The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Irish teams now put added fizz into Irn-Bru Cup
Bray Wanderers and Sligo Rovers will be cup rivals to holders Dundee United
Dundee United will defend the Irn-Bru Cup with two new rivals added to the mix.
Ray McKinnon’s men lifted the trophy after a 2-1 win over St Mirren at Fir Park in late March – and now their plans to retain the trophy will face an even tougher challenge with League of Ireland sides being entered into the competition next season.
The SPFL announced the further expansion of the competition at Hampden yesterday with the introduction of Bray Wanderers and Sligo Rovers being sapproved by Uefa.
The pair, League of Ireland’s highestranked non-European participants in 2016, will compete for the cup along with Northern Irish and Welsh teams Crusaders, Linfield, The New Saints – who reached the semi-finals last season before losing 4-1 to St Mirren – and Gap Connah’s Quay at the second round stage.
Clubs from the Highland and Lowland Leagues and all Ladbrokes Premiership under-20 colt teams will again take part.
Last season’s new format and new participants also led to a new sponsor with Irn-Bru showing its continued support for Scottish football with a threeyear sponsorship.
SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster said: “We are thrilled to be working with our friends at the League of Ireland and offer both Bray Wanderers and Sligo Rovers a warm welcome to theIrn-Bru Cup following a very successful first year under the new format.
“Scottish football is leading the way with innovation around cross-border football which is likely to be a key part of the footballing landscape in the coming years.
“We developed strong and positive relationships with our counterparts in Northern Ireland and Wales last season, alongside our sponsor Irn-Bru, and look forward to doing the same with the League of Ireland, Bray Wanderers and Sligo Rovers in 2017/18.”
FAI director of competitions Fran Gavin added: “The Football Association of Ireland were delighted to receive the invitation for two SSE Airtricity Premier Division teams to participate in the cup.
“I know both Sligo Rovers and Bray Wanderers are relishing the opportunity to play against new opposition and will be looking to advance as far as possible in the competition.
“Both clubs have full-time professional squads and have a reputation for playing an exciting brand of football which we hope will enhance the cup.
The Scottish Challenge Cup was established in 1990 to mark the Scottish Football League’s centenary and has been run every year since with the exception of 1998/99.
The first round draw will take place on Tuesday June 27.