Niall O'Brien's hundred for Leicestershire was the highlight of the Irish players performances in the past week.

The left-hander has made a steady start to his campaign with the Foxes, and was in sparkling form scoring 104 from 84 balls, which included 12 fours and a six.

He shared an opening stand of 193 with Josh Cobb to help their side to a 115 run win over Gloucestershire.

In the opposition ranks was 20 year old Graeme McCarter, who performed admirably in claiming 2 for 36, hitting 18 not out and claiming a catch.

In the Championship game between the teasm, O'Brien made just 2 and 7, although he did claim three catches.

There were three Irish players involved in the drawn game between Middlesex and Surrey at Lord's, where Paul Stirling was making his Championship debut for his county.

Tim Murtagh dismissed Graeme Smith early taking 3 for 54, with Stirling dismissing Gareth Batty and Jade Dernbach in his 2 for 43.

Gary Wilson batted steadily as his prolific run coninued in making an unbeaten 30.

Unfortunately for Paul Stirling he didn't have the happiest of games with the bat, scoring 0 and 1 as Chris Rogers double century saw the game fizzle out into a draw.

There were also three Irish players involved in the Sussex v Warwickshire encounter at Hove, where Boyd Rankin was making a welcome return following his foot injury.

William Porterfield hit 33 and Rankin 6 in the Bears total of 453, while Ed Joyce made 42 in the Sussex reply of 421 for 7 before the game was washed out.

Rankin impressed taking the wickets of Luke Wells, Mike Yardy and Chris Jordan to have figures of 3 for 60.

Joyce was in action again in the YB40 making 27 in a 91 run defeat by Worcestershire.

An injury to his spinning finger meant George Dockrell played no part for Somerset. He's hoping to return to action in the coming week.