Big sides kept apart in quarter-final draw
It comes as the League Cup gets a rebrand
The big guns still remaining in the League Cup have avoided each other in the quarter-final draw.
Last season's winners Cliftonville will meet Newry City at Solitude, while runners-up Coleraine host Dungannon Swifts.
Linfield and Glentoran both meet Championship opposition, with Mick McDermott's side taking on league leaders Loughgall at Lakeview Park, while reigning Premiership champions Linfield welcome Annagh United to Windsor Park.
The semi-final draw could see a repeat of last season's final with the winners of Cliftonville v Newry City at home to either Coleraine or Dungannon. The other last four tie has the potential to see a Glentoran v Linfield clash at The Oval.
It comes as the NI Football League announce the rebrand of the BetMcLean Cup and a further extension to the long running sponsorship.
Formerly the BetMcLean League Cup, the competition will now exclusively be named the BetMcLean Cup with immediate effect.
The partnership between BetMcLean and the NI Football League was originally launched in 2017 and the extension of the existing deal will now take both parties up to the end of the 2024/2025 season, marking a total of eight seasons working in successful collaboration.
Gerard Lawlor, NIFL Chief Executive, said: “We are always continuing to push the BetMcLean Cup competition to new heights and the success of last year’s final is only the beginning. We’re delighted that BetMcLean have continued to back that vision with an extension to their sponsorship.”
Paul McLean, BetMcLean said: “The extension of the sponsorship continues to be a key part of our business and we are proud of the how far the BetMcLean Cup has grown in recent years. Our commitment is to help NIFL grow the competition and we look forward to seeing that come to life!”
The 2022 final of the BetMcLean Cup was the highest attended domestic match in Northern Ireland last season as 11,103 fans enjoyed a spectacular occasion at the National Stadium, as Cliftonville emerged victorious in extra time against Coleraine.
Quarter-final Draw
Cliftonville v Newry City
Coleraine v Dungannon Swifts
Linfield v Annagh United
Loughgall v Glentoran
Ties to be played on Tuesday November 1
Semi-Final Draw
Cliftonville or Newry City v Coleraine or Dungannon Swifts
Loughgall or Glentoran v Linfield or Annagh United
Ties to be played on Tuesday December 6 and Wednesday December 7.