I've watched this debate rage with some interest and apart from the start where it was heading into nasty territory, the opposing viewpoints have managed to get back to a more mature status with each conceding the right of the other to hold their views.
Personally, I have no vested interest in who wins the final although I am leaning away from C*unty for a number of reasons. It holds slightly more appeal simply because our rivals are in it - had it been any of the other teams I wouldn't give a mokeys chuff who won - and I would hope that they don't win. Why? One cogent argument has already been put forward regarding the attraction of fans and subsequent sponsorship. Let's not kid ourselves here - the Highlands does not have the population or geographic to support two SPL teams, only one. Us. Any advance that RC makes chips away at us. We should be on our guard against this.
But ultimately I suppose it comes down to this - if it were ICT in the final how many of their fans would have the good grace to go and "support" us?
Cannot take anything away from their achievement or the way they went about it, and good on them for the advert they have made for highland football, but all they have really achieved is that they are in the final. Meanwhile, we are on the cusp of the return to the SPL and have been in the semi's twice on merit. Difference being, when we do get to the final the chances are we can win, and in the run of form that DUFC have just now and especially Goodwillie knocking them in left right and centre, RC are heading for a drubbing.
RC getting into the final will be the same thing as Gretna - a flash in the pan. And where are Gretna now?
C*unty are a threat to us as well as rivals and yes, let's keep the banter relatively good-natured but don't lose sight of the fact that they ARE our rivals and should always be regarded as such.