Pembroke go straight from the pan to the northwest fire

CRICKET IRISH SENIOR CUP:THE DOMINANCE of Leinster clubs in the Bob Kerr Irish Senior Cup over recent years faces a serious test today as the two remaining sides from the province go up against two of the strongest sides from the northwest in the semi-finals.

Pembroke ended North County’s chances of a hat-trick of titles when they pulled off an amazing, one-run victory at Balrothery in the quarter-finals.

Jumping from the frying pan into the fire, the young side now face a trip to The Holm to take on Donemana, last year’s beaten finalists.

It is one of the toughest places in Irish cricket to get a result, something best summed up by CIYMS’ defeat there in the quarter-finals.

Having made 306 for three from their 50 overs, the Belfast side sat back and watched Donemana chase it down in the 44th over, with professional Azhar Shaffique clubbing 78 from just 43 balls.

The Pakistan all-rounder will be a key man again for Donemana, while Pembroke will need their overseas pro Anthony Brooks to continue his good form with the bat if they are to have any chance.

The other semi-final is a repeat of the 1997 decider, when Limavady beat Leinster by 10 wickets on the back of Decker Curry’s unbeaten 102 at Beechgrove.

The hard-hitting former Ireland player is still going strong and will be looking forward to a good track at Rathmines to express himself.

Leinster have named former Ireland skipper Jason Molins in their squad of 12, and he’s another who will enjoy the big stage if he gets the nod from skipper Anton Scholtz this morning.

Scholtz has been in good nick himself this summer, while West Indian Carlos Bratwaite has been impressive with both bat and ball. A big showing from the tall Barbadian today could go a long way to making up for that defeat 12 years ago.

SATURDAY: Irish Senior Cup – Semi-finals(12.30): Donemana v Pembroke, The Holm; Leinster v Limavady, Rathmines. Leinster Senior League(1.0) – Section A: The Hills v Railway Union, Milverton. Section B: Rush v Phoenix, Kenure; YMCA v Old Belvedere, Claremont Road.

SUNDAY: Leinster Senior League– Section A: Clontarf v North County, Castle Avenue, 1.0.