Setanta Cup holders and Drogheda United united will begin the defence of their crown with an opening-night fixture against tournament newcomers Cliftonville on February 26th.
Paul Doolin's eircom league champions have also been grouped with Dungannon Swifts and Cork City as they go in search of their third successive tournament win.
Last year's beaten finalists Linfield will kick off their campaign at home against Derry City on March 10th, while St. Patrick's Athletic and Glentoran will come face to face in Richmond Park on the same night.
This season's competition sees a change of format. There will be three group games for each team by April 15th before a four month break until September 1st.
Group games will then resume and be completed by September 23rd before the semi-finals on October 6th and 7th and the final on October 18th.
Speaking at the draw for the 2008 Setanta Sports Cup, Milo Corcoran, chairman of the organising committee, said: "With a total of 67 matches now under our belts, the tournament is firmly established in the football communities on both sides of the border.
"Every club, player and supporter in both the eircom League of Ireland and the Carnegie Irish League want to be involved in the Setanta Sports Cup, and that is a great testament to the competition."
