THE heart-breaking series defeat to Pakistan was hard to take. For the majority of both games Ireland was on top, and only a pair of brilliant innings from Kamran Akmal and Wahab Riaz ruined the day. But had two early catchable chances been taken off Trent Johnston an easy win would surely have followed.
In the big man's fifth over Misbah edged to slip where Paul Stirling put him down. Two balls later, Gary Wilson took a step to his left as Johnston ran in, and when the ball took the edge of Shoaib's bat he had too much ground to make and a potential 17-6 scoreline wasn't to be.
And when Johnston and Tim Murtagh were replaced Shoaib and Misbah set about repairing the innings. Both men are used to long spells and were bowling brilliantly (4-23 off 12 overs), and when they returned Akmal and Riaz were blazing (0-56 off 7.4 overs).
Ireland's selection was puzzling - for so long the side has been packed with all-rounders, but on both days we were short of options when the wheels came off.
William Porterfield has been reluctant to turn to Andrew White for a long time - he's bowled 15 overs against full members since the 2007 World Cup - and James Shannon's off-spin was never going to get an outing on debut.
But on Sunday a battle-hardened all-rounder - John Mooney - was kicking his heels and delivering drinks.
Niall O'Brien keeps wicket for his county in all codes, and Gary Wilson has only kept for Surrey three times since 2010. Yet the senior man is yet to reclaim the gloves after his suspension a year ago - meaning the side is weaker behind the stumps AND in the outfield where Wilson can be brilliant.
There is an impression abroad that O'Brien has been punished long after he served his time. Mooney can only hope that the long memories are kinder in his case.
A FIRST senior century last Saturday was a significant milestone in the career of Adam Coughlan - and one that he hopes will bring him back to the attention of the selectors.
The North County all-rounder played at the U19 World Cup last summer and impressed on his two appearances for Ireland ‘A', but he was left out of the Lightning 22-man training squad last month.
"That's a very strong side", he told Inside Edge, "but hopefully I can get in with a few good performances. I did well for Ireland ‘A' and I enjoyed the longer format." Coughlan moved to Inch in 2011 to freshen up his game.
"I'd like to thank Malahide for all they did for me. I moved to benefit my cricket." Coughlan is full of praise for John Mooney.
"He's incredible. The first to training every time, and last to leave. He helps everyone and I can't speak highly enough about him."
THERE have been 17 senior centuries already in Leinster. Compare that with the whole of the last two summers' 12 and 19.
Last week Trinity pair Hugh Pike (164* and Josh Tasman-Jones (140) made the first triple century partnership ever seen in Leinster competition.
Their 342 for the second wicket far exceeds Jason Molins and Jeremy Bray's 284 for Phoenix a decade ago.
Pike, who has played for Gloucestershire at underage level, has Irish credentials. His grandfather, Brian Stronach, played for Ireland in 1950 against South Africa.
TWEET OF THE WEEK: "I'm watching Ireland play well against a full member and drinking Coca Cola. Two things the ICC doesn't want." @andrewnixon79 enjoys the game in Clontarf.
FORMER Terenure player Michael Launders was known as the Tallaght Tornado before he emigrated. Since the weekend he is known as the Krakow Cyklone thanks to his three wickets on international debut for POLAND against Estonia. His brother Brian played for Crystal Palace and has Ireland U21 football caps, but Michael now holds full caps for his adopted land.
Former CYM teammate Ross Whitney also won caps - for Lithuania.
IT wasn't just Kevin O'Brien who was smashing the ball to all parts in Clontarf at the weekend. During the innings break on Sunday 64 youngsters from eight clubs played kwik-cricket on the outfield under RSA's grassroots initiative. Part of the Railway Union U9 team were Seán and Robert O'Brien, nephews of Kevin and Niall. And judging by how far they hit the ball, a third generation of the clan could be collecting caps soon enough.
THE addition of John Mooney is the only change to the Leinster Lightning one-day squad for the RSA Inter-Provincial Cup game against North West Warriors at Malahide on Sunday. Mooney missed the first two games after his ‘Thatcher tweet' and will strengthen a side keen to build on the win over the Northern Knights.