Bohemian Football Club Crest

The first piece of silverware in the 2010 season will be handed out on Saturday and cup fever has certainly hit the Airtricity League this week.

While the excitement has been steadily building ahead of the showdown between Bohemians and St Patrick’s Athletic at Tallaght Stadium, it was in another cup competition where the drama unfolded recently.

The EA Sports Cup, or the League Cup to the traditionalists, is not a competition that many supporters are too pushed on. Yes, it is great to win it, but if you drop out then does it matter all that much? This is an attitude that exists in other countries too as not every competition that the top teams compete in can hold as much importance as the league or playing in Europe. But it is still nice to add more silverware to the trophy cabinet.

Last year Bohemians lifted the EA Sports Cup when they beat Waterford United in the final. However, their defence of that particular trophy didn’t last too long as they were dumped out in the second round earlier this week by Monaghan United.

It can be argued that the Gypsies have other things on their mind – making up ground in the title race and the Setanta Sports Cup final – but that is not to say that they gave up their place in the competition without a fight. After a scoreless game, the Gortakeegan crowd witnessed a thrilling end to the cup tie where two goals were scored in extra-time before a penalty shoot-out swung things in favour of Monaghan.

Cup exits can be tough to take. Just ask Tralee Dynamos, who lost 9-0 to Waterford on the same night. By crashing out of a cup competition, it can have a detrimental effect on how a team’s season pans out as they struggle to build up momentum and confidence to fulfill their other commitments.

Of course, on the flip side of that an extended cup run can bring about the type of form that leads teams to success on various different fronts. So the likes of Bohs and Tralee, to name just two, will be hoping to overcome the disappointment of no longer being involved in one cup competition and getting their form back on track.

If Bohs can beat St Pat’s on Saturday then that will definitely sooth their aching hearts, but the Saints won’t be ready to surrender without a fight. After all, isn’t that what we have come to expect from every team that is in search of some cup glory?