Donemana kick off quest for Senior Cup glory against Dublin side Merrion

NORTH West double winners Donemana have the plum draw in the first round of next year’s Irish Senior Cup when Merrion visit the Holm.

The Ballsbridge side, who could have Ed Joyce in their line-up four days after Ireland’s Test match against Pakistan is scheduled to end, have played in four of the last seven finals since Donemana reached back-to-back deciders in 2008 and 2009.

Merrion were knocked out last year at the quarter-final stage by Waringstown who, as holders again, get a first round bye next year, along with the other three semi-finalists.

Two of the matches are repeats of games at the same stage this year, with CIYMS having home advantage in their bid to gain revenge against North County, while North Down will be hoping to win for a second successive year at Fox Lodge.

The National Cup draw was also made yesterday with relegated Lisburn’s first match a visit to Bond’s Glen.

Irish Cup first round: Armagh v Balbriggan, CIYMS v North County, Carrickfergus v Coleraine, Donemana v Merrion, Eglinton v Leinster, Bready v Civil Service North, Fox Lodge v North Down, YMCA v Cork Harlequins, Malahide v Muckamore, Clontarf v Brigade, Phoenix v Ardmore, Cork County v Strabane. Byes: Waringstown, Instonians, The Hills, Pembroke. Games to be played on Saturday May 19

National Cup first round draw:

Cregagh v Newbuildings, Holywood v Sion Mills, Templepatrick v Terenure, Laurelvale v DLR County, Bonds Glen v Lisburn, Drummond v Derriaghy, St Johnston v North Kildare, Laois v Killyclooney, Railway Union v Burndennett, Rush v Cliftonville Academy, Midleton v Knockharley Limerick v Longford, Co Kerry v Ballaghaderreen. Byes: Glendermott, Ballyspallen, Co Galway