"I would hope that some one-day internationals would be played too", he said.

Ireland's status on the ICC's ranking table means they would be more attractive opponents for test sides, although the downside of that was obvious last weekend when the West Indies chickened out of playing at Clontarf.

Simmons also revealed that he had been in touch with Darren Gough, captain of Yorkshire, to ascertain the status of wicketkeeper Gerard Brophy. The South African-born 31-year-old travels on an Irish passport through his parents. He first played for Merrion ten years ago and has since played for Gauteng and Northants. He played three times for Ireland in 2000 but his status prevented him turning out in the 2001 ICC Trophy.

"I just asked a few questions", said Simmons, "when we get the I-Cup games over with I'll sit down and see who's available and eligible, and who wants to play for us. I'll make my plans from there."

There has been muttering in some quarters about the number of nonnative players selected for this weekend's A games, but with the coach judged on the results he achieves, he will not worry about such things with World Cup qualification to be secured.

Several of those World Cup wannabes will be on show at Rathmines next Saturday, for the final of the Antalis Leinster Senior Cup. Merrion will be hoping to win their first cup since 1960, when they beat the same opponents, Clontarf, at the same venue.

It could be a fascinating clash, with the southsiders possessing the best attack while Tarf bat all the way down the order. Queenslander Matt Petrie (right) has proved a valuable acquisition for Merrion, snapping up 24 wickets in 63 overs at an average of six. With newly-capped Thinus Fourie, the rapidly improving under 19 star Richard Keaveney, Dom Joyce's swing and Damien Poder's accurate spin, they will be hard to dominate over 60 overs.

Captain Joyce, himself top of the provincial averages, is also confident that their batting will hold up. "Everyone on the team is capable of winning us the match on the day. Thinus, Matt and myself have bowled and batted well this year while Kade Beasley and Alex Morrison have batted brilliantly."

His opposite number, Greg Molins, points to his own hand of four spinners to complement his four man seam attack, and argues that "most of our squad has experienced the successes and failures of cup final cricket . . . something that I will hope will hold us in good stead". Eight of the Tarf side have scored senior fifties this season and Molins himself has the distinction of a cup final 99, against The Hills two years ago.

New Ireland 'A' cap Andrew Poynter . . . nephew of ex-international Deryck Vincent . . . made a key contribution to the semi-final win over YMCA with 53 and 4-38.

Both captains are adamant that there is still room for a 60 over competition. "I think people enjoy something different whether that be a 20 over game or a 60 over game because of the constant diet of 50 over stuff", says Joyce. "The 60 over cup is still very special and it is the cup that all clubs want to win, " argues Molins.

"I believe the 45 over league has had its day. It is worth noting that the 20/20 and the 45 over finals have been played on a Sunday due to lack of available weekend dates. It would be great if all senior cricket could be played on Saturdays. Nobody wants to play on a Sunday."

For anyone that can't get down to Rathmines next Saturday, NEARfm will be doing live broadcasts, with Fergus 'Thank You Richie' Carroll on the air from noon on 90.3fm.

The ICC LG one-day rankings were updated after last weekend, and Kyle McCallan has rocketed up the charts to the highest-ever placing by an Irishman.

The Waringstown offie is in 65th place in the bowling table, while Andre Botha has risen to 82nd. DLS is also in the top 100 at 92nd. The O'Brien brothers are the only batsmen in that table, with Kevin 87th and Niall 94th, level with Ed Joyce.

More new ground was broken last weekend when Co Clare played their first game. The club, led by the "inspirational" Yashir 'Ash' Bashir Cheema, racked up 137 and bowled Limerick out for 82. The local paper noted that there were more fans at the game than watched the Clare gaelic football team the previous day.

The honour of facing the first ball in modern Clare cricket fell to 16-year-old Daniel Collins of Lisdoonvarna, which he duly cracked for four. The club hope to enter the Munster junior league next season and anyone interested can contact Darragh McAllister (087-9038747).