Garryowen handed home tie in Bateman Cup semi-finals

MUNSTER Senior Cup holders Garryowen have been drawn at home to holders Lansdowne in the semi-finals of the Bateman Cup.

The meeting of the Munster and Leinster Senior Cup holders will take place at Dooradoyle on Saturday, January 12, 2019.

Three of the four competing teams in the Bateman Cup semi-finals are now known. City of Armagh will represent Ulster against the Connacht Senior Cup winners, while Garryowen will have home advantage against defending champions Lansdowne.

Garryowen are previous winners of the Bateman Cup following their 2013 success against Ballymena.

Garryowen and Lansdowne both won their provincial Senior Cups last season and are in the running to retain those titles, with the Munster Senior Cup decider between Garryowen and Cork Con pencilled in for January 5. 

Mike Ruddock’s Lansdowne side had the upper hand when they Garryowen in last April’s All-Ireland League Division 1A semi-final, winning 36-19 at home.

Garryowen did score a gritty 17-14 victory over Lansdowne in Division 1A of the All-Ireland League at the start ot this season, through a late match-winning try from number 8 Sean Rennison. 

Bateman Cup semi-finals: Saturday, January 12

Garryowen v Lansdowne, Dooradoyle, 2.30pm

City of Armagh v Buccaneers or Corinthians, Palace Grounds, 2.30pm