Boost for Ireland as O'Brien back in

CRICKET:KEVIN O'BRIEN and Alex Cusack have made themselves available for Ireland's Intercontinental Cup clash away to the Netherlands, which starts on Wednesday.

The pair were not expected to return from injury until the European Championships later in the month, but will now line out in the four-day game in Rotterdam.

O'Brien, who damaged a hamstring playing for Middlesex seconds, will only bat during the game.

Merrion got the better of Limavady in a rain-interrupted contest at Anglesea Road on Saturday to book a place in the semi-finals of the Bob Kerr Irish Senior Cup. Australian pro Matt Petrie enjoyed an outstanding day with the ball, removing Dekker Curry with the first ball of the game. Petrie returned figures of three for eight from his nine overs as they were bowled out for 152.

Merrion's target was reduced to 139 off 41 overs due to rain, and the home side were in trouble at 80 for six before Ritchie Barker (60) and Jeff Short (31 not out) saw them home with two overs to spare. They will face northwest opposition again in the semi-finals after being drawn at home to Donemana, who saw off Waringstown by just two runs at The Holm.

Rush and Leinster must replay their fixture in Rathmines next Saturday after rain ruined their quarter-final at Kenure.

Yesterday's Twenty20 finals were rained off and will now take place on Sunday, July 27th.

Ireland batsman Eoin Morgan secured his maiden first-class century for Middlesex against South Africa at Uxbridge on Saturday.

IRELAND (squad for IC Cup game v Netherlands, July 9th-12th, Rotterdam): K McCallan (Waringstown, capt), A Botha (North County), P Connell (North Down), A Cusack (Clontarf), T Fourie (Railway Union), G Kidd (Waringstown), K O'Brien (Railway Union), A Poynter (Clontarf), P Stirling (Cliftonville), R Strydom (North County), G Thompson (Lisburn), A White (Instonians), G Wilson (Surrey, wkts).