In an exciting new departure, Cricket Ireland have announced the details for the Irish National Cup, a competition for first eleven sides who are not entered in the Irish Senior Cup. The LCU have been given eight places in the competition, and these eight places have been given to the top eight sides not entered in the Irish Senior Cup - namely the losers of the two Irish Senior Cup play offs (two of Phoenix, Pembroke, Malahide and Rush), Old Belvedere, Balbriggan, Civil Service, Oakhill, Mullingar and North Kildare.
In the draw, which has matches to be played on the same day as the Bob Kerr Irish Senior Cup (Saturday 12th May), North Kildare will host Holywood (NCU), Mullingar will host Muckamore (NCU), Oakhill will host Eglinton (NW), Old Belvedere will host Killyclooney (NW), Balbriggan will host Cliftonville (NCU), the first of the "non-qualifiers" from the Irish Senior Cup will travel to NCU side Dundrum, whilst the other non-qualifier will travel to play The Nedd (NW). Finally Civil Service will travel to play Ardmore of the NCU
Regulations concerning this competition will be confirmed in the new year.
The draw in full is
Co Kerry vs Carrick-on-Shannon
Co Clare vs Ballaghadereen
Sligo vs Middleton
Galway vs Limerick Raiders
North Kildare vs Hollywood
Mullingar vs Muckamore
Oakhill vs Eglinton
Old Belvedere vs Killyclooney
Cliftonville vs Balbriggan
Downpatrick vs Drummond
Dundrum (NCU) vs loser of Rush/Phoenix
Bangor vs Sion Mills
The Nedd vs loser of Pembroke/Malahide
St Johnston vs Woodvale
Ardmore vs Civil Service (LCU)
Burndennett vs Donacloney