Setanta Cup
THE fourth celebration of the Setanta Sports Cup kicked-off on Tuesday, February 26, when Drogheda United began their attempt to win the competition for a third consecutive time.
Drogheda United, winners of the eircom League of Ireland Championship last season, won the Setanta Sports Cup in 2006 and 2007. This year they were drawn in section one of the competition alongside Cork City, Dungannon Swifts and newcomers, Cliftonville.
The second section of the competition involves Linfield, Glentoran, Derry City and St. Patrick’s Athletic. Linfield won the inaugural competition in 2005.
This season’s competition sees a change to the format, with the fixtures beginning in February and ending in October. The first round of matches were played on February 26, with a total of three series of matches being played by April 15.
Drogheda featured on the opening night with a home game against Cliftonville. Cork City will travelled to play Dungannon Swifts on the same night.
The second section of the competition will kick-off on Monday, March 10 when Linfield will be at home to Derry and St. Patrick’s Athletic will welcome Glentoran to Richmond Park. Again one of the matches will be televised live on Setanta Sports.
It is planned to have three series of matches played by April 15. The competition will then have a four month break before recommencing on September 1 with the remaining group fixtures, semi-finals, and the Final which is due to be played on October 18.
Drogheda claimed victory in the final of last year’s Setanta Sports Cup competition by beating Linfield 4-3 in a penalty shoot-out after playing out a 1-1 draw at Windsor Park.
SETANTA SPORTS CUP 2008
Section One:
Drogheda United, Cork City, Dungannon, Cliftonville.
Section Two:
Linfield, Glentoran, Derry City, St. Patrick's Athletic.
Fixtures:
Tuesday 26 February Drogheda United 3-2 Cliftonville
Tuesday 26 February Dungannon Swifts 0-2 Cork City
Monday 10 March Linfield 3-1 Derry City
Monday 10 March St. Patrick's Athletic 3-3 Glentoran
Tuesday 18 March Cork City 0-0 Drogheda United
Tuesday 18 March Cliftonville 0-0 Dungannon Swifts
Monday 7 April Glentoran 1-3 Linfield
Monday 7 April Derry City 2-0 St. Patrick's Athletic
Monday 14 April Cork City v Cliftonville
Monday 14 April Dungannon Swifts v Drogehda United
Tuesday 15 April Glentoran v Derry City
Tuesday 15 April St. Patrick's Athletic v Linfield
Monday 1 September Cliftonville v Cork City
Monday 1 September Drogheda United v Dungannon Swifts
Tuesday 2 September Derry City v Glentoran
Tuesday 2 September Linfield v St. Patrick's Athletic
Monday 15 September Drogheda United v Cork City, Linfield v Glentoran
Monday 15 September Dungannon Swifts v Cliftonville, St. Patrick's Athletic v Derry City
Monday 22 September Cliftonville v Drogheda United
Monday 22 September Cork City v Dungannon Swifts
Tuesday 23 September Derry City v Linfield
Tuesday 23 September Glentoran v St. Patrick's Athletic
Monday 6 October Semi-Final: Winner Group 1 V Runner Up 2
Tuesday 7 October Semi-Final: Winner Group 2 V Runner Up 1
Saturday 18 October 2008 Setanta Sports Cup Final.
