HEAVYWEIGHT CLASHES IN IRISH SENIOR CUP
There are four intriguing clashes in the quarter-finals of the Irish Senior Cup with four Leinster and NCU sides remaining in the last eight.
Merrion and Waringstown are familiar foes, having played in three final deciders in the last decade.
Waringstown are the tournament’s most successful side, having lifted the Bob Kerr trophy on six occasions, with current captain Greg Thompson wearing the captain’s armband in the 2017 and 2018 wins.
“We have come across Merrion quite a bit in recent editions of the competition with both having a fair bit of success,” said Thompson.
“Hopefully we will be going into the game at almost full strength, with only James Cameron-Dow absent due to coaching commitments with the Dragons. It’s good that we will have our Irish contracted players available. It’s important for the integrity of the competition that teams have their best players available for the big games at this stage. It’s great that players of the calibre of Graham Hume and Stephen Doheny will be on show.
“We had a great win down at Pembroke two weeks ago, and we can all look forward to another good game at Merrion. They always do well in the cup and have some real quality players with the likes of John Anderson and Peter Francis to name but two.”
Merrion tasted success in 2010 and 2016, and captain Sam Harbinson is relishing the opportunity to pit their wits against one of the dominant forces in Irish domestic cricket.
“The Irish Cup is all about testing yourselves against the best club teams in the land and there is no better challenge than playing arguably the best team in the country,” said Harbinson.
“There is a reason they have reached 9 finals. They have some of the best players in the north and country. We are looking forward to welcoming them to Anglesea Road for what promises to be a great battle”
1986 winners Phoenix take on three-times champions North Down in the Park, with home skipper Adam Chester looking forward to facing familiar foes.
“We have had played each other quite regularly in this competition over the last few seasons, and they are a club we have huge respect for,” said Chester.
“They are a side littered with quality players with the likes of James Shannon, Ani Chore and Ali Shields just to name a few. It should be a great game of cricket in a competition which every player loves to play in. At the start of the season every team wants to go deep in the Irish Cup.
We are almost at full strength with Theo Dempsey the only one missing. Nic Pretorius takes the gloves and James Maginess comes into the side from last week’s cup semi-final win.”
North Down booked their place with victory over Balbriggan in their rearranged match. They had looked to be heading out in the first game at Jack Harper Park before the elements intervened. Mo Aahil’s brilliant hundred then securing their last eight berth at Comber.
“We’re looking forward to making the trip to Phoenix on the back of a superb performance against Balbriggan,” said North Down skipper Peter Davison.
“This is the third year in a row we’ve drawn them in the Irish Cup so we know what to expect. They have some quality players but as always I believe that we’ve more than enough quality in our side to beat anyone.
“Our young batters have been in great form recently with Mo Aahil coming off his maiden senior 100 on Sunday and Stevie Saul batting really nicely too.
“Kerwin Mungroo always looks dangerous with the new ball in hand and hopefully we’ll be able to take early wickets and put some pressure on the Phoenix top order. This is our third consecutive away draw so the incentive is definitely there to get the win and hopefully a semi-final at the Green.” The Comber side will be without Craig Young who hasn’t been given his release for Sunday’s clash.
2022 winners CIYMS take on holders Leinster, with the Belmont side hoping for better fortunes after a tough time in the league. Leinster though will certainly be a tough proposition, especially with Gareth Delany back from Ireland duty.
“We will be close to full strength this weekend for the game versus CIYMS.” Said influential all-rounder Joe Carroll. “Our fast bowler Luke Callanan will be returning from injury along with a couple of other guys carrying niggles.
“Gareth Delany also returns from Irish duties. The team is looking forward to the challenge this weekend, we know they are a fantastic side and we will have to be at our best.”
Malahide, whose only win came back in 2002, host an Instonians side with one final appearance to their name, a loss to Waringstown in 2011.
It’s a great opportunity for both in another tie which is perhaps too close to call.
“It’s been a while since Malahide have got to this stage in the Irish Senior Cup,” said Malahide captain James Newland. “I want to really push on and make a statement for the competition, especially as our opponents knocked us out in the first round last year!
“Kelvin Donnelly returns to the side after two weeks in South Africa, and with that brings our squad back to full strength. We’ve had a couple of decent cup runs this season so looking to continue that form, and get into another semi-final!”
Instonians have reported a clean bill of health for the squad, and skipper Nikolai Smith is anticipating a hard-fought clash in The Village.
“They are a strong team and playing well and gives us a good opportunity to test ourselves outside of the NCU,” said Smith.
“Malahide is a fantastic place to play and everyone is really looking forward to it. Hopefully it will provide another fantastic game in the Irish Senior Cup.”
Action in the four games gets underway on Sunday at 12:30pm.
IRISH SENIOR CUP
Phoenix v North Down
Merrion v Waringstown
CIYMS v Leinster
Malahide v Instonians
