Linfield to host Derry in Setanta cup

Linfield open the defence of the 2006 Setanta Sports Cup with a cracking home tie with Derry City following tonight’s draw in Dublin.

Shelbourne, last year’s beaten finalists, and Irish League champions Glentoran were also drawn in Group B, making it by far the tougher of the two pools.

Cork City, the eircom League champions, have an early chance to avenge their FAI Carlsberg Cup final defeat to Drogheda United as they’ve both been drawn in Group A along with Irish League pair Portadown and newcomers Dungannon Swifts.

Derry CEO Jim Roddy was quick to play down any security fears, stating that Candystripes fans should be allowed to travel to Windsor Park for the opening match on February 20.

“I’m absolutely delighted with the draw as every match will be a big one” said Roddy. “It’s a mouthwatering prospect for the fans of all four teams.

“I don’t envisage any security difficulties for the Linfield games,” added Roddy. “We played a testimonial at Windsor Park a few years ago and it went off without a hitch. I wouldn’t have thought that there would be any fear of a ban on our fans travelling to that game.”

After last year’s success, the cross-border competition has been extended to eight teams, four from each league north and south. Setanta Sports have also introduced semi-finals, meaning a total of 27 games.

The winners will receive €150,000 and the runners-up €80,000. The other six clubs get €20,000 each. Teams also keep all their home gate receipts.

The television schedule will be decided at a later date, but the majority of games will be shown live on Setanta Sports.

Setanta Sports Cup 2006 Schedule

Group A (Portadown, Cork City, Drogheda United, Dungannon Swifts)

Monday, February 20: Portadown v Cork City, Drogheda United v Dungannon Swifts

Monday, February 27: Cork City v Drogheda United, Dungannon Swifts v Portadown

Monday, March 6: Portadown v Drogheda United, Cork City v Dungannon Swifts

Tuesday, March 14: Dungannon Swifts v Cork City, Drogheda United v Portadown

Tuesday, March 21: Cork City v Portadown, Dungannon Swifts v Drogheda United

Monday, March 27: Drogheda United v Cork City, Portadown v Dungannon Swifts

Group B (Linfield, Derry City, Shelbourne, Glentoran)

Monday, February 20: Linfield v Derry City, Shelbourne v Glentoran

Tuesday, February 28: Derry City v Shelbourne, Glentoran v Linfield

Monday, March 13: Linfield v Shelbourne, Derry City v Glentoran

Monday, March 20: Shelbourne v Linfield, Glentoran v Derry City

Monday, March 27: Derry City v Linfield, Glentoran v Shelbourne

Monday, April 3: Shelbourne v Derry City, Linfield v Glentoran