AIB Cup Draw To Take Place on January 12

…Cork Con number 8 and captain Frank Cogan leads an attack during his side’s 20-17 AIB Cup First Round victory against arch rivals Shannon…

The draw for the quarter-finals of the AIB Cup will take place on Thursday, January 12 next, with Cork Constitution, many people’s favourites for the inaugural title, the team to avoid.

In addition to the draw for the AIB Cup, the launch and draw for the AIB Junior Cup will also be performed on January 12. The Junior competition will see two representatives from each province going directly into the quarter-finals.

In the Senior competition, Cork Constituion look to be the top team following their last-gasp 20-17 win over Shannon on December 18. But there are still plenty of teams to dispute Con’s favourites tag. Clontarf were mightily impressive in their 30-20 win over Dungannon, reversing a league defeat to the same opposition from two weeks’ previous. The AIB League Division One clubs make up the majority of the draw and class counted when Belfast Harlequins demolished Division Three opponents Suttonians – 50-12.

Equally, Garryowen had too much in the tank for Cork outfit Dolphin, as did Buccaneers for DLSP – the midlanders ran out easy 50-13 winners in Kilternan.

Nonetheless, the Division Two flag remains flying in the competition through league leaders Terenure College, who eventually got past Malone, winning 19-12 in their Lakelands Park tussle.

There is still one remaining game in the AIB Cup First Round. St. Mary’s College take on Greystones on Thursday, December 29 (kick-off 2.00pm). Originally down for Dr. Hickey Park, the fixture will now take place at Templeville Road.

AIB CUP QUARTER-FINAL QUALIFIERS:

Buccaneers, Galwegians, Garryowen, Cork Constitution, Belfast Harlequins, Clontarf, Terenure College, St. Mary’s College/Greystones

AIB JUNIOR CUP (TWO NOMINATIONS PER PROVINCE):

ULSTER: Rainey Old Boys, City of Armagh

MUNSTER: Youghal, Kanturk

CONNACHT: Monivea, Westport

LEINSTER: Naas, Seapoint