There's a general exodus from town today, and it does not entirely include folks heading for the seaside. The exodus includes the Leinster cricket clubs, heading north with hope in their hearts for second round engagements in the the Royal Liver Irish Senior Cup.

Going on previous experiences in knock-out competition, a good number of them will be returning with that particular hope extinguished, for the record of the southern clubs has hardly been what you might call convincing.

Phoenix will face a particularly tough opposition, when they take on Limavady, who won the trophy in 1997. Limavady are unbeaten in the North West League Division One, while their captain Decker Curry has scored over 300 runs, including two centuries, already this season.

Malahide may have an easier passage. Their opponents at Ballymagarry are Fox Lodge, now in Division Two, who are renowned - if that's the right word - for their vociferous local supporters.

Only three Leinster clubs - The Hills, Pembroke and Old Belvedere - will enjoy home advantage this afternoon. Sion Mills and Ardmore visit Milverton and Cabra respectively, while Pembroke will face either NICC or Railway Union, who were in action at Ormeau yesterday.

Cork County also have home advantage for the visit of Bready to The Mardyke. Bready have won one of their three matches to date in the North West League, and an upset is possible. Tomorrow, it's back to the Leinster Senior League. Dublin University are at home to Pembroke, while Railway Union travel to Milverton to take on The Hills.

Meanwhile, Derek Scott, who served as honorary secretary of the Irish Cricket Union for 25 years until his retirement in 1997, has been made an Honorary Life Member of the MCC, just reward for countless days in the sun and countless nights working away in committee rooms. He is only the second Irishman to have been awarded this signal honour, the previous recipient being the late Jimmy Boucher.