Game over for Setanta?
THE future of the Setanta Sports Cup has once again been called into question after the draw for this year's competition was postponed.
Representatives from Coleraine along with Cliftonville, Glentoran and Linfield were due to make their way to Dublin this Thursday for the much-anticipated draw. However a statement released on behalf of both the IFA and FAI late on Monday confirmed the draw had been postponed until further notice.
The full statement read: "The Irish Football Association and the Football Association of Ireland today (June 22) agreed with Setanta Sports to postpone the draw of the 2009 Setanta Sports Cup, scheduled to take place on Thursday.
"This draw has been postponed at the request of Setanta Sports to give the company an opportunity to gain clarity around a number of market related issues it currently faces.
"In the interim, a meeting has been arranged with participating clubs in Dublin on the afternoon of June 25."
This latest development raises doubts not just about the troubled broadcaster but also about the future of this year's cross border competition, which is due to start at the end of August.
Only last week IFA President Raymond Kennedy said he was 'hopeful' that the tournament would go ahead. However, FAI Chief Executive John Delaney admitted that they would 'struggle' to find a replacement sponsor for the Setanta Cup.
"Well, I think it would be difficult," said Delaney when asked if it was a case of Setanta or nobody. "I wouldn't say nobody, but it would be difficult at this juncture as you need a TV partner to get sponsorship money in place.
"That's why we've kept in close contact with them.
"They've told us that they would find an answer to their issues and after assurances given on Thursday night, it would appear they have, at this juncture.
"We'd have to talk to the IFA about that, but it would be difficult at the moment to get someone to do the TV side of it and sponsorship."
Times Sport broke the news to Coleraine manager David Platt early on Monday evening and the Bannsiders boss admitted it was a disappointing development but that he hoped that something could be sorted out.
"It's very disappointing to hear that," said Platt. "Obviously there has been a few questions raised over recent weeks, but we all thought that the tournament would be okay this season.
"The fact that it is only postponed is a slight positive though, hopefully something can be sorted out in the near future."
On a more positive note Platt revealed to Times Sport that he hopes to have several new faces on board for this Friday night's friendly against Garvagh.
"Aaron Canning (pictured right) has joined from Limavady and I'm expecting to tie up three or four this week," said Platt.
*More transfer talk on Page 59.
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Weather for Coleraine
Wednesday 23 May 2012
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