Clontarf can keep trophy in cabinet

CRICKET LEINSTER SENIOR CUP FINAL:NORTH COUNTY'S quest for four trophies this summer sees them facing into a hectic three weeks to the end of the season, starting with today's delayed Antalis Leinster Senior Cup decider against Clontarf at Castle Avenue (10.30am).

Having already pocketed the 45-overs title, County are top of Section A in the league and will defend their All-Ireland Cup against Donemana next Friday.

Skipper Andre Botha knows his side can't get ahead of themselves as they chase glory in three different competitions, especially so as they take on a 'Tarf side that are defending champions and in their own backyard. "We try and play it game by game, because you could come away with four trophies or you might come away with just one," admitted Botha.

Clontarf have an edge in recent matches between the sides, winning the last three league encounters, and Botha is keenly aware his former side are specialists in the 60-over competition, this being their seventh final appearance this decade.

Rival skipper Greg Molins also believes spin will play a key role in the decider, with his left-armers being complemented by Rod Hokin's leg-spin, while Andrew Poynter has proved a very useful off-spinner for the club in the past.

John Mooney's return to action has been a huge boost to County this season and he comes into today's game after being named player of the tournament in Ireland A's European Championship success in the Netherlands this week, finishing the tournament as leading run-scorer and wicket-taker.

Botha and Reinhardt Strydom will also prove key to County's chances, while Australian pro Denver De Cruz and talented young seamer Eddie Richardson will need to fire against a strong Clontarf batting line-up.

Adrian D'Arcy, a grandson of Christy O'Connor Snr, has been a revelation at the top of their order this year, while Dom Rigby, Alex Cusack, Hokin, Poynter and Molins himself are all capable of a match-winning knock.

It may not be enough to stop the North County juggernaut as they try and win their second Senior Cup title, but the home side's experience in this competition has seen the trophy reside at Castle Avenue eight times in its history. It may just fancy staying put for another year.

CLONTARF:G Molins (capt), B Coghlan (wkts), A Cusack, A D'Arcy, N Delaney, R Hokin, S Islam, J Morrissey, A Poynter, E Randall, D Rigby.

NORTH COUNTY (from):A Botha (capt), C Armstrong, D Armstrong (wkts), D De Cruz, C Garry, D Harper, R Lawrence, J Mooney, A Murphy, E Richardson, B Shields, R Strydom.

Admission to today's game is €5, with OAPs and children free. There will be live ball by ball coverage on NEAR90.3fm and online at  www.nearfm.ie.

FIXTURES

SATURDAY

Antalis Cup Leinster Senior Cup final: Clontarf v North County, Castle Avenue, 10.30am. WMK League - Section A (11.0): Merrion v Leinster, Anglesea Road; Rush v The Hills, Kenure.

SUNDAY

WMK League - Section B (11.0): YMCA v CYM, Claremont Road; Munster Reds v Phoenix, The Mardyke; Pembroke v Old Belvedere, Sydney Parade.