Last year the grand old trophy went to the deep south when Cork Harlequins beat Lisnagarvey 2-1 in the decider, and that was followed by Pembroke Wanderers landing the All-Ireland Club championship, thus depriving an Ulster team of entry into the two European competitions.

That's something that they want to put right, and the first step is on Saturday when the big guns join the cup competition at the third round stage.

Lisnagarvey, Banbridge, Annadale and Cookstown are all expected to make it through to the last 16, though they musn't take anything for granted in cross-border ties.

And they'll be joined by three others from all-Ulster clashes, and possibly Senior One high-fliers Belfast Harlequins who could shock Cork Belvedere at Deramore.

But the big question on everyone's lips is whether Instonians can push that representation in the fourth round to a possible nine when they take on All-Ireland champions Pembroke at the new pitch in Shaw's Bridge.

Craig Fulton has honed the Pembroke team and already they top the Leinster League, scoring on average five a game.

They boast current Irish internationals in Justin Sherriff, Ronan Gormley, John Jermyn and Tim Lewis, as well as former international Gordon Elliott, and are captained by Scottish international Paddy Conlon.

That's a fine pedigree, and installs them as firm favourites. But Instonians don't baulk at big names, so expect them to work that little bit harder as they bid to chalk up a first win on their new pitch.

Last week they were held goalless by Bangor, having previously lost to Annadale in the Anderson Cup, but they're gradually adopting to their new surroundings, so expect the Mark Irwin, Aaron Gill and Chris Barnes partnership upfront to provide a goal or two.

Annadale and Banbridge will tread cautiously on their trips to Dublin, but should win at Fingal and Dublin University respectively, while Garvey and Cookstown are capable of overcoming Corinthian and Dublin YMCA.

Irish Senior Cup 3rd round: Instonians v Pembroke, Shaw's Bridge, 1pm (Umpires, A Groves, R Ewart); Fingal v Annadale, Aer Lingus, 2.15pm (Umpires, G Quail, C Porter); Dublin YMCA v Banbridge, Claremont, 2pm (Umpires, D Stewart, S MacAllister); Lisnagarvey v Corinthian, Hillsborough, 2.30pm (Umpires, W McCully, G Conn); Cookstown v Dublin Univ., Cookstown HS, 2.30pm (Umpires, C McConkey, N Parnell); North Down v Cork C of I, Comber LC, 1pm (Umpires, E McFerran, O Beattie); UCD v Civil Service, Belfield, 1pm (Umpires, P Griffin, G Maguire); South Antrim v Raphoe, Laurelhill, 1pm (Umpires, T Templeton, S Ferguson); Belfast Harlequins v Belvedere, Deramore, 1pm (R Kendrick, D Clarke); Kilkeel v Antrim, Kilkeel HS, 2.30pm (Umpires, H McNeill, R Burton); Mossley v Bangor, The Glade, 2.30pm (R Johnston, C Hutchinson); Glenanne v Skerries, St Mark's 2pm (Umpires, G Caulwell, B Attridge); UCC v Three Rock, Mardyke, 3pm (Umpires, T Goode, D Shine); Cork Harlequins v Monkstown, Farmer's Cross, 2pm (Umpires, R O'Connor, K Bolger); Catholic Institute v Railway Union, Rosbrien (Umpires, A Treacy, D Shine); Naas v Bray, Cargagh Road, 2pm (Umpires, C Deane., A Brennan).

Vi-Sport Senior One: PSNI v Newry, Holywood, 1pm (Umpires, L Allen, J Wray); Queen's v Portadown, Upper Malone, 1pm (Umpires, D Foster, K Glass).