News

The draws for all three Ulster Cup Competitions were made at the Cricket Ireland Cricket Committee Meeting last night in Dundalk.
The first round draws have been made for the 2013 ClubTurf Ulster Cup, Ulster Shield and Ulster Plate competitions.

As usual there are some intriguing ties down for decision, with Lisburn, winners of the competition in 2000 drew at home to 2005 champions Strabane.

Four time victors Instonians play Bready, while two time winners North Down play Limavady at Comber in a repeat of the 2006 final.

Holders Brigade have home advantage over NCU Premier league champions CIYMS, while last year’s beaten finalists Civil Service North will return to the venue of that defeat when they play newly promoted Eglinton.

Waringstown entertain Fox Lodge at The Lawn and both sides will be keen to rectify their poor performances in the competition – neither having made a final since the tournament started in 1999.

Coleraine and Donemana have both been given byes due to Ballymena and Lurgan opting not to enter the competition.

In the Ulster Shield NCU sides will be looking to continue their complete domination of the competition – no North West side has ever collected the trophy in the eight years it has been played.

Holders Muckamore have won the competition no fewer than four times, and they have drawn at home to Sion Mills.
2011 winners Downpatrick travel to Burndennett, while 2007 champions Cliftonville entertain Glendermott, who will be making their debut in the competition.

In the other ties, Carrickfergus face St Johnston, Dundrum host Creevedonnell, Laurevale travel to Bonds Glen, Ardmore take on Woodvale, while Newbuildings have home advantage against Derriaghy.

In the Ulster Plate, holders Muckamore II have a tricky looking encounter at Eglinton II.

The stand out fixture for most though will be the visit of reigning NCU league champions CIYMS to play the holders of the Ulster Cup Brigade at Beechgrove.

Ulster Cup

Bye Donemana
Eglinton v CSNI
Bye Coleraine
Brigade v CIYMS
Waringstown v Fox Lodge
Instonians v Bready
North Down v Limavady
Lisburn v Strabane

Ulster Shield

Carrickfergus v St. Johnston
Cliftonville v Glendermott
Muckamore v Sion Mills
Dundrum v Creevedonnell
New Buildings v Derriaghy
Ardmore v Woodvale
Burndennett v Downpatrick
Bonds Glen v Laurelvale

Ulster Plate Draw (2nd XI’s)

Bready II v Lisburn II
Brigade II v North Down II
CIYMS II v Fox Lodge II
CSNI II v Donemana II
Eglinton II v Muckamore II
Glendermott II v Waringstown II
Instonians II v Strabane II
Woodvale II v Coleraine II

NB Home sides named first

Cricket Ireland
Brigade won the 2012 Ulster Cup
Yes