North men come south to continue cup march

The weekend, north and south, is dominated by the second round of the Irish Senior Cup with four matches against northern opposition on offer in the Leinster Cricket Union's area.

Arguably, the most attractive of these ties, at least as far as the non-partisan is concerned, is that between The Hills and last year's defeated finalists Limavady, at Milverton. Elsewhere, YMCA, Phoenix and Malahide are at home to Donemana, North Down and Ballymena respectively, while North County, victors over Waringstown in the first round, take on Leinster at The Nevitt. Limavady are captained by the ebullient Decker Curry, who retired from international cricket some time ago, while The Hills are led by Matt Dwyer, who rescinded the decision he took last year and has thankfully returned to the representative game.

Dwyer and his team-mates will be fervently hoping that the current poor batting form at club level of the opposing skipper will continue, at least in this particular tete-a-tete, for Curry in full flight could wreak havoc in the relatively small confines of Milverton.

On the other hand, Curry has been doing well with the ball, taking 11 wickets in Limavady's two North West League matches to date.

It hardly needs to be said that Dwyer's bowling could be equally crucial. All told, this certainly looks like a no-holds-barred contest.

Merrion, who lost at the semi-final stage last year to the ultimate cup winners Brigade, travel north to take on Glendermott at The Rectory. Merrion will be without Australian Chris Torrisi, rendered ineligible by the competition's ridiculous regulation which rules out professionals, but otherwise will be at full strength, with all four Joyce brothers in action.

Merrion defeated Glendermott by six wickets in the third round at Anglesea Road last season, when Ed Joyce was the game's top scorer with an unbeaten 88 and Angus Fleming took three for 28 off his 10 overs.

That both are in action again simply must be encouraging for Merrion.

Stephen Smyth has been banned from the cup this season, as part of the five-year suspension meted out to him by the Irish Cricket Union last year following alleged misdemeanours in Lurgan, and so won't be in the Brigade line-up when the holders take on Cliftonville at Greenisland.

Still, the presence of Gordon and David Cooke, among others, will boost Brigade, who have won both their North West League matches to date, as well as their first round Ulster Cup game last Sunday.

Meanwhile, Mark Waugh's presence should draw a big attendance to Castle Avenue for Ireland's two one-day internationals against Zimbabwe next month.