Favourable draws for Tullamore and Edenderry

THE draw for the first round of the Provincial Towns Cup was made last Saturday and both Tullamore and Edenderry will be happy with how the draw has fallen for them.

Tullamore are one of three teams who have the benefit of a first round bye while Edenderry have a home draw against their rivals in Division 2B Athy.

The draw was made on saturday in advnace of Leinster’s Heineken Cup clash with Bath in the Aviva Stadium. The teams were drawn by Leinster winger Shane Horgan

Last year’s beaten finalists Tullamore along with Enniscorthy and Skerries were the sides drawn directly to round 2 while defending champions Dundalk start at home against North Kildare.

Edenderry, currently fifth in Division 2B, will face Athy who are second in the same division. The sides met in the same venue in the first game of the league where Athy ground out a 7-6 win.

Elsewhere Portarlington travel to play Cill Dara while Roscrea host Co Carlow.

In the Provincial Seconds Cup West Offlay Lions’ 1st XV host Longford, Cill Dara host Midland Warriors, Edenderry host Swords while Tullamore’s 2nd XV host Birr’s 1st XV.

Provincial Towns Cup Opening Round

(Sunday, January 29)

Naas (2nd XV) v Wexford Wanderers, Ashbourne v Boyne (2nd XV), Navan (2nd XV) v Arklow, Tullow v Clane, Gorey v Clondalkin, Edenderry v Athy, Longford v Mullingar, Cill Dara v Portarlington, Kilkenny v Portlaoise, Dundalk v North Kildare, Newbridge v Rathdrum, Roscrea v Co Carlow, New Ross v Wicklow. Byes – Enniscorthy, Skerries, Tullamore

Provincial Seconds Cup Opening Round

(Sunday, February 12)

West Offaly Lions (1st XV) v Longford, New Ross v Portarlington, Mullingar v Co Carlow, Roscrea v Skerries, Cill Dara v Midland Warriors (1st XV), Newbridge v Wicklow, Portlaoise v North Kildare, Balbriggan (1st XV) v Kilkenny, Enniscorthy v Gorey, Athy v Clondalkin, Edenderry v Swords, Ashbourne v Clane, Tullow v North Meath (1st XV), Tullamore v Birr (1st XV). Byes – Arklow v Dundalk