Kirk will be aiming to put one over Reds, says McCann

This tie, to be staged at Newforge on August 16, pits current Comrades manager Eddie Hill against former Dixon Park supremo Jamesy Kirk.

As Reds boss, Kirk reached the final of the Steel Cup in 2007 when they were beaten 2-0 by Dundela.

Last season Hill just missed out on a Christmas morning outing to Seaview for the cup final, when they lost out to Immaculata at the semi-final stage.

Both men have a fine pedigree in this competition and it all makes for an intriguing clash.

Comrades chairman, Trevor McCann, said: “If we are going to win the Steel Cup this year we are certainly going to have to do it the hard way.

“Jamesy Kirk was born and bred in Ballyclare so he will be aiming to put one over on his hometown club.

“This is the only all-Championship 1 clash and I hope that our fans will make the effort to be there to support us in what promises to be a ding-dong battle.”

The winners of this one have a home tie against either Dundela or Rosario in round two on August 30.

Having to play in the first round on August 16 means the Dundela league fixture scheduled for that date will now be played on Tuesday, August 19 at Dixon Park.

With Comrades’ series of pre-season friendlies looming, training for is now in full swing at Mallusk Playing Fields under new coach Ross Oliver and assistant-boss Gary Bell.