MONDAY sees the start of potentially the most significant development in cricket in the province for almost a century.
The revival of the inter-provincials is a necessary stepping stone on the road to Cricket Ireland’s goal of Test cricket, but even on its own merits the RSA-sponsored competition is an exciting move.
The old Guinness Cup interpros saw our province divided into ‘north’ and ‘south’ which didn’t make for great cohesion or identity, and even when the province was united in the last phases of the dying competition there was little interest, even among the players.
But cricket’s revival – and the sudden attraction of the Leinster ‘brand’ thanks to the rugby team – has made the Leinster Lightning a potentially powerful force.
Picking Kevin O’Brien and Trent Johnston to spearhead the playing side ensures the public face is well-known and respected, and having Mark Jones as manager brings in the skills and experience of one of the shrewdest brains in the local game.
Even with our greatest native talents unavailable they have a strong set of players to select from. (But you can be sure that Ed Joyce, Niall O’Brien, Eoin Morgan and George Dockrell will be taking an interest in happenings at Skerries.)
And almost all the selected XII tuned up on Saturday with starring performances in the RSA Divisions 1 and 2.
Andrew Poynter and Fintan McAllister made centuries, while Trent Johnston rolled back the years taking 5-18 in his first game as a 39-year-old.
Alex Cusack, Max Sorensen, Eddie Richardson and Andrew Balbirinie also made fifties as the Lightning tuned up for the Northern Knights.
Richardson and Tyrone Kane are likely to be the only uncapped players wearing the blue at the Vineyard, but few would bet against them making the breakthrough in the next couple of seasons.
The NCU side suffered a blow on Saturday when their promising teenager Peter Eakin pulled out through injury. He was replaced by Mark Adair.
Play starts at 10.45am, and admission is free. Come and see the first strike of the Lightning.
LEINSTER LIGHTNING: K O'Brien (capt, Railway Union), B Ackland, J Anderson, T Kane (Merrion), A Balbirnie (Pembroke), A Cusack, A Poynter (Clontarf), F McAllister (Malahide), E Richardson (North County), M Sorensen (The Hills), A van der Merwe, T Johnston (YMCA). Coach: TJohnston. Manager: M Jones
NORTHERN KNIGHTS: A White (capt), E Moleon, J Shannon (all Instonians), N Jones, M Adair (CSN), C Dougherty (CIYMS), L Nelson, P Eaglestone, J Hall, G Kidd (Waringstown), M Taiaroa (Carrickfergus), D Simpson (Lisburn). Coach: E Moleon. Manager: G Rodgers.