Recently, some people, including the renown Airtricity League blogger Alan Cawley, have suggested that for some strange reason Shamrock Rover's manager Mr Kenny deliberately fielded a much weakened side in the first leg Setanta Cup match against Derry City. As we all now know, the Hoops lost this game by the convincing score of 3-0 thus more or less making the second leg a formality. Allan Cawley says that The Hoops convincing, relatively easy 2-0 win when playing with their normal team in the second leg in Derry proves his point. I am a great admirer of the Dublin Hoops and I can not see any reason why Mr Kenny would deliberately field a weakened team in the first leg. Does anyone have any more information on this topic?
Personally, I feel it is a great shame that the Hoops havent made the final against the Crusaders. Despite the Hoops' technical superiority there are many similarities between the two clubs. Both came back from the dead; Both have "People Power" set ups, ie. they are to a large extend controlled/owned by their fans; Both demonstrate a very forward looking attitude in terms of their stadiums, pitches, facilities, outreach intiatives, etc. Both never give up! Moreover, The Crues have always had a substantial influence from The Republic with about 3 of their top executives having come from the South as well as quite a lot of investment. What a pity these two forward looking "People's" clubs could not have met in the final!
Setanta Shamrocks v Derry
posted on 28/4/12
As a Blues fan,good luck Crues in one of your finals.
posted on 30/4/12
more like Linfield if you ask me - large sections of the support are vile faced vermin who cause trouble wherever they go
posted on 30/4/12
derry, you really are a sad piece of work.
Your supporters wreck seats in Windsor and you blame the Bluemen.
We have a minority of low life louts who "follow" Linfield to the high profile games. It has been well documented and condemned by myself and other Bluemen. The sooner they are dealt with the better.
Look in the Mirror before you comment again
posted on 30/4/12
Reiver, re your question, i don't have a definitive answer, but the demolition job St. Pats had done on us in the league was an explanation i've heard, in that the manager didn't want to risk players in the Setanta, putting a higher priority on the league.It doesn't quite wash with me as he have the best squad depth in the L.O.I. .I'm still as baffled by the selection as the terrible refereeing performance on the night .
Twould have been enjoyable to meet The Crues in the final, no doubt.Well done to them for their persistence and community involvement.Long may they prosper.
posted on 30/4/12
MILLER:
It wouldnt be the first time a manager has decided to pull players from a Setanta game on the basis that its better to save them for an upcoming domestic league game either Airtricity or IPL.. It got ridiculous last year with some clubs fielding virtually reserve sides in certain Setanta fixtures. I had hoped we had left all that behind. I think the Setanta is an attractive and important competition, the nearest we've got to an "All Ireland Championship". Sad to see it belittled in this way. Perhaps Setanta could put pressure on clubs in some way. Like Ive said before, it would be great if the Setanta winners were granted a place in Europe. Then we'd see some scrambling! They certainly deserve it as the unofficial "Champions of Ireland"!