CRICKET:NORTH COUNTY'S defence of their Bob Kerr Irish Senior Cup crown retains its decidedly local feel this afternoon when they host Rush in the semi-finals at Balrothery (12.30).
County earned their last-four slot when they defeated their great rivals The Hills by five wickets at Milverton on Tuesday.
Brian Shields maintained his fine form in the competition, top-scoring with 48 as the visitors chased down a Hills target of 195 inspired by a Jeremy Bray century.
The return of their Ireland World Cup player John Mooney has boosted County's strength with both bat and ball. The all-rounder has only once been out in five innings, giving him a remarkable average of 194.
County have won both times they have played Rush this year, including a thumping 223-run victory in the DGM League on the opening day of the season.
Reinhardt Strydom made an undefeated 170 in that game, while Andre Botha's present form will be a big worry for Rush also.
Rush will take heart, however, from the fact they were the last team to beat North County in this competition; they knocked them out in the semi-final in 2006.
Though Rush have fine talent in Fintan McAllister, Tipu Gull and Nazeer Shoukat, County's all-round power and strength should see them into a fifth final appearance of the decade.
Anglesea Road has been a graveyard for North West sides in this year's competition, but Donemana could buck that trend in their semi-final with Merrion.
Glendermott and Limavady have lost at the Dublin 4 venue, where opening bowler Matt Petrie has been virtually unplayable.
The big Australian has claimed 13 scalps in three matches, including two five-wicket hauls.
Dom Joyce will line up for the home side despite a cruciate knee injury suffered playing soccer and his vast experience and talent will be required against a Donemana side that includes the professional Azhar Shafiq and the former Ireland international twins James and Junior McBrine and is looking for a first final appearance since winning the cup in 2000.
FIXTURES: Today -Bob Kerr Irish Senior Cup Semi-finals (12.30): North County v Rush, Balrothery; Merrion v Donemana, Anglesea Road. Whitney Moore League - Section B (12.30): CYM v Railway Union, Terenure; Old Belvedere v Munster Reds, Cabra; YMCA v Phoenix, Claremont Road.
Tomorrow- T20 Practice Match: North West XI v Ireland XI, Beechgrove, Derry (5.0). Whitney Moore League - Section A (12.30): Clontarf v Malahide, Castle Avenue; Merrion v The Hills, Anglesea Road; Rush v North County, Kenure.
