The third round of the Irish Senior Cup takes place today with four of the eight matches being played in Leinster, the pick arguably being the clash between The Hills and Donemana at Milverton. Both have been playing well this season, have some very able performers and will undoubtedly fancy their chances of making the last eight.
Under the competition's regulations, the two teams will be without their overseas players. Patrick Byrne will stand in for Aijan Farooqui in the Hills' line-up. Farooqui has scored 246 runs this season, including two 50s and has an average of 41.00, so obviously will be a loss. Donemana will be without their all-rounder Mujhad Jamshed.
The Hills may be on a high after their exciting Conqueror Cup victory over YMCA last Saturday, when Paul Mooney deservedly took the man of the match award. Mooney hit a splendid undefeated 79, and then went on to take six for 39, well backed up by the three for 44 contribution from Matt Dwyer, who has also been batting well this season.
Donemana have a strong side that includes Gary Neely, who has made three Ireland appearances in the past two years, and quick bowler Dwayne McGerrigle. McGerrigle took five for 66 in his debut match against Northumberland in the NatWest campaign last month in Newcastle, and followed that up with two for 34 against Essex at Comber. He then hit the four which put Ireland into the third round.
The McBrine brothers bring a wealth of experience and expertise to Donemana, and the bowling of the captain Noel Dunne will also be a major factor. Richard Kee, a forceful right-hand batsman, and left-arm spinner Jordan McGonigle, both selected in the Ireland Under-17 squad for the upcoming European Under-17 Championships in Holland, are also likely to play tomorrow.
The other Dublin-staged Royal Liver matches have Pembroke, Old Belvedere and Merrion at home to Glendermott, Cliftonville and North County respectively, with the Anglesea Road clash the sole all-Leinster confrontation.
The Leinster Senior League also continues over the weekend, though the games in question lack real significance given that semifinal placings have already been decided. The semis, scheduled for June 27th, will feature Merrion against Leinster at Anglesea Road and Pembroke against Clontarf at Sydney Parade.
Ronan O'Reilly (Clontarf) tops the Leinster batting averages to date with 202 runs with an average of 101.00, while Brad Spanner (Merrion) is the top run-scorer with 406, highest score 101 not out, in nine matches. Spanner's clubmate Damien Poder heads the bowling with 16 wickets for 120 runs, an average of 7.50.
Merrion men also lead the catching and wicket-keeping honours. Dom Joyce has held 11 catches in seven matches, while his brother Gus is the top wicketkeeper with 13 dismissals in nine matches. Meanwhile, the Leprechauns, at the start of their second half-century, took on St Columba's College at Rathfarnham during the week, almost 50 years to the day since these particular opponents met at the same venue, on June 15th 1949. The fixture has never lapsed since.
Norman Lush, in charge of cricket at St Columba's from 1954 to 1986, when the Leinster Schools Senior Cup was won five times, was the match manager. Noel Mahony, capped nine times for Ireland between 1947 and 1953, is the president of the Leprechauns this year.
