Rovers-Dundalk an eye-catcher

This season's League Cup champions will play the First Division winners in a one-off decider for a place in next year's Setanta Sports Cup.

If the League Cup winner has already qualified for the Setanta Cup, the play-off will involve the First Division winner and the next available Premier Division club.

The draw was made earlier today and 16 clubs are entered in the first round phase, with a further eight receiving byes into the second round.  As ever, clubs were drawn in geographically determined groups, with two fixtures then drawn from each.

Derry City - chasing a hat-trick of competition wins - Cork City, Drogheda United, St Patrick's Athletics and Shelbourne received byes due to participation in the current Setanta Cup campaign or qualification for European competition.

Sligo Rovers, the Kerry League and Kilkenny City received random byes and join the other five clubs in the draw for the second round.  That phase will also be conducted on a geographical basis but the third round will be an open draw.

Opening ties take place on April 2nd/3rd and 9th/10th.  Arguably the tie of the round sees old rivals Shamrock Rovers and Dundalk lock horns at Tolka Park while Bohemians get the chance to atone for their recent defeat to Bray Wanderers when they host the Co. Wicklow side at Dalymount Park.

Both those ties will be played on the later date of April 9th/10th.

Wexford Youths, the new First Division team who recorded their first league win at the weekend, travel to neighbouring rivals Waterford United in another key tie.

"With the possibility of entry into the Setanta Sports Cup for the eventual winners of the competition, this season's eircom League of Ireland Cup is sure to be very competitive," League director Fran Gavin said.

League Cup, first round

Group 1
Finn Harps                              v                      Fanad United
Monaghan United                   v                      Galway United

Group 2
Waterford United                   v                      Wexford Youths
Cobh Ramblers                       v                      Limerick 37

Group 3
Athlone Town                         v                      Longford Town
Shamrock Rovers                    v                      Dundalk

Group 4
Kildare County                       v                      UCD
Bohemians                              v                      Bray Wanderers