LEINSTER Lightning kick off their three-day season in College Park on Tuesday, and coach Trent Johnston is confident they can retain the title.

“It was an excellent first season, but we were a bit inconsistent. We’re trying to rectify that this year”, he told Inside Edge.

“A couple of times we needed individual performances to pull us out of the mess, but with the quality in our team we have people who can do that.

“We were excellent in T20s, but we could have won the 3-day competition a bit quicker. Over the whole season the Northern Knights were the better side at 50 overs.”

There’s a huge development element to the Newstalk Interpros, and Johnston is very happy with that.

“Eddie Richardson came through and closed the gap, producing excellent performances which had to be rewarded with a cap. He possibly could have gone on to play in more tournaments too.

“The Warriors’ Andy McBrine and Craig Young were also able to make the step up so three out of the first season was an excellent return.”

This year is particularly important with the World Cup around the corner. Johnston has great hopes for fast bowler Peter Chase.

“If we can keep Peter on the field he’s going to be very good. He’s taking wickets regularly for Malahide now and although he gets a few aches and pains, once he realises he’s got to bowl through that he could be a real handful in Australia on bouncier pitches.”

TJ has a clutch of youngsters under his wing, and he’s confident that Barry McCarthy can become an international, while he’s full of praise for Ryan Hopkins’ batting.

“And Tyrone Kane has a big job this summer, stepping into Kevin O’Brien’s shoes for us.” Lightning are looking to the future too, running a ‘find a bowler’ contest over recent weeks.

“We just wanted to check there were no talents being hidden down the leagues, something a bit strange or different.

“We got 50 lads along to North Kildare and Leinster and it was a great exercise we’ll be looking to do again next year.”

The event was won by North County schoolboy Fionn Hand (16).

“He was outstanding both days”, said Johnston,

“He’s a rhythmic run-up and a lovely action. He bowled to batsmen like Simmi Singh, Ben Ackland and Albert van der Merwe and he asked the most questions of them.”

Johnston also works with the young Ireland bowlers and has been coach of the women’s team since January.

He started well – beating Pakistan – but the World T20 was less successful. “We did well against Australia and New Zealand, but were badly hammered by South Africa who hit 80 off the last five overs.

“The girls had never seen that before – it’s very hard to stop. It took a lot out of them. “They should have beaten Pakistan and we’re a better side than Bangladesh.

“But I couldn’t fault their commitment: training at 7.30am before work, they’re excellent to work with.”

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WHAT a string of innings Ed Joyce has put together. This is his first-class record this summer: 103, 12, 117, 151no, 6, 93, 21, 164no and 103.

That’s five centuries in seven matches, 770 runs averaging 110.

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THERE was a lot of anger at the weekend that a reserve day had not been allocated for replays of the Irish Senior Cup 3rd round.

With almost three months to fit in four quarter-finals and two semi-finals, surely room could be found to have replays in the round of 16?

Railway are now in the last eight without playing a game – and in theory could reach the final without playing too.

Even Kevin O’Brien tweeted “8 from 14… bowl out Kings… can’t win in the league but can’t miss in a bowl-out”.

It took a while for the competition to become accepted by clubs, and now the Bob Kerr is the one every side wants to win.

But with three of the strongest sides in the country – Waringstown, YMCA and Instonians – knocked out in bowl-outs, the 2014 winner will always have an asterisk beside its name.

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SEVERAL years back the Irish Women’s side had to battle officialdom and several clubs to be allowed play as a unit in the lower reaches of the Leinster leagues.

They were keen to sharpen their skills and pay tougher games, and actually won Junior A in 2009.

Since the advent of Open Competition that hasn’t been necessary, as women can play alongside men in their club sides.

Kim Garth was the first to play in Division 2 for Pembroke 2nds, and that side broke new ground again this week with TWO women playing key roles in their controversial tie with Balbriggan.

Australian pro Meg Kendal made a stylish 47, while Shauna Kavanagh was entrusted with the crucial death overs and dismissed Faheem with scores level.

Meanwhile up the road Isobel Joyce was making the highest score by a woman in Division 2, rattling up 82 for Merrion against Rush.

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Performance of the week: Some stunning batting in the Irish Senior Cup but Bill Coghlan’s 157no up in Fox Lodge was the best of the lot.

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Tweet of the week:  Lord Fingal looks like he’s had a few winners at the Epsom Derby.

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