Railway or Loreto face prospect of early exit from Irish Senior Cup

Before the future of club hockey in Ireland is up for discussion at Sunday's IHA EGM, with a vote scheduled to take place on proposals for an expanded Irish Hockey League, players from 18 clubs in Leinster, Ulster and Munster will focus on the Irish Senior Cup first round tomorrow.

The clash between Railway Union and Loreto ensures at least one recent winner of the competition will make an early exit, Railway having won the cup in 2013, Loreto last collecting it in 2010.

North Kildare are the only Leinster side facing a trip outside the province. They face Lurgan who were beaten on penalties by Pembroke in last season’s semi-finals.

Pembroke are one of four Leinster clubs with home games against Ulster sides – they face Randalstown, while Hermes host Queens, Trinity play Ballymoney, and UCD meet Ards, who they beat 2-1 last season en route to winning the cup for the third time in six years.

Munster sides, Catholic Institute and Cork Harlequins, also face Ulster opposition, Institute at home to Belfast Harlequins, Cork Harlequins travel to Portadown. UCC journey to Dublin to take on Glenanne.

IRISH SENIOR CUP – First Round – Tomorrow: Catholic Institute v Belfast Harlequins, Rosbrien, 1.0; Glenanne v UCC, Glenanne Park, 1.0 Hermes v Queens, St Andrews, 2.0; Lurgan v North Kildare, Lurgan JHS, 2.30; Pembroke Wanderers v Randalstown, Serpentine Avenue) 2.15; Portadown v Cork Harlequins, Edenvilla, 2.30; Railway Union v Loreto, Park Avenue, 2.30; Trinity v Ballymoney, Santry Park, 3.30; UCD v Ards, Belfield, 2.45. (Corinthian, Church of Ireland, Greenfields, Lisnagarvey, Old Alexandra, Pegasus and Ulster Elks all received byes to the second round).