Eunan's handed Colman's encounter

Michael Murphy is a key player for the Letterkenny hopefuls

St Eunan's Letterkenny have been handed a Bank of Ireland MacRory Cup quarter-final clash with competition old hands St Colman's Newry.

Eunan's, who include Donegal senior panelist Michael Murphy, beat Abbey CBS to progress to the last eight.

St Macartan's Monaghan will face St Pat's Dungannon, Omagh CBS meet St Pat's Armagh and St Michael's Enniskillen take on St Pat's Maghera.

The quarter-final ties are scheduled for Saturday 9 February.

However, there is speculation that one of the quarter-finals could be moved to an earlier evening date.

It's possible that the St Michael's Enniskillen v St Pat's Maghera game could fit the bill for an evening clash under lights at Healy Park in Omagh.

The Ulster Colleges Council had hoped to play one of last year's quarter-finals under lights but objections from schools prevented what would have been a first for the MacRory Cup.

Ulster Colleges Secretary Seamus Woods indicated at Monday's draw that the Council is determined to make it happen this time round.

St Eunan's manager Neil Gordon pronounced himself "happy enough" with his team's draw.

We definitely didn't want Enniskillen because they gave us a tanking earlier in the group stages St Eunan's Letterkenny manager Neil Gordon

The Letterkenny school will be involved in their first MacRory quarter-final in almost 40 years, while before this season, Eunan's had not won any game in the competition since 1979.

"I couldn't hold the boys back any more in the MacLarnon because it was clear that they could compete with the likes of Maghera and the Abbey," said Gordon.

"We know St Colman's well and they know us well.

"It'll be competitive again with only the kick of a ball between us. We definitely didn't want Enniskillen because they gave us a tanking earlier in the group stages.

"St Louis Kilkeel made the breakthrough a few years ago and if we do half as well as they did, we'll be happy.

"They had Martin Clarke as a talismanic figure and we have Michael Murphy who has played for Donegal seniors. If we keep injury-free, we might surprise a few people."

Damian McAlary from St Pat's Armagh is looking forward to taking on the holders Omagh CBS.

"They beat us in a replay last year in the semi-finals and they went on to win the MacRory and the Hogan," said Damian.

"This year they've won the McCormick, so although we've been playing well we'll have to up our game to meet this challenge from Omagh."

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Bank of Ireland MacRory Cup Quarter-finals
St Macartan's, Monaghan v St Patrick's Academy, Dungannon
St Eunan's, Letterkenny v St Colman's, Newry
Omagh CBS (holders) v St Patrick's, Armagh
St Michael's, Enniskillen v St Patrick's, Maghera

MacLarnon Cup Quarter-finals
St Mary's, Belfast v Pius X, Magherafelt
Patrician High School, Carrickmacross v St Columb's, Derry
St Patrick's, Keady v St Louis, Kilkeel
Rathmore Grammar, Belfast v St Michael's Lurgan

MacLarnon games to be played on Saturday February 16th