League of Ireland Shelbourne qualified by winning the
2004 League of Ireland Premier Division title. Longford Town qualified by winning the
2004 FAI Cup Final.
Cork City took the third spot by finishing second in the 2004 League of Ireland Premier Division.
Irish League Linfield qualified by winning the
2003–04 Irish Premier League. Glentoran qualified by winning the 2003–04
Irish Cup. The third spot went to
Portadown for finishing second in the 2003–04 Irish Premier League. Following a draw (in which league winners were kept apart), the teams were placed as follows; •
Group 1; Linfield, Longford Town, Glentoran •
Group 2; Shelbourne, Portadown, Cork City ==Group stage==