BOBBY Dalzell Cup holders Portaferry have a tough hurdle to overcome as they begin their defence of the trophy.
They travel to Castlewellan in the One 1918 (formerly O’Neill’s Sportswear) sponsored competition on Saturday, September 13.
Castlewellan hold the record for most Dalzell Cup successes, having brought the trophy to the Town on four occasions and have been winners three times in the past eight years.
The Ports won the Cup last year, beating Valley Rangers 2-0 in the Christmas final.
There are five other first round ties with the rest receiving a bye to round two which will not be played until the end of October.
The full first round draw is: Castlewellan v Portaferry, Kilkeel v Dromara III, Rathfriland III v Strangford, Ballynahinch Olympic II v Killough, Newcastle II v Annalong Swifts, Ardglass II v Mourne Rovers.
