Saturday will see all three Cork County teams in action. The 1st XI travel to Dublin for a top of the table clash with Malahide in LCU Division 2. This game is sure to be a cracker with Cork County, unbeaten in league competitions so far this year set to take on a strong Malahide batting line-up including the likes of Reinhardt Strydom and Leinster Lightning batsman Fintan McAllister. County will travel North with great confidence having taken 24 points from their clash with Rush last week and will hope for a similar performance this weekend.

The 2nd XI host UCC at the Mardyke on the same day. With both teams looking for their first league wins, this game is sure to be a competitive one. UCC come into the game on the back of a four game losing streak while the home side endured a disappointing five wicket loss in Farmer’s Cross last Saturday. Ali Khan, Peter Barlow and Kevin O’Sullivan return to the team after the exams and together with the experience of Niall Tynan, Justin McGurk and Barry O’Sullivan aswell as exciting young talent in the form of the Kelleher brothers and Chris Van Heerden, County will be hoping for a winning performance.

Billy Quinn’s 3rd XI make the trip to Tralee to take on Kerry. A win would go a long way for both sides in the Division 3 league table, particularly for County ahead of their Cup tie with Cork Harlequins next weekend. Andrew Sommerfield and Ryan O’Connell return for County, bolstering a batting line-up which has had a slight dip in form recently. Home advantage could be key for Kerry with away sides tending to find the artificial wicket a daunting prospect recently.

The 1st XI return to Munster league action on Sunday when Clare visit the Mardyke. County have been in spectacular form in Munster recently, with the experienced core of Ross Durity, Robert Duggan, Morne Bauer and Stephan Grobler all in terrific form with the bat. Clare have also had their share of success in recent weeks with the demolition of Cork Harlequins in Farmer’s Cross last weekend the highlight. This game could have an important say in deciding the Munster Division 1 title and both teams will have their sights fixed on a win.

Tags: Cork County Cricket Club, cricket in Cork, Leinster League Division 2, Mardyke, Munster Cricket Union, Munster League Division 2, Munster League Division 3, Ross Durity