Kirk Cup holders Lisnagarvey get the defence of their title under way tonight when they take on Mossley in their opening Pool game.
Garvey will be without their two Irish Internationals, Timmy Cockram and Johnny Bell, who have just returned from a very successful trip to Cardiff last weekend where Ireland qualified to the second round of the World League tournament.
The holders will also have a couple of other new signings on show – Peter Bland from Service and Jonny Quigley from Annadale – who are now playing in the Garvey Blue.
Mossley will be without former stalwart Simon Todd who is now playing at Cookstown. The Glade side could struggle to fill the massive void left by Todd’s departure and they will be hoping Garvey will not be firing on all cylinders.
In Pool B, Belfast Harlequins face Annadale in their opening game.
The Deramore side have been training hard for the last two months. Schoolboy Callum Lees is expected to get his senior debut for Harlequins.
Annadale will be without their Irish International, Peter Caruth who is now playing for Belgian side Braxgata.
Meanwhile, the Linden Cup also gets under way tonight and holders Antrim will not be involved as they have now stepped up into the Kirk Cup when they clinched promotion to the top flight.
Armagh who have now departed company with their former coach Robbie McMinn, will take on South Antrim in the top clash of the night.
Newly promoted Ballynahinch, could cause an upset against Queens, whilst in Pool B Newry will have to be at their best to secure a win against visitors Campbellians.
Kirk Cup Pool A - Lisnagarvey v Mossley (8pm); Pool B - Belfast Harlequins v Annadale (7.30pm)
Linden Cup Pool A – Armagh v South Antrim (7.30pm); Queens v Ballynahinch (8.30pm) Pool B – Newry v Campbellians (7.30pm)
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