Fixtures Confirmed For AIB Cup’s Second Round
The fixture details for next week’s second round matches in the 2009/10 AIB Cup have been confirmed, while Tullamore RFC, the winners of last season’s AIB Junior Cup, have been chosen to host the draws for the third round and quarter-finals and the AIB Junior Cup.
Saturday week, October 17, will see the second round of the AIB Cup get underway, with the tie of the round undoubtedly Cork Constitution’s trip to reigning champions Ballynahinch.
‘Hinch, then in AIB League Division 2, enjoyed a superb giant-killing run in last season’s AIB Cup, reserving the best for last when they shocked Cork Con 17-6 in the final at Dubarry Park in April.
October 17 will see the sides meet for the first time since that match and Brian Walsh’s men will certainly be all out for revenge.
Cork Con got their Division 1A campaign off to a losing start last weekend, and will be keen to put one over on UL Bohemians this Saturday back at their Temple Hill base.
Ballynahinch also fell to a narrow defeat in their first ever top flight AIB League game. They went down 15-13 at Ballymena, with a late penalty kick denying them a winning start to life in Division 1B.
Coached again this season by the impressive Derek Suffern, ‘Hinch will entertain Galwegians this weekend and a bumper crowd is expected at Ballymacarn Park for that game and next week’s renewal of AIB Cup rivalries with Cork Con.
Thirteen of the 14 second round matches taking place on Saturday week will kick off at 2.30pm, with the Thomond v UCD encounter starting an hour later.
Navan, who made a winning start in AIB League Division 3 last weekend, will relish a chance to take on Garryowen at Balreask Old, while Dungannon and Queen’s will fight it out for Ulster bragging rights at Stevenson Park.
In-form Bruff could also put it up to St. Mary’s College in another potential Division 1 v 2 classic.
The Young Munster v Terenure College and Old Crescent v Clontarf clashes have been pencilled in for Sunday, October 18.
Meanwhile, it has been announced that the draw for the third round matches and quarter-finals of the AIB Cup will take place in Tullamore RFC at 8.30pm on Saturday, October 17. The draw for the opening rounds of the AIB Junior Cup will also be made on the night.
2009/10 AIB CUP SECOND ROUND FIXTURES:
Saturday, October 17 – kick-off 2.30pm unless stated
St. Mary’s College v Bruff, Templeville Road
UL Bohemians v Belfast Harlequins, tbc
Dungannon v Queen’s University, Stevenson Park
Navan v Garryowen, Balreask Old
Bective Rangers v Ballymena, Donnybrook
Ballynahinch v Cork Constitution, Ballymacarn Park
Lansdowne v Nenagh Ormond, The RDS
Thomond v UCD, Liam Fitzgerald Park, 3.30pm
Malone v Blackrock, Gibson Park
UCC v Corinthians, The Mardyke
Old Belvedere v Greystones, Anglesea Road
Galwegians v Dublin University, Crowley Park
Shannon v Buccaneers, tbc
Dolphin v Barnhall, Musgrave Park
Sunday, October 18 – kick-off 2.30pm unless stated
Young Munster v Terenure College, Tom Clifford Park
Old Crescent v Clontarf, Rosbrien