IFA up for the cup

The Irish Football Association remains quietly confident that the Setanta Sports Cup will go ahead as scheduled despite the broadcaster’s financial troubles.

The tournament involves nine clubs – Cliftonville, Coleraine, Glentoran and Linfield from the north while Bohemians, Cork, Derry, St Pats and Sligo represent the south.

It will run from August until May with three groups of three. Dates have been provisionally arranged and the draw is scheduled for June 25.

IFA president Raymond Kennedy said: “We are hopeful the Setanta Sports Cup will go ahead as normal.

“I have obviously been in contact with our television agent and what he is telling me is that the problem is with Setanta UK.

“We believe Setanta Ireland stand alone and will be okay in all of this. We are monitoring the situation but are quite positive at the moment.”

Most of the clubs operate on tight budgets and Setanta’s backing is a huge bonus, according to Kennedy.

He said: “The winners get in excess of €100,000, so there is a fair cash injection in the competition. There are also good gate receipts.”

Setanta have issued their first statement since their cash crisis began, confirming that company chiefs are still trying to secure a rescue package.

The Irish pay-television firm said they were not in administration but had suspended all new customer subscriptions.

Senior management are continuing in their bid to refinance the company which screens Premier League, FA Cup and Scottish Premier League football matches among other sports.

A statement on Setanta’s website read: “Setanta Sports management and investors are in the process of attempting to secure the future of the business.

“Contrary to several reports, we have not gone into administration. All of our channels are still broadcasting across all platforms and our subscribers can continue to enjoy our programming.

“However, in the current circumstances, we have decided to temporarily suspend the acceptance of new subscriptions.”

Setanta suffered another blow yesterday after BT Vision, the home digital TV service, suspended any further sales of Setanta Sports.

Another broadcaster ESPN is favourite to step in and take over Setanta’s Premier League games if they go into administration.