MY D-ALE-YMOUNT EXPERIENCE

It was a match that won't live long in the memory as it ended in a stalemate at Dalymount Park where third placed Bohemians hosted fourth placed Derry City. Hot off the back of two very good away wins, both sides seemed content with the point apiece as the summer sunshine in north Dublin failed to hit the high temperatures on the pitch.

It was my first visit to the self-proclaimed 'Home of Irish Football' since Glentoran's 1-1 draw with Bohemians in the 2010 Setanta Cup.  My first impressions were good. The walk to the main entrance of the ground might not have been 'Wembley Way' but it did provide a sense of authenticity that this was working-class North inner-city Dublin, and this was football as it should be. It's surrounding alleyways were awash with red and black graffiti adorning various images telling a story of this particular part of Dublin's fair city and of this great club to which it belongs.  This is a club with a community at its heart, and a community who have football flowing through their veins.

The camaraderie amongst the home support was perhaps the most striking (certainly more-so than any on-field striking). Whether it be the pre-match buzz in the Members Bar, or the post-match analysis in the Phoenix over a pint of the superbly named 'D-ALE-YMOUNT Session IPA', this is a fan-base that share the same passion - 'De Bohs', and with plenty of colourful characters to boot.

The similiarities off the pitch are undoubtedly mirrored throughout the domestic clubs the length and breadth of the island.  During my many experiences following Glentoran for instance, I found common ground with Bohemians very easily.  On the pitch, the football has been decent, but both will admit they are a long way off mounting any real challenge in their respective leagues.

In the stands however, both sets of fans are living off former glories.

Much like Glentoran, 'the Gypsies' are playing in a stadium long past its sell-by date. As with the Oval stadium in East Belfast, Dalymount's demise unfortunately reflects a sign of the times in Irish domestic football. Whilst there are much more severe cases evident nationwide, the former home of the Republic of Ireland national team deserves more. It has been muted for years that a ground-share with near neighbours Shelbourne may be the way forward. This would be a fantastic idea from a financial perspective as it may also provide an opportunity for the club, and the FAI in particular, to regenerate their former national stadium.

Nonetheless, this didn't taint my visit in any way (admittedly the scoreless game did!). The Irish domestic game is a fantastic product and if marketed effectively attendances will inevitably increase. However, this cannot be done by the dye-in-the-wool fans alone.

Investment is key.

Stadia in general must move into the 21st Century, and hopefully performances by clubs in Europe can reap greater financial rewards. As with the 'Glens' of East Belfast, the 'Gypsies' of North Dublin must set their sights on attaining European football first and foremost - then maintaining it.

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 !!