Cricket NewsAfter the excitement of the ICC Trophy over the last couple of weeks, the focus turns back to the domestic game, and today the Irish Senior Cup quarter-finals serve up a couple of choice ties.
No fewer than five Leinster sides are in the last eight, but this will be reduced to at most three by tonight as there are two all-Southern matches. The only team forced to travel outside the province is North County, who head to Comber (the scene of Ireland's recent victory over Uganda) to face North Down in a game they should win.
The Balrothery side will be at full strength, with Andre Botha, Paul Mooney and Eoin Morgan all available after international duty.
After losing their first three games of the season, North Down have since won 13 in a row and will not be short of confidence as they host the pre-tournament favourites. Their batting will open with Neil Russell and Ryan Haire, with plenty of talent to come in the shape of David Kennedy, Ralph Coetzee, captain Peter Shields and South African-born Gavin Rogers.
Their attack will be led by Billy Adams and Marty Dalzell, with spinners Coetzee and Marty Moreland along with medium pacer Ian Cleland ready when required.
"I have done a bit of investigation and North County certainly have a lot of depth to their team," said Shields. "For us it's about performing on the day whenever you run into good sides. Average won't be good enough. That said, we are used to playing big games so we know exactly what we have to do," he said.
Elsewhere, Trent Johnston will be missing from the Clontarf team to play Railway Union at Park Avenue, but with the strength the home side have, it shouldn't worry them unduly.
That said, Niall O'Brien wasn't available for Ireland over the last couple of weeks, but the Kent wicketkeeper/batsman will turn out for Railway this afternoon to do his bit for his old club.
In the other all-Dublin tie, Rush cross the Liffey to play Merrion in Anglesea Road, while in the northwest Limavady host Glendermott.
In the WMK League today, The Hills play Leinster at Milverton while YMCA and Pembroke meet at Claremont Road.
Tomorrow, there is a full league programme as Malahide play Rush, Phoenix take on Munster and North County host CYM in Section A. In the weaker section, Merrion go to Leinster while Railway Union make the short trip to YMCA.
SATURDAY: Irish Senior Cup - Quarter-final (1pm): Limavady v Glendermott, North Down v North County, Merrion v Rush, Railway Union v Clontarf. WMK League - Section B (1pm): The Hills v Leinster, YMCA v Pembroke.
SUNDAY: WMK League - Section A (1pm): Malahide v Rush, Phoenix v Munster Reds, North County v CYM. Section B: Leinster v Merrion, YMCA v Railway Union.
