This article is from page 57 of the 2011-08-02 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 57 JPG
A PROPOSAL to run a separate cup competition for B teams has been roundly rejected by Clare clubs.
Citing poor attendance at last year’s cup final between Avenue United A and Bridge United B (the second successive final meeting between the pair), the Clare District Soccer League (CDSL) executive argued that the Clare cup should be run as club competition with a separate cup competition for B teams.
At last Monday’s AGM, secretary Oliver Fitzpatrick explained that the decision to put forward the motion was based on the poor attendance at last season’s final.
Fitzpatrick told the meeting that the executive did not intend to “disrespect” the achievements of B teams who have enjoyed successful cup runs in recent seasons.
In the past five years alone three B teams – Avenue United B (2006), Lifford B (2009) and Bridge United B (2010 & 2011) – have all contested Clare Cup finals.
Figures contained in the annual accounts showed that the CDSL took in € 2410 in gate receipts in 2011. This represented a drop of € 2130 on the figure for 2010. Treasurer Michael McInerney said the shortfall was due to the low cup final attendance.
He added, “It was very poor, well down on the 2010 crowd”.
However clubs strongly rejected calls for a separate cup competition.
Chairman of Bridge United, Finbar Toomey, whose club’s B team has contested the past two Clare Cup finals, criticised the motion.
He said, “We’re totally against it. It discriminates against B teams”.
Toomey warned that if the motion was passed, his club would consider “pulling our A team out of the cup”.
Mark Moloney of Hermitage FC said the proposal would “knock the romance off the Cup”.
Ennis Town Rock delegate, Kevin Keenan questioned if the poor attendance had anything to do with the cup final clashing with the television coverage of the Heineken cup, which was played the same day.
Mikey Whyte of Bridge United said the league should consider making the Clare Cup a double header with either the FAI or Munster Clare area finals played before it.