The oldest and most prestigious Scratch Cup, the Tretorn Topflite-sponsored Midland Scratch Cup, will bring the season to a close at Carlow next weekend. This year, Carlow's Centenary Year, is the 50th anniversary of the Midland Scratch Cup and as usual it has attracted the cream of Ireland's amateur players in the 65-strong field.

This year's entries include Johnny Foster, the former South of Ireland champion from Ballyclare, Kilkenny's three times Irish champion Eddie Power, Sean McTiernan, the Irish Boys' champion, and Interprovincials Rory Leonard, Stephen Moloney and Gavin McNeill. Padraig Dooley, last year's winner from Cork will be defending his title.