First Division guaranteed league cup semi-final place

THE First Division is guaranteed at least one semi-finalist in this year’s Eircom League Cup, thanks to the partial regionalisation of the quarter-final draw.

Both divisions are equally represented with four teams each in the last eight: Bohemians, Cork City, Dublin City, Finn Harps, Limerick, Longford Town, Sligo Rovers and UCD.

With the north-west duo of Finn Harps and Sligo Rovers paired in yesterday evening’s draw, the First Division will have at least one representative in July’s semi-finals. Second-from-bottom Limerick will have to overcome joint-second in the Premier Division Cork City in the other regionalised draw. However, if they are to double the First Division representation in the last four. As joint table-toppers UCD are in the four-team open draw with Bohemians, Dublin City and holders Longford Town, the First Division could have up to three clubs in the last four.