League of Ireland clubs to enter Irn Bru Cup

The New Saints and Connah’s Quay Nomads may have the chance to test themselves against Irish Premier Division clubs in next season’s Irn Bru Cup. 

The competition first came to Welsh football’s attention in the summer of 2016, when champions TNS and runners up Bala Town were invited to compete in it for the first time.

The Irn Bru Cup is a renewed format of the Scottish Challenge Cup, involving WPL teams, Scottish Football League teams, Northern Ireland Premiership teams and U21 sides from the Scottish Premier League.

Now, Bray Wanderers and Sligo Rovers will enter the competition as the highest non-European competitors in the Irish Premier Divison.

The New Saints enjoyed a good run in the 16/17 Irn Bru Cup, reaching the semi finals where they were beaten by St Mirren, who went on to lose the final against Dundee Utd.

Bala Town and The New Saints were entered into the fourth round last season, but this time round TNS and Nomads have an earlier start in round two.

The second round draw takes place on 27 June.