The Eircom League Cup kicks off tonight - but as usual the league officials are trying to confuse the ordinary peasant by adding non-league teams to the competition!

The mix of 22 league and four non-league clubs throws up some interesting ties, most especially in Group 7 where Rockmount face Cork City, Cobh Ramblers and Waterford United.

The Munster Senior League side beat all three in last year's competition and will go into the League Cup in confident mood. All the games in the Group are as close as you get to derbies and, as everybody knows, anything can happen in derby games.

The competition kicks off tonight with four group games. Monaghan United and Shamrock Rovers clash at Tolka Park in Group 1 which also includes Bray Wanderers. Rovers expect Jason Sherlock to return to the fold but as yet they are unsure of his availability.

Group 5 also starts tonight with Longford Town v Athlone Town up for decision at Strokestown Road. This will be a battle royal as both teams are off to a great start to the new season.

Kilkenny are the final team in the group but they don't play until Saturday when they face Longford at Buckley Park.

Mervue United get the chance to cause the first major upset tonight as the Connacht team take on first-division Limerick in the first Group 6 fixture at Mervue tonight.

There is also another appetising tie for Mervue in the group as the Galway City club face premier-division Galway United in their second game early next week.

The final game tonight sees Finn Harps travel to the Showgrounds to take on Sligo Rovers in Group 8, which also includes Derry City and Swilly Rovers.

Sligo are after finding their feet in the first division after a shaky start and will prove a huge test for a struggling Finn Harps side.