LINFIELD and Dundalk will face each other for the first time in a competitive game since their eventful European Cup clashes in 1979 after the two clubs were drawn against each other in the first round of next year’s Setanta Sports Cup, reports Emmet Malone.

“It’s going to be difficult but we’re thrilled because in these cup competitions you want to play the big teams,” said Dundalk manager Ian Foster after the draw.

Disturbances around the first leg of the European tie in Dundalk prompted Uefa to switch the second leg to the Netherlands where Dundalk progressed in the end.

The draw for both the first round and quarter-finals was made yesterday and the final has also been provisionally set for Windsor Park on May 14th.

First round: Linfield v Dundalk (M1), Bohemians v Portadown (M2), Cliftonville v St Patrick’s Athletic (M3), Sporting Fingal v Lisburn Distillery (M4).
First legs to be played on February 14th and 21st, second on Feb 28th and March 1st.

Quarter-finals (Provisional): Glentoran v Winners M1, Sligo Rovers v Winners M2, Winners M3 v Crusaders, Winners M4 v v Shamrock Rovers.
First legs to be played on March 7th and 14th, second on March 21st and 22nd.

Next Fixture

Waterford / April 19th @ 7:45pm
Competition: League
Venue: Richmond Park
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Team	Pld	Pts
Shelbourne	10	21
Derry City	10	16
Shamrock Rovers	9	15
St Patrick's Athletic	10	14
Bohemian FC	9	13
Sligo Rovers	9	12
Waterford FC	10	12
Galway United FC	9	11
Drogheda United	9	8
Dundalk	9	4