Waringstown have been drawn against Pembroke in the match of the second round of the Bob Kerr Irish Cup, a repeat of 2023’s thrilling Semi-Final battle.
The double boost for the Villagers is that they again have home advantage and the game will be played on Sunday, June 9 when Pembroke’s quintet of Ireland internationals are at the T20 World Cup in the USA.
Graham Hume is set to be Waringstown’s only absentee, although he did score 54 and took three wickets in their seven-run victory last year when Lorcan Tucker was out for a third-ball duck.
There was no luck for the other NCU teams as four of them were paired together with CIYMS hosting Muckamore — the teams meet tonight in the T20 Cup — and Civil Service North at home to Instonians, as they are in the League this Sunday.
North Down, who have not won the Irish Cup since 1995, were drawn away and could face a long trip to Cork if the Munster side beat Balbriggan in their postponed first-round tie.
Brigade, the only North West side to survive the first round after beating Woodvale, have been given a home clash against holders Leinster who, like beaten Finalists Waringstown, received a first-round bye.
Irish Cup draw: Phoenix v Railway Union, Waringstown v Pembroke, Cork County or Balbriggan v North Down, Brigade v Leinster, Merrion v The Hills, CIYMS v Muckamore, Civil Service North v Instonians, Malahide v Clontarf
National Cup draw (Ulster teams): St Johnston v Terenure, Laurelvale v Ballyspallen, Fox Lodge v Templepatrick, Strabane v Derriaghy, The Nedd v Donaghcloney
All games to be played on Sunday, June 9.
Thursday night (6.00pm) – LVS T20 Cup: Cliftonville Academy v North Down, Carrickfergus v Civil Service North, Muckamore v CIYMS
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