Organisers of the cross-border Setanta Cup tonight informed the eircom League that Shelbourne will not be participating in this year's competition due to ongoing internal problems at the club.

In keeping with the tournament's rules, an invitation will now be extended to St Patrick's Athletic to take take Shelbourne's place as they finished runners-up to Derry City in the FAI Cup.

A statement on the club's website confirmed the news: "The management committee of Shelbourne Football Club wish to announce their decision to decline an invitation to participate in the Setanta Sports Cup 2007."

The champions find themselves in crippling financial difficulties and the majority of their league winning squad has left the club.