THE FINE weather notwithstanding, the Leinster cricket season ends this weekend, as at senior level Merrion take on Strabane in the Beckett Cup final at Anglesea Road today and Pembroke and Railway Union meet in a postponed River House League Section A match at Sydney Parade tomorrow.

Tomorrow's match is not likely to lessen the attendance at Croke, Park, and with Clontarf having already won the League, it will merely complete the programme. The game was deferred from the August Bank Holiday weekend, because of Pembroke's involvement in the Conqueror Cup final.

Even a win for Pembroke which seems likely would not alter their third place in the Section A table. And with Malahide due to drop down to Section B, Railway Union have no relegation fears.

The Beckett Cup final is normally played at the start of the following season, but has been rescheduled this year. The game should draw a good crowd to Anglesea Road, and a home victory would bring Merrion's season to a satisfactory finish.

Their team is along usual lines. Opponents Strabane will probably have the four Gillespie brothers - Peter, Michael, Morgan and John - in their side, which will be captained by Keith Finlay.

All rounder Peter, who is in Ireland's squad for the ICC Trophy tournament in Malaysia next year, performed well for the Development team. He also had a good game against Scotland in Linlithgow last month, despite the trauma of a duck in Ireland's first innings.

Earlier, he had taken three for 93 off 18 overs. And Gillespie went on to take two for 43, off 12 when the Scots batted again, and then scored an excellent 53 in Ireland's second innings.