Portrush and Douglas loom large in Senior Cup shake-up

Competition specialists Royal Portrush and Douglas have again qualified for the final stages of the AIG Irish Ladies Senior Cup at Mount Wolseley, Carlow on Friday and Saturday.

Portrush have captured the title 26 times: their first success came in 1930 and their most recent was at Portumna 12 months ago. And a side backboned by Victoria Bradshaw, Helen Jones, Lucy Simpson, Gemma McClenaghan and Naomi Quigg, are fancied to retain their crown this weekend. Portrush meet Leinster runners-up Elm Park in the first quarter-final on Friday, with the winners facing Co Sligo or Killarney in the afternoon.

Douglas were Munster runners-up, having lost to Killarney in the provincial decider in May. On that occasion, Killarney edged through when Caitriona Griffin defeated Eavan Higgins at the second tie hole. Griffin will again be a central part of the Killarney challenge, with Ailish Mulcahy, Valerie Clancy, Mairead Martin and Claire Keating completing the quintet.