Twenty four clubs participated in this year's competition. The twelvePremier Division and tenFirst Division clubs were joined by Kildrum Tigers, the 2007Ulster Senior League champions, and theKerry District League representative side. For both the First and Second rounds of the competition, all participating clubs were split into four regional pools with the further rounds of the competition having an open draw.
The 2008 eircom League of Ireland Cup officially kicked off on the Bank Holiday weekend of Monday, 24 March 2008 when 14 eircom league clubs were joined by Kildrum Tigers and Kerry in the First Round.Bohemians,Cork City,Drogheda United andSt. Patrick's Athletic all received a bye into the Second Round of the competition due to their future participation in European competitions. Four more clubs received a bye into the Second Round as a result of an open draw:Derry City,Finn Harps,Limerick 37 andUCD.
The competition ran until late September, with the final taking place on Saturday, 27 September 2008 atFerrycarrig Park.[1] whereDerry City delivered a spectacular performance to defeat hostsWexford Youths 6–1.[2]
72' (pen.)