Holders Drogheda United face an almighty task if they are to retain their Setanta Sports Cup trophy next season.

Paul Doolin's side have been drawn in the 'group of death' alongside FAI Cup winners Derry City and Belfast pair Linfield and Glentoran.

Having found themselves in a rather more straightforward pot last season, the club have it all to do when competition gets under way in February but Doolin is adamant his player's won't be phased.

"Of course it's going to be tough," he said, "but these are great games and you wouldn't expect anything less playing in this competition.

"You have to accept what you're given. But look, we're not a bad side either though and we'd certainly like to go further defending this trophy than we did the FAI Cup."

Like Drogheda, Linfield know what it takes to win the trophy having claimed the silverware in 2005, beating Shelbourne in the final at Tolka Park.

Manager David Jeffrey is relishing the contest ahead.  "You look at that fixture list and you'd wonder how Setanta will pick which games to televise live, they're all that good," he said.

"It's a daunting group we're in but we'll relish it.  We were drawn in the 'group of death' last year but topped the group.  But, as was pointed out, even doing that didn't get us into final. It's fierce competitive.

"I'm pleased we've managed to avoid the long trip to Cork though.  None of our group games are further than two hours away which is a great thing from a logistical point of view but it's also good for our supporters."

Pat Fenlon's former club Shelbourne are paired in Group 2 alongside domestic league rivals Cork City and Irish League pair Portadown and Dungannon Swifts. Shelbourne open with a home tie against Portadown while Damien Richardson's Cork travel North to Stangmore Park.

Setanta Sports Cup 2007

February 26th
Group 1:  Glentoran v Derry City, Drogheda United v Linfield
Gropp 2:  Dungannon Swifts v Cork City, Shelbourne v Portadown

March 5th
Group 1: Linfield v Glentoran
Group 2:  Portadown v Dungannon Swifts

March 12th
Group 1:  Derry City v Drogheda United
Group 2: Cork City v Shelbourne

March 19th
Group 1:  Glentoran v Drogheda United, Derry City v Linfield

March 20th
Group 2:  Dungannon Swifts v Shelbourne, Cork City v Portadown

March 26th
Group 1:  Linfield v Derry City, Drogheda United v Glentoran
Group 2:  Shelbourne v Dungannon Swifts, Portadown v Cork City

April 2nd
Group 1:  Derry City v Glentoran, Linfield v Drogheda United
Group 2:  Shelbourne v Cork City, Dungannon Swifts v Portadown

April 16th
Group 2:  Cork City v Dungannon Swifts, Portadown v Shelbourne

April 17th
Group 1:  Drogheda United v Derry City, Glentoran v Linfield

April 23rd
Semi-final (Winner Gp2 v Runner-up Gp1)

April 30th
Semi-final (Winner Gp1 v Runner-up Gp2)

May 12th
Final