Draw pits Shannon against Blackrock in AIB Cup final repeat

CHAMPIONS Shannon will face Shane Byrne’s Blackrock College in the AIB Cup second round in a repeat of last season’s final.

The competition brings together all 48 AIB League clubs from the four provinces. New Ireland head coach Declan Kidney was present to witness the draw throw out some tasty derbies.

In Munster, Highfield have been handed a plum home tie against local Cork rivals Sunday’s Well in the first round while ambitious Limerick club Bruff will face west Cork side Clonakilty at Kilballyowen Park.

Instonians are drawn at home to Rainey Old Boys in a big Ulster derby while a potentially explosive Limerick derby is on the cards in round two should Thomond overcome Wanderers at Donnybrook — Garryowen await the winner.

The pick of round two is unquestionably the rematch between Blackrock and Shannon, while St Mary’s are at home to Cork Con and Buccaneers welcome Clontarf to Dubarry Park. The first round of the competition will be played on the weekend of September 27/28 and the second round on November 1/2.

The winners from round two will be entered into further open draws for round three, the quarter-finals and semi-finals. The final will be played on April 4 in a double header with the final of the AIB Junior Cup. The draw for the AIB Junior Cup will be made at a later date.

AIB Senior Cup (First round): Match A: Instonians v Rainey Old Boys, Match B: Highfield v Sundays Well, Match C: Connemara v Barnhall, Match D: Bruff v Clonakilty, Match E: Malone v Queens, Match F: UCC v Greystones, Match G: Nenagh Ormond v Lansdowne, Match H: Bective Rangers v Galway Corinthians, Match I: Midleton v Old Wesley, Match J: Dublin Univ. v Co Carlow, Match K: Old Crescent v DLSP, Match L: Belfast Harlequins v Banbridge, Match M: Naas v Ballynahinch, Match N: Wanderers v Thomond, Match O: Ards v Suttonians, Match P: Waterpark v Portadown.

Second Round: St Marys v Cork Constitution, Winner O v Winner I, Winner G v Winner C, Winner H v Terenure, Galwegians v Winner B, Winner A v UCD, Dolphin v Winner E, Winner F v Winner P, Young Munster v Winner L, Winner M v Winner J, Winner K v Winner D UL Bohemians v Dungannon, Blackrock v Shannon, Garryowen v Winner N, Old Belvedere v Ballymena, Buccaneers v Clontarf.