LOI teams gear up for inaugural All-Island Cup

The 11 SSE Airtricity Women's Premier Division teams are gearing up for the first ever Avenir Sports Women's All-Island Cup after the draw was made at FAI headquarters on Thursday.

To aid the Republic of Ireland's preparations for the World Cup, this season's Premier Division season has been structured to allow for a period where no league games take place.

A new all-island competition will be played during that scheduled break to ensure that women's domestic football continues in some capacity.

The competition is made up of the 11 teams from the LOI and five from the Northern Ireland Football League.

Shelbourne have been paired with Athlone Town, Galway United and Linfield in Group A, while SportsDirect Women's Premiership winners Cliftonville will come up against Bohemians, Derry City and Sligo Rovers.

In the other groups, Glentoran take on Peamount United, Shamrock Rovers and Wexford Youths, with Cork City facing off against Crusaders, DLR Waves and Treaty United.

The group games will take place on 18 June, 25 June and 2 July. The top teams in each group will progress to the semi-finals, which will be played on 9 July, before the last two compete for the silverware in the final on 16 July, four days before the Girls in Green kick off their World Cup against co-hosts Australia in Sydney.

Avenir Sports All-Island Cup Group A: Athlone Town, Galway United, Linfield, ShelbourneGroup B: Glentoran, Peamount United, Shamrock Rovers, Wexford YouthsGroup C: Bohemians, Cliftonville, Derry City, Sligo RoversGroup D: Cork City, Crusaders, DLR Waves, Treaty United