Linfield will host Dundalk on St Valentine’s Day as part of the opening set of Setanta Sports Cup 2011 fixtures.
The sides’ first meeting since their European clash in 1979 is one of two first leg games set for February 14, with Sporting Fingal playing Lisburn Distillery on the same evening.
A week later, reigning Champions Bohemians face Portadown in their opener at Dalymount Park, while fellow Dublin outfit St Patrick’s Athletic will travel north to Cliftonville before the second leg ties begin on February 28.
Shamrock Rovers, Sligo Rovers, Crusaders and Glentoran have received byes into the quarter-finals.
“I’m looking forward to the competition starting again,” said Milo Corcoran, Setanta Sports Cup chairman.
“With the changes to the format and the extension of the tournament to six clubs from each jurisdiction, it promises to produce some very exciting games.
“There’ll be a lot of interest in the visit of Dundalk to Linfield on opening night. It’s a tie that should whet the appetite of all football fans from north and south of the island.”
Setanta Sports Cup fixtures - all matches kick-off at 7.45 pm:
Monday, February 14 – First Leg
Linfield v Dundalk; Sporting Fingal v Lisburn Distillery
Monday, February 21 – First Leg
Bohemians v Portadown; Cliftonville v St. Patrick’s Athletic
Monday, February 28 – Second Leg
Dundalk v Linfield; Lisburn Distillery v Sporting Fingal
Tuesday, March 1 – Second Leg
Portadown v Bohemians; St. Patrick’s Athletic v Cliftonville