Cricket Round-up: A spectacular piece of late-order batting from Roger Whelan blasted Railway Union into the final of the Irish Senior Cup, beating Limavady by just one wicket on the penultimate ball at the John Hunter Grounds on Saturday.

Still needing 52 runs to win with two wickets in hand and just five overs left, Railway looked all but dead and buried.

But Greg O'Meara was then joined at the wicket by number 10 batsman Whelan, who hit 36 runs off just nine deliveries faced. It was a brief but savage innings that included a four and five sixes to put his side through with one ball to spare.

Limavady had made 226 off their 50 overs, thanks to a fine 88 from Stephen Smyth. Whelan took two wickets along the way but it was still a formidable total.

After a solid start, Railway's middle order collapsed. Kenny Carroll made 50 and Gary Black 37 before Whelan's heroics brought the game home.

It was a good weekend for Whelan. Yesterday he was selected in the 12-man Ireland squad for the Inter-Continental Cup match against Scotland in Aberdeen, starting next Saturday.

He replaces Trent Johnston who has pulled out for work reasons.

Conor Armstrong also comes into the Irish squad to replace Eoin Morgan who is unavailable. In an all-Leinster Irish Senior Cup final, Railway will face North County on September 2nd, a repeat of the 2003 final, which County won. The Balrothery side came through their semi-final clash with Merrion by five wickets, thanks to good bowling from Reinhardt Strydom (4-19) and Paul Mooney (3-38), which reduced Merrion to 163 all out. Only Rory Allright (50) and skipper Damian Poder (39) looked dangerous for Merrion.

In reply, Sean O'Connor (53) and Conor Armstrong (49) did most of the damage as County coasted home with five wickets and ten overs in hand.