The draws for the 2016 Bob Kerr Irish Senior Cup and the National Cup have thrown up the normal mix of intriguing ties, and has left all the provinces thinking they have tough draws, with Leinster being no exception
Bob Kerr Irish Senior Cup
Railway Union (ranked 18 in our rankings) travel to Cork County (22), where they won in the league last year. After Railway's near miraculous Division 1 escape act last season, it is difficult to know which Railway will turn up in The Mardyke next May, but they should start as favourites. The last time these two met in the Irish Senior Cup was in 2007 (in Park Avenue), when 50s from Kenny Carroll, Trent Johnston and Kevin O'Brien set up a big Railway win.
Malahide (17) face a tricky trip to Strabane (16) - a match that will see the North West team start as narrow favourites. Malahide got to the quarter finals last year before losing to Pembroke, and will be looking for another cup run to make up for the relegation disappointments of 2015. The two teams last met in 2003 when a Damian Ryan inspired Malahide won by 1 wicket off the last ball of the match, as Phil Markey and Pete Saville added 15 runs for the last wicket.
Merrion (3) have a tough trip away to Coleraine (11) - the North West's top side. Merrion have been phenomenal over the last five seasons, winning the title in 2010, and being losing finalists in 2012, 2013 and of course last year. The sides last met in 2013, in a match that will be forever remembered for an astonishing John Anderson innings. Anderson hit 106 from only 49 balls, as Merrion piled up a massive 239 in a rain reduced 25 over match. Coleraine eventually lost by 99 runs.
In what may be the tie of the round, Leinster's top club Clontarf (2) travel to play Instonians (5). The two haven't met before in competitive cricket, and it promises to be a cracker.
Another humdinger awaits YMCA (4) who start another season in their hunt for the one trophy missing from the trophy cabinet. They travel up the M1 to the NCU's third ranked club, North Down (6). The teams haven't met since the 1989 quarter final, when North Down won by 8 wickets.
The Hills (10) host Civil Service North (8) in a repeat of the 2013 quarter final, which CSN won by 8 wickets in Stormont. Nigel Jones was instrumental in that victory, taking 3-17 before dominating the chase with 80*.
Pembroke (7) will be buoyed by the strong finish to the 2015 season. which saw them surge up the league table, and get to the semi finals of this competition. They will start as favourites against a Lisburn (25) side that has slipped in recent years, their last decent run in the Irish Senior Cup being a quarter final back in 2009. The teams last met in the 2011 first round, when Rohit Bahl scored 65, as Pembroke 232-9, before Stephen Moreton took 4-46 to see Pembroke to a 50 run win.
Leinster (23) will welcome Fox Lodge (26) back to Observatory Lane, in a fixture that is becoming a regular part of the calendar. Leinster beat Fox Lodge in 2009 on their way to the trophy, but Fox Lodge have won the last two encounters in 2010 and 2014. Both teams narrowly missed out on promotion to the top flight last year, and a close one is in prospect.
North County (9) will host Ardmore (21) in Inch. Their 2014 match was rained off, before Ardmore won the refix by 11 runs. North County are still the most prolific Irish Senior Cup winners (with five titles), but will be looking to add another one, with Waringstown now biting at their heels with their fourth title in 2015.
In the final match, the first winners of the Irish Senior Cup from the Republic of Ireland, Phoenix (in 1986) are drawn at home to the second winners from the Republic, St Johnston (in 1987). Phoenix (28) will be slight favourites over St Johnston (32), although there is not too much history to go on as the pair have never met in the previous 34 editions of this famous competition.
Full Irish Senior Cup draw
Cork County v Railway Union
Strabane v Malahide
Coleraine v Merrion
Drummond v Carrickfergus
Brigade v CIYMS
Donemana v Derriaghy
Instonians v Clontarf
North Down v YMCA
Muckamore v Eglinton
Waringstown (holders) v Bready
The Hills v CSNI
Pembroke v Lisburn
Leinster v Fox Lodge
North County v Ardmore
Phoenix v St Johnston
Bye: Co Galway
National Cup
Greystones (currently unranked) made two trips to the North West (along with a trip to Belfast) during last year's first run in the National Cup, and they performed brilliantly, losing to eventual winners Rush in the semi final. They now travel to Ballyspallen (currently unranked), who last year finished second in Qualifying 1, the third tier of cricket in the North West. Based on their results last year, Greystones should travel with confidence.
Creevedonnell (51) experienced massive disappointment last season when they were relegated from the North West Championship to Qualifying 1. They lost to Dundrum heavily in last year's National Cup, and that gives a good guide as to the chances of Civil Service (currently unranked) who travel to the North West in the draw. Civil Service got to the semi finals in 2012, but have been less successful in the following three seasons, and will be keen for a good run in 2016.
Dundrum have an excellent record in this competition, getting to the quarter final, and two semi finals. They have a tough draw this year though, travelling to Bangor (40), who were a top 15 club back in 2004-2005. Bangor were well beaten in Connacht by Ballaghaderreen last year, but will be a tough proposition on their own turf, the excellent Upritchard Park.
Terenure (35) venture into the unknown, with a trip to The Mall in Armagh (currently unranked). Both teams enter the National Cup for the first time, but Terenure's quality should see them through. Armagh had an excellent 2015, winning 15 of their 18 natches in the third tier of NCU cricket, and their challenge should not be discounted.
North West side Killyclooney (47) had an excellent run to the 2014 final, but came up against Downpatrick in last year's first round. Balbriggan (36) have had a similar National Cup experience, getting to the 2012 final, but losing in bowl outs in 2013, 2014 and then losing to Cliftonville in last year's first round. Killyclooney finished in 7th spot in the Championship last year, and should be underdogs going into this game.
2016 will be a big year for North Kildare (currently unranked), as they take their place in Division 2 in the Leinster league for the first time. Their record in the National Cup has not been great, and they have a tough draw against Bonds Glen (46). Two defeats on the pitch, and two bowl out defeats are all the club has to show for their efforts, and they face a BGs side who have been decent in the past (breaking into our top 30 in 2010). Last year saw them finish mid table in the Championship, and North Kildare will have another test on their hands.
Laois (currently unranked) play Saintfield (currently unranked) in a clash of tier 3 clubs. It should be another tough one to call, with Saintfield playing in the National Cup for the first time. However, Laois reached the quarter finals in both 2014 and 2015, and with a home draw, they will present a formidable challenge for Saintfield.
Saving the best until last, current National Cup champions Rush (33) host Downpatrick (31), the topped ranked clubs in this competition from Leinster and the NCU respectively. League form suggests a close encounter, with both teams finishing mid table in the second tier last year. The clubs have not met since the 2005 Irish Senior Cup, when Naseer Shoukat took 4-29 and Fintan McAllister scored 71 as Rush won by 6 wickets. It should be a great match.
National Cup Round One
Cork Harlequins v Ballaghaderreen
Co. Sligo v Limerick
Glendermott v Lurgan
Burndennett v Woodvale
Ballyspallen v Greystones
Creevedonnell v Civil Service (LCU)
Cliftonville v Sion Mills
Academy v Newbuildings
Bangor v Dundrum (LCU)
Armagh v Terenure
Balbriggan v Killyclooney
North Kildare v Bonds Glen
Laois v Saintfield
Rush v Downpatrick
Byes: Co.Kerry, Midleton
The dates for each round will be as follows:
Round 1 – Saturday 7th May (replay date Sunday 22nd May)
Round 2 – Sunday 29th May (replay date Sunday 19th June)
Qtr-Finals – Sunday 10th July (replay date Sunday 17th July)
Semi-Finals – Saturday 13th August (replay date Sunday 21st August)
Irish Senior Cup Final – Saturday 27th August (replay date Sunday 11th September)
National Cup Final – Sunday 28th August (replay date Sunday 11th September)