Paul O'Hehir
Thu, Dec 07, 2006
Holders Drogheda United face an almighty task if they are to retain their Setanta Sports Cup trophy next season.
Paul Doolin's side have been drawn in the 'group of death' alongside FAI Cup winners Derry City and Belfast pair Linfield and Glentoran.
Having found themselves in a rather more straightforward pot last season, the club have it all to do when competition gets under way in February but Doolin is adamant his player's won't be phased.
"Of course it's going to be tough," he said, "but these are great games and you wouldn't expect anything less playing in this competition.
"You have to accept what you're given. But look, we're not a bad side either though and we'd certainly like to go further defending this trophy than we did the FAI Cup."
Like Drogheda, Linfield know what it takes to win the trophy having claimed the silverware in 2005, beating Shelbourne in the final at Tolka Park.
Manager David Jeffrey is relishing the contest ahead. "You look at that fixture list and you'd wonder how Setanta will pick which games to televise live, they're all that good," he said.
"It's a daunting group we're in but we'll relish it. We were drawn in the 'group of death' last year but topped the group. But, as was pointed out, even doing that didn't get us into final. It's fierce competitive.
"I'm pleased we've managed to avoid the long trip to Cork though. None of our group games are further than two hours away which is a great thing from a logistical point of view but it's also good for our supporters."
Pat Fenlon's former club Shelbourne are paired in Group 2 alongside domestic league rivals Cork City and Irish League pair Portadown and Dungannon Swifts. Shelbourne open with a home tie against Portadown while Damien Richardson's Cork travel North to Stangmore Park.
Setanta Sports Cup 2007
February 26th Group 1: Glentoran v Derry City, Drogheda United v Linfield Gropp 2: Dungannon Swifts v Cork City, Shelbourne v Portadown
March 5thGroup 1: Linfield v Glentoran Group 2: Portadown v Dungannon Swifts
March 12th Group 1: Derry City v Drogheda United Group 2: Cork City v Shelbourne
March 19thGroup 1: Glentoran v Drogheda United, Derry City v Linfield
March 20th Group 2: Dungannon Swifts v Shelbourne, Cork City v Portadown
March 26thGroup 1: Linfield v Derry City, Drogheda United v Glentoran Group 2: Shelbourne v Dungannon Swifts, Portadown v Cork City
April 2nd Group 1: Derry City v Glentoran, Linfield v Drogheda United Group 2: Shelbourne v Cork City, Dungannon Swifts v Portadown
April 16thGroup 2: Cork City v Dungannon Swifts, Portadown v Shelbourne
April 17th Group 1: Drogheda United v Derry City, Glentoran v Linfield
April 23rdSemi-final (Winner Gp2 v Runner-up Gp1)
April 30thSemi-final (Winner Gp1 v Runner-up Gp2)
May 12thFinal
© 2006 The Irish Times