by Editor
Mark Jones, Leinster's opening bat and (likely to be their) only player who also played in the 1997 final for Leinster against Decker Curry's Limavady, talks to Cover Point.
CP: Looking forward to the final?
MJ: Absolutely. We’re all well up for it. It’s a big match. It’s been 12 years since our last final and I’m the only one who has played in one. It’s a big day not only for me and the team but also for the Club.
CP: It’s been a good season so far for Leinster
MJ: Yes, any season when you reach three finals has to be good. Winning the Twenty20 (4FM Alan Murray Cup) was great – it was a great day. Our form in the League has been a bit up and down – we’ve let ourselves down in some of the League games. But it’s only our second season back in Section A and after a bit of a scare last year if we finish this season mid-table we’d be happy enough with that.
CP: Happy with your own form?
MJ: Happy-ish. I feel good in the middle but I either seem to be getting either big scores or very little with not much in-between. It’s a bit frustrating – one bad shot or a bad umpiring decision and your day is over.
CP: Any news on JP O’Dwyer – will he play?
MJ: It’s still in the balance. He’ll have a fitness test today (Thursday). He’s an important player for us – he’s very vocal.
CP: What do you think the key to the final will be?
MJ: I think whoever gets off to a good start will be key. I don’t see the toss being a crucial factor. Given a fair day and with a 12 o’clock start it’ll be a good pitch all day so the toss shouldn’t be a factor.
If we bat we will need to be getting off to a solid start and then build on that to get a big score. Likewise if we’re bowling we’ll be looking to keep it tight for the first 15 or 20 overs and build the pressure.
Basically we’ll be looking to get ahead of the 8-ball and staying there all day.
CP: And you’ve got a League game on Saturday to look forward to?
MJ: Yes, that’ll be fun.
CP: Especially if you win on Friday!
MJ: Yes I was talking to Scholtzy about facing Matt Petrie at 11 o’clock on Saturday morning. We agreed the best plan was to aim for the ball in the middle!!
