Soccer:Next season's Setanta Sports Cup will be expanded to include 12 cross-border teams and as part of the revamp will be played as a knock-out competition.
Plans for next season’s competition were unveiled by the organising committee today. The increase to 12 teams is double the number from the inaugural tournament in 2005.
Instead of the group based format the tournament will shift to a knock-out with the first of four rounds to get under way in February 2011 and conclude in May. Each round will be played over two legs.
Six clubs from the Airtricity League and six clubs from the Carling Premiership will be invited to compete in the 2011 Setanta Sports Cup. Clubs who finish in the top four positions in the Airtricity League and Carling Premiership will be invited to participate, along with the winners of both major domestic cup competitions.
The first round will feature eight clubs with the two league champions, FAI Ford Cup winners and JJB Sports Cup winners to receive byes into the quarter-finals.
“We are delighted to be introducing these alterations to the format of the Setanta Sports Cup,” said Milo Corcoran, Chairman of the Setanta Sports Cup Organising Committee
“Ever since the Setanta Sports Cup was first established, the tournament has constantly evolved and expanded. This latest expansion… is an indication of the important place the tournament has in the football calendars on the island of Ireland.
“We believe the move to a knock-out format will add even greater excitement to the tournament and we look forward to an exciting season of Setanta Sports Cup football in 2011.”
The final of the 2009/10 Setanta Sports Cup will take place on May 15th when St. Patrick’s Athletic and Bohemians meet at Tallaght Stadium (kick-off 6.30pm).