CHAMPIONS CUP’S A FANTASTIC IDEA AND WE’D BE VIN TO WIN IT
VINNY PERTH says Dundalk will fully embrace the concept of a Champions Cup if they qualify for it.
The FAI were left red-faced at Tuesday’s League of Ireland launch when delivering their big reveal of the games between the respective champions north and south.
Football authorities in
Northern Ireland issued statements soon after accusing Abbotstown chiefs of jumping the gun, insisting nothing was agreed.
But it does appear likely that there will be a cross-border element to the year ahead, with a two-legged decider on November 8 and 12.
And, according to FAI competitions director Fran Gavin (inset), ‘significant prize money’ will be on offer, with a sponsor announced next month. New Lilywhites boss Perth said yesterday: “I think it’s a brilliant idea. Whether it needs to be two legged or not, I’d probably debate that.
“If it was in the Aviva Stadium or Windsor Park on alternative years, it would be brilliant and create real interest.
“It would be a big game to finish with for whoever wins the league and if we’re lucky enough for it to be us, we would embrace it.”
But Perth has called on the respective authorities to iron out the confusion sooner rather than later.
“It would add another element to our league but we would need to work closer with the Northern FA to create it,” he said.
“I thought the Setanta Cup had a place at the time but it petered out (in 2014) for whatever reason. But potentially it has a huge place.
“The more we’re showing people what we have to offer, the better and I don’t see any drawbacks to adding in the Setanta Cup-type scenario with the North again.”