CRICKET/All-Ireland Cup final:The dominance of Leinster clubs in the Bob Kerr Irish Senior Cup is clearly demonstrated by the make up of today's final at Castle Avenue, Clontarf, an all-Fingal one between North County and The Hills.

This will be the second final to be contested by two Fingal clubs. In 2002 Malahide beat Rush by six wickets. And Leinster clubs have won five of the last six finals - Fingal clubs winning four of those.

North County's familiarity with the big day may make them slight favourites; the Balrothery club are seeking a fourth victory in the tournament since 2001.

The Hills, making their first appearance in the final, beat Glendermot, Instonians, Malahide and Rush on their journey to Clontarf and can field a side containing some heavy hitters with the ability to shape the outcome.

Most notably, the considerable figure of Jeremy Bray looms over proceedings, and his wicket may be the deciding factor between the two teams.

Bray opted out of international duty in the middle of the season, and that has been Ireland's loss and The Hills' gain as he averages just short of 60 for the club he joined at the start of the season from Eglinton.

He is joined in The Hills line-up by the former Ireland player Barry Archer, who is himself enjoying an outstanding season, despite the rain: averaging 70 from his eight spells at the crease this year.

And despite being underdogs, The Hills boast a good record against North County, beating them in the Leinster Cup final last year and knocking them out of the same tournament in 2005.

Only last weekend these sides met in a WM League.The Hills scored 308 for the loss of just one wicket thanks to Bray's 156 not out and Archer's 62 not out. North County, missing Andre Botha, on international duty, were all out for 259.

"While they have probably dominated our league encounters, we have shown we can lift our game on the big occasions, and have what it takes to beat them," says Joe Clinton, captain of The Hills.

Among the bowlers, The Hills will want to see a fit Matt Dwyer, who served as assistant national team coach to Adi Birrell and was capped 51 times for Ireland. Matt will line up with his son Mark.

"Matt has been struggling with a calf strain in recent weeks, but I'm expecting him to play," says Clinton, who feels spin may be the best form of attack on the Clontarf wicket.

However fast the bowling, the North County batting line-up is formidable, with several internationals in addition to Botha.

Captain Conor Armstrong and the Mooney brothers Paul and John will hope to run up scores, while Rynhart Strydom, recently capped for Ireland A, has had an outstanding season, amassing 362 runs.

John Mooney, the Ireland World Cup player, is another who enjoys the big day; he has been man of the match in two finals.

North County beat CSNI, Brigade and Derriaghy before an epic semi-final against Railway Union, whom they beat in the 2003 and 2005 finals.

It is, however, Botha's return that gives North County the edge. Because of international commitments and a succession of injuries, the South African native has played just twice for his club this year. But he comes back in the form of his life, having scored back-to-back centuries against Scotland and Bermuda. When playing well he has few discernable weaknesses, and if he is not removed early, he has the concentration and nous to bat all the way through an innings, allowing teammates freedom at the other end.

The 2007 Cup has been named in honour of the late president and chairman of the Irish Cricket Union, Bob Kerr, who died suddenly this year while supporting Ireland during the World Cup in Jamaica.

The ICU president, Tom Prior, said, "Bob Kerr was a great supporter of the Irish Senior Cup and I believe it is very appropriate that his name will now be commemorated in such a manner. It should be a great occasion, and I wish both teams all the very best."

Hope Kerr said, "My husband, Bob, was a real enthusiast for cricket, and the all-Ireland dimension of the game was particularly important to him. For that reason I am very pleased to give his name to this Senior All-Ireland Trophy."

Today's game starts at 11am. There will be ball-by-ball radio coverage with Fergus Carroll on Near FM.