New sponsors for League Cup

CIS representative Martin Clarke (left) at the launch

CIS have been unveiled as the new backers of the League Cup.

The insurance firm have agreed to sponsor the revamped competition for an initial three-year period.

Football chiefs have introduced regional groups for this season's competition, hoping to create greater interest through more local derby matches and less travelling.

The four regions are northern, southern, eastern and greater Belfast.

The five teams in each region play each other once and have two home games and two away.

Less confusion

Irish League vice-president Billy McCoubrey also revealed that the League has scrapped its Gold Cup tournament.

"I hope this will mean less confusion about which competitions clubs are playing in," said McCoubrey.

"In the past people have complained that there were too many events during the season.

"The fact that the County Antrim Shield will not overlap will also help."

In the first season, the winners earn £6,000, the beaten finalists £4,000 with the losing semi-finalists receiving £2,000 each.

Glentoran holders

The CIS Insurance Cup kicks-off with the first group of regional games.

The quarter-finals will be on 30 October with the two-legged semi-finals on 13/14 November and 20/21 November.

The final is scheduled for Tuesday 27 November.

CIS, who also back the Scottish League Cup, take over from previous sponsors Coca-Cola.

The League Cup holders are Glentoran who beat Glenavon 1-0 in last season's final with Scott Young getting the goal.

The opening group games for Tuesday 28 August (1930 BST) are - Northern region: Coleraine v Limavady United; Omagh Town v Institute; Ballymena United no match.

Southern region: Armagh City v Newry Town; Portadown v Dungannon Swifts; Glenavon no match.

Eastern region: Ballyclare Comrades v Crusaders; Larne v Carrick Rangers; Cliftonville no match.

Greater Belfast region: Bangor v Linfield; Lisburn Distillery v Glentoran; Ards no match.