The prospect of an all-NCU Irish Cup Final is still alive after the Semi-Final draw kept CIYMS and Instonians apart.

Instonians were first out of the hat and will play Cup specialists Merrion on Sunday week but CIYMS must travel to Dublin to face Phoenix, Quarter-Final conquerors of North Down.

It is the first Semi-Final, however, which is the most appealing for neutrals with Instonians looking to reach only their second Irish Cup decider — they lost to Waringstown in 2011 — against a Merrion side now just one match away from their seventh Final since 2010.

Three of those were against Waringstown in the space of four years from 2015, but Merrion have won the trophy only twice, in 2010, when they defeated Railway Union, and in 2016.

John Anderson, who scored a century in the victory over Waringstown — and 178 against The Hills in the second round this season — remains their star batsman at the age of 41, but in an all-star line-up he is joined by fellow international Stephen Doheny and Leinster Lightning batters Adam Rosslee and club captain Sam Harbinson, who leads a bowling attack which also includes international Max Sorensen and Mikey O’Reilly.

Instonians, who have knocked out Eglinton, Civil Service North and, in Sunday’s Quarter-Final, Malahide will be grateful for the home draw. CIYMS have struggled in the Premier League this season, winning only two of their first seven matches, but found top form to cause the surprise result of the Quarter-Finals, knocking out holders Leinster.

A repeat of that form will be needed against a Phoenix side which includes internationals George Dockrell, Ben White, Tyrone Kane and former Instonians all-rounder Shane Getkate.

The two surviving North West teams were also kept apart in the National Cup with Ballyspallen having home advantage against Rush while John Mooney will not have far to travel with his home club North County drawn against current club Strabane.