Email This Article To Someone!
May 3rd – Ulster Bank Premier League
This coming weekend sees champions North Down host newly promoted CIYMS. The
What could be seen as the match of the day at The Lawn, where Lisburn travel to Waringstown with both teams having opened the season with victories. Gerhard Strydom will be confident after scoring 114 not out in the opening day victory over CIYMS.
Carrick will be hoping to get their season started as they missed last weekend due to their ground being unplayable at
Civil Service North, who were due to play at Carrickfergus, will be hoping their new signing Regan West can put a performance in against one of his old teams.
Finally Instonians and Derriaghy will clash at Queensway, with both teams losing their first games. Having lost to Cliftonville, Instonians will be looking to get a win on the board – Derriaghy may now see this game as a chance for 4 points for them too.
May 3rd - TCH Down Democrat Challenge Cup
Saturday sees the first round of fixtures in the Down Democrat Challenge Cup, all section two teams and the two relegated teams compete in this round.
Potential tie of the round is Downpatrick Vs Ballymena. However both teams were due to play a dress rehearsal last weekend, only for the game to be postponed until bank holiday Monday. Both teams will fancy winning and setting up a visit to North Down in the next round. Downpatrick, who have a proud history in the cup, will want to go as far as they can as they host the final. Ballymena will be looking to bring David Kennedy back to Comber and maybe cause an upset in the next round. This should be a good battle – then they do it again 2 days later, revenge for someone maybe?
The other team relegated last season from the Premier league, Lurgan will host a local derby when Armagh come to
Saintfield will have home advantage in their tie with Muckamore and the winner will take a trip to Carrick in the next round. The last all section 2 games sees Dundrum back in the senior cup after a 20 year absence. Holywood take the trip down to the Meadow in Dundrum confident after being the only team to win in section 2 last weekend, when they beat Laurelvale. The winners have a home draw versus Cliftonville in the next round.
Laurelvale will hope they can bat better than they did in the league when they host Cooke Collegians. The winner in this tie will have home advantage to Civil Service North. The final game in the 1st round sees section 3 side Dunmurry host Woodvale. The visitors have a good track record in the cup too; they last appeared in the final after 3 consecutive final appearances – 1998, 1999 & 2000. The winner of this will host Waringstown.
May 3rd – Goldblatt McGuigan Junior Cup
Ten fixtures make up the 1st round of the Goldblatt McGuigan Junior Cup. Current holders, Lurgan II will travel to Millpark to take on the section 3 side. In a repeat of last years semi final, Templepatrick will be looking to beat North Down II on the field at Comber, after losing a bowl out last year. All senior ties include Dungannon Vs 2005 winners, Academy; Clogher Vs Portadown and the 2 joint 2007 section 4 champions BISC and Cregagh play at Gibson Park Avenue.
The only all second IX game is Derriaghy II hosting Waringstown II. 2004 winners Bangor II will travel to section 3 side, Donacloney and the winners will play the winners of the Larne Vs Ballymena II game.
Instonians II will welcome section 4 side Donaghadee and the final tie is Lisburn II at home to current Twenty20 shield champions Ards.