Setanta Cup extended for next season

FOLLOWING a review of the Setanta Cup by the Football Association of Ireland, the Irish Football Association and sponsors, Setanta Sports, eight teams will play in next year’s competition.

The winners of the eircom League Cup and the CIS Cup in Northern Ireland will now join the League winners and runners-up, as well as the National Cup winners of each Association.

This year, Linfield won the inaugural cross-border competition which was also contested by Glentoran, Portadown, Shelbourne, Cork City and Longford Town.

Longford manager Alan Mathews said yesterday: “I am surprised by the announcement but the Setanta Cup is a marvellous competition and one that can grow. The expansion will be a great boost for the competition.”