It's hard to keep former Irish skipper Trent Johnston out of the limelight, despite his retirement from one day cricket with Ireland.

The Railway Union captain was the recipient of the Irish Nationwide/Sunday Independent Irish cricketer of the year for 2007 at a dinner in Dublin last night, and is involved in what is arguably the tie of the round in the Bob Kerr Irish Senior Cup, a clash with Limavady,  the last North West team to win the trophy in 2004.

"It's certainly a massive tie, and one which would be worthy of the final. They've got some good cricketers, including former internationals Decker Curry, Richard McDaid and David Cooke. I also see they have a new professional (Agha Sabir Ali), so they'll certainly provide us with a real tough contest, and I wouldn't have it any other way. I read that they may be missing a few of their guys, and I'd like to wish Decker's partner Karen Robinson all the best following her recent illness."

"The North West hasn't been the happiest of hunting grounds for me. I lost at Brigade back in 1996 when I was professional at Carlisle by just two wickets. I saw an example of just how tough the North Westers are when current Irish selector William Wilson played on despite suffering a nasty facial injury, and we lost by two wickets. I did have the consolation of striking what was probably the biggest six I've ever hit that day."

"I missed out in 2004 when I was injured as Clontarf lost to Strabane in the semi finals by 8 wickets. Peter Gillespie scored 114 not out that day, but was missed early on at second slip, ironically my position. I have faced Limavady fairly recently, and took 5-18 for Clontarf when they beat them in 2006."

"The guys were involved in one of the most thrilling Irish cup ties in recent years, when they beat Limavady up here by 1 wicket in the 2005 semi final. Limavady looked home and dry before Roger Whelan smashed a couple of sixes to win the tie. Roger has retired but we have a very strong squad, and we welcome back Kevin O'Brien and Thinus Fourie from international duty, and that gives me a lot of firepower in both the batting and bowling."

"We've had to leave out Tom Fisher out of our side, and that was a very hard decision to make as he's scored 41 and 89 in our two games so far. However the regulations allow us to play just two players who aren't eligible to play for Ireland, and we've opted for Trent Copeland our professional, who bowls at a lively pace and is a good bat, with the other spot going  to Gourav Singh."

"The Irish Cup is the premier trophy in the country, and one which I'm keen to do well in. We'll come to Limavady in a positive mood, and be determined to progress to the second round."

The ties in full are as follows - starting time is 12:30pm, and Duckworth Lewis will be used in the competition for the first time. 

  • Rush v Lisburn
  • CIYMS v Donemana
  • North County v Ardmore
  • Strabane v Carrickfergus
  • Malahide v North Down
  • CSNI v Leinster
  • Clontarf v Bangor
  • CYM v Cliftonville
  • Pembroke v Waringstown
  • Brigade v Cork Harlequins;
  • Limavady v Railway Union
  • Merrion v Glendermott
  • Bready v Derriaghy
  • Instonians v Killymallaght
  • YMCA v Eglinton
  • Fox Lodge v The Hills