it could happen.

bohsman wrote: »

And there was that great result against a strong Galway team last week.

First game in 3 weeks and we were rusty. No excuses.

ArmaniJeanss · 24-09-2008 3:36pm

I think its a 9 team competition next year as well (3 groups of 3) so depending on which association gets the extra spot (or is it a playoff) this would increase the chances of Rovers getting into the competition.

It definitely needs new blood, not sure I can stand another Drogheda v Cork clash.

Anyone know who the NI qualifiers are?(it'll have be based on last season I think, if they are sticking with starting it in March).

gimmick · 24-09-2008 3:42pm

OhNoYouDidn't wrote: »

If Derry win the LC

Will the league cup winner play the winner of the first division again? Jesus, theres a thought, a group of Shams, Dundalk and Linfield. Tonnes of fun.

bohsman · 24-09-2008 7:24pm

OhNoYouDidn't wrote: »

First game in 3 weeks and we were rusty. No excuses.

I was talking about the free text service, they claimed it was a great result. Shows that most at Rovers are happy with a good mid table finish.

_blank_ · 24-09-2008 7:26pm

bohsman wrote: »

Shows that most at Rovers are happy with a good mid table finish.

And so they should be. They're part time ffs.

bohsman · 24-09-2008 7:34pm

True but claiming a draw against Galway is a bit over the top and in direct opposition to ONYD who was certain they would qualify for Europe.

citytillidie · 06-10-2008 10:16pm

Semi Finals

Derry V Cork
Drogheda V Glentoran

gimmick · 14-10-2008 8:20pm

I suddenly find myself interested in this again. Though the next 30 mins will tell for how long!

0-0 after 55 minutes in the Brandywell tonight.

Great win, if not totally fortuitous, for Glentoran last night Vs Drogs. Complete shock as well.

gimmick · 14-10-2008 8:35pm

Derry City 0 - 1 Cork City

20 mins to play

gimmick · 14-10-2008 9:00pm

Get in. We win 0-1. Final Nov 1st vs Glentoran. Fingers Crossed for a Turners Cross final.

luckylucky · 14-10-2008 9:08pm

gimmick wrote: »

Get in. We win 0-1. Final Nov 1st vs Glentoran. Fingers Crossed for a Turners Cross final.

Brewster · 14-10-2008 9:14pm

Should be a great final. Important one of the big two from Belfast are in final to help competition grow.

TOPDAWG · 14-10-2008 9:51pm

How is it decided where the final takes place?? When is it on and how does one acquire tickets???

pablomakaveli · 14-10-2008 9:58pm

Itll probably be at the cross. they were saying it would have been held at the cross last year had city beat linfield. heres hopin anyway.

its great for us to reach the final. a win would go some ways to makin up for all the doom and gloom this season.

citytillidie · 14-10-2008 10:14pm

FAI said before tonights game it will be in either Turners Cross or the Brandywell depending on who the game.

So i guess its Turners Cross. Derry were awful tonight

RebelRockChick · 14-10-2008 10:16pm

Absolutely delighted, it's great to have a final to look forward to, hope it is being played at Turner's Cross as well!

Very tense match to watch though, great cross from Dan and header from TIMMY (:p) for the goal.

Publin · 14-10-2008 10:55pm

Glad to see Cork get to the final. Great result to beat Derry up there. Much happier to see Cork do it than Derry.

Much needed money for them too, €80k for just getting to the final, €150k for the winners I think.

estebancambias · 14-10-2008 11:02pm

Not the type of match to set the neutrals heart racing but tense all the same.

luckylucky · 14-10-2008 11:18pm

estebancambias wrote: »

Not the type of match to set the neutrals heart racing but tense all the same.

What match would

.
anyway being a Corkonian I'm glad... have to say it though I wish my fellow Corkonians who refer to Cork as 'da real capital' would stop it ... it's old and tired and just creates resentment.

Publin · 14-10-2008 11:31pm

luckylucky wrote: »

What match would .
anyway being a Corkonian I'm glad... have to say it though I wish my fellow Corkonians who refer to Cork as 'da real capital' would stop it ... it's old and tired and just creates resentment.

I think what he meant is that it was pure sh*te to watch!!

As for "da real capital" stuff, it's just a bit of banter (for most anyway, some deluded Corkonians might have grown to believe it

). I wouldn't get too worked up about it. If it bothers oppositions fans, all the better! Creates a bit more rivalry as well. Plus it gives us Dubs something to laugh about

.

I agree though, it was an awful game to watch. Hopefully the final is a bit more entertaining (and better than the Londonderry Cup final which was over before half time).

Setanta Cup. Does anyone really care anymore?

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