Tricky draw for Leinster sides in 2018 Bob Kerr Irish Senior Cup

Leinster sides have received some tricky matches in the draw for the 2018 Bob Kerr Irish Senior Cup made today at Cricket Ireland's Board meeting.

The format of the competition has stayed the same as in 2017, with ten teams from Cricket Leinster, eight each from the NCU and North West and two from Munster. As with 2017, the four semi finalists from the previous year (Waringstown, The Hills, Pembroke and Instonians) receive a bye into the second round.

The draw guarantees four home ties for Leinster in the first round, and the lucky clubs were YMCA, Malahide, Clontarf and Phoenix.

Clontarf (ranked 2nd on the island) will have to rid themselves of memories of 2017. Top North West side Donemana travelled to Castle Avenue last May, when a brilliant Gary McClintock hundred dumped Tarf out of the competition. This year they are again at home, and again will face one of the North West's top sides, with Brigade (ranked 8th) being the visitors in 2018.

Malahide (27th) have an intriguing draw, returning to the Irish Senior Cup after competing in (and winning) the National Cup in 2017. They will host NCU side Muckamore (18th) and will have to be at the top of their game. At this stage of the year, it is far too early to start predicting matches, and both teams could well be much changed from 2017.

YMCA (6th) have perhaps the easiest tie in the round, drawing the second Munster qualifier Cork Harlequins (unranked), This will be Harlequins seventh Irish Senior Cup match since 2003, and they have yet to be on the winning side.

The final home draw for a Leinster club sees Phoenix (16th) play Ardmore (21st) from the North West. Phoenix are on a good run against North West sides, having won their last four matches, beating St Johnston (2016), Brigade (2014), Eglinton (2013) and Glendermott (2011), with all matches being in Phoenix.

The 2016 champions Merrion (5th) have perhaps the hardest draw of all, travelling to the 2000 winners, Donemana (9th). It is a repeat of the 2012 semi final, which Merrion won by 4 wickets thanks to 4-19 from Dom Joyce and 74* by Rory Allwright. Merrion's record in the North West is excellent, and they have not lost since losing to Limavady in 2009.

Balbriggan (25th) will fancy causing an upset away to NCU Premier League newcomers Armagh (31st). In their first ever season in the Irish Senior Cup, Balbriggan surprised many by getting to the quarter finals, doing it the hard way by beating Drummond and Lisburn away. The bowed out of the competition by losing away to eventual runners-up The Hills, and so will be playing their first four matches in the Irish Senior Cup away from home.

North County (10th) travel to CIYMS (7th) in another match that looks much too close to call. CIYMS are a comparative new boy in the premier cup competition, making their debut in 2008, getting to the quarter final in 2009, 2016 and 2017. Their record against Leinster clubs has been improving and they have now won four of their five matches. Famously these two met in the first round last year, when 64* from CIYMS skipper Nigel Jones guided the NCU side home.

The final tie sees league champions Leinster (14th) travel to Eglinton (19th) of the North West. Eglinton have lost their last ten matches in the Irish Senior Cup against Leinster opposition, but on the plus side haven't played Leinster in living memory. Leinster's trips to the North West have been few and far between, losing to Brigade last year, and that trip before that beating Bonds Glen in 2011. The only Eglinton connection would be Hendy Wallace, who played for both clubs with distinction and who arranged a training session for Leinster in Eglinton, the day before an Irish Senior Cup match against Bready in 2003. Although Eglinton were excellent hosts, normal service resumed the following day, with rain descending across the North West meaning Bready had to travel to Dublin the following week.

The first round matches will be held on Saturday 9th May, with the reserve date at the opposite venue on Sunday 27th May.