Dublin, November 8: With the first round set to take place Feb 15, 2025, Hockey Ireland today announced the fixtures for the 16 teams competing in each of the men’s and women’s AIG Irish Senior Cup for Season 2024/25. Dating back to 1894 for the men’s competition, and 1903 for the women’s, the Cup is the world’s oldest club hockey cup and is the most coveted cup competition in Irish domestic hockey.
The first-round draw promises intense competition for the tournament ahead. In the men’s Cup, the standout fixture of the round will pit Three Rock Rovers against Banbridge, a game worthy of the final. Banbridge narrowly missed out on bringing the cup to Havelock Park for the 13th time last year as they were beaten in the final by Ulster rivals Lisnagarvey, who also hold the accolade of being the competitions most decorated side with 26 titles to their name. Three Rock will pose a huge threat to Banbridge’s hopes of returning to the final, with the home side one of the most in-form teams in Ireland at present.
Among the other men’s fixtures is a matchup between Cookstown and Pembroke Wanderers, which offers Cookstown a chance to avenge their loss to Pembroke in last season’s EY Hockey League Division 2 Semi-Final. Avoca will host YMCA in a match which could be one of the most fiercely contested, and Instonians will face Annadale, with Ulster Premiership side Instonians desperate to knock out fellow Ulster-based side Annadale, who currently compete in the Ireland’s top League, the EY Hockey League.
In the women’s AIG Irish Senior Cup, current cup holders Railway Union will face high-flying side Old Alex in another hugely competitive clash. Old Alex have a storied history within the competition, being just the 4th side to ever win it, back in 1906. However, Ireland’s oldest hockey club, founded in 1893, Old Alex haven’t managed to secure an Irish Senior Cup since 1991 and will be hoping to begin their journey to the finals with a win over Railway Union.
Other major women’s fixtures in the first round see two Ulster derbys as Ulster Elks host Ards, and Pegasus face Queen’s University. UCD and UCC will play out a collegiate face off in Belfield, and Pembroke Wanderers take on Monkstown in a Dublin derby.
Commenting on the announcement, Chair of the Hockey Ireland Competitions Committee Iain Kelly remarked:
“The competition is an open draw format played for by the best men’s and women’s Hockey Clubs across Ireland, and announcing the draw for the Senior Cup each season is always an occasion. This tournament is one of the most exciting and brings large crowds of avid supporters to Cup Final day, making it one of the highlights in the domestic calendar.”
As title partner of the AIG Irish Senior Cup, John Gillick of AIG Ireland added;
“We’re delighted to partner with Hockey Ireland in support of the clubs competing for the AIG Irish Senior Cup. The heritage and prestige associated with the competition only enhances the exciting round of match-ups that have been announced today and we’re looking forward to seeing how they unfold in the new year.”
First competed for in 1894 for the men, and 1903 for the women, the AIG Irish Senior Cup is the World’s Oldest Club Hockey Cup and brings with it a wealth of history and legacy that makes it one of the most sought-after accolades for both players and clubs alike. The Cup is contested each season by sixteen seeded club teams, and follows an open draw knockout format across 5 rounds, with the 2024/25 final set to take place on the 10th May 2025. AIG became title partners of the Irish Senior Cup in 2024 following a new three-year agreement.
Men’s AIG Irish Senior Cup Draw
AVOCA vs YMCA
BELFAST HARLEQUINS vs CORINTHIAN
UCD vs LISNAGARVEY
THREE ROCK ROVERS vs BANBRIDGE
MONKSTOWN vs CORK CHURCH OF IRELAND
INSTONIANS vs ANNADALE
GLENANNE vs CORK HARLEQUINS
COOKSTOWN vs PEMBROKE WANDERERS
Women’s AIG Irish Senior Cup Draw
ULSTER ELKS vs ARDS
PEMBROKE WANDERERS vs MONKSTOWN
PEGASUS vs QUEEN’S UNIVERSITY
CORINTHIAN vs PORTADOWN
BELFAST HARLEQUINS vs CATHOLIC INSTITUTE
LORETO vs CORK HARLEQUINS
UCC vs UCD
RAILWAY UNION vs OLD ALEX