Hook Hockey

YM and Annadale pick of ISC first round ties

Annadale and YMCA looks the pick of the first round ties in the men’s Irish Senior Cup following the draw made on Wednesday afternoon.

It was the sole all-IHL tie to be drawn from the hat as six of the sides involved in the country’ premier competition received byes to round two including ISC holders Cookstown, IHL champs Banbridge as well as 2010 cup winners Glenanne.
Corinthian face a tricky tie at the refurbished Stormont against NICS while there are a pair of Dublin derbies – Monkstown facing Fingal while Pembroke host newly promoted Clontarf.

Railway welcome Irish Hockey Trophy champions South Antrim – who have taken up the option to play in the ISC as a result – and UCD are on the road south to West Cork to face Bandon.

On the women’s side, all three provincial champions have picked up byes with Hermes, Ballymoney and Catholic Institute already in the round two draw.

It leaves Bray with a mammoth task of upsetting double winning Pegasus on the Co Wicklow coast while only one other tie will take place in Leinster as Pembroke is set for a double-header, their women playing Old Alex at Serpentine Avenue.

Four university sides will take to the road, UCD going to Cork Harlequins in the most eye-catching affair with Trinity’s road trip to Ards possibly a well-balanced affair. Loreto are at Irish Hockey Trophy winners Lisnagarvey while Corinthian, Glenanne and Railway Union are other bye recipients.

Men’s Irish Senior Cup draw
Round One (October 8): Bandon v UCD; NICS v Corinthian; Railway Union v South Antrim; Belfast Harlequins v Kilkeel; Lisnagarvey v UCC; Instonians v North Down; Annadale v YMCA; Monkstown v Fingal; Pembroke Wanderers v Clontarf
Byes: Cork Church of Ireland, Cork Harlequins, Banbridge, Cookstown, Mossley, Glenanne, Three Rock Rovers

ESB Electric Ireland Women’s Irish Senior Cup
Round One (October 8): Cork Harlequins v UCD; Lurgan v Ulster Elks; Bray v Pegasus; Ards v Dublin University; Lisnagarvey v Loreto; Queen’s University v Randalstown; Pembroke Wanderers v Old Alexandra; Armagh v UCC
Byes: Ballymoney, Belfast Harlequins, Portadown, Catholic Institute, Corinthian, Glenanne, Hermes, Railway Union.