Setanta Cup 2015 shelved amid impasse

The future of cross-border soccer in Ireland looks bleak after the 2015 Setanta Cup was shelved yesterday.

The Setanta Sports Cup committee confirmed that it has been unable to reach agreement on dates required for the tournament to go ahead this year.

And the decision could signal the death for All-Ireland domestic competition.

Milo Corcoran, Setanta Sports Cup committee chairman said yesterday: “Over recent months, we have been trying to find dates that can work for the broadcaster, the IFA clubs and the FAI clubs. Unfortunately, despite the best of intentions, it has not been possible to do so, even if I felt we were close to achieving agreement with all of the clubs required at one stage.”

Dundalk and Cork City were due to represent the League of Ireland in this year’s competition.

“Despite the setback, I believe this competition has a lot to offer,” said Corcoran.

“It is my hope that with time over the coming year, we will find a solution in 2016.”

Brian Quinn, marketing operations director at Setanta Sports said: “With the differing winter and summer seasons, it has been increasingly difficult for the committee to find dates that work for clubs north and south. Having discussed it with them, we all felt it was best to break for this year. However, we will remain in contact with the committee over the coming year to see if it is possible to find an agreed format and dates that can work across both leagues in 2016.

“The cup is an important part of Setanta’s commitment to Irish soccer.”