The draw for the first round of next season's Bob Kerr Irish Senior cup has thrown up a number of very interesting ties but for the second successive year North West sides will feel that Lady Luck may have deserted them.

Strabane would have hoped for something a little less demanding than a trip to the holders, Waringstown, and former skipper Peter Gillespie acknowledged that they will need to be on their mettle if they are to upset the Belfast side on their own patch. “It is very much the “short straw” draw for us but we do have a recent Ulster Cup win over them under our belts. They have some real quality throughout but they looked untouchable with Obus (Pienaar) in the side. Much will depend on the teams that both clubs field come next May but we will look forward to the challenge for now”.

New boys Creevedonnell have landed a plum draw as they get ready to host Leinster side North County and it took two takes to get a quote from Brian Dougherty as the first one couldn't be repeated! “I can't think of a better way to mark our debut in the Bob Kerr Irish Senior Cup than a visit from the most successful club in it's history but I would suggest that Dara Armstrong, John Mooney, Shane Getkate and company might want to pack an extra sweater for the journey”

Donemana are on the road again as they serve out the final season of a three year home ban starting with a trip to the winners of the Pembroke v Malahide qualifier. Richard Kee has again been entrusted with the skipper's armband at the Tyrone club and the opener was clearly frustrated at the fact that another trip south beckons for his men. “We had hoped that we might have had the final year of our ban suspended but it doesn't look as if that is going to happen now. We'll give it our best shot for sure but it's a big ask, especially with all the travelling. On the plus side we have landed our first home draw for six years in the Ulster Cup so at least that's something”.

Brigade are one of the few local sides who will start as favourites to progress as Mark Simpson's men have been handed a home tie against Carrickfergus. The sides also came out against each other in the first round of the Ulster Cup and in the same order too so the North West champions have a real chance to make inroads this time.

Elsewhere in the Bob Kerr trophy Limavady will fancy their chances of beating Terenure despite being drawn away while last season's team of the year in the region, Bready, have a very tricky opener away at The Hills. Fox Lodge look bang up against it as well as they travel to Comber to face North Down while Glendermott do at least have home advantage as they try to fend off another top Dublin side in Railway Union. Bonds Glen have landed consecutive home first round ties and will hope to give CIYMS as big of a scare as they gave Leinster last season and Coleraine will be quietly confident that they can preserve their interest having been drawn at home to Lurgan.

North West sides usually find resolve in the face of adversity but on recent form you would have to think that maximum effort will be needed to repeat last season's record first round win tally.