Harp Lager are to invest £500,000 in the FAI Cup over the next four years in an enhanced sponsorship deal which will also encompass the FAI Intermediate Cup.

Under the terms of an agreement announced yesterday, they will also be involved with the FAI in their programme for the European Championship in 2000 and the 2002 World Cup. It represents the biggest sponsorship in the history of the FAI Cup and extends a partnership which was inaugurated in 1989.

Under the revised format of this season's competition, the four clubs reaching the semi-finals of the FAI Junior Cup will automatically qualify for the first round of the senior competition. They will be joined by 16 intermediate clubs, an increase of six on last season.