PROVINCIAL BRAGGING RIGHTS UP FOR GRABS IN ULSTER SHIELD

There's plenty more cup action on Sunday with the quarter-finals of the Ulster Shield and North West sides are involved in all four ties.

Bonds Glen are on the road as they travel to a Downpatrick side that saw off St Johnston in the first round. The hosts are a fairly well balanced outfit and have a new professional this season in Amit Patil but it was two local boys that were the driving force behind their win in Donegal.

Opening batsman Paul Tate scored a match-winning half century at the Boathole and he received solid support from Ryan Smyth so if they are to progress the Bee Gees need to keep a close eye on that trio.

The visitors have their own match-winners of course and former Donemana duo Graeme Boyd and Lee Britton have been in good form for them thus far, David Robinson also seems to be in good nick as does Ash Buchanan and if they're on their game on Sunday, Bonds Glen would have a good chance here.

Burndennett have also been drawn away- Mark Roulston's men take on Holywood who were easy winners over Newbuildings in Round 1.

Chris Hayes's team also have an overseas man in their ranks in Mandar Dhumke and have a decent blend of youth and experience in the side. Philip McCormick claimed 6 wickets in that convincing victory in the last round and the visitors will have to be at their best to go through.

As always, consistency is the key for Burndennett and if they are at full strength, the in-form father and son pairing of Stephen and Ross McCay, Gerard McAuley and skipper Roulston would mean that they too have a big chance.

Team-of-the-moment Killyclooney will hope to maintain their fantastic start to the campaign but they have arguably the toughest draw of all as they tackle Carrickfergus.

Mark Gordon's men do at least have home advantage however their problem is that despite their good form they have been overly reliant on the same players. Gordon's own form has been really good but even he would admit that Alan Colhoun has been outstanding for them, and backed up by Chris Neely and Richard McMorris with the ball this quartet, plus James Colhoun will need to do the bulk of the work.

The visitors gave Sion a real tonking first up- Jamie Holmes and Indrajeet Kamtekar battering the Tyrone side into submission. They also have Ryan Eagleson in the ranks too and although 'Clooney are a vastly different side from last year to this, Carrick would start favourites to progress.

The final tie looks competitive as well with Cliftonville travelling to the Rectory to take on Championship leaders Glendermott.

The visitors accounted for Creevedonnell to get to this stage and then added spice to this tie with some tongue-in-cheek reaction to their win afterwards.

They can walk the walk as well of course and their overseas man Avadhoot Dandekar looks a very useful player. Davy Munn has been around for a season or two but shows no sign of letting up while Phil Mulholland is another man the hosts will need to be wary of.

Gordon Montgomery's side tends to look after itself these days and not worry too much about the other corner and they are a side stacked with potential match-winners.

The skipper himself along with professional Roy Silva, Bob Robinson, Alan Johnston, Charlie Elder, Simon Killen and Stuart Cochrane are all capable of taking a hand in this and the Rectory boys should be able to win.