O'Brien injury a huge blow to Ireland's hopes

CRICKET WEEKEND PREVIEW: IRELAND HAVE been dealt a huge blow with the news that all-rounder Kevin O'Brien has been ruled out for at least three weeks after suffering a hamstring tear playing for Middlesex seconds.

The Railway Union player had been named captain of the Ireland A side to face Bangladesh A in a three-day encounter at College Park next week. His place goes to Pembroke's Andrew Balbirnie.

O'Brien will also miss the Twenty20 and One Day clashes against Bangladesh A and the ODIs against New Zealand and Scotland in Aberdeen at the start of July.

He is unlikely to be risked in the Intercontinental Cup clash away to the Netherlands, the hope being that he will return in time for the European Championships at the end of July and, crucially, for the Twenty20 World Cup qualifiers in Belfast at the start of August.

O'Brien will also be missed by his club as they bid to end their Balrothery jinx in today's Antalis Cup semi-final against North County.

Andre Botha's side have already ditched Railway Union at the semi-final stage once this season, winning their DGM League clash at Balrothery by 81 runs on the way to picking up the trophy last weekend.

Last season County were also triumphant in the semi-final of the Irish Senior Cup and also put Railway out in the first round in Leinster.

Skipper Botha starred in the first meeting back in May, making 116 as County posted up a remarkable 322 for five off their 45 overs.

Although he didn't take a wicket in that clash, Botha gave away only 11 runs from seven overs as Railway were bowled out for 241.

The bad news for Railway is that Botha looks to have hit a purple patch of form, despite the nagging injuries that have frustrated him of late.

The Ireland all-rounder's unbeaten 77 brought them to victory over Pembroke in last Sunday's DGM final at Milverton.

Cup holders Clontarf entertain The Hills in the other semi-final and have been boosted by the speedy return of their Australian pro Rod Hokin from a wrist injury.

With Alex Cusack also in the side, they will fancy their chances of making another decider.

Ireland's preparations for the Twenty20 World Cup qualifiers get underway tomorrow when they play two games against a star-studded Lashings side at the opening of Peter Savill's new Oak Hill Cricket Club in Wicklow.

The Ireland XI could also come up against coach Phil Simmons, who has been named in a 12-strong Lashings squad that also boasts present and former Test stars such as Tino Best, Dinesh Mongia, John Emburey and Richie Richardson, who will captain the side.

IRELAND (from): A Botha (North County), P Connell (North Down), A Cusack (Clontarf), T Fourie (Railway Union), S Getkate (Malahide), J Hall (Waringstown), T Johnston (Railway Union), G Kidd (Waringstown), F McAllister (Rush), G McKenna (North Down), A Poynter (Clontarf), P Stirling (Cliftonville), R Strydom (North County), A White (Instonians).

LASHINGS (from): R Richardson (West Indies, capt), T Best (West Indies), M Akram (Pakistan), I Butler (New Zealand), J Emburey (England), E Giddins (England), A Kallicharran (West Indies), R Latif (Pakistan), D Mongia (India), A Mullally (England), P Simmons (West Indies), B Taylor (Zimbabwe). BOB KERR IRISH

SENIOR CUP: Quarter-final draw: Rush v Leinster/Instonians; Donemana v Waringstown; Merrion v Limavady; The Hills v North County. Ties to be played Saturday, July 5th.

FIXTURES: Saturday - Antalis Cup semi-finals (11am): North County v Railway Union, Balrothery; Clontarf v The Hills, Castle Avenue. Sunday - Twenty20 Challenge Matches: Ireland XI v Lashings, 11.0 and 3.30, Oak Hill CC, Kilbride, Wicklow. WMK League: Section A (12.30): Leinster v Clontarf, Rathmines; Merrion v Rush, Anglesea Road; The Hills v Malahide, Milverton. Women's Interprovincial: South Leinster v North Leinster, Sydney Parade, 1pm.