Leinster Senior Cup set for revamp with group stages to be introduced

Holders Bohemians are set to face Dundalk, Drogheda United and Malahide United in the group stages of the Leinster Senior Cup.

The historic competition’s traditional fourth round knockout stage will be replaced by a group stage over three weeks in late January to early February. 

And there will be four groups of four teams who will be vying for eight quarter-final berths. 

The top two from each group will reach the last eight with each group winner set to claim a home quarter-final.

And there will be three League of Ireland Premier Division sides facing off against one another in Group A with Leinster Senior League side Malahide United facing a big task to qualify.

But they will play twice at home with fixtures scheduled at Gannon Park against Dundalk and Drogheda.

We have been drawn to face Bohemians (h), Dundalk (a) & Malahide United (a) in Group A of the Leinster Senior Cup Fourth Round.

Group format, top two teams advance to Quarter-Finals.

Dates and times of fixtures TBC. pic.twitter.com/89MtdBrbP8

— Drogheda United F.C. (@DroghedaUnited) December 6, 2023

Bohs are set to play just once at home with away trips in store against Drogheda and Dundalk.

Shamrock Rovers headline Group B with Longford Town, Athlone Town and Maynooth University Town also set to feature.

In Group C, Shelbourne will face First Division pair Wexford and Bray Wanderers, while KIlkenny junior side Evergreen complete the group.

And in Group D, St Patrick’s Athletic are due to play against UCD. Leinster Senior League pair St Mochta’s and Usher Celtic complete the set.

We’ll face Usher Celtic (a), St Mochtas (h) & UCD AFC (a) in this year’s Leinster Senior Cup

The competition is being played under a new group format

All dates, times & venues are TBC

We last won the competition back in 2019, beating Athlone Town in the final at Richmond Park pic.twitter.com/6vTi880iVV

— St Patrick's Athletic FC (@stpatsfc) December 6, 2023

Draw in full:

Group A

(Matchday one default date January 22): Malahide United v Dundalk; Drogheda United v Bohemians.

(Matchday two default date January 29): Bohemians v Malahide United; Dundalk v Drogheda United.

(Matchday three default date February 5): Malahide United v Drogheda United, Dundalk v Bohemians.

Group B:

(Matchday one default date January 22): Maynooth University Town v Athlone Town; Longford Town v Shamrock Rovers.

(Matchday two default date January 29): Shamrock Rovers v Maynooth University Town; Athlone Town v Longford Town.

(Matchday three default date February 5): Maynooth University Town v Longford Town; Athlone Town v Shamrock Rovers.

The draw for the Leinster Senior Cup has been made...

... and we have been drawn in Group B to play

 Longford Town (A)
 Maynooth Town (H)
 Athlone Town (A)

 Group stage format with top two teams advancing to the Quarter Final

 Dates, times & venues TBC pic.twitter.com/7uaW1bFQz9

— Shamrock Rovers FC (@ShamrockRovers) December 6, 2023

Group C:

(Matchday one default date January 22): Evergreen v Bray Wanderers; Wexford v Shelbourne.

(Matchday two default date January 29): Shelbourne v Evergreen; Bray Wanderers v Wexford.

(Matchday three default date February 5): Evergreen v Wexford; Bray Wanderers v Shelbourne.

The LFA Senior Cup Fourth Round draw has been made.

This season it is being played in a group stage format.

We have been drawn in Group C with Evergreen FC (Kilkenny) (away) Wexford FC and Shelbourne (both at home).

The top two will quality for the Quarter Finals. pic.twitter.com/yKC3JCs8GU

— Bray Wanderers FC (@BrayWanderers) December 6, 2023

Group D: 

(Matchday one default date January 22): St Mochta’s v UCD; Usher Celtic v St Patrick’s Athletic.

(Matchday two default date January 29): St Patrick’s Athletic v St Mochta’s; UCD v Usher Celtic. 

(Matchday three default date February 5): St Mochta’s v Usher Celtic; UCD v St Patrick’s Athletic.