The pinnacle of Ireland's domestic cricket season the Bob Kerr Irish Senior Cup takes place this Saturday at North County, between Railway Union and Merrion. Railway will be boosted by the return of Ireland's Trent Johnston and Kevin O'Brien. The pair formed the opening attack against Canada in Toronto last Monday and Tuesday. Both are in reasonably good form with bat and ball.

O'Brien, will feel he could have done better when bowling the penultimate over in the Monday game, after five brilliant deliveries conceding a single run including the wicket of man of the match, Gunasekera, he unnecessarily got into a verbal spat with new batsman Sukari, who was struggling to lay bat on ball in the gloomy conditions, he bowled a bouncer head high that keeper Rory McCann couldn't handle and Canada added 3 wides to the total, Sukari did lay a bat on the extra ball and got two. After Johnston removed Bagai, three singles were scored, when the umpires called the game Canada were declared winners by four runs.

Paul Stirling rightly stole the cricket headlines for his unforgettable innings but two former Under 19 teammates will be in direct competition against each other. For Graham McDonnell and Ben Ackland the cup final gives a chance to nudge the selectors further. Both are still awaiting an opportunity at senior level and something special will be required from either player to force the selectors to take notice.

McDonnell has shown his pedigree with a recent 130 against Malahide, Ackland has also run into some form with 42 against Malahide and 61 against this weekend's opposition Railway in the league on his last two outings.

Both players have come through the Ireland under age system, indeed McDonnell described one of his favourite cricketing games being a winner take all game against Scotland, at stake was a place in the 2008 Under 19 World Cup in Malaysia. With Ireland in trouble at 8-2 the then 17-year-old Ackland came in at four. Seizing control from the Scottish attack Ackland refused to be intimidated and smashed 71* off 70 balls, McDonnell joined him for a quick 14 and also chipped in 35/3. Ackland's performance is one of the most important innings and couragous in Ireland's under age cricketing history.

At last years Under 19 World Cup Ackland played superbly against South Africa scoring 66. McDonnell has played his share of notable contributions leading the averages with 45.00 at the World Cup and also the World Cup qualifying tournament with 62.00 including back-to-back man of the match performances against Canada and Papua New Guinea.
McDonnell is a superb fielder with great hands and useful change bowler, he adapts to the roll required when batting, capable of dropping anchor but at his best scoring quick runs.

Ackland has answered the call to don the wicket keeping gloves for his club, but he also is useful in the field, strong against quick bowling with a good temperament the better the opposition the better Ackland has performed which augurs well for Merrion with Ireland's new ball pair leading the Railway attack.

Both scored half-century's in the recent Ireland Academy fixtures against England Under 17's. If either player is to force their way into contention for a world cup squad a strong performance in the Bob Kerr Irish Senior Cup Final will be key.

 
                               Rob Quin