County Louth, the holders, will have most of the team that won the women's Eastern District Senior Cup when they open the defence of their title against Hermitage at Co Louth this morning. Internationals Oonagh Purfield and Jenny Gannon, the recent winner of the Leinster Championship, will be joined by Deirdre Smith, the runner-up in the Hermitage Scratch Cup on Sunday. Milltown, last year's beaten finalist will meet Donabate in the first round.

The draw: First Round - Woodbrook v Laytown and Bettystown (9.0 a.m.). Second Round: Milltown v Donabate (10.30); Hermitage v Co Louth (11.20); Elm Park v Woodbrook/Laytown and Bettystown (1.30), The Island v Grange (12.00).