Champions County face trip to Bangor

THE draw has been made for the 2009 Bob Kerr Irish Senior Cup, and has thrown up some mouthwatering clashes.

Defending champions North County have been drawn away to NCU side Bangor, while beaten finalists Donemana are also on their travels, facing a difficult encounter at Malahide.

Instonians and North Down face tricky challenges at The Hills and Rush respectively, while Glendermott won’t be relishing a trip to a very strong Railway Union.

Newly-promoted Coleraine and Ballymena are also on the road, with Coleraine away at Lisburn, while Ballymena face a Dublin date with last year’s beaten semi-finalists Merrion.

Some 35 teams will take part in the 2009 competition, with 6 teams in action in the first round, which gets under way on April 25.

Munster have two representatives in the revamped format, namely Cork County who have home advantage over YMCA, and Cork Harlequins, who will travel to the winners of the tie between Killymallaght and Pembroke.

Mrs Hope Kerr said of the draw: “As Bob Kerr’s wife, I welcome in particular the fact that this year, for the first time for several years, two teams from Munster are being entered. I wish all the teams well.”

Bob Kerr Irish Senior Cup Draw:

Round 1 (To be played April 25, reserve date May 1):

Old Belvedere v Woodvale; Cork County v YMCA; Killymallaght v Pembroke.

Round 2 (To be played May 9; reserve date June 5):

The Hills v Instonians; Rush v North Down; Malahide v Donemana; Railway Union v Glendermott; Merrion v Ballymena; Carrickfergus v Clontarf; Bangor v North County; CSNI v Phoenix; CIYMS v Eglinton; Lisburn v Coleraine; Bready v Waringstown; Brigade v Old Belvedere or Woodvale; Fox Lodge v Leinster; Strabane v Cork County or YMCA; Limavady v CYM; Killymallaght or Pembroke v Cork Harlequins.