Waringstown begin Senior Cup defence against Bready

The Mid-Ulster side won the competition for the fourth time in their illustrious history with a 107-run triumph over Merrion this summer, and will again be one of the favourites for the premier cup competition in Irish cricket.

They will however be wary of a dangerous Bready side - runners-up in their only final appearance in 1995 - who did beat Lee Nelson’s side in the 2014 O’Neills Ulster Cup final.

Beaten finalists Merrion face a tricky away trip to NW league champions Coleraine, while Cork County will host 2006 winners Railway Union at The Mardyke.

1998 winners Strabane play host to 2002 victors Malahide, while also in the NW Drummond entertain Carrickfergus.

Two-times winners Brigade (1996 and 1999) take on NCU Challenge Cup winners CIYMS in a tie which will see former players Chris Dougherty, Johnny Thompson and Trevor Britton returning to Beechgrove.

Donemana, who tasted their sole success in 2000, have home advantage over Derriaghy.

Instonians - beaten finalists in 2011 - face 2013 winners Clontarf at Shaw’s Bridge, while North Down, who won the last of their three trophies back in 1995 meet YMCA at Comber. Finally in the NCU area, Muckamore are home to Eglinton.

In the ties being held in the Leinster region, two times winners The Hills (2012 and 2014) face last season’s beaten semi-finalists CSNI.

Pembroke, who also bowed out at the penultimate hurdle this season, meet Lisburn at Sydney Parade.

2009 winners Leinster play Fox Lodge, while five times winners North County entertain Ardmore at Balrothery. In the final tie, 1986 champions Phoenix face Donegal side St Johnston - the first NW winners back in 1987.

In the draw for the National Cup, holders Rush entertain Downpatrick in the tie of the round.

The first round of both competitions will take place on Saturday, May 7.

Irish Senior Cup Round One

Cork County v Railway Union

Strabane v Malahide

Coleraine v Merrion

Drummond v Carrickfergus

Brigade v CIYMS

Donemana v Derriaghy

Instonians v Clontarf

North Down v YMCA

Muckamore v Eglinton

Waringstown (holders) v Bready

The Hills v CSNI

Pembroke v Lisburn

Leinster v Fox Lodge

North County v Ardmore

Phoenix v St Johnston

Bye: Co Galway

Irish National Cup Round One

Cork Harlequins v Ballaghaderreen

Co. Sligo v Limerick

Glendermott v Lurgan

Burndennett v Woodvale

Ballyspallen v Greystones

Creevedonnell v Civil Service (LCU)

Cliftonville v Sion Mills

Academy v Newbuildings

Bangor v Dundrum (LCU)

Armagh v Terenure

Balbriggan v Killyclooney

North Kildare v Bonds Glen

Laois v Saintfield

Rush v Downpatrick

Byes: Co.Kerry, Midleton

The dates for each round will be as follows:

Round 1 – Saturday 7th May (replay date Sunday 22nd May)

Round 2 – Sunday 29th May (replay date Sunday 19th June)

Qtr-Finals – Sunday 10th July (replay date Sunday 17th July)

Semi-Finals – Saturday 13th August (replay date Sunday 21st August)

Irish Senior Cup Final – Saturday 27th August (replay date Sunday 11th September)

National Cup Final – Sunday 28th August (replay date Sunday 11th September)