The draw has been made for the first round of the Irish Senior Cup with some intriguing ties down for decision on May 17th.
Holders Phoenix and fellow two-times winners Merrion - last year's beaten finalists - have been given byes into the last 16.
The competion's most succesful side Waringstown will be looking to get their quest for a seventh title off to a winning start as they face 2000 victors and current NW Premiership holders Donemana at The Lawn.
Pembroke, whose sole success came in 2019 have home advantage against three-time champions North Down, while five times winners North County are home to Eglinton.
2006 winners Railway Union face Cork Harlequins, while fellow Munster side Cork County take on CSNI - the tournament's first winners in the guise of North back in 1982 - at The Mardyke.
There will be sibling rivalry in store at Wallace Park when 2022 runners-up and current All-Ireland T20 holders Lisburn featuring paceman Ryan Macbeth, entertain two-times champions Brigade, who have Scott Macbeth - hot favourite for the Club Player of the Award in next week's ceremony in Dublin - in their ranks.
The other ties have Balbriggan at home to Cliftonville Academy, while 2002 winners Malahide are away at Woodvale.
Competition debutants Templepatrick host two-times winners Clontarf, while Leinster - winners in 2009 and 2023 - travel to NW Senior Cup holders Newbuildings.
Rush will be hoping to emulate their National Cup exploits - the holders winning the fourth of their titles last year - as they start their campaign away at Ardmore, while 2022 champions CIYMS return to the venue of that success as they play Bready at Magheramason.
At Sandel Lodge, Coleraine face NCU Challenge Cup holders Muckamore in a game that could go either way.
The dates for the subsequent rounds have also been set, with the final down for decision on Saturday August 16th, with the reserve date the following week.
IRISH SENIOR CUP – FIRST ROUND
Phoenix Bye (2024 winner)
Merrion Bye (2024 finalist)
Balbriggan v Cliftonville Academy
Pembroke v North Down
North County v Eglinton
Railway Union v Cork Harlequins
Cork County v CSNI
Woodvale v Malahide
Templepatrick v Clontarf
Instonians v Strabane
Waringstown v Donemana
Lisburn v Brigade
Newbuildings v Leinster
Ardmore v Rush
Bready v CIYMS
Coleraine v Muckamore
