THE longest day of the year is on Friday, and it promises to be a hard day at the office for Kevin O'Brien and the men of the Leinster Lightning.
Sydney Parade in Sandymount is the venue for the first of three blitzes when the regional sides play off the T20 part of the RSA Interpro series.
And while the crowds at the Vineyard and College Park have proved there is a market for interpro cricket, this event will show if they are willing to pay for it. While U16s are free, adults will pay €10.
An interesting addition to the Northern Knights squad is Nikolai Smith, a 20-year-old South African with an Irish passport. The all-rounder from Cape Town took 6-19 for Instonians against CIYMS recently.
The success of Ireland in recent years has drawn several young men here with hopes of playing for the land of their grandfathers.
Patrick Collins of Railway Union has attracted attention, while several others have fetched up in the NCU such as Australians Mick Delaney and Nick Larkin, and two more who have represented Zimbabwe.
Selector Kyle McCallan backed the inclusion of Craig Ervine and Nathan Waller in the Knights side.
"I'm delighted to have them on board," he said.
"They have both expressed a keen interest in playing for Ireland in the future and although not currently eligible, I'm looking forward to seeing them play for us." Leinster may have missed a trick however with Merrion's Ronan McDonald.
The Brisbane native played here three years ago, but his career has blossomed Down Under and he made his Sheffield Shield debut shortly before he returned this summer. The pace bowler has a two-year contract with Queensland but his early performances here didn't impress.
"I don't think anyone from Cricket Ireland or Leinster Lightning showed any interest in him to be honest", said one insider. "He was invited to one practice and got the impression he was just considered a net bowler."
McDonald returned home last week, although his teenage brother Scott stayed behind and has been called up for an Under 19 squad session next month.
The games on Friday will see the Lightning take on the North-West Warriors starting at 12.30pm, and then after a 90 minute break, they play the Knights, starting at 5pm.
A report in the Cricketer magazine suggests the interpros could be overtaken next year by a triangular tournament involving the provinces and two sides from each of Scotland and Holland.
Cricket Ireland chief Warren Deutrom told Inside Edge that the development could yet happen.
"That is very much on the cards, but it is still at the planning stage. "We were clear from the outset that we wanted to properly establish our own inter-provincial competition before we looked too far ahead.
"That said, Ireland, Scotland and Netherlands are in regular discussions on the concept and how it will dovetail with our domestic schedules, international commitments, budgetary constraints, player availability etc."
There are a couple of charity events coming up that deserve support. North Kildare CC is holding a 24-hour match at their ground near Kilcock, starting 6pm Friday. The shortest night of the year is a good time to run such a thing, and all proceeds go to Pieta House.
And the third annual Cricket4Cancer match between the Dublin Fire Brigade and the Gardai will benefit St Francis Hospice in Blanchardstown.
The clubs of both sets of frontiline workers will face off on July 6 at Civil Service in the Phoenix Park when they battle the Frank O`Farrell Memorial Cup Last year Cricket4Cancer raised close to €4,000 for the Hospice and hope to top that this year. Details from www.facebook.com.cricket4cancer
Civil Service CC celebrates its 150th birthday this weekend with a six-team six-over competition, a pipe band and obstacle course for the kids. The club also does battle with neighbours Phoenix in two league games in the adjoining grounds on Sunday, and the festivities are rounded off with a table quiz in Service.
The links between Cricket Leinster and Muir College in South Africa continue to bear fruit with the arrival of two 18-year-olds to play for Phoenix, Branam Adams and Dumisina Magala. More than 20 Leinster youngsters have played in the Eastern Cape under the transition year scheme run by Brian O'Rourke, including future internationals George Dockrell and Andrew Balbirnie.