CRICKET: With Met Eireann predicting a dry, sunny day it is hoped the final crucial ingredient will be in place today for the LHW 20/20 Alan Murray Cup finals in Rathmines. Last year a constant threat of rain hung over the ground on a grey, chilly day.
The four teams in this fiesta of cricket are Railway Union, The Hills, North County and Clontarf and it's hard to imagine a more exciting bunch of Irish cricketers together for this madcap, fast-and-furious version of the game.
Also these are four of the best supported clubs in Leinster so a big crowd is all but guaranteed.
The Hills could be the dark horses today. While perhaps not enjoying as successful a season as Railway or North County, they surely have the personnel to do serious damage in 20/20 cricket.
Michael Lax, Michael O'Herlihy, Shaun de Kock, Barry Archer and Bryn Thomas all love to get on with it when batting and today they can do just that.
"We're really looking forward to this," said captain Thomas. "The Alan Murray Cup has been completely revamped and it's a fantastic event. The guys love playing in it and we are taking it very seriously now as a major part of our season," he said.
"We have a good team but it is going to be very tough. But 20/20 is always unpredictable so we reckon we've as much chance of winning it as anyone," he added.
That unpredictability was certainly in evidence last year when underdogs Merrion lifted the trophy - all it takes is one big individual effort to swing a match.
Railway Union captain Kenny Carroll, fresh from his side's win in the final of the Dublin Grass Machinery League final last weekend, is also aware of what his side has to do today.
"I think one of the crucial aspects of 20/20 is the fielding," said Carroll. "The fielders will always be under pressure and the side that performs well in that discipline will always be there or thereabouts." With a young, enthusiastic team at his disposal, it looks like Carroll has that base covered at least but with Kevin O'Brien, John Anderson and Adrian Murphy there is no shortage of potential match-winners in other departments also.
But the event is really tailor-made for the viewing public.
"We are trying to bring cricket to a different public," said Alan Lewis of sponsors LHW. "It is about entertainment and I'm delighted how well the clubs in Leinster have taken to it."
After an early toss, the first semi-final starts at 11am, the second at 2pm and the final will be at 5pm. Admission is €5 or €10 for a family. Parking is available in nearby St Mary's College at €2 for the day and there will be food on sale in the ground, bouncy castles, music, live interviews, special guests, a spectator bowl-out competition and much more.
Meanwhile tomorrow, the WM League resumes with Rush playing Malahide in Kenure and Clontarf heading to The Hills in Section A. In Section B, CYM host Railway Union, Merrion face Munster Reds away and Old Belvedere face Leinster at Cabra. In the Irish Senior Cup, Phoenix travel to Eglinton for a 1pm start.
