The draw for the semi-finals of the Ulster Bank Bateman Cup has taken place, with the four provincial cup winners facing off in a battle for All-Ireland glory.
The All-Ireland Cup competition returned to its roots last season with the reintroduction of the Bateman Cup, ending with Bruff beating Dungannon in the April decider.
The Bateman Cup was first contested in 1922 when it was donated by Robert Bateman. Lansdowne were the winners of the inaugural trophy.
The 2011/12 Ulster Bank Bateman Cup will commence shortly with the semi-finals pencilled in for Saturday, January 21, and the final scheduled for the weekend of April 28-29.
The first confirmed last-four clash is the meeting of Leinster Senior Cup champions Old Belvedere and Ulster holders Ballymena at Anglesea Road.
we recently covered Ballymena winning the Ulster Rugby Senior Cup, they were awesome and INTOUCH TV Highlights are below
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In the second semi-final, Munster Senior Cup champions Garryowen await the winners of the floodlit encounter between Buccaneers and Galwegians on Friday week (January 13).
Of the five aforementioned clubs, only the Light Blues of Garryowen have won the All-Ireland Cup since it was introduced in 2005.
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