Phoenix only Leinster side to make Senior Cup semi-finals

CRICKET:PHOENIX ROSE from the flames as Leinster's sole survivor in the last four of the Bob Kerr Irish Senior Cup after the other four sides from the province crashed out in Saturday's quarter-finals.

It’s the first time since 2004 that there is just one Leinster side in the semi-finals, with Phoenix hoping to add to their 1986 victory in the competition.

It would be a fitting end to the domestic career of former Ireland player David Langford-Smith before he returns home to Australia at the end of the season.

And it was Langford-Smith who lit up Saturday’s quarter-final win over holders Merrion at Anglesea Road, with his innings of 83 coming from just 36 balls, including seven fours and six sixes in a 64-run victory.

Phoenix face a tough trip to play Instonians in the semi-finals after the Belfast club knocked out last year’s beaten finalists Railway Union at Shaw’s Bridge.

Trent Johnston made 80, but Railway could only muster 184 runs, with Andrew White’s unbeaten 73 helping his side to a six-wicket victory.

James Hall starred with both bat and ball as Waringstown beat Leinster by 118 runs at The Lawn, with the Ireland international scoring 75 and taking three wickets for 29. They will now travel to play Brigade for a place in the final after the northwest side beat Pembroke by six wickets at Sydney Parade.

Meanwhile, Ireland face Namibia at Stormont today (10.45) in the first of two 50-over games as part of the new ICC Intercontinental Cup one-day tournament.

Left-arm spinner George Dockrell returns to the side for the first time since injuring his right shoulder at the World Cup.

Ireland coach Phil Simmons has named a strong squad for the games, with Gloucestershire’s Graeme McCarter the only uncapped player in the squad.

The sides meet again at the Belfast venue tomorrow.

IRELAND (Squad): W Porterfield (Warwickshire, capt), A Cusack (Clontarf), G Dockrell (Somerset), T Johnston (Railway Union), N Jones (Civil Service North), J Mooney (North County), G McCarter (Gloucestershire), K O’Brien (Gloucestershire), N O’Brien (Northants), A Poynter (Clontarf), B Rankin (Warwickshire), P Stirling (Middlesex), A White (Instonians).