Quote from: toby47 on May 10, 2018, 03:59:33 PMQuote from: WaterBoy on May 10, 2018, 03:47:37 PMQuote from: braveheart on May 10, 2018, 03:07:45 PMQuote from: the half-time show on May 10, 2018, 02:43:16 PMWould this not be a great opportunity to play the u21 competition?Quote from: Buzzkill on May 10, 2018, 01:43:03 PMQuote from: Glenman93 on May 09, 2018, 08:53:16 PM
http://derrygaa.ie/fixturesandresults/?countyBoardID=7&compGroupID=51239&leagueTable=y
Is this league cup going to turn out to be a complete farce? Looks like Lavey has conceded all their games already!?
Surely Lavey could field their fringe players or reserves if they dont want their seniors to compete in this league cup. Or is there a cup competition for reserves as well?
I wouldn't say it'll turn out a complete farce but I certainly don't think it'll go as well as intended. Many of the club players that I've spoken with would rather have a break from action for a week or two rather than running off another 7 games that have very little meaning.
Two solutions that I think would improve the overall approach would be to either remove the reserve fixtures in it allowing clubs to field a mix of senior and reserve players, reducing the strain on clubs that don't have big panels (county players aren't able to play in this competition) and allowing older / injured players to take a rest if needed.
Alternatively, split the divisions into 4 groups of 4 rather than just 2 smaller leagues. Each club then plays just 3 games which could be held every other weekend allowing players a week off in between and then the winners of each group play in a semi final and final for the "League Cup".
I can understand the thinking behind it but with a few small tweaks it would be even more beneficial to players looking extra games but also keen to have a break in action.
I don't think so as players on the u20 & Senior County panels would not be available to the club u21 teams. Plus the idea of these cup games is to have regular football for the ordinary club player while inter county players are unavailable. I think this is a good idea in principle and would commend the CCC for their efforts in trying something like this, especially when the training to game ratio is so poor already. No doubt the format can be tweaked and improved but it will take buy in & feedback from the clubs to make it a success.
I feel this year could set a marker of how the competition is viewed. If it was taken seriously the competition could grow over the next couple of years to be a worthwhile competitive tournament however I feel if a team (or more than one) pulsl out and it's not taken very seriously then more clubs could feel its not worthwhile next year and rather than get 7 meaningless games over 10 weeks could take a 2-3 week break then get 2-3 tough friendlies lined up the couple of weeks leading upto the 2nd round of league games.
Yeah, it will all depend on how the clubs treat it. Not a good start with Lavey pulling out already. Personally I'd have liked to have seen a regional championship played at this stage in Senior Intermediate & Junior. Group stages then into quarter/semi Finals. Short travel times so midweek games could be played & local rivalries with a North/South Derry championship trophy as a prize to give it some importance to the clubs/players