CRICKET/Weekend preview: As the Irish Senior Cup reaches the semi-final stage this afternoon, the two southern clubs involved, North County and Railway Union, could both make a piece of individual history.
If North County defeat Donemana at The Holm, they will reach their second Senior Cup final, having two years ago become only the second Leinster club to win the trophy outright. And should Railway Union beat Limavady at Park Avenue, they will reach the final for the first time.
Both are up against formidable opponents. Limavady won the cup in 1994 and 1997 and were beaten finalists in 1999 and 2000. Donemana won the cup for the first and only time in 2000 and were beaten finalists twice - in 1986, when Phoenix became the first southern winners, and 1989, when they lost to North Down.
North County will be without their international all-rounder Paul Mooney, serving a two-match suspension. But they include their other internationals, Andre Botha (captain), Conor Armstrong and John Mooney, and also the talented youngster Eoin Morgan, released by Middlesex for the occasion.
Donemana will be without William Porterfield, who is on the MCC ground staff, but is in any case injured. But their supporters will be hoping for a good display from 15-year-old Graham Boyd; against Strabane recently, he came in at number 10 when Donemana were 64 for 8 and scored an unbeaten 57.
Limavady will be without their captain Ian McGregor, who is on holidays. To fill the gap, they yesterday flew in the experienced Gareth Harron from his work in Geneva, and soon after he landed in Dublin, he had a net in Malahide, a pleasant example of south-north co-operation.
Railway will miss the skills of their Ireland wicket-keeper/batsman Niall O'Brien, since Kent refused to release him for this match. But brother Kevin has been given leave by the MCC ground staff, and Railway have the talent to make Limavady fight all the way.
But with the gifted Decker Curry in a strong side, this will be a tough engagement for Railway, while being away to Donemana will certainly test North County's resolve and resources. If either Leinster club gets through, the final will again be played at Castle Avenue, on August 22nd.
There is just one WMK League fixture today, with Section A leaders Malahide at home to Munster Reds, fourth in the table. Tomorrow's three Section A matches include North County at home to Merrion and Railway at home to Munster Reds.
The Hills head the Section B table, followed by CYM and then Clontarf, who have three matches in hand. So Clontarf's rescheduled match against Rush at Castle Avenue will be important. Play in all WMK League matches this weekend commences at 12.30.
FIXTURES
SATURDAY: Irish Senior Cup semi-finals (1.00): Railway Union v Limavady, Park Avenue; Donemana v North County, The Holm. Leinster Senior League Section A (12.30): Malahide v Munster Reds, Malahide. Leinster Senior League Section B (12.30): CYM v The Hills, Terenure; Leinster v YMCA, Rathmines; Old Belvedere v Clontarf, Cabra. North West League Section 1 (1.00): Eglinton v Drummond, Eglinton; Brigade v Bready, Beechgrove; Fox Lodge v Glendermott, Ballymagorry; Ardmore v Strabane, The Bleach Green.
SUNDAY: Leinster Senior League Section A (12.30): Pembroke v Phoenix, Sydney Parade; North County v Merrion, Balrothery; Railway Union v Munster Reds, Park Avenue. Leinster Senior League Section B (12.30): Clontarf v Rush, Castle Avenue; CYM v YMCA, Terenure. Intermediate Cup final (1.00): North County 3 v Leinster 5, Kenure. North West League Section 1 (1.00): Limavady v Donemana, The John Hunter Grounds.
