Dergview and Strabane opponents confirmed for BetMcLean Cup

THE draw for the First Round of the 2025/26 BetMcLean Cup has been made with Strabane Athletic to make its debut with an away fixture to Premiership outfit, Loughall.

Elsewhere, Dergview have been handed home advantage against

Following the signing of a three-year extension with leading local bookmakers BetMcLean - the most lucrative sponsorship deal in the history of the competition - it was announced that the winner of this season's edition will go straight into the newly rebranded BetMcLean European playoff final at the end of the league campaign therefore putting a much sought after European spot just one game away.

And that journey has already started, with six clubs coming through the Preliminary Round last month to join the current 24 Premiership and Championship clubs plus Dollingstown and Strabane Athletic who both received byes in the last round.

The seeded Round One draw seen the current twelve Premiership clubs and the top four ranked Championship clubs from last season take their place in the seeded pot, with the remaining Championship clubs (x8), Preliminary Round winners (x6) and two Premier Intermediate League clubs that received a bye in the unseeded pot.

Holders Cliftonville begin the defence of the trophy at home to Coagh United while Glentoran, runners-up last season, travel to the Brandywell to take on Institute.

Elsewhere, there's an intriguing East Belfast derby in store as H&W Welders welcome Dundela to the Blanchflower Stadium with Strabane Athletic, making their debut in the competition, travelling to Lakeview Park to face Loughgall.

The full draw:

Ards v Dungannon Swifts (to be played Wednesday, October 8)

Armagh City v Carrick Rangers

Ballymena United v Ballinamallard United

Bangor v Lisburn Distillery

Cliftonville v Coagh United

Crusaders v Ballymacash Rangers

Dergview v Larne

Dollingstown v Coleraine

H&W Welders v Dundela

Institute v Glentoran

Linfield v Queen's University

Loughgall v Strabane Athletic

Moyola Park v Annagh United

Newington v Limavady United

Newry City v Portadown

Warrenpoint Town v Glenavon

Ties will be played on Tuesday, October 7 unless stated, with all games played to a finish.