BATTLE OF THE CHAMPIONS - PART DEUX

This weekend see's the final round of group games in the Setanta Cup where three of four teams will progress to the semi-finals of the all-Ireland tournament.  St Pat's Athletic head north to Belfast as they face-off against Irish League runners-up Linfield, in what should be an 'All-or-Nothing' encounter.  Following last week's 1-1 draw at Richmond Park it's hard to know what way the game will swing, but I'd expect home advantage to push the Blues over the finishing line - which Sligo Rovers so far are the only one's to cross.

However, the pick of the clashes will be in the Dublin suburb of Phibsboro where Irish League champions Glentoran travel south of the border to meet League of Ireland champions Bohemians at Dalymount Park.  The former home of international football in the Republic will play host to a near-capacity crowd as will it's current home, at Croke Park, which should also be full of northern soul come Saturday afternoon as Ireland's rugby team take on Wales - a double-whammy for the Ulster support amongst the travelling Glentoran contingent, no doubt. 

The East Belfast men will be out for revenge following their 2-1 defeat at the Oval in December.  However, the 'Cock n Hens', who are under new management in the rookie Scott Young, will know they can still do what is required of them. With the 'Gypsies' progression in the competition guaranteed, there is a fair chance it will be against a weakened Bohemian FC.  But with the League of Ireland season only just under way, there will be players on the fringes looking to impress their manager - ex-Linfield player - Pat Fenlon. 

This will be my second time at Dalymount Park, having had the "unique" experience of sitting amongst the fans of Boh's Dublin rivals... Shamrock Rovers.  It wasn't a good night for ' The Hoops' in that clash last season with Boh's winning 2-0, and by all accounts the post-match riots on the city's O'Connell Bridge produced a similar result.  Legion 1882, you have met your match.

The Future of the Setanta Cup...

Ticket allocation for the Glens was set at 1,000 although with popularity of the all-Irish competition fading rapidly this season, I wouldn't be surprised if the away support is closer to 500 come kick-off.  There have been various calls for a massive overhaul of the Setanta Cup.  I would agree with that.  First stage of the overhaul  would be to remove the FAI from any kind of power.  This would eliminate the potential of making a mockery of the competition (see last year's Setanta Cup Final fiasco).  Playing cup final's on opposing team's grounds make it a home game for the opposing team.  IFA take note.

The current Setanta Cup format involves:
- 4 teams (Irish League, NI)
- 5 teams (League of Ireland, ROI)
- 3 groups of 3.
- 3 winner's progress to Semi Final.
- 1 (best) runner-up progress to Semi-Final.
- Final venue decided by FAI/IFA (alternating years)

The basic concept is certainly there, but the teacher's report to the organising committee would be "could do better".  There is the possiblity that the competition could revert to a plain and simple 'knock-out' tournament which would open matches up to teams lower down in their domestic leagues.  We could be kicking-off this new format with Larne heading to Limerick and Athlone going to Ards.  Then, as with the FA Cup in England, the big teams could then enter the competition at a later stage. 

But of course, money would play a huge part in such plans for these clubs.  As we have seen this season with the unfortunate demise Cork City and Derry City, money is scarce at the bigger Irish clubs too.  Both club's eviction from the Setanta Cup hasn't helped the competition's credibility in the slightest, although in fairness Setanta can't be blamed for a club's financial troubles.  Infact, their willingness to stick by the all-Ireland competition in such dire times must be commended, especially as the broadcaster itself can't be making that much money from two poorly supported leagues on the island.  Shame on you EPL and SPL armchair 'fans'!

Also, in order to avoid the sheer bias on either associations part, let Setanta choose the venue for their 'prestigious final' once the two teams have been decided.  The FAI's last-ditch attempt to pump money into a dying Cork City FC by handing them home advantage at the last minute in the 2009 final was wreckless, and did nothing to convince me and many other local football enthusiasts that this island is ready for an 'All-Ireland League'. 

Until then, a revamped Setanta Cup will suffice. 

Saturday evening's game between Boh's and Glens, which is being billed as "The Battle of the Champions - Part Deux", will be televised on Setanta Ireland from 5:15pm.

Bring on the Champions !!

IRISH CONNECTION... UK?

Glamour friendly: ROI face Brazil in London, England

The mighty Brazil are in London town for what's being billed as the 'glamour friendly' of this weeks international fixtures.  However, the game itself which is set to take place at Arsenal FC's Emirates Stadium, won't see the 'Boys from Brazil' up against England.  Instead Giovanni Trappatoni's Republic of Ireland team will be the 'acting hosts' for the night.  It's not the first time an English stadium has been used by the Irish for friendly matches, and seems to be an increasing trend which will be no doubt be warmly welcomed amongst the UK's ever-expanding Irish community. 

The decision to play the game in London should of course also go down well amongst the following 10 (ten) UK-born contingent in the Republic's squad...

Keiran Westwood (Manchester, England)
Kevin Kilbane (Preston, England)
Kevin Foley (Luton, England)
Sean St Ledger (Birmingham, England)
Marc Wilson (Armagh, NI)
Aiden McGeady (Glasgow, Scotland)
Darron Gibson (Derry, NI)
James McCarthy (Glasgow, Scotland)
Liam Lawrence (Nottingham, England)
Leon Best (Nottingham, England)

Aside from almost half of the Republic's squad, the United Kingdom's other connection to Ireland is of course Northern Ireland.  The Green and White Army (the fans) face a truly ugly friendly match in comparison to their Southern cousins.  Albania are the opposition, and the capital Tirana can expect a wave of green and white on Wednesday night as Northern Ireland (the team) are in town.  It is a game which, no matter how unattractive, is a useful workout for Nigel Worthington's men.  A vast improvement in the side's away form is a neccisity ahead of the upcoming Euro 2012 Qualifiers in September. 

Both Irish sides face very different tests, but nevertheless, can expect two tough matches.  One, against the silky samba skills of Brazil where Aiden McGeady should feel at home.  The other, an unknown quantity in Albania - and an unpredictable Northern Ireland on the road.

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Albania vs NI is available on BBC red button
ROI vs Brazil is available on Sky Sports
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THE MAGIC OF THE FA CUP?

I think not...

The FA Cup: Losing it's pulling power?

Last weekend saw the latest round of FA Cup ties in England.  Attendances on average for FA games are bottoming out.  Even the most ardent fan can see what direction football is taking in 2010.  Football is business, but the business is no longer the football.  A friend of mine at Liverpool Hope University - and die-in-the-wool Aston Villa and England supporter might I add - aired his views recently on the mechanisms driving football away from it's natural surroundings of achieving success on the pitch to aquiring it through money.

"The days of cup glory are all but dying. Public broadcasters and service stations have diverted their attention elsewhere in the last few years. Club defying moments are paled in comparison to the all conquering Premier League. Is it so far from the truth that a 'Top 4' finish is more important than a trophy in the cabinet? From the dawning of football, weren’t bragging rights intended to be about winning things?

Due respect to Alex Ferguson etc about their constant branding of the cup competitions, but I wonder whether they do have alternative motives. We can all admit that 10 years ago hectic Premier League schedules were cast aside for a shot of silverware glory.  These days the League Cup and FA Cup have become an inconvenience to top sides and an excuse to “blood” their young talent.  ITV will continually crave the public’s respect by airing apparently uninteresting ties, but at what point will this commercially dependent channel decided to discuss their future purchases of domestic silverware, especially when they acquired the rights to the champions league a few years back.

The ITV's acquisition of the FA Cup probably reflects indefinitely their target demographic, but at what point will the interest become insignificant. This year (2010) Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United have fallen to lower placed teams. Upsets like this do cause uncontrollable fantasies amongst football fans, however, when the bigger teams leave the competition the coverage disintegrates and attention is drawn back toward other sports on FA Cup weekend.  Foreign sport star such as Ricky Ponting, Steve Waugh and Tiger Woods have praised the presence on the FA Cup as a pivotal part of their childhood.

Is a re-branding close to the cards?  All compliant football fans would wish not, however, look how the Super-Bowl was advertised and branded... can we honestly admit that the same would have been done for the Portsmouth vs. Cardiff City final in 2008? I can imagine most wholehearted football fans would wince at the sight of an advert during an injury break, but without commercial investment, how much longer will domestic silverware continue?"

Definately food for thought.  Premier League and FA chiefs take note.  Cheers Shep!

Jack Shephard is the frontman of Indie-Rock band the Dead Electrics based in the North-West of England. You can catch them on Facebook and MySpace.

(R)OVER AND OUT OF IRISH FOOTBALL

Irish traveller: Tadhg Purcell in action for Shamrock Rovers

Shamrock Rovers will no doubt be the unlikely toast of Darlington this weekend. No, the failed Republic of Ireland boss Steve Staunton didn't move his new 'Quakers' into the League of Ireland alongside Dublin's South-siders, but rather vice-versa. The League Two club's mid-season revival continued thanks to a strike from ex-Hoop Tadhg Purcell.

At first glance it looked to be a risky aquisition by 'Stan' who has been renowned for dropping the odd clanger in the past. Purcell is hardly the 'young prodigy' that he was prior to his move to Rovers in 2006. Here is a lad (25 tomorrow) with 26 goals in 104 games post-move from the now defunct Kilkenny City.

Spending much of last season in the shadows of Scottish strike sensation Gary Twigg (Player of the Year 2009), Purcell found first-team opportunities limited under ex-Northern Ireland and Glentoran stalwart Michael O'Neill.  No doubt a move was on the cards, and it looks like the lad has found his level in England's fourth tier of football.

A fantastic opportunity for the player, yet it was another sucker punch to the local game here that went relatively unnoticed in the local media... no surprises there then.  However, Purcell is not the first to fly the nest and certainly won't be the last should clubs find themselves in a continued state of financial mess.

IRISH FOOTBALL vs. FOOTBALL LEAGUE / SPL

The move furthers the notion that both the League of Ireland and Irish Premiership clubs in Ireland are at the same level as the English League Two.  There is the example of Tadhg Purcell who has walked into the Darlington with relative ease since his move across the Irish Sea.  Then there's the likes of Keith Fahey who doesn't look out of place at Birmingham City in the EPL, but realistically needs to drop down a division or two to really find his natural level. 

Both the Northern and Republic of Ireland sides have in the past boasted 'world-class' talent amongst their ranks.  But in a busy January transfer window for Irish internationals, could we be witnessing the downfall of that talent?  David Healy and Darryl Murphy were both relegated to Roy Keane's Ipswich Town.  Namesake Robbie was also sent packing on a six-month return ticket up to Glasgow to join the club he supported as a boy, Shamrock Rovers, Liverpool, Internazionale, Harchester United, Celtic. 

Keane's move would perhaps have been understandable had Celtic remained in European competition this season, but it will be be more St Johnstone than Paris St Germain for the Tallaght native.  Also, excluding the 'Old Firm' Scotland's Premier League is essence the English Championship.  So it is hardly ideal when the island's international 'stars' in Robbie Keane, Steven Davis, Kyle Lafferty, Aiden McGeady, Niall McGinn and Paddy McCourt ply their trade in what is essentially a second tier standard.

However, it does offer hope to local football.  League One in England was where Peter Thompson of Linfield and Andy Smith of Glentoran held their own for a short time.  Stuart Elliott was another who made a huge impact at Motherwell and Hull following his transfer from Glentoran.  At the moment we have Keith Fahey (St Pats Athletic) who continues to hold his own at Birmingham City and of course the latest Irish export to emerge as a real talent Tadhg Purcell (Shamrock Rovers) who is now finding his level at League Two Darlington.

INTERNATIONAL GAP

The gap between Irish club football and Irish international football is showing signs of closing.  Admittedly, not by much, but when you look at it logically it should come as no surprise.  The top clubs in Premier League clubs in England are looking to the continent and not Ireland for their next purchase.  Yes, there will always be the bright prospects from Ireland who will flood academy level, but the majority of these young propects tend to flutter down the divisions - and most return home to play locally.

Although sometimes it's not just the young apprentices returning to Irish football, it can also be a the 'last hurrah' ex-Irish internationals as high-profile players such as Keith Gillespie (Glentoran) and Johnny Giles (Rovers) would testify.  It's these kind of arrivals on the local stage that the kids look up to and raise the profile of the League of Ireland and Irish League... in the short-term.

It remains to be seen whether Irish football can create it's own high-profile footballers and remove that constant threat from the lure of lower league football in England.  Until then, expect more 'swan-songs' from our overpaid ex-internationals, whilst our limited talent are snapped up by the Stockport County and Darlington FC's of the world.

PETE DOHERTY & THE POLEAXED* POGUE

Above: Peter Doherty on-stage in The Academy, Dublin

From a sporting perspective Villa Park may have been the place to be on Wednesday night for a cracker of a game, but this side of the Irish Sea played host to a very different, but nonetheless very entertaining, kind of cracker in the form of ex-Libertine, solo star Pete Peter Doherty.  The Babyshambles front-man was in Dublin's fair city this week for a good old fashioned sing-song at Ireland's trendiest new venue the Academy.

  But I have to confess that I have greater knowledge of what Doherty puts up his nose than what he sings into his microphone.  He even managed to grab the headlines for all the wrong reasons lately when the tabloids favourite car-crash celebrity (next to former girlfriend Kate Moss) was originally due to kick-off his 'Irish Tour' of Belfast, Dublin and Galway in October last year.  Rather controversially it had to be cancelled after he was hospitalised the night before suffering from 'breathing difficulties'.

 On Wednesday night however, it was his adoring fans who were the one's left 'breathless' as Pete (sorry, Peter) Doherty tore the place to shreds with some rip-roaring tunes.  Indeed, I say tearing to shreds in the musical sense of course.  However, once it came to light that former Pogues front-man - or is that mad-man? - Shane Magowan (see here) had entered the building there was the distinct possiblility that the Academy would literally crumble in his wake.

One unashamed bottle of vodka in hand, Magowan did indeed do what we had all feared as staff members - he hooked up with Doherty back-stage after the gig.  Surely all we were missing would be an impromptu appearance from Amy Winehouse.  But alas, Pete would have to make-do with Shane and vice-versa.  It would put you in mind of the young prodigy taking tips off his uglier older and waster wiser master.  Pete, you are in the best of hands.

So, with groupies in-tact both musicians departed at midnight respectibly - just 90 minutes after the gig itself.  However, I would seriously doubt Pete and Shane's night ended there.  After all, these guys had a reputation to uphold!  My thoughts go out to the poor bastard who had to clean the dressing room afterwards. 

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*Poleaxed: definition - paraletic, blootered, really really really drunk, post steaming, blitzed, shit-faced, shane magowan.

FRANKIE GOES TO "HOLYWOOD"

...........County Down, that is!

Chelsea ace Frank Lampard was in the high-brow Wine & Co. (pictured above) during his visit with new WAG Christine Bleakley to Northern Ireland last week.  Beeb beauty Christine no doubt had her new man over to meet the 'Ma and Da' in their native Newtownards.  In an attempt to win them over Frank even splashed the cash in a local shop by picking up a quick gift for Mr and Mrs Bleakley, allegedly.  I bet you can't get 10 Curley-Wurley's for a pound in Harrods!

As expected speculation had been rife in the seaside town regarding a potential move for the highly rated England star in the up-and-coming January transfer window.  However, the negotiations apparently broke down when Frank was informed he couldn't be guaranteed first-team football.  It was a tough call from the Holywood FC management, but the right one in my opinion.  Maybe Bangor Swifts would be interested?

The town itself is famous for its Maypole (a big pole people dance around once a year) just next to the venue the loved-up couple were visiting.  Its origin is uncertain, but according to local folklore it dates from 1700, when a Dutch ship is said to have run aground on the shore nearby, and the crew erected the broken mast to show their appreciation of the assistance offered to them by the townsfolk.  

For me, Frank Lampard was the biggest foreign import to hit the streets of Holywood since the falling of that much-loved Maypole in the mid-ninties!   Although, I'm not so sure about Christine's decision to whisk 'Funtime Frankie' off to the Dirty Duck Ale House to round off the night.  The last time I was there I was told to cover up my football shirt as it was "strictly a rugby bar" - I wonder what they thought of an actual footballer gracing their hallowed egg-ball supporting surroundings.

Anyway, thanks for dropping by Frank and Christine.  It just goes to show, Posh & Becks weren't the only ones to take Hollywood Holywood by storm in 2009...

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PS: Cheers for the picture Bernard! ;)