Cork County Minor Cricket Preview: 11^th/12^th August

 On Saturday the 11^th of August Cork County 3 welcome local rivals Cork Harlequins 3 to the Mardyke for a Munster Division 3 clash. It promises to be a tough encounter for the home side against second placed ‘Quins who will be looking for a big win to put themselves back onto the top of the table. Both sides last fixture was lost to the weather and both no doubt will be eager to pick up some points should the rain stay away on Saturday.

On Sunday 12^th it is the turn of Cork County 4 to play host at the Mardyke, this time to Co. Kerry 2. With Kerry 2 at the very bottom of the table and County 4 second from bottom neither team is in contention for league honours and are therefore just playing for pride. The visitors will go into the game as slight favourites having already beaten County 4 this season in a Minor Cup Quarter Final in Tralee but Mort Kelliher’s team will be determined to get a win under their belts against the Kerrymen.

Also on Sunday 12^th, Cork County 3 travel to Ballyeighan to play Nenagh C.C. in the MCU Minor Cup Semi-Final. This game was due to be played 3 weeks ago in the Mardyke but was cancelled due to rain. There will be no cancellation this time however, as if the conditions are unplayable a bowl out will be held to determine the winners who will go on to face Limerick C.C. in the Minor Cup Final. Although County 3 will be missing regulars Hugh O’Brien and Ian Coleman, Nenagh will be without their captain Jensen due to suspension. Although County are without doubt the underdogs for this cup tie, hopefully they can pull off an upset and put a Cork County team in every MCU Cup Final in 2012.