‘Belvo And Con At Home In Ulster Bank Bateman Cup Semi-Finals

The draw for the semi-finals of the All-Ireland Senior Cup competition has paired together Leinster winners Old Belvedere and Ballynahinch, who celebrated a three in-a-row of Ulster Senior Cup titles last Thursday.

The other last-four clash will see Bateman Cup holders Cork Constitution host the winners of the Connacht Senior Cup final between Buccaneers and Corinthians. The Connacht decider will go ahead on Saturday, January 7.

Both Bateman Cup semi-finals are scheduled for Saturday, January 21, with the final pencilled in for the weekend of April 29-30.

Cork Con are the Bateman Cup’s dominant force with four title wins in as many years. They have won their last eight matches in the competition, including last April’s 38-19 final success away to Galwegians in which man-of-the-match Ryan Foley crossed for two tries.

January’s cup semi-final will offer Old Belvedere and Ballynahinch, who are mid-table in Divisions 1A and 1B respectively, a chance to put their indifferent league form behind them. ‘Belvo beat the Co. Down side twice in the top flight last season, winning 34-24 at Ballymacarn Park and 19-14 at home.

Constitution and Buccaneers have been two of the most impressive teams during the first half of this year’s Ulster Bank League, the Leesiders’ six-match winning streak seeing them sit second overall in Division 1A and Buccs have hit the summit in 1B following an excellent run of eight straight victories.

Corinthians, meanwhile, have struggled for consistency in Division 2A, but they were boosted by recent home wins over Malone and Sunday’s Well. They also gave local rivals Galwegians a heavy 46-19 beating in their Connacht Senior Cup semi-final clash a fortnight ago, with Ireland Under-20 prospect Sean Masterson among the try scorers.

Munster clubs, including Bruff (2011) and Garryowen (2012), have had a firm grasp of the Bateman Cup since the IRFU reintroduced the four-team format six years ago. Cork Con were also All-Ireland Cup winners in 2006 and 2010.

ULSTER BANK BATEMAN CUP SEMI-FINALS: Saturday, January 21

OLD BELVEDERE v BALLYNAHINCH, Anglesea Road, 2.30pm

CORK CONSTITUTION v BUCCANEERS/CORINTHIANS, Temple Hill, 2.30pm

– The final is scheduled for the weekend of April 29/30

Competition Rules:

(i) If teams are tied at full-time, extra-time of 10 minutes each way will be played
(ii) If still tied, the team that has scored the most tries will be the winners
(iii) If still tied, the away team will be declared the winners

Clubs may tog out up to seven replacements for both the semi-finals and the final and rolling substitutions will apply.

All-Ireland Cup Champions’ Roll Of Honour:

2015/16 – Cork Constitution (Bateman Cup)
2014/15 – Cork Constitution (Bateman Cup)
2013/14 – Cork Constitution (Bateman Cup)
2012/13 – Cork Constitution (Bateman Cup)
2011/12 – Garryowen (Bateman Cup)
2010/11 – Bruff (Bateman Cup)
2009/10 – Cork Constitution
2008/09 – Ballynahinch
2007/08 – Shannon
2006/07 – Garryowen
2005/06 – Cork Constitution