Cricket: Ulster Cup holders Bready handed tough 2015 draw

Bready Captain David Scanlon receiving the O'Neill's Ulster Cup from Kieran Kennedy, managing director, O'Neill's Sportswear, and Joe Doherty, president, Cricket Ireland. Picture by Lorcan Doherty/Presseye.com

None more so than holders Bready who have a tough away day assignment at two times winners North Down.

The 2013 champions Coleraine have home advantage over Instonians - the most successful side in the competition’s 16 year history with four wins.

There’s an intriguing tie in store at Belmont when Johnny Thompson will come face-to-face with his former team mates as CIYMS host three times winners Brigade.

Newly promoted St Johnston entertain Carrickfergus, while 2009 winners Civil Service North have home advantage over Ardmore, who reached their only final in 2005.

Eglinton play Muckamore, while Lisburn take on Donemana in a repeat of the 2000 final - both sides have won the competition once.

Strabane, 2005 winners take on Waringstown, who have lost the last two finals. The ties are scheduled to be played on May 23rd.

Ulster Cup: Coleraine v Instonians; CIYMS v Brigade; St Johnston v Carrickfergus; CSNI v Ardmore; Eglinton v Muckamore; Lisburn v Donemana; Strabane v Waringstown and North Down v Bready.

Ulster Shield: Downpatrick v Sion Mills; Fox Lodge v Cliftonville; Derriaghy v Killyclooney; Newbuildings v Academy; Holywood v Burndennett; Glendermott v Woodvale; Armagh v Creevedonnell and Bonds Glen v Drumaness.

Ulster Plate: Bready II v Woodvale II; CSNI II v Coleraine II; Strabane II v Waringstown II; N Down II v Donemana II; Bonds Glen II v CIYMS II; Muckamore II v Eglinton II; Brigade II v Instonians II and Lisburn II v Fox Lodge II