Ireland: The sun sets on the Irish season

As the days begin to draw in, the 2000 Irish Cricket season draws to a close.

The season is finished in Leinster the North West and the Northern Cricket Union.

Starting first with the National team, the First class match against Scotland, played as Ayr, was lost by six wickets. This was the first loss in the three day game since 1988.

However, one cannot argue but that Scotland were the better side over the three days, and but for a magnificent 150 by Angus Dunlop in the Irish First Innings, they would have won even more comfortably. This was the highest individual score ever for Ireland against Scotland, and indeed the fourth highest in all cricket for Ireland. It was Angus' second 100 in successive first class matches against Scotland.

For a combination of reasons many of what might be regarded as Ireland's best team missed this fixture, and the pressure was on a fairly inexperienced batting line up in particular to deliver. It does perhaps highlight the relative weakness in our reserves.

The Irish Selectors have nominated a preliminary panel of 25 for winter training as the first step towards picking the panel to travel to Toronto for the ICC Trophy next July.

As always, there were some interesting inclusions and omissions. Taking the latter first, there was no room for Owen Butler, Neil Doak, John Davy and Barry Archer, all of whom played for Ireland in either the Emerging Nations tournament or the summer season, or both.

In many ways the most surprising and perhaps disappointing omission is that of Butler. Although he has suffered a lot of injuries over the years, there is little doubt that he is our quickest bowler, and one who could be a match winner.

However, as the panel also includes in English County based, Ryan Eagleson and Mark Patterson, two who have not played much, if indeed any, cricket in 2000 because of injury, one could not expect a chance to be taken with a third who might break down.

Neil Doak has found his role as a Rugby Development Officer has interfered with his availability for cricket, and John Davy is now working in England and effectively was not available. Barry Archer again is one that it is hard to see can be omitted from a panel as big as 25. However, the selectors have not limited themselves to that panel when the time comes to nominate the final 15.

One interesting return is that of Decker Curry. Last year he was picked for the Emerging Nations tournament but withdrew and announced his retirement. All in Irish cricket will beg lad to see he has had a change of heart and look forward to him featuring in Ireland's efforts to qualify for South Africa in 2003.

Apart from fitness training over the winter, there is also the possibility of another Emerging Nations tournament such as that which was held in Zimbabwe early this year taking place, possibly in South Africa, early next. This it is much to be hoped will occur, as it would be invaluable in terms of preparation for Toronto. If it does not, then there is still the chance of a visit to South Africa for warm up purposes anyway early in the New Year.

The Irish Senior Cup at Club level ended with an exciting win for Donemana by three wickets over many people's favourites Limavady. In this all North West affair, Limavady, winning the toss and batting first, scored 215 for 8.

Indicative of the value of persevering with a slip in this level of cricket was the fact that former Irish International Junior McBrine took five catches there, at least two of which came into the excellent category. There is no better way to put the brakes on the batting side than by taking wickets.

Donemana's reply started badly with the first wicket falling with the score on 1. However, a partnership between William Porterfield (a member of Ireland's Under 15 team which won the European Championships at that level this year) and 49 year old Roy McBrine added 131 with Porterfield showing his undoubted class with 59 and McBrine scoring 49. From there on the match swung to and fro until eventually Donemana entered the last over needing 7 to win. This, aided by five wides, they effectively did off the first ball of that over. By adding 37 to his 5 catches Junior McBrine won the Man of the Match award.

While Limavady lost that final, they did have a very successful season winning the League and Cup in the North West. In fact in the league they were unbeaten until the very last game, by which stage they had already clinched the title.

In Leinster, victory in the Senior League went to Clontarf, with Merrion and Phoenix equal on points in second place, though Net Run Rate gave 2nd to Merrion. Two neighbouring Clubs, Railway Union and Pembroke were relegated (Pembroke for the first time ever) and in their place up to Section A come North County and C.Y.M.

The league in the Northern Cricket Union boiled up to a final weekend flourish. At the top Cliftonville and Waringstown went into the final matches level on 52 points, with each playing at home in their final match. Despite having Mark Patterson back, Cliftonville lost to North Down by 7 wickets, while Waringstown beat Lisburn by 8 wickets, thus clinching the championship.

At the bottom, Muckamore and Instonians, both level on 20 points, met in what was effectively a play off with the loser being relegated. Eventually Instonians won by the narrow margin of 10 runs to preserve their top division status and relegate Muckamore.