Soccer:Nine clubs will take part in the 2009/10 Setanta Sports Cup with Bohemians, Sligo Rovers and Coleraine all set to make their debuts in the cross-border competition which gets underway next month.

The draw for this season’s competition took place at FAI headquarters in Abbotstown today and is the biggest entry since the inaugural competition in 2005.

“It has been a pleasure to watch this competition grow since its debut season in 2005,” said Milo Corcoran, Chairman of the Setanta Sports Cup Organising Committee.

“On behalf of the FAI, IFA and the clubs, I would like to thank Setanta Sports for their ongoing commitment to the competition, despite what has been a challenging few months for their own company. Setanta Sports have been excellent partners for us and I am delighted to continue that partnership.

With the addition of an extra club the decision was made to split the nine the clubs into three groups of three. Previously eight teams were split into two groups of four.

Two-legged semi-finals and the scheduling of weekend matches have also been introduced for the first time.

Setanta Sports Cup Draw 2009-10

Group One
Cork City
Cliftonville
Sligo Rovers

Group Two
Bohemians
Glentoran
Coleraine

Group Three
Linfield
Derry City
St Patrick's Athletic

Preliminary schedule:Cork City v Cliftonville
Glentoran v Bohemians
St Patrick's Athletic v Linfield

Aug 28th/29th:

Sept 18th/19th/21st:
Sligo Rovers v Cork City
Coleraine v Glentoran
Derry City v St Patrick's Athletic

Oct 2nd/3rd/5th/6th:
Cliftonville v Sligo Rovers
Bohemians v Coleraine
Linfield v Derry City

November 2nd/3rd:
Glentoran v Coleraine

November 9th/10th:
Cork City v Sligo Rovers
St Patrick's Athletic v Derry City

February 26th/27th:
Sligo Rovers v Cliftonville
Coleraine v Bohemians
Derry City v Linfield

March 13th:
Cliftonville v Cork City
Bohemians v Glentoran
Linfield v St Patrick's Athletic

March 29th and April 17th:
Semi-finals

May 15th:
Final