IRELAND INTERNATIONALS both past and present played lead roles as North County and Donemana set up a mouthwatering final to the Bob Kerr Irish Senior Cup. Defending champions North County earned a fifth final appearance in their last eight attempts with a 76 run triumph over Fingal rivals Rush at Balrothery.
Ireland opening batsman Reinhardt Strydom scored his second century of the summer against Rush as County made 252 for nine off their 50 overs. Strydom and former Ireland international Conor Armstrong (46) put on 115 for the first wicket, while Brian Shields (31) helped him add another 70 runs for the second. The Rush bowling attack did bite back to restrict the home side somewhat, with Tipu Gull and Nazeer Shoukat taking three wickets each.
Gull finally accounted for Strydom, but not before he has scored 104 off 145 deliveries with 14 boundaries and one maximum. Rush got off to a promising start, openers Dan van Zyl and Fintan McAllister reaching 50 without loss before Andre Botha stamped his class on proceedings.
The Ireland player decimated the Rush top order, removing McAllister for 17 and Gull and Shoukat without scoring. The visitors never recovered, and despite Lionel Jansen scoring a half-century, they were bowled out for 176 in the penultimate over.
Merrion let a great chance slip by in their semi-final in Anglesea Road as Donemana secured their first final appearance since they won the trophy back in 2000. Former Ireland player Alex "Junior" McBrine hit an unbeaten 71 as the North West side made 203 for nine from their 50 overs. At 114 for one, Merrion looked well set to make it an all-Leinster final for the fourth straight year, only to lose the plot and their next eight wickets for just 25 runs.
Their downfall was led by the slow left-arm spin duo of 44-year-old McBrine and Jordan McGonigle. The latter returned cracking figures of four for 16 off his 10 overs, while McBrine took three for 19 off his full allocation.
Merrion's last eight batsmen failed to make it in to double figures as they were bowled out for 166 to lose by 37 runs. Merrion will rue the 46 extras given away by their bowlers, including their losing margin of 37 in wides.
Meanwhile, Clontarf will defend their Leinster Senior Cup title after beating The Hills by 70 runs in Saturday's semi-final at Castle Avenue. Fine knocks from opener Adrian D'Arcy (86) and Australian professional Rod Hokin (60) helped 'Tarf post 242 for nine off their 60 overs. Hokin also took three wickets, while Alex Cusack claimed four for 27 as The Hills were bowled out for 172.
