Plan launched for All-Ireland soccer tournament
The Football Association of Ireland and the Irish Football Association today formally launched an All Ireland Club Tournament involving three teams from each association.
Setanta Sports, the new Irish dedicated sports channel, has signed a four-year deal to be the host broadcasters and sponsors of the tournament, which will be known as the Setanta Cup.
The participating teams in the new tournament, which will be played in April 2005, will be the winners and runners up of the premier league competitions of both associations, together with the winners of the annual premier cup competitions of each association.
FAI chief executive Fran Rooney said: "The Setanta Cup is a significant development for both
the Football Association of Ireland and the Irish Football Association and a tremendous opportunity for our respective league clubs."
"We have always enjoyed a great working relationship with the Irish Football Association and I am confident that this relationship will be further strengthened through the Setanta Cup."
"This tournament will be of great benefit to the respective league clubs as they prepare for European competition and I am sure that the games will also be enjoyable for the fans."
