News

Bank of Ireland Towns Cup Wins for Academy and Randlastown

5th October 2026

Saturday saw the commencement of two cup competitions.

The preliminary round of the Bank of Ireland Towns Cup produced two exciting contests that went right down to the wire, while there were also five games down for decision in the opening round of the Gordon West Cup.

For the second time in three weeks, Academy travelled to the North-West and came away with a narrow victory. In that recent league encounter, the margin of victory for Academy was three-points, and on Saturday just two-points was all that separated the sies as Academy booked a first-round proper clash against Coleraine.

There was another close encounter in Mullaghmeen where Randalstown edged Enniskillen 2XV 24-29.

Randalstown prize for Saturday’s win on the road is a home toe against City of Armagh 2XV in round one which will take place on Saturday 24^th October.

In the Gordon West Cup, last season’s beaten finalists, Virginia, got their campaign off to the best possible start with a big win at Newry.

Donaghadee have enjoyed good cup runs in recent years, and they’ll be keen to use Saturday’s 41-17 win over the PSNI as a springboard to go deep in this year’s competition.

Monaghan are another club who tasted success in recent years, and they scored a convincing 38-0 win over Holywood at Kerr Park. Cavan will also advance to the second round after they came away from Donegal Town with 33-7 win.

Grosvenor kept up their unbeaten start to the season with another big win over Civil Service at Gibson Park.

Bank of Ireland Towns Cup

City of Derry 25-27 Academy

Enniskillen 2XV 24-29 Randalstown

Gordon West Cup

Newry 10-59 Virginia

Holywood 0-38 Monaghan

Donegal Town 7-33 Cavan

Grosvenor 60-0 Civil Service

Donaghadee 41-17 PSNI

In the 2XV league, Ballynahinch remain clear at the top despite not playing at the weekend.

Thew men from Ballymacarn Park hold a one-point advantage over Instonians with both having played three matches.

On Saturday Instonians kept up their unbeaten start top the season with a convincing win at Clogher Valley, while Rainey had a bonus-point win over Ballyclare.

At the Palace Grounds, City of Armagh and Queens University were forced to share the spoils after they sides played out a 19-19 draw.