IT'S AS well that Hansie Cronje has returned home, his feats of derring do on Ireland's behalf notwithstanding. For had the South African skipper been beguiled by the attractions of this country, climatic, scenic or otherwise, and had he joined an Irish club, he would be a mere spectator today as the Royal Liver-sponsored Irish Senior Cup campaign moves to the second-round stage.
With very few exceptions, no overseas players are now eligible to play in this, the island's only all-Ireland club competition. That regulation was relaxed last season but has since been changed; only a player like, say, Bobby Rao, who has long-term residency qualifications, may take part.
Thus Leinster, last season's defeated finalists, will be without Paul Cron and Yash Singh when they face Cork County at Rathmines this afternoon, and Robbie Meaney and Gavin Gil more fill the vacancies. Cork County, who meet Malahide in the Lewis Traub League tomorrow, are without Shane Hickey and Ken Sorensen, both otherwise engaged, sitting examinations.
Other Leinster teams in action in Dublin today are Carlisle, Malahide, Merrion, Old Belvedere, and YMCA, the last-named being at home to Phoenix. Pembroke, The Hills, CYM and Railway Union are away to Cliftonville, Lurgan, North Down and Strabane, respectively.
The holders, Brigade are at home to Instonians this afternoon. Sion Mills, taking on Carlisle at Kimmage, make their second visit to Dublin in the space of three days, having unhorsed Clontarf on Wednesday. This was a match which Clontarf simply should not have lost.
Malahide face Glendermott from the North West, very much an unknown quantity in Leinster. Glendermott qualified for the Senior Cup via local NWCU competitions. For tomorrow's League match against Cork County, Malahide have Gary Bretherwick and Peter Saville taking over from Paddy Lee and Adam Shehabeddin.
Merrion, at home to Ardmore, will be obliged to give Jody Myers an enforced rest. Liam Casey deputises; meanwhile, Old Belvedere welcome Muckamore to the Cabra Oval
Curiously, the Senior Cup match of the day may well be the all-Leinster Claremont Road encounter, featuring YMCA and Phoenix, always assuming that the latter can field a team, of course. Their Alan Murray Cup problems aside, Phoenix are going well in the League, topping the Section A table, while YM's defeat of Waringstown in the first round will mean that morale will be high.
YMCA meet Leinster in the League tomorrow, at Rathmines. In the day's third League match, CYM are at home to Clontarf, and here's a cri de coeur from former skipper Ian Morgan, on behalf of Barnhall RFC, the rugby club he coaches.
The club is staging a benefit match this afternoon, in aid of the family of the late Duncan Furlong, who died recently at the tragically early age of 30. Barnhall will take on an International XV, with top players like Mick Galwey, Brian Rigney, Victor Costello, Brendan Mullin and Alan McGowan lining out, with a 4.0 kick-off.
All-Ireland League champions Shannon will also be represented by their captain, Conor McDermott, and coach Niall O'Donovan, who is emerging from retirement for the occasion. And who knows, a typically impressive display by the genial "Niallo" may lead to a call-up to help the beleaguered developers in New Zealand.
