The1997–98 Irish League Cup (known as theWilkinson Sword League Cup for sponsorship reasons) was the 12th edition of theIrish League Cup,Northern Ireland's secondaryfootball knock-out cup competition. It concluded on 9 September 1997 with the final.
Crusaders were the defending champions after their first League Cup win last season; a 1–0 victory overGlentoran in the previous final. This season they went out in the quarter-finals to eventual winnersLinfield, who lifted their fourth League Cup with a 1–0 victory over arch-rivalsGlentoran in the final, condemning the Glens to their second successive League Cup final defeat.[1][2]
This was the last competition to feature clubs from theIrish League B Division. From the following season onwards, the competition would only be open to senior clubs in the top two divisions.
