Photo Credit: Sportsfile
The first round fixtures in the men’s Irish Senior Cup and National Cup club cricket competitions for the 2023 season have been drawn and dates for the competitions confirmed.
Elaine Nolan, Participation Director for Cricket Ireland, said:
“We are once again delighted to see the first-round Cup draws released – it’s always a great talking point for players and club members as we start building up to another domestic cricket season. These Cup competitions are the peak of the Irish club cricket calendar and are highly sought after titles. They are competitions where legends are made.”
IRISH SENIOR CUP
The Irish Senior Cup began in 1982 and is a 50-over competition for top-ranked clubs in their respective provincial unions. CIYMS are the current holders of the famous Bob Kerr trophy, following their victory over Lisburn in last year’s final.
The draw has been conducted and the fixtures for the first round has been determined as follows (home team listed first):
Irish Senior Cup – 1st Round
• Malahide v Instonians
• YMCA V Coleraine
• Railway Union v Bready
• Pembroke v Brigade
• Woodvale v Balbriggan
• CSNI v Leinster
• North Down v Eglinton
• Fox Lodge v The Hills
• Donemana v Carrickfergus
• Newbuildings v Waringstown
• Cork Harlequins v Merrion
• Ardmore v Cork County
The four semi-finalists from 2022 – Clontarf, Phoenix, Lisburn and CIYMS – all receive a bye into round two.
Irish Senior Cup Schedule
• Round 1: 20 May 2023 (reserve date 28 May)
• Round 2: 4 June 2023 (reserve date 11 June)
• Quarter-Finals: 18 June 2023 (reserve date 25 June)
• Semi-Finals: 9 July 2023 (reserve date 30 July)
• Final: 12 August 2023 (reserve date 2 September)
NATIONAL CUP
The National Cup, which began in 2012, is a 40-over competition featuring the next tier of clubs across the five provincial unions. North County won the trophy in 2022 after a thrilling final against Terenure.
The draw has been conducted and the fixtures for the first round has been determined as follows (home team listed first):
National Cup – 1st Round
• Wexford Wanderers v Muckamore
• Rush v Strabane
• North Kildare v Bonds Glen
• Ballymena v Knockharley
• Cregagh v Letterkenny
• Derriaghy v Ballyhaunis
• Burndennett v Laois
• Killyclooney v Templepatrick
• Ballyspallen receive a bye
• Glendermott v Athlone
• Midleton v Civil Service
• UCC v Cliftonville
• County Kerry v St Johnston
• County Galway v Limerick
North County and Terenure receive a bye into round two as 2022 finalists.
National Cup Schedule
• Round 1: 20 May 2023 (reserve date 28 May)
• Round 2: 4 June 2023 (reserve date 11 June)
• Quarter-Finals: 18 June 2023 (reserve date 25 June)
• Semi-Finals: 9 July 2023 (reserve date 30 July)
• Final: 13 August 2023 (reserve date 3 September)
The fixtures and dates of the men’s and women’s All-Ireland T20 Cup competitions will be announced shortly.
Best of luck to all teams involved!
