A cricket team containing six batsmen who contribute precisely zero runs between them to the total score can hardly be over-imbued with confidence when the opposing side is set a modest total of 179 to win the match. But in Saturday's Royal Liver Irish Senior Cup preliminary round at Balrothery, the holders North County not only defended their total of 178 with aplomb, but skittled Glendermott out for 31 to win by 147 runs with almost 30 overs to spare.

But despite this emphatic victory, North County skipper Paul Mooney and his advisers will have much to think about before they face Strabane away in the first round proper on May 25th. Man of the match Sean O'Connor and Daragh Armstrong scored 143 runs between them, while none of the other batsmen reached double figures.

O'Connor reached his 50 off 58 balls and his 74 included eight fours and two sixes. Armstrong scored his 50 off 82 balls and hit seven boundaries in his 69.

Another worry for North County will be the almost certain absence of star all-rounder Andre Botha. His left ankle, damaged in training last week, is to be examined again by the medics on Friday.