Robin Walsh
At Stormont this evening the draw was made for the first round of the Ulster Bank Challenge Cup. Holders Civil Service North will meet Ballymena in the first round and they will have home advantage when the two Premier League sides meet on 16th May.
There will be only one other Premier League clash among the eight ties when North Down host Lisburn.
Last year’s runners-up Waringstown will travel to either Derriaghy or Academy who meet in one of two preliminary round ties. The winners of the other preliminary round match (between Donaghcloney and Cliftonville) will host CIYMS.
At least two Section 1 teams will make it in to the Quarter Finals as Muckamore host Bangor and Templepatrick host Woodvale. The remaining ties see 2014 Premier League winners Instonians travel to Lurgan and newly promoted Carrick host Downpatrick.
The full draw is:
Preliminary Round (2nd May)
Derriaghy v Academy
Donaghcloney v Cliftonville
First Round – 16th May
Carrickfergus v Downpatrick
CSNI v Ballymena
Derriaghy/Academy v Waringstown
Donaghcloney/Cliftonville v CIYMS
Lurgan v Instonians
Muckamore v Bangor
North Down v Lisburn
Templepatrick v Woodvale
Photo ©Rowland White / PressEye