Leesiders named as Setanta Cup seeds

DESPITE uncertainty about the club’s future, Cork City were yesterday named as one of the top seeds for the 2009/2010 Setanta Cup.

Though officials remained tightlipped on what team would take place City’s place should the Leesiders be wound up, sources indicated that Bray Wanderers may be the ones to benefit.

City are currently included in Group One with Cliftonville and Sligo Rovers. Group Two consists of League of Ireland champions Bohemians, their Irish League equivalents, Glentoran and Coleraine who make their debut in the competition.

Group Three sees a renewal of rivalry between Derry City and Linfield with St Patrick’s Athletic completing the trio.

All the group games will be played between August 28 and November 10. The winners of each of the three groups plus the best runner-up proceed to the two legged semi-finals in March and April of next year with the final on May 15, 2010.

Setanta Sports Cup 2009/10 Group 1: Cork City, Cliftonville, Sligo Rovers Group 2: Bohemians, Coleraine, Glentoran Group 3: Linfield, Derry City, St Pats Aug 28-29: Cork City v Cliftonville, Glentoran v Bohemians, St. Patrick’s Athletic v Linfield.

Sept 18-21: Sligo Rovers v Cork City, Coleraine v Glentoran, Derry City v St. Patrick’s Athletic Oct 2-6: Cliftonville v Sligo Rovers, Bohemians v Coleraine, Linfield v Derry City Nov 2-3: Glentoran v Coleraine Nov 9-10: Cork City v Sligo Rovers, St. Patrick’s Athletic v Derry City Feb 26-27: Sligo Rovers v Cliftonville, Coleraine v Bohemians, Derry City v Linfield.

Mar 13: Cliftonville v Cork City, Bohemians v Glentoran, Linfield v St. Patrick’s Athletic

Semi-finals: March 29 & April 17; April 3 & April 19.

Final: May 15.