Clubs offer change of pace

Cricket/Weekend preview: After a busy early season for the national side, it is time for the top players to return to their clubs and concentrate on domestic cricket for the weekend. And a busy weekend it is too.

Today is Antalis Senior Cup quarter-finals day. Tomorrow there is the first round of matches in the 2006 WMK League as well as the preliminary round of the Irish Senior Cup. On Monday Dublin University, Leinster and Old Belvedere meet at College Park for the preliminary round of the LHW Alan Murray 20/20 Cup.

And with Ireland being put under huge pressure by the English counties in the C&G Trophy, this weekend will be seen as an opportunity to get back into a bit of form and panel-beat some of that dented confidence.

"Definitely," said medium-pacer Paul Mooney. "The season has been difficult so far. We were thrown in the deep end from the start against quality opposition so it will be nice to get back and start playing with the club again where there's a bit more margin for error."

Mooney has been named in a strong North County side that will take on in-form Railway Union in the Antalis Cup at Park Avenue. Apart from Mooney, County welcome back his brother John and all-rounder Andre Botha to a side that also includes Conor and Dara Armstrong, Seán O'Connor, Reinhardt Strydom and Paddy Martin.

While Railway have no one who played in this year's C&G Trophy so far, they have a number who are very much in the selectors' minds and a good performance against a star-studded North County will get them even closer. Kevin O'Brien (brother of Kent and Ireland wicket-keeper Niall) has been in fine form this year, particularly with the bat, while opening bowler Roger Whelan and captain Kenny Carroll will also feel they are close to full international honours.

The last time these sides met in this competition was in the 2003 semi-final, when North County won by 72 runs on their way to clinching the title. Railway's Gary Black took four wickets that day and is playing again today, keen no doubt to replicate that form. Railway have five wins from five this season and with John Anderson, Mohammed Tariq and Adrian Murphy they will be a serious threat to County, especially with home advantage.

Elsewhere today, Phoenix and former Ireland opening batsman Jason Molins will be hoping for runs at Malahide as he looks to force his way back into the Ireland team. The Hills travel to Terenure to take on CYM and Rush host Leinster at Kenure.

Tomorrow, Pembroke play Old Belvedere at Sydney Parade and Merrion host Leinster in the preliminary round of the Irish Senior Cup. In the WMK League Railway travel to the Mardyke to play Munster Reds, North County are at home to The Hills, Phoenix play Rush in the Park and YMCA and Malahide meet at Claremont Road.