The preliminary and first rounds of the 2018 NCU Gallagher Insurance Challenge Cup were drawn this evening (Wednesday 6th December) at Malone Golf Club. The draw was made by Shane Matthews, regional managing director of Gallagher Insurance and Richard Johnson, vice president of the NCU

CIYMS, holders of the Northern Cricket Union's Gallagher Insurance Challenge Cup, will face newly promoted Premiership club Armagh in the first round of next season's competition and will have home advantage.

The cup features the 8 Premiership and 10 Section One clubs and there was only one other tie featuring teams from the top flight with CSNI at home to Carrickfergus.

The full draw is:

Preliminary Round
Bangor v Laurelvale
Lurgan v Cregagh

First Round
Bangor/Laurelvale v Downpatrick
CIYMS v Armagh
CSNI v Carrickfergus
Derriaghy v Lisburn
Holywood v Muckamore
Lurgan/Cregagh v Instonians
North Down v Donacloney Mill
Waringstown v Woodvale

The Gallagher Insurance Women's Challenge Cup draw was also made this evening.

Preliminary Round
Carrickfergus v Instonians
Laurelvale v Clogher

First Round
Carrickfergus/Instonians v CSNI
Lurgan v Donacloney Mill
Muckamore v North Down
Waringstown v Laurelvale/Clogher

(Pictured: Nigel Jones, captain of holders CIYMS (second left), at the draw for next season's Northern Cricket Union's Gallagher Insurance Senior Challenge Cup with their first round opponents Armagh represented by Gareth McCarter © Philip Magowan / PressEye)