Cricket: Danske Bank Senior Cup draw

Brigade and Glendermott were the first two names out of the hat with Gareth McKeegan’s men securing home advantage in the Waterside derby. The beaten finalists from the past three seasons will be favourites to progress but the “noisy neighbours” will definitely be looking to upset the odds.

Holders Donemana will also start red hot favourites as they make the short journey to Bonds Glen. It has been a period of transition at the Glen of late but they too can look forward to a big day at the start of may as Richard Kee’s side sets out to secure a fourth consecutive cup success.

And speaking of big days it looks set to be a major event at Foyle College as Newbuildings make their senior cup debut at home to Coleraine. Having just been formed three short years ago Newbuildings won promotion to the Championship in September having won Qualifying 1 for two seasons in a row.This will be the first such tie on the west bank of the Foyle for 35 years as Chris Cooper’s team welcome one of the tournament favourites to their temporary home.

Two more very noteable matches in what was a really good draw sees all Premiership ties between Strabane and Bready as well as St Johnston versus Ardmore.

Both games are certain to be keenly contested with Strabane keen to put a poor cup record behind them. Despite being the most successful team in the title race in the past decade the Red Caps haven’t won the cup in 21 years. Bready on the other hand have won this competition as recently as 2010 and are the current holders of the O’Neill’s Ulster Cup as well. It should be quite a day at the Park for this all- Tyrone clash.

The Saints’ game with Ardmore is difficult to call, especially at the Boathole but this one looks certain to draw a good crowd to the Donegal venue. The two sides met in one of the most closely contested finals of recent times, when St Johnston edged out the Bleachgreen side by just three runs.

Eglinton will start slight favourites at home to Fox Lodge but with Stephen Smyth believed to have left the club and Ross Allen at University in the early weeks of the season this could be a real test for the home side.

The last two ties are all - Championship affairs with Burndennett at home to Killyclooney - two sides who enjoyed excellent summers this year - locking horns in the first of them.

Drummond have fared well in the cup in the last couple of seasons and Stevie Moore’s outfit will fancy their chances of winning at Creevedonnell.

The full Danske Bank first round draw - Brigade v Glendermott; Burndennett v Killyclooney; St Johnston v Ardmore; Strabane v Bready; Newbuildings v Coleraine; Eglinton v Fox Lodge; Bonds Glen v Donemana and Creevedonnell v Drummond.