Ballyclare based Templepatrick, and Academy from Hydepark will be contesting the semi-finals on Saturday afternoon, and being in opposite sides of the draw they could clash in the final in August in Lisburn.

The prestigious trophy sponsored by Goldblatt McGuigan, has already been won by Academy when skipper Brian Boyd led his side to victory against Woodvale II in 2005, but Templepatrick have never managed to get beyond the penultimate stage.

The odds favour progress by Academy. They have already accounted for their opponents, Millpark, this season in Gilford, and even though they will be on the road again they must fancy their chances.

Commenting secretary Jack Quinn said, "In our recent visit to Banford Green we ran out easy winners by 92 runs against Millpark. On that occasion David Menaul's brilliant knock of 118 laid the foundation for a match-winning total of 247, and then Neal Hermon and Lee Thompson took seven wickets to restrict the home side to 155 with fifty-seven deliveries to spare.

"I suppose that as a result we will be dubbed favourites, but form often goes out of the window in a knockout confrontation, so skipper Gerry Sloan will obviously be guarding against complacency in the ranks," ended Jack.

Academy are likely to select from: Gerry Sloan (Capt.), Mark Shields, Brian Kelso, David Menaul, David Greenlees, Danny Morgan, James Wix (wicket-keeper), Peter Riddell, Neal Hermon, Lee Thompson, David Spence, Johnny Irons, Brian Boyd.

Templepatrick face an unknown quantity when they take on Lisburn II at The Cloughan, with the strength of the opposition depending largely upon the demands of their senior side.

However the Lisburn lads will be wary of a return to Ballyclare, having suffered a humiliating defeat at the same venue last season.

On that occasion the teams clashed in the quarter-final of the same competition, when Artie Campbell's lads won by the whopping margin of 215 runs, against a young inexperienced side. Artie led from the front with a superb knock of 113, while Robert Smith just missed out on a century when he fell at 93, with Templepatrick posting a daunting 340 in their fifty overs.

Josh Dailly and Robert Smith each took three wickets as Lisburn II were dismissed for only 125.

Templepatrick will have most of that team available again, but with a place in the final at stake their opponents are likely to field a much stronger side this time.

With Richard Greer out injured, Mark Thompson is likely to continue as wicket-keeper with the rest of the team probably being selected from: Artie Campbell (Capt.), Colin Morrow, John Busby, Chris Busby, James Jackson, Keith Wilson, Neil Reynolds, Andy McCrea, Gareth Anderson, John McComb, Robert Smith, Josh Dailly, Gareth Boyd, Simon Beattie, Paddy Lutton.

The tie was scheduled to be played at Wallace Park, but with the Lisburn senior side having first option on the ground their second string will travel to Ballyclare.