Queens and Malone Gear Up for Senior Cup Battle

Both sides are busy putting the final preparations to their training as they gear up to battle it out for one of the most prestigious finals in the Domestic Rugby calendar- the First Trust Senior Cup.

Neither side has won the Senior Cup Final in recent years, with Malone's last victory dating back to 1992 when they beat North, and for Queens it was 1981 when they too defeated North.

This season Queens drew a BYE in the first round and went on to fight off opposition from Belfast Harlequins and Dungannon in the subsequent rounds to reach the final of the competition. For Malone, the competition began in a similar manner, when they drew a BYE in the first round, and later went on to beat Rainey Old Boys and Instonians to secure a final spot.

First Trust Bank is now the longest standing sponsor associated with the IRFU Ulster Branch, and on the eve of the Senior Cup, has announced that it will be continuing its sponsorship of the Senior Cup.

John Kilty, General Manager of First Trust Bank commented: "It is fitting that coinciding with this year's First Trust Bank Senior Cup Final, the Bank confirms it will continue its sponsorship of the event and our relationship with the IRFU Ulster Branch for a further 2 years."

David Boyd, IRFU Ulster Branch Domestic Rugby Manager added: "We are delighted that First Trust Bank will be continuing its support of Ulster Senior Club Rugby through the sponsorship of the Senior Cup. This is a relationship that has existed for in excess of twenty-five years and such sponsorship relationships are rare in sport, particularly in the current financial climate."

Friday night's Senior Cup final promises to be an entertaining local derby as both sides battle it out to bring the much-coveted silverware home to their respective clubs.

Tickets for Friday night's match will be available to buy from the gate priced at £8 per adult and £3 per child.

Good luck to both teams.