LOCAL CRICKET/Weekend Preview: More than one cup campaign gets under way this weekend, folks, and to see a match live in this particular competition, you won't have to travel halfway around the world, or get up at the crack of dawn to watch the telly. Today sees the start of the Leinster Senior Cup, sponsored by Conqueror, with six matches on offer, and with two clubs, Clontarf and Old Belvedere, winning byes to the second round.

The holders, YMCA enjoy home advantage, as they take on Malahide at Claremont Road. Runners-up CYM, defeated in their first final appearance last summer, perhaps face a more difficult assignment, away to Rush at Kenure.

CYM will have the nucleus of last year's hard-fighting side again in action, though they may miss Davy Van der Walt, who has switched to North County this season. The team is captained by Michael Lax, and other stirling performers include the veterans Tom O'Neill and Willie Dwyer, as well as Rory Flanagan and Michael Launders, and their new South African player, Warwick Hinkle.

Rush are captained by their excellent all-rounder Nazeem Shaukat and their line-up includes Saadat Gull, another talented performer. The long-serving James Carthy is also on duty, along with South African Walmer Cross.

North County, who had such a successful season last year, will be keen to add to the collection of silverware. Though they are still without their injured all-rounder Andre Botha, they should have the edge over Dublin University at Balrothery today.

In the day's other first-round matches, Phoenix, The Hills and Leinster are at home to Pembroke, Railway Union and Merrion, respectively.

Tomorrow brings the first round of the Leinster Senior Two Cup campaign, with the holders, Malahide, away at Rathmines to Leinster. The Leinster Senior 50-Overs League resumes on Monday.

Teams in SPORTS ROUND-UP