Cricket Preview:The second round of the Bob Kerr Irish Senior Cup is played today across Ireland with several Leinster clubs involved. Of particular interest is Dublin's northside derby between Clontarf and Malahide at Castle Avenue, which will be the venue of a media first.
Dublin radio station NEARfm, will be bringing ball-by-ball coverage of the match, the first time for a senior cricket fixture. Among those playing across the country today will be the next generation of Ireland cricketers, the pick of whom have been identified and selected this week by Irish Cricket Union in their under-age teams.
The under-23 squad for the forthcoming European Championship, which takes place in Glasgow from July 3rd-5th, will compete against Scotland and The Netherlands. The A team from Denmark has been withdrawn from the competition.
Ireland is bolstered by the presence of several players with senior team experience. Five full internationals are in the squad captained by William Porterfield. Ireland coach Phil Simmons has named 14 players, and intends to get a look at them all during the games. "With a number of retirements and injury concerns, this is a great opportunity for the younger members to show me what they are capable of. A good showing here and they will definitely figure in my plans."
Injury, retirements and unavailability have undermined Ireland's preparations for the visit of India and South Africa next week.
The Irish Cricket Union has announced a 13-man squad for the upcoming one day Internationals (ODI) at Stormont. Ireland take on India on Saturday, June 23rd, and the following day South Africa are their opponents.
Boyd Rankin, Andre Botha and Dave Langford-Smith have all failed to recover from injury. Peter Gillespie has retired from international cricket and Jeremy Bray has asked not to be selected. Most controversially, Eoin Morgan has withdrawn from the games, preferring to play for Middlesex.
ICC rules state counties must release their players for full ODIs, however, in practice it is clear more needs to be done to ensure Ireland are able to select their best team. Phil Simmons said: "He (Morgan) wants to qualify and play for England, and feels that by obtaining a regular place in the Middlesex team is the best way to achieve that."
Morgan, the 20-year-old Middlesex batsman, said: "It's been a very difficult decision for me. I obviously love playing for Ireland and would like nothing better than to be lining out for them next weekend. Unfortunately there is a clash with my Middlesex commitments, as we have two one day games next week, and I'm a regular part of that team. I feel at this stage of my career, it's best if I cement my place in the Middlesex one day side, and hopefully through good performances force my way into the reckoning for the four day championship games."
IRELAND UNDER-23 SQUAD (for European Championship, Glasgow, July 3rd-5th): William Porterfield (Rush, capt), Allan Coulter (Civil Service North), Conor D'Arcy (Clontarf), James Hall (Waringstown), Gary Kidd (Waringstown), Fintan McAllister (Rush), Niall McDarby (CYM), Gavin McKenna (North Down), Kevin O'Brien (Railway Union), Andrew Poynter (Clontarf), David Rankin (Bready), Andrew Riddles (Limavady), Greg Thompson (Lisburn), Gary Wilson (Surrey).
IRELAND SQUAD:(v India, Saturday, June 23rd and South Africa, Sunday, June 24th, at Stormont): Trent Johnston (Railway Union, capt), Kenny Carroll (Railway Union), Alex Cusack (Clontarf), Thinus Fourie (Merrion), Dominick Joyce (Merrion), Gary Kidd (Waringstown), Kyle McCallan (Waringstown), Kevin O'Brien (Railway Union), Niall O'Brien (Northants), William Porterfield (Rush), Roger Whelan (Railway Union), Andrew White (Instonians), Gary Wilson (Surrey).
ODI FIXTURES (at Stormont): June 23rd - Ireland v India; June 24th - Ireland v South Africa; June 26-29th, July 1st - India v South Africa.
SATURDAY:Irish Senior Cup, second Round (1p.m.); Downpatrick v Donemana, Strangford Road; Instonians v The Hills, Shaw's Bridge; Rush v Limavady, Kenure Park; Clontarf v Malahide, Castle Avenue; CYM v Old Belvedere, Terenure; North County v Brigade, Balrothery; Lisburn v Railway Union, Wallace Park; Phoenix v North Down, Phoenix Park.
