CRICKET: Even more than 2003, when Railway Union made it to the Irish Senior Cup final, beating Limavady along the way, the Sandymount side can re-establish themselves at the forefront of cricket on the island if they can defeat the North-West giants in the ISC semi-final today.
In 2003, they were fortunate to have home advantage in every round before the final (where they lost to North County) but this time they will have to do it the hard way by the long trip to the John Hunter Memorial Grounds.
Having beaten Clontarf in the last round, there is a real belief about this Railway team and, crucially, several of their potential match-winners are in a bit of form of late. Big-hitting West Indian Adrian Murphy has been in the runs and such is his free-scoring style, if he is allowed 25 overs at the crease, it could be game over.
Railway had Niall O'Brien for the last round and while the Kent wicket-keeper/batsman is tied up for his county, brother Kevin will be making the trip from London, where he is on the staff at Lord's.
With the usual suspects of Kenny Carroll, Pete Johnston, Mohammed Tariq, Roger Whelan (back from a knee injury), Gary Black and others making the trip North, this is pretty much as good a Railway side as they can muster.
But Limavady is a notoriously difficult place to win and the sole team from the North-West left in the competition will be keen to fly their union's flag to the final. With the likes of Decker Curry and Stephen Smyth, there will be no shortage of experienced batting. Also, attacking opener Chris Moore scored 121 against his old club Ballyspallen in the North-West league last week, so he is not to be taken lightly.
With the ball, Keith Burns, Johnny Thompson and Victor McDaid (uncle of former Ireland international Ricky McDaid), among others, will test Railway's batters on what should be a good track.
In the other semi-final, Merrion have surrendered home advantage to North County as Anglesea Road is currently being used as a car park for the Dublin Horse Show in the RDS. County will be glad as they are not easy to beat at Inch. Mind you, they are not easy to beat anywhere and Merrion will certainly go in as underdogs. It's a role they enjoyed on their way to winning the LHW 20/20 Cup, so dismiss them at your peril.
Meanwhile, in the league today Munster Reds make the trip to Terenure to take on CYM in Section A while in Section B The Hills host Pembroke at the Vineyard and YMCA play Leinster at Claremont Road.
Tomorrow, Malahide play Phoenix in the Village, North County host Munster and Clontarf travel to Kenure in a re-fixed match against Rush.
WEEKEND FIXTURES
Saturday - Irish Senior Cup (semi-finals, 1.0pm): Limavady v Railway Union, North County v Merrion. WMK League (12.30pm). Section A: CYM v Munster Reds. Section B: The Hills v Pembroke, YMCA v Leinster. Sunday - WMK League (12.30pm) - Section A: Malahide v Phoenix, North County v Munster Reds, Rush v Clontarf.
