T20 blow for Ireland as SA run from rain

I RISH cricket has known some damp squibs but none as depressing as last night’s news t hat South Africa A have aborted their monthlong tour a week early to escape the awful weather.

Ireland coach Phil Simmons admitted that the cancellation of a fourmatch Twenty20 series was a ‘serious blow’ to his team’s preparations for the World Twenty20 in Sr i Lanka, for which they will now l eave next Tuesday having had no competitive rehearsal. Some of the South African A squad are also involved in that tournament and that was why, said their management, t hey abandoned ship and l eft Cricket Ireland having to apologise to sponsors and fans who had been looking forward to the games.

Yesterday’s opener at Oak Hill had already fallen foul of heavy rain, but there was another outing scheduled for the Wicklow venue tomorrow ahead of gala matches on Friday and Sunday.

Those games were intended t o mark t he opening of the national s i de’s new home ground at Malahide. Simmons ( above) said: ‘It’s been a frustrating season for all concerned and the South African tour has been particularly hard hit by the elements.’

South Africa A coach Vincent Barnes added: ‘ It’s not a decision we’ve taken lightly.’ AHEAD of Friday’s American Football festival in Navan and Dublin, former Notre Dame quarterback Patrick Steenberge showed school officials around the three stadiums hosting games. Steenberge’s Global Football have organised six games to be played at Navan’s Páirc Tailteann and Dublin’s Parnell Park and Donnybrook Stadium. More than 3,200 players, officials, supporters and family have travelled from the US for the games, which will be competitive fixtures.