Irish League clubs Linfield and Cliftonville have announced that they will not be taking up their invitations to compete in next year's Setanta Sports Cup.

The clubs have cited the scheduling of the competition during the closing stages of their league as well as the reduced prize fund as the main reasons behind their decisions.

Despite the high-profile withdrawal of the two clubs, the tournament organisers say they are committed to continuing the competition with the draw for next year's tournament due to take place this Wednesday.

Linfield have previously appeared in every edition of the Setanta Sports Cup winning the debut competition in 2005.

Linfield's Brian McCaul and Shamrock Rovers' Conor McCormack in the 2013 Setanta Sports Cup quarter-finals ©INPHO/Presseye/Brian Little