As defending champions, Garryowen played host to the draw for the 2007/08 AIB Cup in Dooradoyle today. Surrounded by the memorabilia, jerseys and team pictures that adorn the walls of the famous club, the draw was made by IRFU president Der Healy and Tommy Lenahan, Manager of AIB, O’Connell Street in Limerick.

Prior to the cup draw, Der Healy presented the Garryowen club with a special commemorative framed jersey. The jersey which mixed Ireland green and Garryowen’s blue was worn by the team during the Languedoc-Roussillon competition in France.

The new format for the AIB Cup draw will lead to a very exciting and open competition. All 48 teams from the three divisions of the AIB League will take part in the AIB Cup this season.

The Divisions Two and Three sides will take part in the first round of matches with the Division One clubs joining the competition in the second round.

Commenting on the results of the draw, Der Healy said: “I eagerly look forward to the upcoming AIB Cup and AIB Junior Cup All-Ireland competitions and the wonderful fare I know they will again engender this season. These additions to our rugby calendar have proved to be very popular across all the provinces – more so now that we have extended the Senior Cup to include all 48 clubs.

“The welfare of the game at club level is uppermost in my list of priorities for Irish rugby as President. I want to express my thanks on behalf of the IRFU to AIB’s sponsorship as part of their Supporting Clubs – Supporting Communities campaign.”

Speaking on behalf of AIB, Tommy Lenahan said: “The AIB Cup competition is a core feature within club rugby nowadays and it’s great to see so many top clubs meeting each other in a knockout competition. I’m particularly looking forward to seeing the game between Lansdowne and Garryowen.

“I would also like to thank Garryowen for hosting the draw today. It’s been a busy few months for the club as they have just returned from France after representing Ireland in the Languedoc-Roussillon amateur international tournament.”

2007/08 AIB Cup First Round:

– Round One comprises the teams from Division Two and Division Three of the AIB League. Matches will take place on Saturday, October 6 –

Match A: Malone v Ards

Match B: Corinthians v Barnhall

Match C: County Carlow v Midleton

Match D: City of Derry v Clonakilty

Match E: Waterpark v Buccanneers

Match F: Rainey Old Boys v De La Salle Palmerston

Match G: Banbridge v Bective Rangers

Match H:  UCC v Old Wesley

Match I:  Suttonians v Queen’s University

Match J:  Dublin University v Sundays Well

Match K:  Thomond v Belfast Harlequins

Match L: Ballynahinch v Nenagh Ormond

Match M: Instonians v Young Munster

Match N: Bruff v Highfield

Match O: Old Crescent v Naas

Macth P: Wanderers v Connemara

2007/08 AIB Cup Second Round:

– Round Two of the AIB Cup sees the Division One teams enter the competition. Matches to be played on Saturday, October 13 –

Winner N v Winner O

Winner H v Dolphin

Winner K v Shannon

St. Mary’s College v Winner B

Winner A v Winner C

Winner I v Cork Constitution

Terenure College v Clontarf

Winner F v Winner G

Ballymena v Winner E

Old Belvedere v Winner P

Lansdowne v Garryowen

Blackrock College v Winner M

Dungannon v UL Bohemians

Galwegians v Winner L

Winner J v Winner D

UCD v Greystones

The dates for the remaining rounds of the AIB Cup are as follows: Third Round – Saturday, January 5, 2008; Quarter-Finals – Saturday, February 2; Semi-Finals – Saturday, March 8; Final – Saturday, April 12

The first round of the 2007/08 AIB Junior Cup will be played on Saturday, January 5 and a separate draw will be made closer to the time.