THAT DRAMATIC win against Middlesex and the creditable performance against Glamorgan (to leave Somerset out of it) notwithstanding, Ireland will face a pretty formidable task in what is likely to be their final Benson & Hedges Cup match of the season, against Essex at Downpatrick on Monday.

Essex have named a squad of 13 for the engagement, and it contains no fewer than seven Test cricketers. They are England's Graham Gooch, Nasser Hussain, Ronnie Irani, Mark Hott, Peter Such and Neil Williams, along with Stuart Law of Australia.

This will be Hansie Cronje's last match in Ireland, and more's the pity. Of course the South African is a paid up professional - and nothing wrong with that but he has more than paid his way, both in terms of his displays on the field of play and also in doing an excellent PR job for Irish cricket.

Today, the focus of attention will be on the two first round matches in the Royal Liver sponsored Irish Senior Cup, which bring Rush and Eglinton into opposition at Kenure and Sion Mills and Clontarf at the town made famous by the West Indies, back in 1969. Rush will be without Joe Scanlon, because of work commitments, 50 Sean McGann steps into the breach.

Eglinton will field their Barbadian, Hendy Wallace. And the team will be further strengthened by the return of former Ireland placer Nigel Thompson, who has rejoined his original club from Ardmore, though the former Ireland player, Stephen Smyth, has gone back to Brigade.

Clontarf have been hard hit by a combination of educational and - one might say - legal factors, for their journey north. Andre Botha, as an overseas player, is excluded from this particular competition, Ronan O'Reilly is sitting examinations, while Paul Ryan, Andrew Cullen and Keith Spellman are all obliged to turn out for their respective school sides this afternoon.

Ireland's batting coach, Bobby Rao, will enhance the chances of Sion Mills. He has been in splendid form, both batting and bowling, reportedly.

Under the captaincy of Alf Masood, Phoenix have two Lewis Traub matches over the weekend, being at home to Old Belvedere today, and to CYM tomorrow. Tony Carey will not be available for tomorrow's encounter, but Masood will not announce his stand in until the end of this afternoon's game.

Old Belvedere also have two league engagements, being at home to Rush tomorrow. For that match, Paul O'Riordan, who is not available for today's game, returns instead of John Quinn, while Derek Quinlan will take over from Paul Ridgeway.

Merrion, at home to Railway Union this afternoon, have Kevin Allwright in the side, instead of Jeff Short, who is not available. Railway will field along regular lines.

Pembroke will also be in action twice this weekend, away to YMCA today, and at home to The Hills tomorrow, when Bill Whalley stands in for John Davy.

Jonathan Garth makes his first senior appearance of the season for YM. But the absence of Alan Lewis, Angus Dunlop and John Hoey may be felt.