News

The Co-operative Insurance Cup Round One and Round Two feature clubs from the IFA Championship 1 with ties being played on a home and away basis (away goal rule in operation). The four successful clubs from Round Two will proceed to join the IFA Premiership clubs in Round Three.

In the draw made at BBC Blackstaff House, Belfast, Round One will see last season's defeated play-off contenders and this season's IFA Championship favourites Donegal Celtic come up against Loughgall.

Bangor, who last season played in the IFA Premiership, will face a tough tie against Ballinamallard United. Much fancied IFA Championship club Ards will play Coagh United with Ballymoney United playing Larne. Limavady United will play Glebe Rangers with Ballyclare Comrades facing Carrick Rangers. Armagh City and Banbridge Town both received automatic byes into Round Two.

The Co-operative Insurance Cup Round Two draw will see Armagh City face either Donegal Celtic or Loughgall. Banbridge Town will face either Ballymoney United or Larne. If Coagh United or Ards progress from Round One they will take on either Bangor or Ballinamallard United with the successful winners of the Ballyclare Comrades and Carrick Rangers tie facing Limavady United or Glebe Rangers.

The Co-operative Insurance Cup Round Three and Round Four ties will also be played on a home and away basis (away goal rule in operation) with the Semi-finals one-off matches with extra-time and penalties, if required. The Co-operative Insurance Cup Final will be played on Saturday 27 March 2010.

Philip Strong, Area Manager for The Co-operative Insurance, said: "Following our announcement earlier this year to extend our sponsorship of The Co-operative Insurance Cup in Northern Ireland by a further a two seasons we are delighted to be entering our ninth consecutive year of the competition. Each season The Co-operative Insurance Cup has gone from strength to strength built upon the support and commitment of the fans, players, clubs and communities who are all involved in the competition."

"The inclusion of the IFA Championship clubs and a new knock-out format added a real element of excitement and unpredictability to last season's competition, which we are expecting to continue this season as clubs compete to reach The Co-operative Insurance Cup Final on Saturday 27 March 2010. I hope that after today's draw the competing clubs and, of course, local football fans will be looking forward to this season's Co-operative Insurance Cup."

Adrian Teer, IFA Premiership Management Committee commented: "The Co-operative Insurance has been a long standing sponsor of the League Cup in Northern Ireland and the Irish FA, and all the clubs involved in the competition, very much value its support and commitment to domestic football. The format of last season's Co-operative Insurance Cup proved to be a huge success in making the competition exciting and thrilling for clubs and supporters and I am looking forward to the commencement of the 2009 / 2010 Co-operative Insurance Cup."

THE CO-OPERATIVE INSURANCE CUP - ROUND ONE DRAW

SATURDAY 29 AUGUST (1ST LEG) / MONDAY 7 SEPTEMBER (2ND LEG)

• Match 1: Limavady United v Glebe Rangers
• Match 2: Coagh United v Ards
• Match 3: Ballyclare Comrades v Carrick Rangers
• Match 4: Ballymoney United v Larne
• Match 5: Donegal Celtic v Loughgall
• Match 6: Bangor v Ballinamallard United

* Banbridge Town and Armagh City received automatic byes into Round Two.

* Round One matches are scheduled to be played on Saturday 29 August (1st leg) and Monday 7 September (2nd leg). However, due to various ground sharing arrangements between clubs some adjustments will be necessary with specific details of the dates, venues and kick off times to be released by the IFA following confirmation by the clubs concerned.

THE CO-OPERATIVE INSURANCE CUP - ROUND TWO DRAW

SATURDAY 26 SEPTEMBER (1ST LEG) / TUESDAY 6 OCTOBER (2ND LEG)

• Banbridge Town v Match 4 winner
• Match 2 winner v Match 6 winner
• Armagh City v Match 5 winner
• Match 3 winner v Match 1 winner

* Round Two matches are scheduled to be played on Saturday 26 September (1st leg) and Tuesday 6 October (2nd leg). However, due to various ground sharing arrangements between clubs some adjustments will be necessary with specific details of the dates, venues and kick off times to be released by the IFA following confirmation by the clubs concerned.

THE CO-OPERATIVE INSURANCE CUP - FIXTURE SCHEDULE

ROUND 1

• To include 14 IFA Championship clubs
• 6 matches - 2 legs (away goal rule in operation)
• 2 clubs will receive automatic byes into Round 2
• 1st leg - Saturday 29 August 2009
• 2nd leg - Monday 7 September 2009

ROUND 2

• To include 6 winning clubs from Round 1 and 2 clubs who received automatic byes
• 4 matches - 2 legs (away goal rule in operation)
• 1st leg - Saturday 26 September 2009
• 2nd leg - Tuesday 6 October 2009

ROUND 3

• To include 4 IFA Championship winning clubs from Round 2 and 12 IFA Premiership clubs
• 8 matches - 2 legs (away goal rule in operation)
• 1st leg - Saturday 31 October 2009
• 2nd leg - Tuesday 10 November 2009

QUARTER FINALS

• To include 8 winning teams from Round 3
• 4 matches - 2 legs (away goal rule in operation)
• 1st leg - Saturday 5 December 2009
• 2nd leg - Tuesday 15 December 2009

SEMI FINALS

• Semi-final 1 - Tuesday 2 February 2010
• Semi-final 2 - Wednesday 3 February 2010

FINAL

• Saturday 27 March 2010
• All other IFA Premiership matches to be re-scheduled.