Just as the pundits insisted that breaking the Munster stranglehold on the All Ireland League was "good for rugby", many hold that a southern sojourn for the Irish Senior Cup - sponsored by Royal Liver - would greatly benefit Irish club cricket.

Of the eight Leinster clubs still in contention today, only Railway Union are away (to Lisburn). The Hills, YMCA and North County are at home to northern sides, while Clontarf and Phoenix have home advantage against Malahide and Merrion, respectively.

As one philosophical Clontarf observer remarked last week, Malahide will be visiting Castle Avenue in pursuit of a hat-trick, having already won there in the Lewis Traub League last month and in the first round of the Conqueror Cup last Saturday. This third confrontation certainly will be interesting, and much the same may be said for North County's tilt with Strabane at Balrothery and The Hills' encounter at Milverton with Waringstown, the winners in 1983 and 1992.

Strabane are undoubtedly a useful side, with brothers Peter and Mark Gillespie potential match-winners, but no opposition will take North County lightly this summer.

With Conor and Dara Armstrong and Paul and John Mooney on board, North County are potentially formidable opponents. Andre Botha has been a notable acquisition, and with the experience of players like John Andrews, Paddy Martin and Joe Murphy thrown in, a win for the Fingal club is very much on the cards.

The Hills have been badly hit by injury, with brothers Luke and Mark Clinton ruled out with ankle and back problems, respectively.

Clontarf field much the same team which defeated last year's beaten finalists, Limavady, three weeks ago. Marc Jones, who took 6 for 13 and won the man of the match award, was Clontarf's ace that day, and once again could be a key player against Malahide, who have Brian Gilmore back in action.

Having beaten the holders, Donemana, away by 26 runs, YMCA should fancy their chances against Downpatrick at Claremont Road. Even though Downpatrick had an emphatic home win over Leinster in the first round, YMCA will once again be looking for good performances from the likes of Angus Dunlop and John Hoey, who scored 119 and 79 against Donemana, and Marvin Van Niekierk, who took a hat-trick in that match.

If their respective leage form is a yardstick, Merrion should start favourites against Phoenix, even allowing for their opponents' home advantage. And Railway Union's unexpected Leinster Cup victory in the Park last Saturday won't have done much for the morale of Phoenix.