New competition to see League of Ireland champs play NI Premiership winners
The winners of the League of Ireland are set to play the winners of the Northern Irish Premiership in a new cross-border competition.
The two-legged final was announced today at the launch of the new SSE Airtricity League season.
The game, which will be played at the end of the upcoming 2019 season, will see the Champions of the SSE Airtricity League and the Champions of the Danske Bank Northern Irish Premiership go head-to-head.
Speaking at the launch, FAI Director of Competitions Fran Gavin said he expects the new season to be "one of the most intriguing seasons to date."
On the new final, Mr Gavin said: "That intrigue will be significantly enhanced by the introduction of a new cross-border competition which will see the Champions of the SSE Airtricity League and the Champions of the Northern Irish Premiership face each other.
"We've seen some fantastic spectacles and occasions from cross-border competitions like the Setanta Sports Cup in the past and we're delighted to work with the IFA in reintroducing it to the domestic football calendar."
The League of Ireland campaign kicks off this weekend with reigning champions Dundalk beginning their title defence against Sligo.
Dundalk have already picked up the first piece of silverware of the new season,
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In the Northern Ireland Premiership, which will finish in May, Linfield have a six-point lead at the top of the table.
