CRICKET: The clubs of Dublin's Fingal region issued a reminder on Saturday as to where the power base of Leinster cricket lies as Malahide, North County, The Hills and Rush all made it through to the semi-finals of the Antalis Senior Cup.

Sydneysider Darren Wotherspoon was the hero of the day for Malahide as they beat Phoenix,taking four wickets as Malahide restricted their opponents to 230 for 9 off 60 overs and then hit a fine 136 (highest individual score of the day) to secure victory by four wickets.

North County were too good for Railway Union, with Ireland international Paul Mooney showing once again that although he is seen as a bowler first and foremost, he really deserves the tag of all-rounder. He made hay, scoring 76 well-compiled runs as County reached 293 for 5 off 60 overs. County had lost three wickets (Seán O'Connor, Andre Botha and Conor Armstrong) relatively early but, batting at five, Mooney turned things his side's way. He received good support from his brother John (59) and Reinhardt Strydom (45) as Railway's bowlers toiled on a good batting track at Park Avenue.

In reply Kenny Carroll will have impressed the on-looking national coach Adrian Birrell with 112 as Railway began the formidable run chase in confident style. At one stage Railway were 200 for 2 with Carroll and Adrian Murphy going well. But they lost Murphy for 63 and then the wickets fell in quick succession as they ended up 27 runs short. Paul Mooney was pick of the North County bowling with 3-25 with Strydom and John Mooney picking up two wickets apiece.

At Kenure, Rush annihilated Leinster by 215 runs. Sadat Gull scored 106 and Naseer Shoukat 82 as Rush made 355 batting first on a batsman's dream wicket in their tiny home ground.

Perhaps demoralised from chasing leather for 60 overs, Leinster managed just 140 all out in reply as Rush's bowling attack struck early and often.

But spare a thought for CYM who, after losing the toss at home to The Hills, had to watch the visitors smash 384 for 3 in 60 overs. Bryn Thomas (133) and Barry Archer (106 not out) did most of the damage on the mat in Terenure while former CY player Michael Lax also contributed with 83 as the bowlers came in for some serious punishment.

Colm Morgan batted well for his 73 as CY fell 182 runs short.

So although we are only down to the last four we already know that the only south-side involvement in this year's final will be in the fact that Merrion CC will host it at their Anglesea Road ground.