CRICKET: Whether it's justified, there is a real sense of optimism surrounding tomorrow's C&G Trophy third round match between Ireland and Northants at Castle Avenue. It's not just the fact they beat Surrey in the last round but a genuine belief in home cricketing circles that this Ireland team does not need to rely on luck to be competitive at this level.
The national coach Adi Birrell was playing up his side's chances this week, emphasising that while the win over Surrey may have been remarkable, it certainly was not a fluke.
"That match opened the eyes of the other counties to the fact that Ireland is not a walkover. For my first match in charge against Nottinghamshire (in May, 2002), I knew in my heart of hearts that we didn't have a chance of winning.
"This time is different. I think we do have a chance if we do everything right," he said.
Perhaps the most important wicket that Northants will take tomorrow will be the first one. Ireland will be hoping that opening batsmen Jason Molins and Jeremy Bray - men with the talent to be playing in most county sides - get Ireland off to a good start like they did against Surrey.
One area of difficulty for Ireland is going to be in the opening bowling attack. Although he did not bowl as well as he can against Surrey - particularly in his first spell - Ryan Eagleson's absence through injury will be felt and with Paul Mooney recovering from the muscle strain that has hampered his preparation this week, a lot will depend on Trent Johnston at the other end to make the most of the new ball.
Like batsmen, opening bowlers work best as a partnership and so it is crucial they manage to restrict Northants from both ends in the first 15 overs or so.
One thing is for sure: Northants will not take Ireland as lightly as Surrey did. Their coach Kepler Wessels is not a man to leave things to chance. As a player, he was gritty, committed and resolute and there is no evidence he has changed his style much since then. He is no stranger to Birrell either. The Ireland coach played under Wessels' captaincy at Eastern Province in South Africa and then worked with him when he came to coach the side.
There has been the suggestion there is a little bad blood between them after the criticism Wessels meted out to Birrell through the media before Wessels took over as coach to the EP side. But Birrell is anxious - a little too anxious perhaps - to play down any personal edge to this game.
"He is a friend of mine. He was critical of me, yes, but we worked a lot together and we never really had any differences. I am looking forward to seeing him," said Birrell.
Northants are coming into a bit of form, with Graeme Swann, Usman Afzaal, skipper David Sales and erstwhile Ireland player Gerard Brophy making an impact in recent games. Common sense says Northants will prevail but they will have to fight hard for it.
Tickets cost 15 (€7.50 for under-16s and OAPs). Gates open at 9 a.m. for a 10.45 a.m. start and there will be live commentary on community radio station NEAR FM, broadcasting in the north Dublin area on 101.6 fm.
WEEKEND FIXTURES: Saturday: Leinster Senior Cup (first round, 11 am start) - Phoenix v Pembroke, Merrion v Dublin University, Old Belvedere v YMCA, Rush v Railway Union. Sunday: C&G Trophy (third round, 10.45 start) - Ireland v Northamptonshire.
