League Cup kicks off with Dublin derby

The 2004 eircom League Cup kicks off on bank holiday Monday with holders St Patrick's Athletic beginning the defence of their title at home in a Dublin derby clash with Premier Division new boys Dublin City (3pm).

This season sees the retention of the existing eight-group structure, with all last year's group fixtures reversed. The Monday and Tuesday evening group matches will take place over the next three weeks, with the last series of matches taking place on Tuesday, May 18.

The quarter-finals are scheduled to take place in the week commencing Monday June 14 while the semi-finals will take place the week commencing Monday July 5.

The League Cup Final will take place on Monday August 30 and the total prize money on offer this season is €17,000. The winners will receive €10,000, the runners-up €4,000 and the two losing semi-finalists will each receive €1,500.

Speaking at the launch of the 2004 League Cup, eircom League Chairman Declan Ó Luanaigh said: "As a result of its initial group structure, the League Cup is an excellent opportunity for clubs who might not ordinarily be in the running for major honours to have a chance of some silverware at the end of the season. Last year's final was a huge success on and off the pitch and I look forward to a successful League Cup competition all the way from next Monday right through to August 30."

League Cup 2004 - Groups and Fixtures

Group 1: Cobh Ramblers, Cork City, Kerry League

Group 2: Kilkenny City, Limerick, Waterford

Group 3: Athlone Town, Kildare County, Longford Town

Group 4: Derry City, Finn Harps, Monaghan United

Group 5: Galway United, Mayo League, Sligo Rovers

Group 6: Bray Wanderers, Shamrock Rovers, UCD

Group 7: Dublin City, St Patrick's Athletic, Shelbourne

Group 8: Bohemians, Drogheda United, Dundalk

Series 1

Monday, May 3

Group 1: Cork City v Kerry League, Turner's Cross (7.45pm) Group 3: Kildare County v Athlone Town, Newbridge (7.30pm) Group 5: Galway United v Sligo Rovers, Terryland Park (3pm) Group 7: St. Patrick's Athletic v Dublin City, Richmond Park (3pm)

Tuesday, May 4

Group 2: Waterford United v Kilkenny City, RSC (7.30pm)

Group 4: Derry City v Finn Harps, Brandywell (7.45pm)

Group 6: Bray Wanderers v UCD, Carlisle Grounds (7.45pm)

Group 8: Dundalk v Bohemians, Oriel Park (7.45pm)

Series 2

Monday, May 10

Group 6: Shamrock Rovers v Bray Wanderers, Richmond Park (7pm) Group 8: Drogheda United v Dundalk, United Park (7.45pm)

Tuesday, May 11

Group 1: Cobh Ramblers v Cork City, St. Colman's Park (7.45pm) Group 2: Limerick v Waterford United, Pike Rovers SG (6pm) Group 3: Longford Town v Kildare County, Flancare Park (7.45pm) Group 4: Monaghan United v Derry City, Century Homes Park (8pm) Group 5: Mayo League v Galway United, Mile Bush (7.30pm) Group 7: Shelbourne v St. Patrick's Athletic, Tolka Park (7.45pm)

Series 3

Monday, May 17

Group 6: UCD v Shamrock Rovers, Belfield Park (7.45pm)

Group 7: Dublin City v Shelbourne, Tolka Park (7.45pm)

Group 8: Bohemians v Drogheda United, Dalymount Park (7.45pm)

Tuesday, May 18

Group 1: Kerry League v Cobh Ramblers, Mount Hawk Park (7.30pm) Group 2: Kilkenny City v Limerick, Buckley Park (7.30pm) Group 3: Athlone Town v Longford Town, St. Mel's Park (7.45pm) Group 4: Finn Harps v Monaghan United, Finn Park (8pm) Group 5: Sligo Rovers v Mayo League, Showgrounds (7.30pm)

Quarter-finals

Week commencing Monday, June 14

Semi-finals

Week commencing Monday, July 5

Final

Monday, August 30