THE Irish team missed a trick last Sunday as they went down to glorious defeat against Sri Lanka at Lord's.

With their score finishing just nine adrift of today's finalists, the post mortems inevitably looked at a couple of misfields that might have helped make a difference. But Niall O'Brien's decision to bat on without a runner looked to have turned a couple of twos into singles and put the brake on partner William Porterfield's quest for quick singles.

After the game Porterfield said 'It did hamper him a bit but there was no chance of him asking for a runner because he came into the game with the injury. He didn't even ask the question.'

The laws state that a batsman may be refused a runner if he comes into the game with a pre-existing injury, and it was this that led the Irish camp – and many media commentators – to believe O'Brien would have been refused such a favour by Kumar Sangakkara.

However, Inside Edge understands that ICC match referee Alan Hurst contacted the umpires out in the middle to tell them that O'Brien could be allowed a runner. He explained that the law says that a pre-existing injury, or one that worsens during the game is bad luck for the batsman. But when an injury is exacerbated by an event – as O'Brien's was when batting – the batter can ask for a runner. Hurst made it clear O'Brien should be granted one, but the umpires told him that he hadn't asked.

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After the game the team was treated to a surprise dressing room visit from former world boxing champion Barry McGuigan. The Clones cyclone posed for photos and chatted with players. 'He was a lovely bloke', said Trent Johnston, 'and he knows his cricket'. Two of McGuigan's three sons, who play the game at school in England, were also at Lord's.

Also spotted cheering for Ireland was Piers Morgan, former newspaper editor and presenter of TV show ‘The X Factor'.

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Trent Johnston starts a new phase of his career this week as bowling coach of Ireland ‘A', and he's excited by the prospect.

'It's what I want to do when I finish', explained the all-rounder, who took six wickets in the World Twenty20.

Johnston agreed a contract in March with CricketIreland as one of two full-time professionals, when he asked that some coaching work be written into the deal.

'I told Warren (Deutrom) and Phil (Simmons) that I wanted to help out with the coaching and I've been working with the bowlers for a while now. A team coach Adi Birrell can't be at every game so I've been brought in as bowling coach for this game next week'.

The team travel to Leeds tomorrow for a three-day game against a Yorkshire 2nd XI selection at Weetwood.

Johnston has worked his way up to Level 2 in coaching and will take the Level 3 course at the end of the season, with three weekends of exams in England under the auspices of the ECB.

'I've been doing a bit of coaching the last couple of years at Railway and I really enjoy it. I'm looking forward to working with Adi, watching him and learning from him.'

Johnston gets a chance to show off what he learns at a special cricket camp for young people at Railway Union from 6-9 July. The ‘Next Generation' camp also features Ireland international Catherine O'Neill and Railway's batsman Tom Fisher. Booking at 087- 9427012.

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With a bit of luck the weather will be fine down Park Avenue way in July. The club's Trinidadian professional Magnum Nanan hasn't been too impressed so far. Speaking to 'T&T Newsday' last week, he explained how he had been adapting to Irish conditions.

'The weather is very cold and gripping the ball is very difficult when your fingers are frozen, but it is a good experience and will only help to improve my game' said Nanan.

The nephew of former test spinner Rangy Nanan has already picked up a winners' medal in last Sunday's DGM league final.

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Tuesday-Thursday: Yorkshire v Ireland A

Tuesday: LHW 20/20: CYM v Leinster

Thursday: LHW 20/20: North County v Old Belvedere, Pembroke v Merrion

Saturday: Section A: Merrion v The Hills, Pembroke v Leinster, North County v Railway Union, Section B: YMCA v Malahide, Old Belvedere v Phoenix

gsiggins@tribune.ie