Celtic Cup

[Fowler's God]

Involving Rep. Ireland, N.Ireland, Scotland and Wales starting from 2009

Do you think its a good idea?

[Dub13]

I would love to see something like this but what dates could you use...?

[Gerry]

I honestly dont see the point in it, its another thing that managers in the premiership will be against! also another chance for our players to get injured i know we dont have many but for example who would be happy for finnan to be injured playing a micky mouse game for ireland and then missing an important game for us ??

[Fowler's God]

I would love to see something like this but what dates could you use...?

There saying it will happen every two years. Have them on the international week in August the semi-finals that is and the final in february the year after starting from August 2009

[Dub13]

Any links...?

[Fowler's God]

http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2007/0622/celticcup.html?rss

[Dub13]

All sounds good to me,its better than the meanness friendlies that we have now.

[WexRed]

I like it, I like it alot.

I think Prem managers might prefer this as there'll be minimal travel involved (aways could involve less travel than homes !!!). From a fan's point of view the quality of the games could be better than meaningless friendlies especially once after a few runs of it some competitive rivalry builds up. Last and not least it provides the opportunity for a relatively cheap away jolly.

A counter argument could be lack of diversity of opposition but most foreign teams just aren't up for friendlies which is what makes them meaningless and usually shite anyway. The last Scotland friendly I saw at Lansdowne was more competitive than most and any match against the North is bound to be keenly contested. I won't mention Wales after our recent fixture with them.

Personally I do attend all friendlies, first and foremost as I can actually get tickets to them, and all Ireland matches that I can but after some truly atrocious matches in which we often got p1ssed both literally and on the pitch its become harder to get mates to go to them and its not like they're cheap either. I'm sure many block bookers get lumped with unused tickets (zero sympathy for them mind as they should be using them themselves !!!)

I think this will work better. Our friendly attendance is far, far, far higher than European standards. This is how we can play so many at home and get teams to travel here. I think the attraction of seeing familiar Premiership players is part of this. But the whole concept has been under vicious attack for a decade so I'm presuming this is an attempt to save it and I think its a great idea. Presuming they'll alternate matches in a 6 nations approach it will provide similiar away trips and our neighbours visiting here. I presume new LR will hold the odd final too regardless of finalists. In the meantime has anybody informed the GAA ?! ;)

If it works very well they should just do it every year and use all the friendly dates and/or get France and the Netherlands in on the act (feck engerland)

[megager]

A chance for silver wear. But another meaningless excuse to make money. Id say premiership managers will be livid. I presume this is football and not rugby by the way

[Fowler's God]

Ye its footie alrite England won't participate as they feel they have nothing to gain so money is definitely not the issue

[gav003]

It wouldn't work with England IMO- The 'authorities' would see it as too much of a risk re crowd trouble etc. I really hope it works out & is taken seriously.

[Garrett]

Hi

Interesting idea & lets face it, chances are it will be the only real opportunity for half the teams playing in it, to compete internationally for some sort of prize ...

While there would be concerns about players possibly getting injured while on national duty here, it outweighs the value of some of the friendlies they arrange as things stand and a competition would give a pro-longed period for the players to be togeather, which may help them gel & player better etc.

I reckon it's certainly worth a go ...

[yodabenitez]

This could be a really good idea for developing a young squad of players at international level.

There used to be some cracking matches in the old 'Nations Cup'.

[StevieGisMyIdol]

Id still much prefer england to be in it though...Watching Gerrard nd Carra in Croker(i presume) !!!

[WexRed]

A chance for silver wear. But another meaningless excuse to make money. Id say premiership managers will be livid. I presume this is football and not rugby by the way

It'd hardly be more meaningless than the current friendlies which are also meant to make money - the more glam the opposition though usually the less competitive they are. As far as Prem managers go at least their players won't be travelling to God knows where rather staying local-ish. Yes this is football but a bit of the culture that comes with regular opposition and very handy away trips wouldn't go amiss in place of the current scheme of things. Its one thing to argue for no friendlies but I don't see how this idea couldn't be an improvement on them as it currently stands.

[megager]

Good point wexred. It will be interesting at least. It might be a chance to blood young players and it gets the team together for a more meaningful training camp than the US cup.

It would also so nice to win a trophy.

[WexRed]

Well exactly, Prem managers won't be as miffed at the players doing a short hop rather than trans-atlantic !

[bryanod]

so basically we play two other shit teams every year? sounds....interesting.

[megager]

One would argue 3 other shit teams. At least the games will have a little bite rather than hauling players to america to play on rock hard pitches

[Dub13]

Looks like this has moved a step forward.

Plans for a Celtic Cup featuring Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland have taken another step forward.

Representatives from the four national associations met in Cardiff on Monday.
And Scottish FA chief executive Gordon Smith told the Daily Mail:

"We are getting some answers on the issues surrounding a tournament like this.
"It could even start in 2008 or the year after at the latest - if we all reach agreement."

England were not interested in a return to the Home Internationals Championship, which was abandoned in 1984.

And the latest meeting failed to iron out whether the format will be a knockout competition or a league system.

"There is debate taking place but there are positive vibes from the four countries involved," Smith continued.

"Friendly dates from Fifa are available in August, November and February, so those could be used.
"And it could be every two years to keep space for other friendlies.


"We are getting answers and we will meet again in a few weeks."
Smith also confirmed that Scotland manager Alex McLeish liked the idea.
"I have spoken with Alex McLeish and we are keen," said Smith.

"One of the attractions is the semi-competitive nature of it after our success at the Kirin Cup in Japan last year."

BBC Sport (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/foot...ls/6981446.stm)

[Malzheimer]

I personally would love to see this given the green light. It adds a competitive edge to the meaningless friendlies we play each year. Given time, who's to say it wouldn't be seen as important as the six nations rugby..... as said above it is the only chance for these nations to win some silverware. This can only benefit our counrty's football team in the long-run.

[paddyb]

its a good idea, would be far better than playing meaning-less friendlies