CRICKET: Downpatrick's Paul Linehan has good reason to be looking forward to his Irish Senior Cup match against YMCA today. In a competition he loves, the popular left-handed batsman will be playing on a hard and fast wicket at The Meadow against his former Dublin club-mates for a side hitting a rich vein of form of late.
Last week, Downpatrick made 361 for five against Bangor in the NCU league with opening batsman Neil Gelston stroking 133 of them and Linehan is confident they can put together another big performance against a YM team that has been in good nick itself in recent weeks.
"I remember a couple of years ago winning away from home to YM in this competition. It was probably the highlight of my three-year stint as captain," said Linehan. "I'm really looking forward to the rematch."
It is a Downpatrick side with a good mix of youth and experience. Young opening batsman James Magowan has been catching the eye of representative selectors and yesterday played for Ireland Under-19s against the MCC at Stormont.
From the Dubliners' point of view their dangerman will be captain Stuart McCready who has scored two centuries already this year and is a devastating hitter when he gets his eye in.
YM have also named Alan Lewis in the team for what will be his first match of the season having returned from international refereeing duty Down Under.
Dependable left-arm spinner Stewart Taylor is unavailable, but with Angus Dunlop, Paul Beacroft and Carl Hosford amongst others, YM's mix of experience and, well, more experience could make this the match of the day.
Meanwhile, defending champions North County make the difficult trip to Upritchard Park to take on Bangor while several other Leinster clubs are also on the road. Rush travel to Lisburn, CYM to Cliftonville, Pembroke to Instonians' ground at Shaw's Bridge, The Hills to Glendermott, Malahide to Limavady and Merrion at Bready.
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