Leinster Archives
Premiership
| P | W | T | NR | L | BP | Pts | |
| Balbriggan | 14 | 8 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 35 | 220 |
| Merrion | 14 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 37 | 189 |
| YMCA | 14 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 29 | 174 |
| Malahide | 14 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 27 | 172 |
| The Hills | 14 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 37 | 169 |
| Clontarf | 14 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 24 | 169 |
| Phoenix | 14 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 35 | 167 |
| Pembroke | 14 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 26 | 138 |
Phoenix beat Malahide by 3 wickets
Phoenix Park, 10 September.
Malahide 192/9 (50 overs; A Paul 55, F McAllister 33; B White 3-35, D Ranolia 3-36)
Phoenix 193/7 (46 overs; S Black 50, G Dockrell 33, L McDonough 20; S Getkate 2-31, M Frost 2-34, C Shoebridge 2-45)
Ben White
Phoenix won the battle but lost the war, and they like Pembroke will be plying their trade in the Championship next year despite a three-wicket win over Malahide. Agnibesh Paul (55) and Fintan McAllister (33) got Malahide to 192 for 9 - three wickets apiece for Ben White and Devender Ranolia. Opener Stephen Black's half century was pivotal in the win, with George Dockrell also making 33. It was all in vain though as the combination of results elsewhere confirmed their drop into the second tier.
Pembroke lost to Merrion by 44 runs
Sydney Parade, 10 September.
Merrion 204/7 (50 overs; S Doheny 87, S Stanton 41*, J Carty 36; P Lawson 2-48)
Pembroke 160 (43 overs; L Tucker 31, T Lawson 26, R Kelly 20, B McCarthy 20*; J Carty 3-13, S Modgill 2-12, M Sinan 2-18, A Sidhu 2-23)
Stephen Doheny
Pembroke will be playing Championship cricket in 2023 after they lost at home to Merrion by 44 runs. Stephen Doheny's 87 was the bedrock for the visitors total of 204 for 7, with runs too for Sean Stanton (41*) and Jack Carty (36). The early loss of both openers meant the chase was a tough one, but Lorcan Tucker (31) and Theo Lawson (26) looked to be steadying the ship, before a flurry of wickets. Big signing Nigel Jones (18) couldn't save them, and with the Merrion attack all in the wickets, Pembroke were all out for 160.
The Hills lost to Clontarf by 15 runs
The Vineyard, 10 September.
Clontarf 235/9 (50 overs; D Delany 65, E Delany 61, PJ Moor 37; T Rooney-Murphy 3-39, Ash Bain 3-41)
The Hills 220 (49.1 overs; M Commins 110, M Donegan 42; D Delany 5-40, F Hand 2-31, R Cronje 2-41)
David Delany
David Delany and Murray Commins were the heroes for their respective sides as Clontarf and The Hills did what they had to do to ensure they didn't suffer the dreaded drop on a tension filled afternoon. David top-scored with 65 (12 fours), while elder brother and skipper Eoghan also passed 50 as the Castle Avenue side posted 235 for 9 - runs too for PJ Moor, who hit 3 sixes in his 37, while there three wickets for Ash Bain and Tomas Rooney-Murphy. The hosts needed 195 to secure the three bonus points needed, and despite a few early scares, Commins century settled the frayed nerves. He added 117 for the fourth wicket with Mark Donegan (42), hitting 14 boundaries in his 110. Delany ensured the win for Clontarf with his fifth wicket, much to the relief of the home faithful.
YMCA v Balbriggan. Match abandoned without a ball bowled.
Claremont Road, 10 September.
YMCA
Balbriggan
No play was possible in the scheduled clash between YMCA and new champions Balbriggan. A wet pitch and run-ups saw the umpires call off the match in early afternoon. The teams now share the 25 points which ensures that YMCA will remain in the top flight irrespective of results elsewhere.
Pembroke beat Balbriggan by 19 runs
Jack Harper Ground, 28 August.
Pembroke 228/8 (48overs; T Lawson 104, L Tucker 56, G Hoey 20; D Lues 3-41, A Darroch 3-51) Balbriggan 209 (47.1 overs; C De Freitas 61, D Lues 32, A Darroch 28, G Dhara 26, G Ford 20; P Mehta 4-26, P Lawson 3-40)
Theo Lawson scored a century (Joe Curtis)
Skipper Theo Lawson’s century gained his side vital points in their quest to avoid relegation as they travelled to table toppers Balbriggan. They included Nigel Jones in their ranks after the u-turn by Cricket Leinster, but it was Lawson’s 104 from 117 balls (7 fours, 3 sixes) that formed the backbone of their 228 for 8. Lorcan Tucker also made 56, while Gavin Hoey’s 20 saw him add 62 for the 7th wicket with the captain. Balbriggan gave the chase a good go, but were always slightly behind. Chris de Freitas top-scored with 61, while the late order runs from Dylan Lues (32) and Andrew Darroch (28) could yet prove crucial in the title race. The bonus points gained saw them actually increase the gap between the challengers, with the top three losing and the bottom three winning. It promises to be a fascinating final two weeks of the season.
Pembroke centurion and captain Theo Lawson after their win over Balbriggan
Clontarf beat Phoenix by 53 runs
Castle Avenue, 28 August.
Clontarf 189 (47.5 overs; E Delany 49, L Thomson 42*, F Hand 26, D Delany 23; O Hald 2-31, Devender Ranolia 2-38, A Rana 2-38, G Dockrell 2-43) Phoenix 136 (44.4 overs; G Dockrell 34, S Black 29, S Morris 26; M Granger 4-22, C McDonnell 2-29, R Cronje 2-38)
Mick Granger took four wickets
Clontarf gained a crucial win in the relegation dogfight as they beat Phoenix by 53 runs at Castle Avenue. Skipper Eoghan Delany (49) and Luke Thomson (42*) were best with the bat in their 189 – two wickets for George Dockrell, Oliver Hald, Anish Rana and Devender Ranolia. Dockrell’s 34 was the best of a disappointing Phoenix reply, with Mick Granger snaring four scalps, while there were two apiece for Ruan Cronje and Cillian McDonnell.
Mick Granger who took four wickets as Clontarf beat Phoenix
Malahide lost to YMCA by 8 wickets
The Village, 28 August.
Malahide 97 (39.1 overs; M Ford 21; F Conaty 4-24, J Forbes 3-7)
YMCA 98/2 (30.5 overs; J Tector 53*, A Bailey 31)
YMCA 98/2 (30.5 overs; J Tector 53*, A Bailey 31)
Jack Tector scored an unbeaten 53
YMCA put a major spoke in Malahide’s high-scoring exploits of late, with an emphatic eight-wicket win in the Village. Finn Conaty was the somewhat surprise bowling hero taking 4 for 24 as Malahide were skittled for 97 – three wickets too for James Forbes. An opening stand of 89 between Aaron Bailey (31) and Jack Tector ensured the routine win, with Tector hitting six boundaries in his unbeaten 53.
Merrion beat The Hills by 158 runs
Anglesea Road, 28 August.
Merrion 265/8 (50 overs; D Joyce 73, Swapnil Modgill 45, Amish Sidhu 30*; A Kavanagh 3-47, M Weldon 2-39, Athar Farooqi 2-45) The Hills 107 (32.2 overs; M Commns 35; J Carty 3-24, A Sidhu 2-6, S Modgill 2-16, M Sorensen 2-20).
Dom Joyce top-scored for Merrion
Dom Joyce’s 73 was the highlight of a fine Merrion win putting a severe dent in The Hills’ title ambitions in a one-sided match at Anglesea Road. Joyce hit ten boundaries in his 60-ball knock, receiving excellent support from the rest of the side as nine of the ten batsmen made double figures – Swapnil Modgill (45), and Amish Sidhu (30*) the most significant others in their total of 265 for 8. Murray Commins made 35 in the reply, which was a poor one in truth. Three wickets for Jack Carty, plus two apiece for Hills old boy Max Sorensen, Amish Sidhu, and Swapnil Modgill saw them bundled out for 107.
Pembroke beat Balbriggan by 19 runs
Jack Harper Ground, 28 August.
Pembroke 228/8 (48overs; T Lawson 104, L Tucker 56, G Hoey 20; D Lues 3-41, A Darroch 3-51) Balbriggan 209 (47.1 overs; C De Freitas 61, D Lues 32, A Darroch 28, G Dhara 26, G Ford 20; P Mehta 4-26, P Lawson 3-40)
Theo Lawson scored a century (Joe Curtis)
Skipper Theo Lawson’s century gained his side vital points in their quest to avoid relegation as they travelled to table toppers Balbriggan. They included Nigel Jones in their ranks after the u-turn by Cricket Leinster, but it was Lawson’s 104 from 117 balls (7 fours, 3 sixes) that formed the backbone of their 228 for 8. Lorcan Tucker also made 56, while Gavin Hoey’s 20 saw him add 62 for the 7th wicket with the captain. Balbriggan gave the chase a good go, but were always slightly behind. Chris de Freitas top-scored with 61, while the late order runs from Dylan Lues (32) and Andrew Darroch (28) could yet prove crucial in the title race. The bonus points gained saw them actually increase the gap between the challengers, with the top three losing and the bottom three winning. It promises to be a fascinating final two weeks of the season.
Pembroke centurion and captain Theo Lawson after their win over Balbriggan
Clontarf beat Phoenix by 53 runs
Castle Avenue, 28 August.
Clontarf 189 (47.5 overs; E Delany 49, L Thomson 42*, F Hand 26, D Delany 23; O Hald 2-31, Devender Ranolia 2-38, A Rana 2-38, G Dockrell 2-43) Phoenix 136 (44.4 overs; G Dockrell 34, S Black 29, S Morris 26; M Granger 4-22, C McDonnell 2-29, R Cronje 2-38)
Mick Granger took four wickets
Clontarf gained a crucial win in the relegation dogfight as they beat Phoenix by 53 runs at Castle Avenue. Skipper Eoghan Delany (49) and Luke Thomson (42*) were best with the bat in their 189 – two wickets for George Dockrell, Oliver Hald, Anish Rana and Devender Ranolia. Dockrell’s 34 was the best of a disappointing Phoenix reply, with Mick Granger snaring four scalps, while there were two apiece for Ruan Cronje and Cillian McDonnell.
Mick Granger who took four wickets as Clontarf beat Phoenix
Malahide lost to YMCA by 8 wickets
The Village, 28 August.
Malahide 97 (39.1 overs; M Ford 21; F Conaty 4-24, J Forbes 3-7)
YMCA 98/2 (30.5 overs; J Tector 53*, A Bailey 31)
YMCA 98/2 (30.5 overs; J Tector 53*, A Bailey 31)
Jack Tector scored an unbeaten 53
YMCA put a major spoke in Malahide’s high-scoring exploits of late, with an emphatic eight-wicket win in the Village. Finn Conaty was the somewhat surprise bowling hero taking 4 for 24 as Malahide were skittled for 97 – three wickets too for James Forbes. An opening stand of 89 between Aaron Bailey (31) and Jack Tector ensured the routine win, with Tector hitting six boundaries in his unbeaten 53.
Merrion beat The Hills by 158 runs
Anglesea Road, 28 August.
Merrion 265/8 (50 overs; D Joyce 73, Swapnil Modgill 45, Amish Sidhu 30*; A Kavanagh 3-47, M Weldon 2-39, Athar Farooqi 2-45) The Hills 107 (32.2 overs; M Commns 35; J Carty 3-24, A Sidhu 2-6, S Modgill 2-16, M Sorensen 2-20).
Dom Joyce top-scored for Merrion
Dom Joyce’s 73 was the highlight of a fine Merrion win putting a severe dent in The Hills’ title ambitions in a one-sided match at Anglesea Road. Joyce hit ten boundaries in his 60-ball knock, receiving excellent support from the rest of the side as nine of the ten batsmen made double figures – Swapnil Modgill (45), and Amish Sidhu (30*) the most significant others in their total of 265 for 8. Murray Commins made 35 in the reply, which was a poor one in truth. Three wickets for Jack Carty, plus two apiece for Hills old boy Max Sorensen, Amish Sidhu, and Swapnil Modgill saw them bundled out for 107.
Pembroke beat Balbriggan by 19 runs
Jack Harper Ground, 28 August.
Pembroke 228/8 (48overs; T Lawson 104, L Tucker 56, G Hoey 20; D Lues 3-41, A Darroch 3-51) Balbriggan 209 (47.1 overs; C De Freitas 61, D Lues 32, A Darroch 28, G Dhara 26, G Ford 20; P Mehta 4-26, P Lawson 3-40)
Theo Lawson scored a century (Joe Curtis)
Skipper Theo Lawson’s century gained his side vital points in their quest to avoid relegation as they travelled to table toppers Balbriggan. They included Nigel Jones in their ranks after the u-turn by Cricket Leinster, but it was Lawson’s 104 from 117 balls (7 fours, 3 sixes) that formed the backbone of their 228 for 8. Lorcan Tucker also made 56, while Gavin Hoey’s 20 saw him add 62 for the 7th wicket with the captain. Balbriggan gave the chase a good go, but were always slightly behind. Chris de Freitas top-scored with 61, while the late order runs from Dylan Lues (32) and Andrew Darroch (28) could yet prove crucial in the title race. The bonus points gained saw them actually increase the gap between the challengers, with the top three losing and the bottom three winning. It promises to be a fascinating final two weeks of the season.
Pembroke centurion and captain Theo Lawson after their win over Balbriggan
Clontarf beat Phoenix by 53 runs
Castle Avenue, 28 August.
Clontarf 189 (47.5 overs; E Delany 49, L Thomson 42*, F Hand 26, D Delany 23; O Hald 2-31, Devender Ranolia 2-38, A Rana 2-38, G Dockrell 2-43) Phoenix 136 (44.4 overs; G Dockrell 34, S Black 29, S Morris 26; M Granger 4-22, C McDonnell 2-29, R Cronje 2-38)
Mick Granger took four wickets
Clontarf gained a crucial win in the relegation dogfight as they beat Phoenix by 53 runs at Castle Avenue. Skipper Eoghan Delany (49) and Luke Thomson (42*) were best with the bat in their 189 – two wickets for George Dockrell, Oliver Hald, Anish Rana and Devender Ranolia. Dockrell’s 34 was the best of a disappointing Phoenix reply, with Mick Granger snaring four scalps, while there were two apiece for Ruan Cronje and Cillian McDonnell.
Mick Granger who took four wickets as Clontarf beat Phoenix
Malahide lost to YMCA by 8 wickets
The Village, 28 August.
Malahide 97 (39.1 overs; M Ford 21; F Conaty 4-24, J Forbes 3-7)
YMCA 98/2 (30.5 overs; J Tector 53*, A Bailey 31)
YMCA 98/2 (30.5 overs; J Tector 53*, A Bailey 31)
Jack Tector scored an unbeaten 53
YMCA put a major spoke in Malahide’s high-scoring exploits of late, with an emphatic eight-wicket win in the Village. Finn Conaty was the somewhat surprise bowling hero taking 4 for 24 as Malahide were skittled for 97 – three wickets too for James Forbes. An opening stand of 89 between Aaron Bailey (31) and Jack Tector ensured the routine win, with Tector hitting six boundaries in his unbeaten 53.
Merrion beat The Hills by 158 runs
Anglesea Road, 28 August.
Merrion 265/8 (50 overs; D Joyce 73, Swapnil Modgill 45, Amish Sidhu 30*; A Kavanagh 3-47, M Weldon 2-39, Athar Farooqi 2-45) The Hills 107 (32.2 overs; M Commns 35; J Carty 3-24, A Sidhu 2-6, S Modgill 2-16, M Sorensen 2-20).
Dom Joyce top-scored for Merrion
Dom Joyce’s 73 was the highlight of a fine Merrion win putting a severe dent in The Hills’ title ambitions in a one-sided match at Anglesea Road. Joyce hit ten boundaries in his 60-ball knock, receiving excellent support from the rest of the side as nine of the ten batsmen made double figures – Swapnil Modgill (45), and Amish Sidhu (30*) the most significant others in their total of 265 for 8. Murray Commins made 35 in the reply, which was a poor one in truth. Three wickets for Jack Carty, plus two apiece for Hills old boy Max Sorensen, Amish Sidhu, and Swapnil Modgill saw them bundled out for 107.
The Hills lost to Balbriggan by 6 wickets (DLS)
The Vineyard, Milverton, 20 August.
The Hills 162 (43 overs; D Blignaut 38, A Kavanagh 30, T Rooney-Murphy 25, M Donegan 22; A Darroch 5-27, D Lues 2-18) Balbriggan 147/4 (32.5 overs; C Fletcher 79, Ghanim Dara 44*) (147 in 43 overs)
Andrew Darroch took five wickets as leaders Balbriggan beat The Hills
Balbriggan won the Fingal derby against The Hills to give themselves some breathing space in their quest for a historic Premiership crown in the year of the underdog. Andrew Darroch’s five-wicket haul was chiefly responsible for bowing out The Hills for 162. Dylan Blignaut (38) and Andrew Kavanagh (30) top-scored for the home side in a disappointing batting effort. An opening stand of 125 between Connor Fletcher and Ghanim Dara all but settled the contest as they chased a revised target of 146. Fletcher top-scored with 79 from 87 balls (9 fours, 3 sixes), while Dara’s unbeaten 44 ensured the six wickets win after they wobbled losing four wickets for fve runs when the finishing line was in sight.
Malahide beat Pembroke by 185 runs
The Village, 20 August.
Malahide 301/8 (50 overs; H Kindley 113, M Ford 46, F McAllister 35, A Muntha 35, M Frost 25*; J Prendergast 4-62) Pembroke 116 (38 overs; D Tucker 24; M Frost 4-24, J Newland 2-28)
Hunter Kindley
Hunter Kindley scored his second century in two weeks as Malahude thumped Pembroke by 185 runs. Kindley’s 113 from 118 balls included 14 fours and a six and propelled the village side to 301 for 8 – runs too for Matt Ford 46, plus 35 apiece for Arrjun Muntha and Fintan McAllister. Pembroke’s chase never got going, with Diarmaid Tucker’s 24 the best of their 116 all out. Michael Frost took four wickets, while skipper James Newland claimed a brace. Pembroke will be boosted by the short-term signing of Nigel Jones next week, plus the return of their Irish international contingent for what now is a relegation battle.
Phoenix beat Merrion by 2 wickets
Phoenix Park, 20 August.
Merrion 193 (46.1 overs; S Doheny 60, F Marais 59, S Stanton 22; Devender Ranolia 5-36, Anish Rana 2-38) Phoenix 196/8 (47.3 overs; O Hald 85, L McDonough 37*; Amish Sidhu 4-26, J Carty 2-44)
Devender Ranolia took 5 for 36
Phoenix claimed a remarkable win against Merrion, recovering from 73 for 7 to chase 194. It was don to an eighth wicket partnership of 113 in 26 between Danish international Oliver Hald and Louis McDonough (37*). Hald thumped 85 from 67 balls (9 fours, 3 sixes) as the hosts stunned Merrion, who looked on course for the win after four wickets for Amish Sidhu. Merrion had looked on course for a big score after a strong start by Stephen Doheny (60) and Franco Marais (59), but Devender Ranolia claimed a five-wicket haul to bring Phoenix back into contention.
Clontarf beat YMCA by 22 runs
Castle Avenue, 20 August.
Clontarf 289/5 (50 overs; J McNally 60, D Delany 58*, E Delany 53, A Poynter 45, F Hand 29, PJ Moor 28; YMCA 267 (50 overs; J Forbes 85, A Rosslee 71; F Hand 4-46)
John McNally top-scoed for Clontarf
Clontarf gained a crucial victory as they beat YMCA by 22 runs in a high-scoring game at Castle Avenue. John McNally and Eoghan Delany both scored 50s in an opening stand of 118, and the perfect platform allowed the middle-order to score freely, with runs too for David Delany (58*), Andrew Poynter (45), Fionn Hand (29) and PJ Moor (28). YM gave the chase a good go, with James Forbes making an unbeaten 85, sharing a fifth wicket stand of 95 with Adam Rosslee (71), but in the end they fell 22-runs adrift.
The Hills lost to Balbriggan by 6 wickets (DLS)
The Vineyard, Milverton, 20 August.
The Hills 162 (43 overs; D Blignaut 38, A Kavanagh 30, T Rooney-Murphy 25, M Donegan 22; A Darroch 5-27, D Lues 2-18) Balbriggan 147/4 (32.5 overs; C Fletcher 79, Ghanim Dara 44*) (147 in 43 overs)
Andrew Darroch took five wickets as leaders Balbriggan beat The Hills
Balbriggan won the Fingal derby against The Hills to give themselves some breathing space in their quest for a historic Premiership crown in the year of the underdog. Andrew Darroch’s five-wicket haul was chiefly responsible for bowing out The Hills for 162. Dylan Blignaut (38) and Andrew Kavanagh (30) top-scored for the home side in a disappointing batting effort. An opening stand of 125 between Connor Fletcher and Ghanim Dara all but settled the contest as they chased a revised target of 146. Fletcher top-scored with 79 from 87 balls (9 fours, 3 sixes), while Dara’s unbeaten 44 ensured the six wickets win after they wobbled losing four wickets for fve runs when the finishing line was in sight.
Malahide beat Pembroke by 185 runs
The Village, 20 August.
Malahide 301/8 (50 overs; H Kindley 113, M Ford 46, F McAllister 35, A Muntha 35, M Frost 25*; J Prendergast 4-62) Pembroke 116 (38 overs; D Tucker 24; M Frost 4-24, J Newland 2-28)
Hunter Kindley
Hunter Kindley scored his second century in two weeks as Malahude thumped Pembroke by 185 runs. Kindley’s 113 from 118 balls included 14 fours and a six and propelled the village side to 301 for 8 – runs too for Matt Ford 46, plus 35 apiece for Arrjun Muntha and Fintan McAllister. Pembroke’s chase never got going, with Diarmaid Tucker’s 24 the best of their 116 all out. Michael Frost took four wickets, while skipper James Newland claimed a brace. Pembroke will be boosted by the short-term signing of Nigel Jones next week, plus the return of their Irish international contingent for what now is a relegation battle.
Phoenix beat Merrion by 2 wickets
Phoenix Park, 20 August.
Merrion 193 (46.1 overs; S Doheny 60, F Marais 59, S Stanton 22; Devender Ranolia 5-36, Anish Rana 2-38) Phoenix 196/8 (47.3 overs; O Hald 85, L McDonough 37*; Amish Sidhu 4-26, J Carty 2-44)
Devender Ranolia took 5 for 36
Phoenix claimed a remarkable win against Merrion, recovering from 73 for 7 to chase 194. It was don to an eighth wicket partnership of 113 in 26 between Danish international Oliver Hald and Louis McDonough (37*). Hald thumped 85 from 67 balls (9 fours, 3 sixes) as the hosts stunned Merrion, who looked on course for the win after four wickets for Amish Sidhu. Merrion had looked on course for a big score after a strong start by Stephen Doheny (60) and Franco Marais (59), but Devender Ranolia claimed a five-wicket haul to bring Phoenix back into contention.
Clontarf beat YMCA by 22 runs
Castle Avenue, 20 August.
Clontarf 289/5 (50 overs; J McNally 60, D Delany 58*, E Delany 53, A Poynter 45, F Hand 29, PJ Moor 28; YMCA 267 (50 overs; J Forbes 85, A Rosslee 71; F Hand 4-46)
John McNally top-scoed for Clontarf
Clontarf gained a crucial victory as they beat YMCA by 22 runs in a high-scoring game at Castle Avenue. John McNally and Eoghan Delany both scored 50s in an opening stand of 118, and the perfect platform allowed the middle-order to score freely, with runs too for David Delany (58*), Andrew Poynter (45), Fionn Hand (29) and PJ Moor (28). YM gave the chase a good go, with James Forbes making an unbeaten 85, sharing a fifth wicket stand of 95 with Adam Rosslee (71), but in the end they fell 22-runs adrift.
Pembroke lost to Balbriggan by 1 wicket
Sydney Parade, 13 August.
Pembroke 200/9 (50 overs; D Tucker 55, T Lawson 36, G Hoey 22, P Lawson 21; R Hadley 3-26, M McGregor 2-22) Balbriggan 203/9 (45.5 overs; F Nasr 62, G Dara 41, C Fletcher 29; G Hoey 4-33, D Tucker 3-32, P Lawson 2-40)
Farooq Nasr scored 62 for Balbriggan
Balbriggan have stayed ahead of the chasing pack after they held their nerves to secure what could be a priceless one-wicket win at Pembroke. The Sydney Parade side posted 200, with Diarmaid Tucker top-scoring with a patient 55, adding 81 for the second wicket with skipper Theo Lawson (36). Gavin Hoey hit two sixes in a breezy 22, while Paul Lawson made 21. Ryan Hadley (3-26) and Mally McGregor (2-22) were the pick of the Balbriggan attack. An opening stand of 72 in 13 overs between Ghanim Dara (41) and Connor Fletcher (29) looked as if the chase would be a stroll in the afternoon sunshine. However, the innings faltered as the spinning triumvirate of Hoey (4-33), Donncha Tucker (3-32), and Paul Lawson (2-40) sparked a collapse. Farooq Nasr’s 62 took them to the brink of victory, but when he fell, six were needed with the last pair at the crease. No getting them in singles though, as Kashif Ali deposited Tucker over the ropes amidst great celebration from the Fingal faithful.
Phoenix beat Clontarf by 93 runs
Phoenix Park, 13 August.
Phoenix 252 (50 overs; T Kane 57, A Rana 52, W Bennett 51, S Black 41; J McNally 3-39, D Delany 2-21) Clontarf 159 (39.1 overs; PJ Moor 46, J McNally 33, D Delany 29; T Kane 3-18, W Bennett 2-26, Devender Ranolia 2-39, B White 2-54)
David Delany
Phoenix won a crucial basement battle as they beat Clontarf convincingly by 93 runs. A century stand for the second wicket between Anish Rana (52) and Stephen Black (41) set them on their way, and further half centuries for skipper Tyrone Kane and William Bennett (51) continued the momentum as they added 94 in 15 overs. Kane cleared the ropes 3 times and hit 6 fours in his rapid 57 from 41 balls to get Phoenix to 252 – three wickets for John McNally and two from David Delany (2-21). PJ Moor clubbed 4 sixes in a rapid 46, but Kane’s all-round exploits continued as he took 3 for 18, and coupled with two apiece for Bennett, Ben White and Devender Ranolia saw the Castle Avenue side dismissed for 159.
Malahide beat YMCA by 13 runs
The Village, 13 August.
Malahide 251/1 (50 overs; R Hackney 131*, H Kindley 109*) YMCA 238/7 (50 overs; J Tector 96, J Forbes 45, A Rosslee 38, T Tector 23; J Newland 3--39)
Ryan Hackney and Hunter Kindley shared a stand of 247 (Malahide CC)
A club record partnership of 247 between Ryan Hackney and Hunter Kindley led Malahide to a 13-run win over YMCA. The pair came together at the start of the third over, and produced a fine exhibition of strokeplay over the next 48 overs. Hackney top-scored with an unbeaten 131 from 157 balls (10 fours), while Kindley’s 109 from 142 balls included 13 boundaries. Jack Tector’s 96 ensured YM were always in contention, ably supported by James Forbes (45), Adam Rosslee (38), and Tim Tector (23). However, scoreboard pressure told as they fell 13-runs adrift, with home skipper James Newland’s 3-39 instrumental in clinching victory.
The Hills beat Merrion by 55 runs
The Vineyard, Milverton, 13 August.
The Hills 221/8 (50 overs; M Donegan 88*, M Commins 42, C McLaughlin-Gavin 35, D Blignaut 22; M Sinan 2-32, J Carty 2-39) Merrion 166 (46.5 overs; J Carty 33, M Lewis 21; J Tall 3-26, Athar Farooqi 2-15)
Mark Donegan top-scored for The Hills
The Hills beat Merrion to stay second after a 55-run win at The Vineyard to send them into Sunday’s All-Ireland T20 semi-final in good spirits. They were in early trouble at 3 for 2 in the 5th over, but were steadied by a third wicket stand of 70 between Murray Commins (42) and Cormac McLoughlin-Gavin (35). Mark Donegan then batted superbly in making an undefeated 88 from 99 balls (9 fours, 3 sixes) to help the hosts to 221 for 8. Merrion’s reply never really got going despite Jack Carty’s 33 at the top of the order. He was one of three wickets for Jonathan Tall, who also accounted for Hills old-boy Max Sorensen. Athar Farooqi (2-15) also bowled well in a display that will give the home faithful hope of a Fingal shoot-out for the title as it enters the home straight.
Pembroke lost to The Hills by 8 wickets
Sydney Parade, 6 August.
Pembroke 186 (49.5 overs; P Lawson 61, D Cosgrave 47, P Mehta 21; D Blignaut 3-36) The Hills 188/2 (36.2 overs; C McLoughlin-Gavin 89*, A Kavanagh 38, Althar Farooqui 37; G Hoey 2-53)
Cormac McLoughlin-Gavin was in the runs again (Joe Curtis)
The Hills are very much in the title hunt after an emphatic eight-wicket win over Pembroke. Dylan Blignaut took three wickets as Pembroke slumped to 67 for 6. Paul Lawson (61) and David Cosgrave (47) staged a salvage operation with a seventh wicket stand of 97, but a total of 186 looked light at Sydney Parade. It looked even lighter as Athar Farooqi (37) and Cormac McLoughlin-Gavin shared a century opening partnership. McLoughlin-Gavin hit eight boundaries in an unbeaten 89, adding a further 57 with Andrew Kavanagh (38) as The Hills coasted to victory in the 37th over.
Cormac McLoughlin-Gavin after The Hills beat Pembroke
Phoenix lost to YMCA by 7 wickets
Phoenix Park, 6 August.
Phoenix 180/9 (50 overs; W Bennett 48, T Kane 41, C Sheil 20; H Harshit 4-22, M O'Reilly 2-32) YMCA 182/3 (32.4 overs; A Rosslee 84*, T Tector 51; C Sheil 2-7))
The Tectors (Rodney Smythe)
A third wicket stand of 124 between Adam Rosslee and Tim Tector led YMCA to a comfortable seven wicket win over Phoenix. Chasing a modest 180, Conor Sheil struck two early blows dismissing Jack Tector and Mitch Thompson. However, Rosslee struck 7 fours and 3 sixes in an unbeaten 84 from 82 balls in a match winning stand with Tim Tector, who made 51 (3 fours, 2 sixes). Earlier, Harshit Harshit – so good they named him twice – took four wickets, three of them first up as Phoenix slumped to 15 for 4. William Bennett (48) and Tyrone Kane (41) added 90 for the 5th wicket, but a final total of 180 proved woefully inadequate.
Malahide beat Merrion by 62 runs
The Village, 6 August.
Malahide 238/7 (50 overs; A Frost 104*, F McAllister 38, H Kindley 28; M Sorensen 2-19, A Sidhu 2-34) Merrion 176/9 (50 overs; J Carty 54, D Forkin 28*; M Frost 3-28, H Kindley 2-24, A Frost 2-34)
A very happy Alistair Frost scored 104
Alistair Frost scored his maiden century for Malahide, and in the process threw a spanner in the works of a Merrion side battling for the title. Frost hit 11 boundaries in his unbeaten 104 to take his side to 238 for 7, sharing half century partnerships with Hunter Kindley (28) and Fintan McAllister (38). Jack Carty made 54 in the chase, but Merrion struggled, with the Frost brothers taking a combined five wickets to strangle the reply. Daniel Forkin made an unbeaten 28 late on to help them salvage something, as they ended on 176 for 9.
Clontarf beat Balbriggan by 53 runs
Castle Avenue, 6 August.
Clontarf 283/6 (50 overs; D Delany 135, D Vincent 104; R Hadley 2-46, A Darroch 2-58) Balbriggan 230/9 (50 overs; C De Freitas 62, N Rooney 60, C Fletcher 26, R Hadley 22; M Granger 4-36, R Cronje 2-42)
Another century for David Vincent (Deryck Vincent_
David Vincent and David Delany both scored centuries as Clontarf beat Balbriggan by 53 runs in a high scoring contest at Castle Avenue. The pair shared a second wicket stand of 208, with Delany top-scoring with a 135 from 137 balls (13 fours, 1 six), while Vincent made 104 – his second hundred in two weeks. A total of 283 for 6 was always going to be challenging, and four wickets for Mick Granger ensured they were always in control, despite half centuries for Chris de Freitas (62) and Nathan Rooney (60) in their 230.
Mick Granger of Clontarf took four wickets
Phoenix lost to The Hills by 28 runs.
Phoenix Park, 23 July.
The Hills 131 (45.1 overs; D Blignaut 38; R Smith 4-11, D Raniola 2-10, B White 2-34) Phoenix 103 (32.1 overs; T Kane 42; T Rooney Murphy 5-44, D Blignaut 3-12)
Ruadhri Smith took four wickets on his Phoenix debut
Phoenix looked to have pulled another rabbit out of the hat as they unveiled Glamorgan and Scottish international Ruaidhri Smith for their clash with The Hills. He seemed an inspired signing at halfway claiming 4 for 11 as the Milverton side were dismissed for 131. Dylan Blignaut top-scored with 38, while there were wickets too for Ben White and Devender Ranolia. Phoenix though found the going equally tricky and Tomas Rooney-Murphy (5-44) and Blignaut (3-12) tore through them. Tyrone Kane struck 7 fours in a defiant 42 but he was last man out with the hosts 28 runs adrift.
Malahide beat Balbriggan by 15 runs (DLS).
Malahide, 23 July.
Balbriggan 136 (48.2 overs; D Lues 46, A Darroch 27; P Saville 3-22, C Shoebridge 2-29) Malahide 98-3 (35.3 overs; R Hackney 43* (Par score at 35.3 overs was 83)
Leaders Balbriggan slipped up as they lost by 15 runs (DLS) to Malahide in the Fingal derby. The top order didn’t fire as Pete Saville took three wickets and Cameron Shoebridge two as they slipped to 60 for 7. Dylan Lues (46) and Andrew Darroch (27) added 62 for the 8th wicket, but a final total of 136 always looked light. Malahide adopted a safety-first approach to the chase, with Ryan Hackney’s unbeaten 43 having the villagers 98 for 3 in the 36th over when and ahead when play was halted.
Clontarf beat Merrion by 57 runs.
Castle Avenue, 23 July.
Clontarf 268-6 (50 overs; D Vincent 103, P Moor 84, D Delany 34, R Cronje 25; A Sidhu 2-49) Merrion 211 (49.3 overs; M Lewis 31, D Joyce 27; D Delany 3-37, P Ryan 2-32, R Cronje 2-46)
David Vincent acknowledges the applause for his century.
Clontarf put a dent in Merrion’s title chances as David Vincent’s maiden senior century helped then to a 57-run win at Castle Avenue. The Irish Under 19 international top-scored with 103, sharing stands of 60 with David Delany (34) and a match defining 130 for the 3rd with PJ Moor. The Zimbabwean thumping 9 fours and 3 sixes in his 84 from just 63 balls. A total of 268 for 6 was always going to be a challenge for Merrion, and without John Anderson even more so. The top eight all made double figures, but Michael Lewis (31) was the best as they were 211 all out – three wickets for Delany and two apiece for Paul Ryan and Ruan Cronje.
David Vincent who scored a century for Clontarf
Pembroke beat YMCA by 119 runs.
Sydney Parade, 23 July.
Pembroke 273-5 (50 overs; D Hogan 73, D Tucker 67, T Lawson 45, L Tucker 29, J Garth 27; M O'Reilly 3-52) YMCA 154 (39.1 overs;T Tector 38, M Thompson 32, J Tector 28; P Lawson 3-36, J Prendergast 3-48, P Sharma 2-28)
Danny Hogan top-scored for Pembroke
Pembroke were the biggest winners of the day as they thumped neighbours YMCA by 119 runs. Half centuries from Danny Hogan (73) and Diarmaid Tucker (67) saw them add 123 for the second wicket after JJ Garth had gone for 27. The runs feast continued as Theo Lawson (45) and Lorcan Tucker (29) stepped up the pace in their 273 for 5. Mikey O’Reilly (3-52) the best of the bowlers. Early runs for Tim Tector (38), Mitchell Thompson (32), and Jack Tector (28) gave YM hope, but three wickets for Joe Prendergast and Paul Lawson saw the innings peter out.
Clontarf beat The Hills by 51 runs.
Castle Avenue, 16 July.
Clontarf 246-6 (50 overs; E Delany 78, P Moor 76, D Delany 49; T Rooney Murphy 2-51) The Hills 195 (47.4 overs; A Kavanagh 39, D Blignaut 38, M Donegan 34; D Vincent 5-37, M Granger 2-31)
David Vincent leads the Clontarf team off the field after taking 5 wickets
Clontarf got their first win of the campaign and in the process dealt what is probably a fatal blow to The Hills title ambitions. Skipper Eoghan Delany top-scored with 78 (5 fours, 1 six), while PJ Moor hit 6 fours and 3 sixes in a better than even time 76, and David Delany a busy 49 from 35 balls in the Castle Avenue’s 246 for 6 – two wickets for Tomas Rooney-Murphy. The Hills reply got off to a poor start with Cormac McLoughlin-Gavin and Athar Farooqi both failing to score. Andrew Kavanagh (39), Mark Donegan (34) and Dylan Blignaut (38) batted well to get them into contention at 105 for 3 in the 28th, before Irish Under 19 international David Vincent intervened. The wily bowler spun his way to a five-wicket haul, claiming 5 for 37 as The Hills were dismissed for 195 – two wickets as well for Mick Granger in the 51-run win.
David Vincent of Clontarf after he took five wickets
YMCA lost to Balbriggan by 8 wickets.
Claremont Road, 16 July.
YMCA 260-6 (50 overs; A Bailey 94*, M Thompson 40, J Forbes 28; A Darroch 3-45) Balbriggan 261-2 (38.4 overs; C Fletcher 114*, G Ford 101*)
Conor Fletcher reaches his century
Balbriggan continue to defy the odds as they pulled off a remarkable chase to beat YMCA at Claremont Road. YM would have been confident at the half-way stage after Aaron Bailey’s unbeaten 94 from 102 balls (11 fours, 1 six) took them to 260 for 6. He shared a 4th wicket stand of 78 with Jamie Forbes (28), while there were runs too for Mitchell Thompson (40), plus Tim Tector and Adam Rosslee who made 22 apiece. Andrew Darroch (3-45) was the pick of the Balbriggan attack. An opening stand of 99 between Connor Fletcher and Ghanim Dara (35) changed the mood, and although Dara and Chris De Freitas went in the space of three balls, that was to be the end of YM’s success. Fletcher was joined by skipper Greg Ford and they proceeded to win the match with an unbroken stand of 161 in 22 overs. Fletcher top-scored with 114 not out from 106 balls (15 fours, 2 sixes), while Ford’s unbeaten 101 from 76 balls (14 fours, 1 six) had their travelling support in raptures. The Balbriggan juggernaut rolls on, and this win will give them even more confidence.
Conor Fletcher of Balbriggan after the match
Merrion beat Pembroke by 144 runs.
Anglesea Road, 16 July.
Merrion 243 (49.5 overs; J Carty 62, J Anderson 49, S Doheny 38, M Lewis 28; P Sharma 5-37, P Mehta 2-39, G Hoey 2-57) Pembroke 99 (28.1 overs; T Lawson 27, D Hogan 26; A Sidhu 6-15)
Pembroke's Piyush Sharma took 5 wickets
Merrion stay on Balbriggan’s tail after they thumped Pembroke by 144 runs at Anglesea Road. An opening stand of 97 in 19 overs between Jack Carty and Stephen Doheny (38) set the tone for the game, and ensured Merrion were always in control. Carty top-scored with a run-a-ball 62 (9 fours, 1 six), while John Anderson (49) and Michael Lewis (28) also chipped in to their total of 243. Piyush Sharma claimed 5 for 37, while there were two wickets each for Poonish Mehta (2-39) and Gavin Hoey (2-57). Pembroke lost early wickets to slip to 23 for 3, before Theo Lawson (27) and Danny Hogan (26) added 51 for the fourth wicket. At 74 for 3, they would have harboured hopes of challenging the target, but Amish Sidhu had other ideas, spinning his way to 6 for 15, as 74 for 3 quickly became 99 all out.
Malahide beat Phoenix by 45 runs.
Malahide, 16 July.
Malahide 215 (48.4 overs; S Getkate 67, A Frost 44, F McAllister 32; O Hald 5-30, W Bennett 3-45) Phoenix 170 (42.4 overs; T Kane 68; M Ford 3-35, M Frost 3-39, J Newland 2-27)
Shane Getkate top scored for Malahide
Malahide’s decision to swoop for former player Shane Getkate on a short-term loan deal from Instonians proved to be an inspired one as the Irish international played a major part in their win over Phoenix. Getkate top-scored with 67 (7 fours, 1 six) as they posted 215, with runs too for Ali Frost (44), Fintan McAllister (32), and Ryan Hackney (23). Great Dane Oliver Hald took five wickets, while there three for William Bennett (3-45). The Phoenix reply was always lagging despite the best efforts of Tyrone Kane, who hit 6 fours and 2 sixes in his 68. Three wickets each for spinners Mike Frost (3-39) and Matt Ford (3-35), plus two for left-armer James Newland (2-27) saw Phoenix bowled out for 170.
Phoenix beat Pembroke by 63 runs.
Phoenix Park, 9 July.
Phoenix 118 (28.2 overs; O Haid 43; P Mehta 6-33, G Hoey 2-21) Pembroke 55 (17.3 overs; T Kane 7-35)
Tyrone Kane had a lot to smile about after his seven wickets
Phoenix produced an almost Lazarus-like comeback to stun Pembroke, putting a serious dent in the Sydney Parade’s title ambitions. Six wickets for Poonish Mehta had seen the home side reeling on 42 for 7, before Oliver Hald and Ben White (23). The pair added 72 in 12 overs for the eighth wicket with Hald hitting 6 fours and 2 sixes in his 43 from 41 balls. While a total of 118 seemed inadequate at the halfway stage, skipper Kane had other ideas as he produced a stunning seven wickets spell, which saw Pembroke skittled for just 55 – two wickets for Hald as well in an incredible turnaround. “WE were delighted to get the win,” Kane told CricketEurope. “Defending a small total like that we knew early wickets were crucial so we were happy to get a couple just before lunch and then close out the rest after. I think it’s my best senior figures! But I was more happy to get the win after it not looking so good after the first innings.”
Balbriggan lost to Merrion by 6 wickets.
Jack Harper Ground, 9 July.
Balbriggan 143 (45.3 overs; C de Freitas 44; T Stanton 4-21, D Forkin 2-14, A Sidhu 2-31) Merrion 144-4 (38.3 overs; J Anderson 51*, F Marais 35; R Hadley 2-20)
Balbriggan were brought down to earth with a bump as Merrion showed a steely resolve to open up the title race with a six wicket win. Chris De Freitas hit 8 fours in a fluent 44, adding 57 with Farooq Nasr (21) for the third wicket. At 85 for 2, Balbriggan would have been hoping for 200 plus, but they collapsed, losing eight wickets for 58 runs to be 143 all out. Merrion captain Tom Stanton claimed 4 for 21, while fellow spinner Daniel Forkin and Amish Sidhu took two apiece. The chase was a steady, solid effort by Merrion, built around John Anderson’s unbeaten half century (6 fours, 1 six) as he and Franco Marais (35) added 70 for the fourth wicket to all but seal the deserved win.
Merrion captain Tom Stanton
The Hills beat YMCA by 99 runs.
The Vineyard, 9 July.
The Hills 223-6 (49.5 overs; M Donegan 73*, C McLoughlin-Gavin 48; J Forbes 2-46, T Anders 2-53) YMCA 124 (34.1 overs; T Anders 44*; D Blignaut 2-19, T Rooney Murphy 2-23, M Weldon 2-23, J Tall 2-26)
The Hills avenged their recent loss to YMCA with an equally emphatic 99-run win at Milverton. The home side batting fired and with the top seven all in the runs, they were happy with their total of 223 for 6. Mark Donegan was again in the runs with a top-score of 73 not out, while Cormac McLoughlin-Gavin was again in the runs, making 48. Andrew Kavanagh, Dylan Blignaut and Levon Shields all passed 20 in a solid effort. The YM batting was missing two of the Tector brothers and Simi Singh, and The Hills clinically exposed their soft underbelly, as they dismissed them for 124, despite the best efforts of Tom Anders (44*) and Aaron Bailey (22). Dylan Blignaut, Tomas Rooney-Murphy, Jonathan Tall and Matthew Weldon each picked up two wickets in a fine bowling effort by the Milverton side.
The Hills Mark Donegan with Willie Dwyer
Pembroke beat Malahide by 37 runs.
Sydney Parade, 2 July.
Pembroke 255 (49.4 overs; T Lawson 73, P Mehta 55, L Tucker 41, J Garth 33; J Newland 6-40) Malahide 218 (48.4 overs; A Frost 87, F McAllister 42, M Ford 34; G Hoey 3-52, B McCarthy 2-34)
Pembroke clinched a 37-run win over a spirited Malahide in a high scoring encounter at Sydney Parade. James Newland took two early wickets including Ireland captain Andy Balbirnie third ball, on his way to a six-wicket haul, before Pembroke rallied. Firstly through Lorcan Tucker (41) and JJ Garth (33), and then with a match defining fifth wicket partnership between Theo Lawson and Poonish Mehta. Lawson top-scored with 73 from 83 balls (6 fours, 1 six), as he and Mehta (55) added 123 in 22 overs, which saw them post 255 – Newland 6 for 40. The chase looked to be on target for an exciting end as Ali Frost (87), Matt Ford (34) and Fintan McAllister (42) took them to 163 for 3, but with the required rate creeping up, scoreboard pressure told, and they faltered to 218 all out – three wickets for Gavin Hoey, two for Barry McCarthy, and final one to Andy Balbirnie.
Merrion beat Phoenix by 20 runs.
Anglesea Road, 2 July.
Merrion 178-8 (50 overs; F Marais 54*, J Carty 53; T Dempsey 3-25, B White 2-28) Phoenix 158 (42.1 overs; G Dockrell 46, T Kane 33, T Dempsey 25; J Carty 4-19, T Stanton 2-30, S Modgill 2-34)
Merrion fought back from a poor start to beat Phoenix by 20 runs at Anglesea Road. Three wickets for Theo Dempsey, including the prize scalp of John Anderson had the visitors in the ascendancy. However, a dogged fifth wicket stand of 66 between Jack Carty and Franco Marais, both of whom made half centuries, saw Merrion make 178. George Dockrell (46) and Stephen Black (27) gave the chase a solid platform, but despite quick cameos from Tyrone Kane (33) against his former club, and Theo Dempsey (25), Phoenix fell 20 short. Carty completed an excellent all-round day by taking 4 for 19, while there were two wickets each for Swapnil Modgill and skipper Tom Stanton.
YMCA beat Clontarf by 2 wickets.
Claremont Road, 2 July.
Clontarf 163 (47.4 overs; A Vincent 49, R Forrest 46; C CAmpher 3-19, R Wislon 2-23, T Anders 2-23, M O YMCA 166-8 (38.2 overs; J Tector 71, T Tector 36; F Hand 4-40, M Granger 2-32, R Cronje 2-37)
YMCA survived a late wobble to beat Clontarf, ending a turbulent week for the Castle Avenue side after the departure of their Head Coach. They were reeling at 12 for 4, with two wickets each for Mikey O’Reilly and Reuben Wilson. David Delany (22) and Fionn Hand (14) rallied briefly, but once again when they went, the board read 57 for 6 and they were in deep trouble. Andrew Vincent (49) and Bobbo Forrest (46) fought back with a 7th wicket stand of 67 to give the bowlers something to defend, 163 all out. Curtis Campher (3-19) and Tom Anders (2-23) also among the wickets. Jack Tector (71) dominated an opening stand of 54 with Simi Singh (13), and when he and younger sibling Tim (36) added a further 59, it appeared to be a stroll in the park. However, Clontarf battled right to the end, and with Fionn Hand taking four wickets, plus two apiece for Ruan Cronje and Mick Granger, there were a few nerves, before the winning runs were scored.
Balbriggan beat The Hills by 23 runs.
Jack Harper Ground, 2 July.
Balbriggan 159 (44.4 overs; G Ford 40; J Tall 3-25, T Rooney Murphy 3-33, D Blignaut 2-23, L Shields 2-28) The Hills 136 (46.3 overs; C McLoughlin Gavin 37; R Hadley 3-22, A Darroch 2-12, D Lues 2-23)
Balbriggan’s unbeaten Premiership start continued as they stunned The Hills defending what looked like a below par total of 159. They looked in trouble at 59 for 5, but skipper Greg Ford made a vital 40, shepherding the tail, as the last five wickets put on 100. Jonathan Tall and Tomas Rooney-Murphy each took three wickets for the home side, while there were two each for Dylan Blignaut and Levon Shields. With Cormac McLoughlin-Gavin (37) looking set and the visitors on 83 for 2, it seemed to be in control for the visitors, before the wheels came off. Three wickets for Ryan Hadley, plus two apiece for Andrew Darroch and Dylan Lues, sparked a fightback that resulted in Fingal bragging rights for the surprise package of the top flight.
Merrion lost to Balbriggan by 4 wickets.
Anglesea Road, 25 June.
Merrion 292-6 (50 overs; J Anderson 124*, J Carty 41, M Lewis 37, M Sinan 31; K Ali 3-47, R Hadley 2-80) Balbriggan 295-6 (48 overs; C Fletcher 103, G Ford 46*, D Lues 38, C de Freitas 26; J Carty 2-50, H Kennedy 2-68)
It was a tale of two centuries at Anglesea Road as Connor Fletcher's ton ensured the Balbriggan juggernaut showed no signs of stopping as they chased 292 to beat Merrion by four wickets. Jack Carty (41) and Mick Lewis (37) added 76 for the first wicket and with former Irish international John Anderson in imperious form, the runs kept flowing. Anderson hit 15 fours and 2 sixes in his unbeaten 124, as 90 came from the last six overs from him and Muhammad Sinan (31). A total of 292 looked formidable, but Fletcher hit 17 fours in his even time 103. Dylan Lues hit a run-a-ball 38 in a stand of 70 with Greg Ford, whose unbeaten 46 together with Andrew Darroch (21*) sealed a famous four-wicket win.
YMCA beat The Hills by 9 wickets.
Claremont Road, 25 June.
The Hills 227-8 (50 overs; D Blignaut 42, A Farooqi 40, M Donegan 31, A Bain 26; H Harshit 2-38) YMCA 228-1 (42.3 overs; J Tector 107*, T Tector 105*)
Brothers Tim and Jack Tector both score centuries in YMCA's win (Photo: YMCA CC)
Jack and Tim Tector both scored centuries as YMCA made light of a 228-run target to beat The Hills by 9 wickets at Claremont Road. Dylan Bignaut (42) and Athar Farooqi (40) shared a third wicket stand of 79 as The Hills posted 227 for 8. Mitchell Thompson went cheaply in the reply, but an unbroken 200 run stand sealed the surprisingly comprehensive win. Jack Tector's 107 came from 137 balls and included 12 boundaries, while younger sibling Tim made a run-a-ball unbeaten 105 featured 12 fours and 2 sixes.
Clontarf lost to Malahide by 8 wickets.
Castle Avenue, 25 June.
Clontarf 162 (47.3 overs; E Delany 37, PJ Moor 29, D Delany 28, J McNally 27; C Shoebridge 3-27, J Newland 2-21, M Frost 2-22) Malahide 163-2 (40.3 overs; R Hackney 61*, A Muntha 44, F McAllister 38*)
James Newland and Cameron Shoebridge of Malahide with the LP Hughes trophy (Photo: Malahide CC)
Malahide caused something of a surprise as they beat hgh flying Clontarf by 8 wickets to clinch the inaugural LP (Podge) Hughes trophy at Castle Avenue. Eoghan Delany's 38 was the best of a well under par 162 for the home side. Cameron Shoebridge took three wickets, including PJ Moor and Ruan Cronje in the space of four balls. Skipper James Newland and Mike Frost also took two apiece in a fine effort. Ryan Hackney's 61 combined with runs for Arjun Muntha (37) and Fintan McAllister (38*) sealed the one-sided contest in which the form book was turned upside down.
Pembroke lost to Phoenix by 3 wickets.
Sydney Parade, 25 June.
Pembroke 143 (38.1 overs; D Tucker 50, J Garth 39; T Kane 3-24, O Haid 2-20, W Bennett 2-23, T Dempsey 2-29) Phoenix 146-7 (31.5 overs; A Chester 49; G Hoey 3-35, P Sharma 2-35)
A dramatic collapse by Pembroke at home to Phoenix saw them lose by three wickets. The home side reached 117 for 1 in the 27th over, with runs for Diarmaid Tucker (50), JJ Garth (38) and David Cosgrave (23). However, the wheels came off spectacularly as they crumbled losing nine wickets for 26 runs in the space of 11 overs to be dismissed for 143. Tyrone Kane took three wickets, while there were two apiece for William Bennett, Oliver Hald, and Theo Dempsey. The chase was a tense one with Adam Chester's 49 from just 32 balls vital, while Oliver Hald's rapid 20 not out hastened the win.
Balbriggan beat Clontarf by 87 runs.
Jack Harper Ground, 18 June.
Balbriggan 245 (49.5 overs; C de Freitas 60, C Fletcher 36, N Rooney 30; R Cronje 3-52, F Hand 3-58, D Delany 2-36) Clontarf 158 (44.3 overs; J McNally 40, D Vincent 33; A Darroch 3-25, D Lues 2-30, F Nasr 2-34)
Balbriggan's excellent league campaign continued as they beat Clontarf by 87 runs in a statement win that shows they are to be taken as serious title contenders. The top eight all reached double figures as Balbriggan posted 245 for 8, with Chris De Freitas making an even time 60 (6 fours, 2 sixes). Connor Fletcher (36), Nathan Rooney (30) both got 30s, while skipper Greg Ford, Farooq Nasr and Dylan Lues all passed 20. Ruan Cronje and Fionn Hand both took two wickets, while David Delany collected two. Andrew Darroch (3-25) and Ryan Hadley (2-10) had the Clontarf chase in tatters at 39 for 5, and from that there was no way back, despite resistance in a sixth wicket stand of 64 between John McNally (40) and David Vincent (33). Both were dismissed by Farooq Nasr (2-34), while Dylan Lues mopped up the final two wickets in a thoroughly convincing win.
Merrion beat Malahide by 4 wickets.
Anglesea Road, 18 June.
Malahide 169 (42.5 overs; R Hackney 68*; H Kennedy 3-35, S Stanton 3-35, A Sidhu 2-36) Merrion 173-6 (39 overs; S Doheny 76*; A Paul 2-30)
Hugh Kennedy took three wickets for Merrion
Merrion won by four wickets at home to Malahide in a tough encounter. Hugh Kennedy's early hat-trick had Malahide in all sorts of trouble, and they were indebted to Ryan Hackney, who carried his bat for 68 (6 fours). Fintan McAllister made 23, while Hackney added valuable late runs with skipper Cameron Shoebridge and Peter Saville. Still a total of 169 of 169 is rarely defended at Anglesea Road and that's how it panned out. Stephen Doheny celebrated his Irish senior call-up by displaying the exact credentials needed to replace William Porterfield at the top of the order. Doheny's undefeated 76 included seven boundaries and his patient knock guided Merrion to a four-wicket win - valuable supporting knocks were provided by Jack Carty and Franco Marais, who both made 20.
The Hills lost to Pembroke by 22 runs.
The Vineyard, 18 June.
Pembroke 282-6 (50 overs; P Mehta 144*, T Lawson 53, P Lawson 34*; D Blignaut 3-52, L Shields 2-54) The Hills 260-9 (50 overs; M Donegan 61, L Shields 46, W Archer 39, A Farooqi 28, T Rooney Murphy 26; P Sharma 3-40, P Mehta 2-38, G Hoey 2-60)
Highest scoring game of the day was at The Vineyard where Poonish Mehta's brilliant 144 led Pembroke to victory over The Hills. Dylan Blignaut (3/52) had the visitors in early trouble at 26 for 3, but Mehta and skipper Theo Lawson (53) changed the complexion of the game in a fourth wicket stand of 126 in 28 overs. Mehta pummeled the home side attack as he plundered 18 fours and 4 sixes in his 128-ball knock. There was late carnage as he and Paul Lawson (34*) added 89 from 50 balls to take their total to 282 for 6. The Hills never shirk a challenge and they gave the chase a good rattle before falling 22 runs shy. Mark Donegan top scored with 51 from just 34 balls (5 fours, 3 sixes), while Levon Shields also scored quickly, hitting seven boundaries in his 46. There were runs too for Will Archer, Tomas Rooney-Murphy and Althar Farooqi, but three wickets apiece for Mehta and Piyush Sharma ensured the 22-run win.
YMCA lost to Phoenix by 94 runs.
Claremont Road, 18 June.
Phoenix 214 (48 overs; S Black 49, N Pretorius 43, T Kane 37; H Tector 3-30, M O'Reilly 3-40, M Thompson 2-25) YMCA 120 (33.4 overs; T Tector 32; O Haid 3-10, D Raniola 3-15, T Kane 2-42)
There was something of a surprise at Claremont Road as Phoenix put a dent in YMCA's title ambitions in a 94-run win. Stephen Black (49) and Nic Pretorius (43) set Phoenix on their way with an 88-run opening partnership. Tyrone Kane hit 37, and 23 apiece from Theo Dempsey and Oliver Hald saw them post 214. There were three wickets each for Mikey O'Reilly and Harry Tector. Oliver Hald (3-10) removed openers Jack Tector and Mitchell Thompson, while Tyrone Kane accounted for the 'big two' of Harry Tector and Curtis Campher to leave YM floundering. Tim Tector (32) and Rory Anders (23) attempted a fightback, but three wickets for Devender Raniola saw them fall well short - 120 all out.
The Hills beat Phoenix by 67 runs (DLS).
The Vineyard, 12 June.
The Hills 291-7 (50 overs; C McLoughlin-Gavin 134, D Blignaut 66; O Haid 3-76) Phoenix 220 (44.3 overs; C Sheil 58, O Haid 36, W Bennett 29; L Shields 3-39, D Blignaut 2-55)
Cormac McLoughlin-Gavin
Cormac McLoughlin-Gavin scored a superb century as The Hills ran out convincing winners against Phoenix at The Vineyard. He hit 14 boundaries in his 134 from 143 balls, firstly dominating an opening stand of 85 with Andrew Kavanagh (24) to set them on their way. The second wicket partnership between him and Dylan Blignaut (66) saw them put on 140 in 153 balls and from then you got the feeling that the game was out of the reach of Phoenix. A final total of 291 for 7 became a target of 288 in 46 overs after the chase was interrupted. When Phoenix slumped to 133 for 8, it looked like an early finish, bit Conor Sheil hit 8 fours and a six in an entertaining half century, adding 81 in nine overs with Theeo Dempsey (19). However, wickets for Farooqi, Shields and Blignaut ensured the 67 run win that makes it two from two in the early stage of the season.
YMCA beat Pembroke by 18 runs.
Claremont Road, 12 June.
YMCA 258-6 (50 overs; J Tector 89, A BAiley 68, R Anders 50; P Lawson 2-50, D Hogan 2-69) Pembroke 240 (49.3 overs; P Mehta 72, J Garth 60, T Lawson 37, D Cosgrave 32; T Anders 3-45, T Johnson 3-45, R Anders 2-52)
Another side suffering a post-final hangover were winners Pembroke who lost to near neighbours YMCA by 18 runs in a high scoring match at Sydney Parade. Jack Tector hit 11 fours as he top scored with 89 in YM's total of 258 for 6, with half centuries too for Aaron Bailey (68) and Rory Anders (50). Bailey's 68 came from 72 balls (7 fours, 1 six) sharing a fourth wicket stand of 73 with Tector, and also 54 for the fifth with Anders - whose half century took jyst 42 balls (6 fours, 1 six). JJ Garth continued his recent good form with 60, but a middle-order wobble saw YM well in control. Poonsih Mehta then hit 5 fours and 3 sixes in a hard-hit 72 from 70 balls, as he and skipper Theo Lawson (37) shared a seventh wicket stand of 98. They left themselves just too much to do with 32 needed from three overs, losing by 18 - three wickets for Johnson and a combined five for the Anders brothers.
Balbriggan beat Malahide by 181 runs.
Jack Harper Ground, 12 June.
Balbriggan 278-6 (50 overs; G Ford 79, C de Freitas 54, F Nasr 46, D Lues 41*, G Dara 31; P Saville 2-39) Malahide 97 (29.4 overs; K Ali 4-14, M McGregor 2-0)
Balbriggan have certainly announced themselves in the top flight of Leinster cricket after they trounced Malahide by 181-runs in the Fingal derby. A powerful batting display saw them rack up 278 for 6, with Chris De Freitas hitting 6 fours and 3 sixes in his 54, adding 62 for the second wicket with Ghanim Dara (31) to lay a solid platform. Skipper Greg Ford and Farooq Nasr (46) then added 82 for the fourth wicket, before the real fireworks began. Ford top-scored with 79 from 84 balls (7 fours, 2 sixes) as he and Dylan Lues added 84 in the last six overs, with Lues clearing the ropes five times in his unbeaten 41 from just 19 balls. Malahide's chase started with a 35-run opening stand before disintegrating to 97 all out, with four wickets for the prolific left-armer Kashif Ali. On this form, Andre Botha's charges will take some stopping.
Merrion beat Clontarf by 4 wickets.
Anglesea Road, 12 June.
Clontarf 125 (33 overs; R Cronje 44, J McNally 41; T Stanton 3-19, A Sidhu 3-47, M Neville 2-34) Merrion 125-6 (30.4 overs; J Anderson 31, S Modgill 27, S Stanton 26; M Grainger 2-13)
John Anderson
Clontarf suffered a League Cup hangover as they slumped to a four-wicket loss at Merrion.
The Castle Avenue side were in trouble early on at 17 for 4, but rallied thanks to counter-attacking fifth wicket stand of 78 in just 12 overs between Ruan Cronje and teenager John McNally. Cronje hit nine boundaries in a top score of 44, while McNally's 41 came at better than even time (4 fours, 1 six). However, they lost six wickets for 30 runs to be bowled out for 125 in the 33rd over - three wickets apiece for skipper Tom Stanton and Amish Sidhu plus a brace for Max Neville. John Anderson's quickfire 31 (7 fours) got Merrion up and running and they were always in control of the chase despite losing wickets at regular intervals. Swapnil Modgill (27) and Sean Stanton (26) sealing a four-wickets win that was more comfortable than the scoreline suggests.
Clontarf lost to Pembroke by 16 runs.
Castle Avenue, 6 June.
Pembroke 210 (49.2 overs; L Tucker 64, D Tucker 35, T lawson 27, G Hoey 23, P Mehta; C McDonnell 3-44, F Hand 2-26, D Vincent 2-34) Clontarf 194 (48.2 overs; P Ryan 59, D Delany 53, R Cronje 25; P Mehta 4-16, P Lawson 3-29)
The dress rehearsal for this weekend's League Cup final was an exciting game, with Pembroke holding off a Clontarf comeback to win by 16 runs at Castle Avenue. Pembroke had posted 219, with Diarmaid Tucker scoring a breezy 35 at the top of the order. Elder brother Lorcan has been in prolific form this season, and he top-scored with 64 (6 fours, 1 six) as he shared a third wicket stand of 69 with skipper Theo Lawson (27). Gavin Hoey (23), Poonish Mehta (20) and Paul Lawson (19) all chipped in for the Sydney Parade side, while there were three wickets for Cillian McDonnell and two apiece for David Vincent and Fionn Hand. Mehta (4-16) soon had the Clontarf chase in disarray and it looked a one-sided affair as they slumped to 78 for 7. However David Delany (53) and Paul Ryan rallied with an 8th wicket stand 0f 89 in 18 overs, but they left themselves just too much to do, with Ryan (59) the last man out as Paul Lawson (3-29) sealed the 16-runs win in the penultimate over.
Balbriggan beat Phoenix by 75 runs.
Jack Harper Ground, 6 June.
Balbriggan 138 (40.1 overs; D Lues 26*, G Dara 20; G Dockrell 3-38, O Hald 2-13, C Sheil 2-30, T Dempsey 2-31) Phoenix 63 (30.2 overs; Kashif Ali 5-10, R Hadley 2-21)
Kashif Ali
Balbriggan's Premiership debut got off to a winning start at Jack Harper Park as they beat Phoenix by 75 runs in low scoring game. The home side's total of 138 appeared modest, with only Dylan Lies (26*) and Ghanim Dara (20) getting past 20. Irish international George Dockrell took three wickets, while there two apiece for Oliver Hald, Theo Dempsey and Conor Sheil. Phoenix's reply was soon in tatters as none of the batsmen got started at all. Kashif Ali was the destroyer-in-chief taking aa five wickets haul, while Ryan Hadley took 2 for 21 as Phoenix were bundled out for just 63. A dream start for Andre Botha's charges, and they have shown they will be no mugs in the top flight.
Merrion lost to YMCA by 6 wickets.
Anglesea Road, 6 June.
Merrion 188-8 (50 overs; S Stanton 77, S Modgill 43; M O'Reilly 4-24, T Anders 2-41) YMCA 190-4 (45.3 overs; H Tector 63, T Tector 44, M Thompson 33; T Stanton 2-44)
The Tectors were to the fore as YMCA made a winning start with an impressive chase at Merrion. The home side had struggled against the left-arm pace of Mikey O'Reilly (4-24) and were indebted to a fine unbeaten 77 from Sean Stanton (5 fours, 1 six) for a semi-competitive score. He shared a fifth wicket stand of 58 with Swapnil Modgill (43) and he also dominated a 9th wicket partnership of 51 in seven overs with his brother Tom to get them to 188 for 8. YMCA Mitchell Thompson (33) and Jack Tector (14) got the chase off to a steady start with a 44 run opening stand, but it was a third wicket partnership between Harry and Tim Tector that ultimately decided the contest. Harry top scored with an excellent 63, while Tim made 44, before both fell with the finishing line in sight - two wickets for Tom Stanton (2-44). YMCA though sealed the six wicket win with plenty in the tank, and will be a tough challenge for any side on this form.
The Hills beat Malahide by 110 runs.
Malahide, 6 June.
The Hills 253-9 (50 overs; D Blignaut 101, M Donegan 47; J Newland 5-47) Malahide 143 (39.1 overs; R Hackney 56, A Muntha 20; A Farooqi 4-22, T Rooney-Murphy 2-24)
Dylan Blignaut
Dylan Blignaut was the first centurion of the Premiership season as he led the Hills to an emphatic 110-run win in the all-Fingal clash at Malahide. The German international has been in excellent all-round form this season, and he top scored with 101 from 121 balls (7 fours, 4 sixes) as the Milverton side made 253 for 9. Blignaut shared a fourth wicket partnership of 97 in just 14 overs with Mark Donegan, whose 47 from just 36 deliveries included 6 fours. Left-arm paceman James Newland (5-47) was the pick of the Villagers attack. Ryan Hackney (56) and Arjun Muntha (20) got the Malahide chase off to a decent start with an opening stand of 41, but it was all The Hills thereafter as Athar Farooqi (4-22) and skipper Tomas Rooney-Murphy 2-24) both bowled excellently to ensure the huge win and maximum points in their title quest.
Championship
| P | W | T | NR | L | BP | Pts | |
| Leinster | 14 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 50 | 242 |
| Railway Union | 14 | 10 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 26 | 238 |
| North Kildare | 14 | 8 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 31 | 215 |
| North County | 14 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 41 | 213 |
| Rush | 14 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 30 | 150 |
| Terenure | 14 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 31 | 143 |
| Cork County | 14 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 25 | 137 |
| Cork Harlequins | 14 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 12 | 26 | 58 |
North County beat Cork County by 179 runs
Inch, 10 September.
North County 292 (48.2 overs; N McGovern 78, J Andrews 64, J Grassi 63, L Whelan 30, E Richardson 29; Harsh Jangra 4-48, E O'Sullivan 2-44, K O'Sullivan 2-57, Nabeel Anjum 2-62)
Cork County 113 (30.5 overs; E O'Sullivan 25, Nabeel Anjum 21, C Hassett 20; J Andrews 2-9, Abdul Ghaffar 2-23)
Niall McGovern
Terenure's win meant Cork County needed a positive result at North County, but they weren't in contention as they slumped to an emphatic 179-run loss. Jamie Grassi powered his way to a 39-ball 63 (6 fours, 5 sixes) in an opening stand of 81 in the first ten overs, and from then on it was one-way traffic. Niall McGovern (78) and Jonathan Andrews (64) also scored half centuries, and with runs too for Luke Whelan (30) and skipper Eddie Richardson (29) a total of 292 was always going to be too many. Eshan O'Sullivan's 25 was the best for Cork in the chase as they were bowled out for 113 - two wickets for Abdul Ghaffar and Andrews.
Leinster beat Cork Harlequins by 61 runs
Rathmines, 10 September.
Leinster 176/9 (50 overs; G Delany 56, M Tonge 27, Saqib Bahadhur 23; A Hickey 4-25, S Jones 2-50)
Cork Harlequins 115 (34.2 overs; A Hickey 31*, R Jones 24; G Delany 5-24, Saqib Bahadhur 4-29)
Championship winners Leinster
Gareth Delany and Saqib Bahadhur were to the fore as Leinster won the Championship with a 61-run win over bottom side Cork Harlequins at Rathmines. Irish all-rounder Delany showed remarkable patience in compiling what would prove to be a match winning half century as the home side battled to 176 for 9. Adam Hickey took 4 for 25 for the Munster side. Delany then spun his web of intrigue to bamboozle Harlequins to 115 all out, claiming 5 for 24, while Bahadhur took 4 for 29. Hickey again was the best for Quins, making a late unbeaten 31 which only held up the title winning celebrations for a short while.
Rush lost to Railway Union by 9 wickets
Kenure, 10 September.
Rush 141 (41.1 overs; J McGee 51, F McGee 28; Hamza Maan 6-20; Fakhar Zaman 3-36)
Railway Union 144/1 (37 overs; Ashil Prakash 79*, P Le Roux 43*)
Hamza Maan was the six wicket hero for Railway Union
Kildare's capitulation opened the door for Railway Union and they barged through with a nine-wicket demolition of Rush at Kenure. The home side were sans Llew Johnson, and lost Nathan McGuire to the first ball of the game. Jack McGee scored 51, adding 65 with his brother Finn, but from 103 for 3, they were skittled for just 141, with Hamza Maan the destroyer-in-chief. He took six wickets for just 20, while there were three scalps for Fakhar Zaman. Kenny Carroll (7) went cheaply in the chase, but an unbroken second wicket stand of 126 between Ashil Prakash and teenager Philippe Le Roux (43*) ensured the win. Prakash made an unbeaten 79 (8 fours, 3 sixes) to ensure that the champagne corks were popping at their return to the top table of Leinster cricket.
Kenny Carroll on securing promotion to Premiership
North Kildare lost to Terenure by 71 runs
The Maws, 10 September.
Terenure 169 (45 overs; Raghav Grover 62, Sadiq Safi 49; Devansh Bansali 3-37, Imran Ul Haq 2-29, Abdul Sattar 2-31, Manjeet Singh 2-32)
North Kildare 98 (30 overs; Shazad Noman 20; Raghav Grover 4-21, M Thomas 3-22, L Harris 2-19)
Terenure ensured Championship survival and in the process spiked North Kildare's ambitions of promotion after a 71-run win at The Maws. Once again it was the all-round exploits of Raghav Grover which proved pivotal to their 'great escape'. They had one foot on the gallows trapdoor when they slumped to 54 for 7, but Grover top scored with 62 (7 fours, 1 six), adding 65 for the 8th wicket with Sadiq Safi (49), with the latter nurturing the tail to post 169. Grover then took four wickets, with three for Mark Thomas and two for Liam Harris as the home side were bundled out for just 98.
Cork County lost to Rush by 6 wickets
The Mardyke, 3 September.
Cork County 97 (19.2 overs; E O'Sullivan 24; J Barnes 3-21, A Neary 2-9, B Morris 2-12, N McGuire 2-18) Rush 99/4 (18.3 overs; N Rock 33, J McGee 22*, D Carey 2-20)
Cork County beat Cork Harlequins by 2 wickets
The Mardyke, 28 August.
Cork Harlequins 232 (50 overs; B Kruger 89, R Joyce 48, S Kislay 47; Francois Mostert 4-22, Abu Saddique 2-42) Cork County 236/8 (48.5 overs; F Mostert 90*, C Hassett 50, D Carey 34*; B Kruger 2-35, R Joyce 2-52)
Cork County stunned Harlequins in the Munster derby thanks to a 9th wicket stand between Francois Mostert and Diarmuid Carey. With 70 needed from 39 balls and just two wickets left, it appeared a foregone conclusion. However Mostert’s unbeaten 90 from 91 balls (9 fours, 2 sixes) coupled with Carey’s 34 not out from 16 balls (3 fours, 2 sixes) claimed the win with seven balls to spare. Mostert (4-22) had also starred with the ball in Quins 232, with the runs coming primarily from Brandon Kruger (89) and Ryan Joyce (48) who added 108 for the third wicket. Shivam Kislay was also in the runs with a hard-hit 47. In the end though, the bragging rights belong to County.
North Kildare beat Leinster by 46 runs
The Maws, 28 August.
North Kildare 147 (48.5 overs; Monil Patel 34, Kaustubh Pawar 33, Abdul Sattar 20; M Tonge 4-48, Saqib Bahadur 2-7, B Mitchell 2-32) Leinster 101 (39.2 overs; B Mitchell 29; Akhilesh Sharma 4-18, Abdul Sattar 2-22, Imran Ul Haq 2-31)
The Championship title race took another twist as North Kildare got the better of Leinster in a low-scoring match at The Maws. Former Leinster player Monil Patel top-scored with 34, while professional Kaustubh Pawar made 33 in their 147 - four wickets for Mark Tonge. Ben Mitchell got two wickets, and top-scored in the chase with 29. However, Akhilesh Sharma (4-18), Abdul Sattar (2-22), and Imran Ul Haq (2-31) combined to dismiss them for 101, giving the top of the table a congested look as the season end draws near.
Rush beat Terenure by 9 wickets
Kenure, 27 August.
Terenure 156 (46.1 overs; D Vaughan 59, L Harris 27, C Morgan 24; J Barnes 3-23, D Coffey 3-29, B Morris 2-23) Rush 158/1 (12.3 overs; L Johnson 94*, N McGuire 51)
Llew Johnson scored an unbeaten 94 for Rush (Rodney Smythe)
Rush openers Llew Johnson and Nathan McGuire combined to pummel an understrength Terenure, chasing down their modest 157 target in under 13 overs at Kenure. McGuire, back now that the North West season has ended, hit 7 fours and 3 sixes in his 24-ball 51, sharing an opening stand of 115 with Johnson in just 50 balls. The New Zealander, already past the 1000 run landmark, would go on to make an unbeaten 94 from 38 deliveries (10 fours, 7 sixes). Earlier, Donal Vaughan’s 59 was the best of the Terenure batting. There were three wickets apiece for Jarred Barnes and Daniel Coffey, with Brandon Morris getting two in a fine-all-round display by the Fingal side.
North County beat Railway Union by 60 runs
Inch, 27 August.
North County 206 (46.1 overs; E Richardson 60, J Andrews 50, A Sheridan 26; L McCarthy 4-41, H Sultan 2-19, E Grehan 2-33) Railway Union 146 (39.3 overs; A Mathew 44, C Diviney 26, P Le Roux 25; M Nofal 4-40, S Sludds 2-21, A Ghaffar 2-43)
Eddie Richardson was in the runs again
Eddie Richardson and Jonathan Andrews both scored half centuries as North County put a dent in Railway Union’s title hopes with a 60-run win. Richardson hit 6 fours and 2 sixes as he top-scored with 60, adding 96 in 19 overs for the fourth wicket with Andrews (50). Liam McCarthy took four wickets as County posted 206. Railway’s chase never looked likely as they lost early wickets, with Abdul Ghaffar removing the openers, then Sean Sludds and Malcolm Nofal (4-40) accounting for the middle and late order. Alan Mathew made a battling 44, but the Park Avenue side were 146 all out.
Cork County beat Cork Harlequins by 2 wickets
The Mardyke, 28 August.
Cork Harlequins 232 (50 overs; B Kruger 89, R Joyce 48, S Kislay 47; Francois Mostert 4-22, Abu Saddique 2-42) Cork County 236/8 (48.5 overs; F Mostert 90*, C Hassett 50, D Carey 34*; B Kruger 2-35, R Joyce 2-52)
Cork County stunned Harlequins in the Munster derby thanks to a 9th wicket stand between Francois Mostert and Diarmuid Carey. With 70 needed from 39 balls and just two wickets left, it appeared a foregone conclusion. However Mostert’s unbeaten 90 from 91 balls (9 fours, 2 sixes) coupled with Carey’s 34 not out from 16 balls (3 fours, 2 sixes) claimed the win with seven balls to spare. Mostert (4-22) had also starred with the ball in Quins 232, with the runs coming primarily from Brandon Kruger (89) and Ryan Joyce (48) who added 108 for the third wicket. Shivam Kislay was also in the runs with a hard-hit 47. In the end though, the bragging rights belong to County.
North Kildare beat Leinster by 46 runs
The Maws, 28 August.
North Kildare 147 (48.5 overs; Monil Patel 34, Kaustubh Pawar 33, Abdul Sattar 20; M Tonge 4-48, Saqib Bahadur 2-7, B Mitchell 2-32) Leinster 101 (39.2 overs; B Mitchell 29; Akhilesh Sharma 4-18, Abdul Sattar 2-22, Imran Ul Haq 2-31)
The Championship title race took another twist as North Kildare got the better of Leinster in a low-scoring match at The Maws. Former Leinster player Monil Patel top-scored with 34, while professional Kaustubh Pawar made 33 in their 147 - four wickets for Mark Tonge. Ben Mitchell got two wickets, and top-scored in the chase with 29. However, Akhilesh Sharma (4-18), Abdul Sattar (2-22), and Imran Ul Haq (2-31) combined to dismiss them for 101, giving the top of the table a congested look as the season end draws near.
Rush beat Terenure by 9 wickets
Kenure, 27 August.
Terenure 156 (46.1 overs; D Vaughan 59, L Harris 27, C Morgan 24; J Barnes 3-23, D Coffey 3-29, B Morris 2-23) Rush 158/1 (12.3 overs; L Johnson 94*, N McGuire 51)
Llew Johnson scored an unbeaten 94 for Rush (Rodney Smythe)
Rush openers Llew Johnson and Nathan McGuire combined to pummel an understrength Terenure, chasing down their modest 157 target in under 13 overs at Kenure. McGuire, back now that the North West season has ended, hit 7 fours and 3 sixes in his 24-ball 51, sharing an opening stand of 115 with Johnson in just 50 balls. The New Zealander, already past the 1000 run landmark, would go on to make an unbeaten 94 from 38 deliveries (10 fours, 7 sixes). Earlier, Donal Vaughan’s 59 was the best of the Terenure batting. There were three wickets apiece for Jarred Barnes and Daniel Coffey, with Brandon Morris getting two in a fine-all-round display by the Fingal side.
North County beat Railway Union by 60 runs
Inch, 27 August.
North County 206 (46.1 overs; E Richardson 60, J Andrews 50, A Sheridan 26; L McCarthy 4-41, H Sultan 2-19, E Grehan 2-33) Railway Union 146 (39.3 overs; A Mathew 44, C Diviney 26, P Le Roux 25; M Nofal 4-40, S Sludds 2-21, A Ghaffar 2-43)
Eddie Richardson was in the runs again
Eddie Richardson and Jonathan Andrews both scored half centuries as North County put a dent in Railway Union’s title hopes with a 60-run win. Richardson hit 6 fours and 2 sixes as he top-scored with 60, adding 96 in 19 overs for the fourth wicket with Andrews (50). Liam McCarthy took four wickets as County posted 206. Railway’s chase never looked likely as they lost early wickets, with Abdul Ghaffar removing the openers, then Sean Sludds and Malcolm Nofal (4-40) accounting for the middle and late order. Alan Mathew made a battling 44, but the Park Avenue side were 146 all out.
Cork County beat Cork Harlequins by 2 wickets
The Mardyke, 28 August.
Cork Harlequins 232 (50 overs; B Kruger 89, R Joyce 48, S Kislay 47; Francois Mostert 4-22, Abu Saddique 2-42) Cork County 236/8 (48.5 overs; F Mostert 90*, C Hassett 50, D Carey 34*; B Kruger 2-35, R Joyce 2-52)
Cork County stunned Harlequins in the Munster derby thanks to a 9th wicket stand between Francois Mostert and Diarmuid Carey. With 70 needed from 39 balls and just two wickets left, it appeared a foregone conclusion. However Mostert’s unbeaten 90 from 91 balls (9 fours, 2 sixes) coupled with Carey’s 34 not out from 16 balls (3 fours, 2 sixes) claimed the win with seven balls to spare. Mostert (4-22) had also starred with the ball in Quins 232, with the runs coming primarily from Brandon Kruger (89) and Ryan Joyce (48) who added 108 for the third wicket. Shivam Kislay was also in the runs with a hard-hit 47. In the end though, the bragging rights belong to County.
North Kildare beat Leinster by 46 runs
The Maws, 28 August.
North Kildare 147 (48.5 overs; Monil Patel 34, Kaustubh Pawar 33, Abdul Sattar 20; M Tonge 4-48, Saqib Bahadur 2-7, B Mitchell 2-32) Leinster 101 (39.2 overs; B Mitchell 29; Akhilesh Sharma 4-18, Abdul Sattar 2-22, Imran Ul Haq 2-31)
The Championship title race took another twist as North Kildare got the better of Leinster in a low-scoring match at The Maws. Former Leinster player Monil Patel top-scored with 34, while professional Kaustubh Pawar made 33 in their 147 - four wickets for Mark Tonge. Ben Mitchell got two wickets, and top-scored in the chase with 29. However, Akhilesh Sharma (4-18), Abdul Sattar (2-22), and Imran Ul Haq (2-31) combined to dismiss them for 101, giving the top of the table a congested look as the season end draws near.
Rush beat Terenure by 9 wickets
Kenure, 27 August.
Terenure 156 (46.1 overs; D Vaughan 59, L Harris 27, C Morgan 24; J Barnes 3-23, D Coffey 3-29, B Morris 2-23) Rush 158/1 (12.3 overs; L Johnson 94*, N McGuire 51)
Llew Johnson scored an unbeaten 94 for Rush (Rodney Smythe)
Rush openers Llew Johnson and Nathan McGuire combined to pummel an understrength Terenure, chasing down their modest 157 target in under 13 overs at Kenure. McGuire, back now that the North West season has ended, hit 7 fours and 3 sixes in his 24-ball 51, sharing an opening stand of 115 with Johnson in just 50 balls. The New Zealander, already past the 1000 run landmark, would go on to make an unbeaten 94 from 38 deliveries (10 fours, 7 sixes). Earlier, Donal Vaughan’s 59 was the best of the Terenure batting. There were three wickets apiece for Jarred Barnes and Daniel Coffey, with Brandon Morris getting two in a fine-all-round display by the Fingal side.
North County beat Railway Union by 60 runs
Inch, 27 August.
North County 206 (46.1 overs; E Richardson 60, J Andrews 50, A Sheridan 26; L McCarthy 4-41, H Sultan 2-19, E Grehan 2-33) Railway Union 146 (39.3 overs; A Mathew 44, C Diviney 26, P Le Roux 25; M Nofal 4-40, S Sludds 2-21, A Ghaffar 2-43)
Eddie Richardson was in the runs again
Eddie Richardson and Jonathan Andrews both scored half centuries as North County put a dent in Railway Union’s title hopes with a 60-run win. Richardson hit 6 fours and 2 sixes as he top-scored with 60, adding 96 in 19 overs for the fourth wicket with Andrews (50). Liam McCarthy took four wickets as County posted 206. Railway’s chase never looked likely as they lost early wickets, with Abdul Ghaffar removing the openers, then Sean Sludds and Malcolm Nofal (4-40) accounting for the middle and late order. Alan Mathew made a battling 44, but the Park Avenue side were 146 all out.
North Kildare beat Railway Union by 5 wickets
The Maws, 20 August.
Railway Union 123 (37.3 overs; Ashil Prakash 42, K Carroll 24; Akhilesh Sharma 3-11, Imran Ul Haq 3-20, Kaustubh Pawar 2-17) North Kildare 126/5 (31.5 overs; Kaustubh Pawar 26*, Chirag Chowdhary 24, Manjeet Singh 20*; A Matthew 3-25)
North Kildare put a dent in Railway Union's promotion hopes as they beat them by five wickets at The Maws. Ashil Prakash (42) and Kenny Carroll (24) gave Railway a decent start before the wheels came off with three wickets for Sharma and Ul-Haq. A total of 123 proved little trouble as Kildare batted solidly to clinch the win, despite the best efforts of Alan Matthew (3-25).
Rush beat North County by 71 runs
Kenure, 20 August.
Rush 234 (47.3 overs; L Johnson 77, J McGee 35, Asher Abbasi 34*, J Barnes 27; Digamber Mishra 3-41, S Sludds 2-45, A Ghaffar 2-50) North County 163 (40 overs; N McGovern 40, E Richardson 27, S Sludds 21; A Eastwood 4-23, B Morris 2-19, Asher Abbasi 2-36)
Rush won the Fingal derby against North County, never looking back from a strong opening partnership of 88 between Llew Johnson and Jack McGee (35). Johnson top-scored with 77 from 65 balls, hitting 7 fours and 5 sixes in their total of 234. Niall McGovern’s 40 gave County early hope, but four wickets for former Irish international Allan Eastwood, plus two apiece from Brandon Morris and Asher Abbasi clinched a surprisingly emphatic 71-run victory.
Terenure lost to Cork Harlequins by 144 runs
Terenure Sports Club, 20 August.
Cork Harlequins 189 (43.4 overs; D Joyce 52, B Kruger 25, Shivam Kislay 24, Dhawan Mehta 20; Z Khan 4-45, Raghav Grover 3-33, Sadiq Safi 2-33) Terenure 45 (18.1 overs; S Jones 4-21, Esmat Ibrahimi 3-16)
Cork Harlequins warmed up for Sunday's All-Ireland T20 final with a 144-run demolition of Terenure. Devon Joyce's half century was the highlight of the Munster side's 189, with 20s from Brandon Kruger, Shivam Kislay, and Dhawan Mehta. Zubair Khan (4-45) and Raghav Grover (3-33) were best with the ball for the hosts. Terenure were skittled out for just 45 in the reply, with Seanan Jones taking 4 for 21 and Esmat Ibrahimi 3 for 16 in a great bowling effort which will give them great confidence for the CIYMS clash.
Cork County lost to Leinster by 191 runs
The Mardyke, 20 August.
Leinster 296/4 (J Carroll 152*, Saqib Bahadur 51, B Mitchell 49, C Janik 23*; Nabeel Anjum 2-42) Cork County 105 (28.4 overs; Francois Mostert 25, Sukphal Singh 24; M Tonge 4-23, B Mitchell 3-29, Bilal Azhar 3-32)
Joe Carroll scored a brilliant century (Stephen Tonge)
Leinster are back in the mix after their 191-run mauling of Cork County. Joey Carroll’s unbeaten 152 from 153 balls included 15 fours and 4 sixes, and took the Rathmines side to 296 for 4. He shared a fourth wicket stand of 125 with Saqib Bahadur (51), while Ben Mitchell earlier hit a rapid 49. Cork’s chase never got out of first gear, bowled out for 105, with four wickets for Mark Tonge, and three apiece for Bilal Azhar and Ben Mitchell.
North Kildare beat Railway Union by 5 wickets
The Maws, 20 August.
Railway Union 123 (37.3 overs; Ashil Prakash 42, K Carroll 24; Akhilesh Sharma 3-11, Imran Ul Haq 3-20, Kaustubh Pawar 2-17) North Kildare 126/5 (31.5 overs; Kaustubh Pawar 26*, Chirag Chowdhary 24, Manjeet Singh 20*; A Matthew 3-25)
North Kildare put a dent in Railway Union's promotion hopes as they beat them by five wickets at The Maws. Ashil Prakash (42) and Kenny Carroll (24) gave Railway a decent start before the wheels came off with three wickets for Sharma and Ul-Haq. A total of 123 proved little trouble as Kildare batted solidly to clinch the win, despite the best efforts of Alan Matthew (3-25).
Rush beat North County by 71 runs
Kenure, 20 August.
Rush 234 (47.3 overs; L Johnson 77, J McGee 35, Asher Abbasi 34*, J Barnes 27; Digamber Mishra 3-41, S Sludds 2-45, A Ghaffar 2-50) North County 163 (40 overs; N McGovern 40, E Richardson 27, S Sludds 21; A Eastwood 4-23, B Morris 2-19, Asher Abbasi 2-36)
Rush won the Fingal derby against North County, never looking back from a strong opening partnership of 88 between Llew Johnson and Jack McGee (35). Johnson top-scored with 77 from 65 balls, hitting 7 fours and 5 sixes in their total of 234. Niall McGovern’s 40 gave County early hope, but four wickets for former Irish international Allan Eastwood, plus two apiece from Brandon Morris and Asher Abbasi clinched a surprisingly emphatic 71-run victory.
Terenure lost to Cork Harlequins by 144 runs
Terenure Sports Club, 20 August.
Cork Harlequins 189 (43.4 overs; D Joyce 52, B Kruger 25, Shivam Kislay 24, Dhawan Mehta 20; Z Khan 4-45, Raghav Grover 3-33, Sadiq Safi 2-33) Terenure 45 (18.1 overs; S Jones 4-21, Esmat Ibrahimi 3-16)
Cork Harlequins warmed up for Sunday's All-Ireland T20 final with a 144-run demolition of Terenure. Devon Joyce's half century was the highlight of the Munster side's 189, with 20s from Brandon Kruger, Shivam Kislay, and Dhawan Mehta. Zubair Khan (4-45) and Raghav Grover (3-33) were best with the ball for the hosts. Terenure were skittled out for just 45 in the reply, with Seanan Jones taking 4 for 21 and Esmat Ibrahimi 3 for 16 in a great bowling effort which will give them great confidence for the CIYMS clash.
Cork County lost to Leinster by 191 runs
The Mardyke, 20 August.
Leinster 296/4 (J Carroll 152*, Saqib Bahadur 51, B Mitchell 49, C Janik 23*; Nabeel Anjum 2-42) Cork County 105 (28.4 overs; Francois Mostert 25, Sukphal Singh 24; M Tonge 4-23, B Mitchell 3-29, Bilal Azhar 3-32)
Joe Carroll scored a brilliant century (Stephen Tonge)
Leinster are back in the mix after their 191-run mauling of Cork County. Joey Carroll’s unbeaten 152 from 153 balls included 15 fours and 4 sixes, and took the Rathmines side to 296 for 4. He shared a fourth wicket stand of 125 with Saqib Bahadur (51), while Ben Mitchell earlier hit a rapid 49. Cork’s chase never got out of first gear, bowled out for 105, with four wickets for Mark Tonge, and three apiece for Bilal Azhar and Ben Mitchell.
Leinster lost to Railway Union by 37 runs
Rathmines, 13 August.
Railway Union 187 (46.1 overs; K Carroll 73, A Prakash 62; B Mitchell 3-32, Saqib Bahadur 3-33) Leinster 150 (40.1 overs; Bilal Azhar 74, B Mitchell 21; L McCarthy 5-32, Hamza Maan 2-27, A Matthew 2-36)
Liam McCarthy took five wickets as Railway kept their promotion hopes on track.
The ‘old firm’ of Kenny Carroll and Liam McCarthy inspired Railway Union to a vital 37-run win in their promotion battle with fellow title hopefuls Leinster at Rathmines. Kenny shared a second wicket stand of 153 with Ashil Prakash (62) as Railway looked set for a total well in excess of 200. However, three wickets apiece for Ben Mitchell and Saqib Bahadur saw 155 for 1 become 187 all out. Bilal Azhar (74), Ben Mitchell (21) and Joey Carroll (19) gave the home side a strong start at 73 for 1, but they too slumped when well set. Liam McCarthy took a five wicket haul, while Alan Mathew and Hamza Maan each claimed a brace as Leinster were 150 all out.
Liam McCarthy after Railway beat Leinster
Cork County beat Terenure by 135 runs
The Marydyke, 13 August.
Cork County 315/8 (50 overs; B McDonough 98, R Durity 60, S Singh 37, C Hassett 34, J Pienaar 26, A Ghaffar 20; M Thomas 2-30, Z Khan 2-30, L Harris 2-58) Terenure 180 (40.1 overs; D Lynch 52, R Grover 46, H Dall 27; Sukphal Singh 4-41, Abubakar Saddique 3-29)
Byron McDonough scored 98 off 61 balls
Byron McDonough’s brutal assault on the Terenure attack inspired Cork County to a 135-run win at The Mardyke. He clubbed 8 sixes and 6 fours in whirlwind 98 from just 61 balls as the Munster side piled up 315 for 8. There was a half century too for skipper Ross Durity (60), while Sukphal Singh (37) and Cormac Hassett (34) also contributed. Donal Lynch 952) and Raghav Grover (46) offered some resistance, but four wickets for Singh, and three for Abu Saddique ensured the comfortable win.
North County beat Cork Harlequins by 119 runs
Inch, 13 August.
North County 253/9 (50 overs; J Andrews 64, M Nofal 55, L Whelan 23, A Sheridan 22, J Devane 20; B Kruger 3-22, E Ibrahami 3-52) Cork Harlequins 134 (27.3 overs; R Joyce 52, M Brewster 30; A Ghaffar 4-20, M Nofal 3-26, S Sludds 2-7)
Jonathan Andrews top-scored for North County
Half centuries for Jonathan Andrews and Malcolm Nofal led North County to a 119-run win over Cork Harlequins. Andrews top-scored with 64 (3 fours, 3 sixes), while Nofal made 55 in County’s 253 for 9. Brandon Kruger (3-22) and Esmat Ibrahami (3-52) each took three wickets for the Munster side. Abdul Ghaffar took four wickets as Quins slid to 44 for 5, but a 6th wicket stand of 66 between Ryan Joyce – whose 52 from 43 balls contained 6 fours and 3 sixes- and Matt Brewster (30) offered the visitors hope. However, once Nofal (3-26) broke the stand, the game petered out as Harlequins were bowled out for 134.
Rush lost to North Kildare by 6 wickets
Kenure, 13 August.
Rush 175 (43.3 overs; A Abbasi 55, A Eastwood 26*, D Carthy 24; A Sharma 3-19, Devansh Bhansali 2-33, M Singh 2-40, A Sattar 2-42) North Kildare 176/4 (35 overs; Kaustubh Pawar 44, Khwaja Murtaza Sidiqi 41*, Manjeet Singh 40*, Waqar Azmat 27)
A poor batting display by Rush saw them overpowered by North Kildare at Kenure. The home side were in trouble from the off, losing Llew Johnson second ball, slumping to 21 for 5. That they recovered to 175 was down to the late order, with Asher Abbasi hitting 55 (7 fours, 2 sixes), Allan Eastwood (26*) and David Carthy (24). A solid chase saw overseas professional Kaustubh Pawar (44), Khawaja Murtaza Sidiqi (41*) and Manjeet Singh (40*) all in the runs – the latter pair adding an unbroken 70 for a convincing win.
Terenure beat Rush by 10 wickets
Terenure Sports Club, 6 August.
Rush 77 (18.2 overs; L Johnson 52; B Tukrel 7-16, M Thomas 2-42) Terenure 80/0 (8 overs; S Lynch 56*, H Dall 23*)
Mark Thomas was in the wickets for Terenure
National Cup finalists Terenure made short work of Rush, whose batsmen with the exception of Llew Johnson, struggled on the new mat. Johnson hit 8 fours and 2 sixes in his 52 out of a total of 77. The other ten managed a combined 19, with number ten Brandon Morris making 10 of those. Bhavic Tukrel was the destroyer-in-chief taking seven wickets for 16. Seamus Lynch and Henry Dall had no fears over the surface, as they knocked off the runs in just eight overs. Lynch smashed 5 fours and 4 sixes in his unbeaten 56 from only 31 balls, while Dall’s 23 not out included five boundaries.
Railway Union beat North County by 14 runs
Park Avenue, 6 August.
Railway Union 199/9 (50 overs; F Zaman 54*, H Sultan 26, K Carroll 24, H Maan 21, A Matthew 20; A Ghaffar 4-49, U Azhar 2-46) North County 185/8 (50 overs; J Mooney 63, L Whelan 35, S Sludds 26*; S O'Brien 3-48, F Zaman 2-19, L McCarthy 2-39)
John Mooney scored 63 in a losing cause for North County
Railway Union edged out North County by 14 runs in the Championship promotion battle. Wickets for Abdul Ghaffar (4-49) and Usman Azhar (2-46) reduced Railway to 108 for 8, but Fakhar Zaman’s unbeaten 54 (5 fours, 2 sixes) allowed them to rally to 199 for 9, which was to the match defining passage of play. Zaman then took 2 for 10 in his ten overs spell, as County slumped to 57 for 5 in the 28th over – wickets too for Sean O’Brien (3-48) and Liam McCarthy (2-39). John Mooney was still there though, and he top-scored with 63 (4 fours, 3 sixes) as he added 93 with Luke Whelan (35). However, the required rate was just too much, the home side winning by 14 runs despite a late cameo of 26 in 16 balls from Sean Sludds (26*).
Leinster beat North Kildare by 148 runs
Rathmines, 6 August.
Leinster 263/7 (50 overs; Saqib Bahadhur 69, B MItchell 53, B Azhar 38, C Janik 22, J Carroll 21, P Masterton 20; A Sharma 2-38, M Singh 2-45, A sattar 2-53) North Kildare 148 (30.5 overs; W Azmat 53; B Azhar 6-42, M Tonge 2-16, B Mitchell 2-26)
Bilal Azhar took six wickets
Leinster’s promotion challenge remained on track as they beat North Kildare by 148-runs. The win was set up by a consistent batting effort that saw the top seven all in the runs. Saqib Bahadur top-scored with 69, while there was also a half century for professional Ben Mitchell (53), who shared an opening stand of 66 with Bilal Azhar (38) as they posted 263 for 7. Ben Mitchell (2-26) struck an early blow with the wicket of Kaustubh Pawar, and from then it was the Bilal Azhar show, as he took six wickets in a superb display. Kildare were dismissed for 115, with Waqar Azmat hitting a defiant 53.
Cork County beat Cork Harlequins by 2 wickets
The Marydyke, 6 August.
Cork Harlequins 180 (47.1 overs; S Jones 39, K O'Reilly 39, R Joyce 23, D Joyce 22; F Mostert 4-14, N Anjum 2-51) Cork County 181/8 (33.1 overs; C Hassett 70, B Marris 32, E O'Sullivan 28; M Brewster 4-46, M Egan 2-14, S Jones 2-64)
Cormac Hassett scored 70
Munster bragging rights went to Cork County who edged out Harlequins by two wickets in a real ding-dong game. Francois Mostert (4-14) had Harlequins reeling at 7 for 4, and 77 for 7, but they battled their way to 180, with Seanan Jones and Kieran O’Reilly both making 39. Cormac Hassett struck ten boundaries in a hard-hit 70 from only 64 balls, and with Ben Marris (32) and Eshan O’Sullivan (28) also in the runs, it looked straightforward for County. However, four wickets for Matt Brewster and two apiece for Max Egan and Seanan Jones meant they had to fight for the two-wicket victory.
Terenure lost to Railway Union by 41 runs.
Terenure, 23 July.
Railway Union 208 (48.5 overs; H Sultan 53, M Canniffe 37, K Carroll 25; R Grover 3-29, Z Khan 3-49, S Safi 2-42) Terenure 167 (42.1 overs; N Ali 33; S de Klerk 3-23, S O'Brien 3-25, M Canniffe 2-24)
Railway Union won again as they beat Terenure by 41 runs. Batting first they made 208, with Hashir Sultan top-scoring with 53 (6 fours, 3 sixes), and cameos from Mark Canniffe (37), and Kenny Carroll (25) Kevin O’Brien made an appearance but was dismissed for 13, while for Terenure Raghav Grover and Zubair Khan each took three wickets. Seven Terenure batters made double figures, but Niqash Ali’s 33 was the best of their 167 all out. Sean O’Brien and Stuart De Klerk each took three wickets while Canniffe took two. Terenure will reflect on conceding 39 extras – not many teams win games having done that.
Rush beat Cork Harlequins by 8 wickets.
Kenure, 23 July.
Cork Harlequins 127 (34.2 overs; C Egerton 33, D Mehta 26; A Eastwood 3-25, D Coffey 3-30, J Barnes 2-34) Rush 133-2 (18 overs; L Johnson 96, J Barnes 25*)
Llew Johnson batting (Paul O'Donohoe)
Llew Johnson’s rich vein of form continued as he almost single-handedly chased down Cork Harlequins modest 127 total as Rush won by 8 wickets. The New Zealander hit 10 fours and 8 sixes in his 96 from just 49 balls in the onslaught. Jarred Barnes finished off the chase with three sixes in his 25 not out as they won in the 18th over. Barnes (2-34) struck twice in the first over of Cork’s innings, and they never really recovered despite battling knocks from Cian Egerton (33), Dhawan Mehta (26), and Ru Jones (22) as they got to 127. Allan Eastwood and Daniel Coffey each took three wickets in an impressive Rush win.
North County lost to Leinster by 17 runs (DLS)
Balrothery, 23 July.
Leinster 193/9 (39 overs; J Carroll 66, Bilal Azhar 54, T De Beer 50; U Azhar 4-45, A Ghaffar 3-31) North County 107/5 (24.3 overs; J Devane 38, N McGovern 32; M Tonge 3-32) (Par score 124 in 24.3 overs)
Leinster won the promotion battle as they beat North County by 17 runs in a rain affected contest at Inch. In a 39-over game, the Rathmines side 193 for 9 was set up by an impressive batting display from the top four, three of whom made half centuries. In-form Joey Carroll top-scored with 66 (8 fours), while skipper Bilal Azhar hit 54, and Tristen De Beer a rapid 50 from 43 balls (4 fours, 2 sixes). Usman Azhar (4-45) and Abdul Ghaffar (3-31) best with the ball for the hosts. John Devane (38) and Niall McGovern (32) added 75 for the first wicket in 15 overs, but a flurry of wickets saw them falter to 107 for 5 in the 25th – three vital wickets for Mark Tonge – which meant Leinster were 17 ahead on DLS when play was halted.
Leinster beat Cork Harlequins by 145 runs.
Rathmines, 16 July.
Leinster 245 (48.5 overs; J Carroll 122*, J Nagle 35; S Jones 5-50, C Egerton 2-21, B Kruger 2-48) Cork Harlequins 100 (32.3 overs; B Kruger 47; B Azhar 3-8, J Barry 3-19)
Joe Carroll scored 122 not out
It was the Joey Carroll show at Rathmines as the all-rounder scored a brilliant century to help Leinster to an emphatic win over Cork Harlequins. His side were in early trouble at 37 for 4, but Carroll hit 11 fours and 6 sixes on his way to an unbeaten 122. He shared stands of 101 for the fifth wicket with Jason Nagle (35), and 63 for the 7th with Mark Tonge (24) as they posted 245. Seanan Jones picked up 5 for 50, while there were two wickets apiece for Cian Egerton (2-21) and Brandon Kruger (2-48). In the chase, only Kruger with an unbeaten 47 (5 fours), really got going, as they were dismissed for 100, with three wickets each for skipper Bilal Azhar (3-8), and Jack Barry (3-19) in the 145-run win.
Joey Carroll of Leinster
Railway Union beat Rush by 68 runs.
Park Avenue, 16 July.
Railway Union 160 (48.4 overs; M Canniffe 35, H Maan 26; A Eastwood 3-29, D Coffey 3-49, J Barnes 2-12, A Neary 2-18) Rush 92 (28.4 overs; A McGuire 31; L McCarthy 3-24, A Mathew 2-12, F Zaman 2-22, H Maan 2-30)
Runs were hard earned too at Park Avenue where leaders Railway Union fought back tenaciously to beat Rush by 68 runs. They looked in real trouble as three wickets for former Irish international Allan Eastwood and Daniel Coffey, coupled with two each for Jared Barnes and Alex Neary had them reeling at 103 for 8. However, the last two wickets added a further 57, with Mark Canniffe making 35 and Hamza Maan 26 in total of 160. Railway’s attack then set about defending the target, with Hamza Maan (2-30) getting the prize scalps of Llew Johnson (20) and Neil Rock. Aaron McGuire made 31 before being run out, and wickets then for Alan Matthew (2-12), Fakhar Zaman (2-22) and skipper Liam McCarthy (3-24) saw Rush 92 all out, and keeps Railway’s promotion hopes very much on track.
Liam McCarthy of Railway Union
Cork County lost to North County by 4 wickets.
The Mardyke., 16 July.
Cork County 183-9 (50 overs; A Ghaffar 55, C Hassett 40, R Durity 26; E Richardson 4-41, U Azhar 2-35) North County 184-6 (46 overs; M Nofal 76, E Richardson 63; N Anjum 2-32)
Eddie Richardson scored 63 and took four wickets
Eddie Richardson’s excellent all-round display ensured North County remain very much in the promotion mix as they beat Cork County by four wickets at The Mardyke. The home side batted to 183 for 9, with Abdul Ghaffar top scoring with 55 (5 fours, 2 sixes), with runs too for Cormac Hassett (40) and Ross Durity (26). Skipper Richardson claimed 4 for 41, while Usman Azhar took 2 for 35, while Malcolm Nofal took 1 for 13 in his ten overs. The reply saw North County struggling initially at 45 for 3, with two wickets for Nabeel Anjum (2-32). However, a fourth wicket stand of 98 between Nofal and Richardson broke the back of the chase. Nofal made 76 (7 fours, 2 sixes), while the captain hit 63 (6 fours, 1 six). There were late wickets with the finishing line in sight, but the Fingal side were always in control after that partnership and sealed an ultimately comfortable four-wicket victory.
Eddie Richardson of North County starred with bat and ball
Terenure lost to North Kildare by 4 wickets.
Terenure, 16 July.
Terenure 91 (21.4 overs; S Nair 26; K Pawar 5-14, A Sattar 2-28) North Kildare 95-6 (20.3 overs; K Sidiqi 26; Z Khan 2-10, D Cleary 2-20, R Grover 2-45)
North Kildare’s good run continued as they beat Terenure by four wickets in a low scoring match in Dublin. Kildare’s overseas professional Kaustabh Pawar was the hero for his side, but with the ball rather than the bat, as he claimed five wickets for just 14 runs as Terenure were bowled out for 91. Sidharth Nair top-scored with 26, while Raghav Grover chipped in with 21. Abdul Sattar (2-28) was also among the wickets in a fine bowling effort. When it was Kildare’s turn to bat on the mat, they too found the going tough as they slipped to 36 for 5, and 56 for 6, with wickets for Grover (2-45), Zubair Khan (2-10), and Dylan Cleary (2-20). Sattar though clared the ropes three times in an unbeaten 33, sharing a seventh wicket stand of 39 with Khawaja Murtaza Sidiqi (26) to seal the four-wicket win.
Terenure lost to Leinster by 37 runs.
Terenure, 9 July.
Leinster 185 (35.3 overs; J CArroll 58, R Cassidy 34, T de Beer 28; M Thomas 4-50, R Grover 2-20, Z Khan 2-34, S Safi 2-43) Terenure 148 (34.5 overs; H Dall 50; B Azhar 7-41)
Bilal Azhar was another bowler very much on the top of his game as he took seven wickets to lead Leinster to a 37-run win over Terenure. Bilal had figures of 7 for 41 as his side dismissed the hosts for 148. Henry Dall’s 50 from 47 balls (11 fours) had given Terenure a fine start but Bilal’s effort ensured the win. Joey Carroll top-scored for Leinster with a fine 58 (7 fours, 2 sixes), while there were runs too for Rian Cassidy (34) and Tristen De Beer (28). The Rathmines side collapsed from 172 for 3, losing six wickets for 13 runs, with four wickets for Mark Thomas, and two each for Zubair Khan, Raghav Grover, and Sadiq Safi. Luckily for Leinster, the collapse wasn’t costly thanks to Bilal’s fine effort.
Railway Union beat Cork Harlequins by 41 runs.
Park Avenue, 9 July.
Railway Union 123 (36.3 overs; B Kruger 4-21, M Brewster 3-18) Cork Harlequins 82 (24 overs; S Jones 28*; A Mathew 5-20, L McCarthy 5-34)
Liam McCarthy
Five wicket hauls for Alan Matthew and Liam McCarthy helped Railway Union defend 123 to beat Cork Harlequins by 49 runs at Park Avenue. Seanan Jones (28*) was the only player to make double figures as Matthew took 5 for 20, while McCarthy took 5 for 34. The bowlers had also been on top in the Railway innings with Brandon Kruger taking 4 for 21, and Matt Brewster 3 for 18. For Railway, Ross Wynne and Hashir Sultan each scored 23, while McCarthy made 22 – all valuable runs in the win.
Railway Union's Liam McCarthy after his five wickets
Rush lost to Cork County by 225 runs.
Kenure, 9 July.
Cork County 264 (48.1 overs; C Hassett 58, R Durity 57, F Mostert 45; D Coffey 4-41, A McGuire 4-47) Rush 39 (17.3 overs; S Singh 5-11, E O'Sullivan 3-14)
Cork County crushed Rush by a whopping 225 runs at Kenure in a real eye-opening display. Cormac Hassett hit 5 sixes in a hard-hit 58, sharing a third wicket stand of 82 with skipper Ross Durity, who hit 9 fours in his 57. Francois Mostert also made a run-a-ball 45 (4 fours, 2 sixes) as Cork made 264, while there were four wickets apiece for Daniel Coffey and Aaron McGuire. Sukphal Singh had been dismissed first ball, but he produced a fine bowling display, claiming 5 for 11 as Rish were bundled out for just 39. Eshan O’ Sullivan taking 3 for 14, while there was one wicket each for Mostert and Byron McDonough on a day to remember for Cork.
North Kildare lost to North County by 7 wickets.
The Maws, 9 July.
North Kildare 100 (32.2 overs; Y Sherzad 35; G Muhammad 5-18, M Nofal 3-23) North County 102-3 (16.3 overs; J Grassi 58; M Singh 2-30)
Ghulam Muhammad was another five-wicket hero as North County overpowered North Kildare at The Maws. Ghulan took 5 for 18 as the home side collapsed from 92 for 4 to 100 all out. There were three wickets too for Malcolm Nofal, with one apiece for Abdul Ghaffar and Sean Sludds. Yaseen Sherzad top-scored for Kildare with 35. Jamie Grassi’s unbeaten 58 from 49 balls (8 fours, 1 six) ensured an easy win, as he and Niall McGovern (20) shared an opening stand of 71 in nine overs. Manjeet Singh (2-30) got a bit of respectability into what was a very one-sided contest.
Railway Union beat North Kildare by 68 runs.
Park Avenue, 2 July.
Railway Union 195 (46.4 overs; P le Roux 57, L McCarthy 54; D Bhansali 6-36, A Sattar 2-30, M Singh 2-36) North Kildare 127 (43.1 overs; K Pawar 27; F Zaman 3-23, L McCarthy 2-23, A Mathew 2-33)
Railway Union recovered from a poor start to record an ultimately comfortable 68-run win over North Kildare. Devansh Bansali ripped through the Railway top order on his way to a six wicket haul, and it looked an early finish as they were struggling on 49 for 5. However a sixth wicket stand of 99 between Philippe Le Roux and Liam McCarthy, both of whom made 50s allowed them to recover to 195 all out. Kildare in reply could only manage 127, with Kaustabh Pawar making 27.
North County beat Rush by 7 wickets.
Balrothery, 2 July.
Rush 199 (48.4 overs; J Barnes 54, A Doheny 42 N Rock 25; E Richardson 5-22, M Nofal 2-27, J Mooney 2-35) North County 200-3 (31.1 overs; M Nofal 93*, J Grassi 37, E Richardson 31*; D Coffey 2-53)
Eddie Richardson starred with both bat and ball
Eddie Richardson’s five-wickets haul and an unbeaten 93 from Malcolm Nofal got North County’s promotion push back on track as they chased 200 to win by seven wickets at Rush. The North County skipper took 5 for 22 as Rush scored 199 – tanks primarily to a century stand between Jared Barnes (54) and Andrew Doheny (42). John Mooney got 2 for 25 including Neil Rock (25), while Nofal’s two wickets included the prize scalp of Llew Johnson (29). Jamie Grassi (37) and Niall McGovern (22) got the innings off to a solid start, and although John Mooney fell for 0, County still romped home. Nofal smashed 10 fours and 5 sixes in an unbeaten 93, adding 110 in 12 overs with Richardson (31*) to clinch the emphatic win.
Terenure beat Cork Harlequins by 4 wickets.
Terenure, 2 July.
Cork Harlequins 131 (33.1 overs; U Khan 47; R Grover 4-20, D Cleary 2-19) Terenure 132-6 (22.2 overs; D Lynch 31; S Jones 3-53, M Brewster 2-20)
Terenure survived a rally by Cork Harlequins to secure a four-wicket win. The Cork side had been reeling at 59 for 7, with Raghav Grover being chiefly responsible taking four wickets. Umer Khan counterattacked hitting five fours and two sixes in his 47 from just 38 balls, helping Quins post 131. Donal Lynch (31) and Henry Dall (19) shared a half century opening stand before both fell to Seanan Jones (3-53), who also dismissed Donal Vaughan. Mick Cotter made a breezy 21, while Sidharth Nair (18) also chipped in to the victory.
Leinster lost to Cork County by 1 wicket.
Rathmines, 2 July.
Leinster 135 (41.5 overs; B Azhar 54; K O Cork County 138-9 (43 overs; B McDonough 39; B Mitchell 4-27; D Keenan 2-32)
Cork County won the closest game of the day as they edged out Leinster by one wicket at Rathmines. Bilal Azhar’s half century and 21 from Rian Cassidy saw Leinster post 135, with four wickets for Kevin O’Sullivan. The Munster side were pushed all the way as Ben Mitchell also responded with four wickets, but Byron McDonough’s crucial quickfire 39 from 32 balls (6 fours) was the difference in a tense chase, with Diarmuid Carey’s boundary clinching a one-wicket win.
Terenure beat North County by 9 wickets.
Terenure, 25 June.
North County 63 (21.5 overs; S Safi 6-22, R Grover 2-14) Terenure 67-1 (11 overs; S Lynch 30, H Dall 26*)
It was the joy of six for Terenure's Sadiq Safi who was the destroyer-in-chief as Terenure found home advantage to their liking as they bundled out North County for just 63. John Mooney (20) and Eddie Richardson (19) had taken their side to 52 for3, before they lost seven wickets for just 11 runs in a dramatic capitulation. The modest target was knocked off with minimum fuss in 11 overs, with Seamus Lynch hitting four sixes in his rapid 30 and Henry Dall an unbeaten 26.
Rush lost to Leinster by 156 runs.
Kenure, 25 June.
Leinster 306-5 (50 overs; J Carroll 113*, B Mitchell 86, M Tonge 40, J Nagle 27*; D Coffey 2-48) Rush 150 (28.1 overs; A Abbasi 43; J Carroll 3-24, B Mitchell 3-37, T de Beer 2-26, B Azhar 2-34)
Leinster showed their promotion credentials with a 156-run demolition of Rush at Kenure. Ben Mitchell got the innings off to a flying start as he he thumped 7 fours and 7 sixes in a whirlwind 86 from just 55 balls. He shared a second wicket stand of 116 in 16 overs with Joey Carroll, who would go on to make an unbeaten 113 (12 fours, 3 sixes). There were also runs for Mark Tonge (40) and Jason Nagle (27*) as the Rathmines side posted 306 for 5. The Rush reply never goit going as too mnay players reached double figures then got out. Asher Abassi (43) was the only batter to pass 20 as they were dismissed for 150. Mitchell and Carroll completed a fine all-round day with three wickets each, while Bilal Azhar and Tristen de Beer got two apiece.
North Kildare beat Cork Harlequins by 8 wickets.
The Maws, 25 June.
Cork Harlequins 74 (29.2 overs; M Singh 4-11, I ul Haq 3-0, W Ali 2-21) North Kildare 75-2 (10 overs; K Pawar 40*)
North Kildare were the quickest winners of the day as they trounced Cork Harlequins by eight wickets in a game that lasted just over 30 overs. The Munster side were bundled out for just 74, with fourwickets for Manjeet Singh, three for Imran Ul Haq and two for Wasif Ali. The chase took just ten overs, as Indian professional Kaustubh Pawar made an unbeaten 40 (3 fours, 4 sixes) from 30 balls. Hassan Mehmood also scored 20 before being one of two consolation wickets for Brandon Kruger.
Railway Union beat Cork County by 26 runs (DLS).
Park Avenue, 25 June.
Railway Union 186 (45.5 overs; L McCarthy 46, K Carroll 45; F Mostert 3-33, N Anjum 2-33, B McDonough 2-34) Cork County 149 (40.5 overs; C Hassett 69; S O'Brien 3-26, H Maan 2-28, F Zaman 2-63)
Closest game of the day was at Park Avenue where Railway Union beat Cork County by 26 runs in a rain affected contest. Liam McCarthy top-scored with 46, while the ever consistent Kenny Carroll hit 45 in the home side's 186 - three wickets for Francois Mostert. A revised target of 176 in 46 overs looked well within their grasp as they reached 131 for 4, with Cormac Hassett (69) well set. However, three wickets for Sean O'Brien saw them lose six wickets for 18 runs to slide to defeat.
Railway Union lost to Leinster by 216 runs.
Park Avenue, 18 June.
Leinster 319 (50 overs; S Bahadur 78, B Mitchell 54, T de Beer 52, P Masterson 47, J Carroll 31; L McCarthy 2-36, H Maan 2-66, F Zaman 2-69) Railway Union 103 (28.3 overs; A Prakash 32; B Mitchell 3-18, S Bahadur 3-19, B Azhar 2-16)
Leinster were the day's biggest winners in the Championship as they crushed Railway Union by 216 runs at Park Avenue. Saqib Bahadur top scored with 78, while there also half centuries for Ben Mitchell and Tristen De Beer, who hit 4 sixes and 4 fours in his 52 from just 36 balls. De Beer added 75 in just 7 overs for the ninth wicket with Amit Waghmare (24), while others who contributed to the 319 total were Peter Masterson (47) and Joey Carroll (31). Railway in reply could only muster 103, with three wickets each for Mitchell and Bahadur.
Terenure beat Cork County by 3 wickets.
Terenure, 18 June.
Cork County 182 (48 overs; R Durity 60, N Anjum 47; R Grover 4-23, M Cotter 2-24, S SAfi 2-29, D Cleary 2-32) Terenure 186-7 (30 overs; S Lynch 81, R Grover 38, S Nair 25*; N Anjum 3-42, B McDonough 2-47)
Terenure won their first game of the season as they chased 182 to beat Cork County by three wickets. Ross Durity top scored with 60 for the Munster side, adding 68 for the seventh wicket with Nabeel Anjum (47) after Raghav Grover (4-23) had them in trouble at 65 for 6. Cork rallied to 182 with two wickets also for Sadiq Safi, Mick Cotter and Dylan Cleary. Seamus Lynch's brutal assault on the Cork County all but settled the match, as he hit 8 sixes and 6 fours in a belligerent 81 from 48 balls. He added 93 for the second wicket with Raghav Grover (38), and despite a fightback, Sidarth Nair's unbeaten 25 sealed the three-wicket win.
North County beat Cork Harlequins by 73 runs.
Balrothery, 18 June.
North County 242 (A Sheridan 100*, L Whelan 51) Cork Harlequins 169
Andrew Sheridan scored an unbeaten century for North County
North County showed their depth as they beat Cork Harlequins by 73 runs in a game that was far from as comprehensive as the result margin would suggest. County were struggling at 99 for 7, and it took an eighth wicket stand of 134 in 20 overs between Andrew Sheridan and Luke Whelan (53) to get them up to the dizzy heights of 242 for 8. Sheridan hit 6 sixes in his unbeaten 100 - reaching three figures off the last ball of the innings. Awais Saghar (34) and Shiwan Kislay (33) helped Harlequins to 103 for 2 in the chase, but they folded to 169 all out - three wickers for Malcolm Nofal and Usman Azhar.
North Kildare beat Rush by 57 runs.
The Maws, 18 June.
North Kildare 201 (49.5 overs; K Pawar 52, H Maroof 43; J Barnes 4-21, A Abbasi 4-42) Rush 144 (38 overs; L Johnson 42, N Rock 33; A Sattar 4-31, K Pawar 3-25)
North Kildare sprang a surprise as they beat Rush by 57 runs at The Maws. Indian overseas professional Kaustbh Pawar top scored with 52 as they made 201, adding 78 for the fourth wicket with Husnain Mahroof (43). There were four wickets apiece for Jared Barnes and Asher Abbassi. In the chase, New Zealander Llew Johnson was again in the runs with 44, but despite his best efforts and 33 from skipper Neil Rock, Rush were dismissed for 144 after collapsing from 115 for 3. Abdul Sattar took four wickets, while Pawar's excellent day finished with 3 for 25.
Leinster lost to Rush by 6 wickets.
Rathmines, 12 June.
Leinster 128 (35.4 overs; B Azhar 38; A Abbasi 4-35, D Coffey 3-14) Rush 131-4 (25.2 overs; L Johnson 80*; B Mitchell 2-17)
Llew Johnson's dream season shows no season of diminishing as he took his tally for the campaign well past 600 to help Rush to a convincing six wickets win against Leinster at Rathmines. Chasing 128, Johnson dominated the reply as he hit 12 fours and a six in his unbeaten 80 from just 83 balls to steer his side over the line just past the halfway point. Ben Mitchell (2-17) struck two early blows, but Johnson was the immovable object as he added 60 for the fourth wicket with Aaron McGuire, who made nine.
Earlier Asher Abbasi had claimed four wickets and Daniel Coffey three as Leinster's batters found the going tough, with the exception of skipper Bilal Azhar (38).
Rush will be amongst the favourites for promotion on this form, and if Johnson continues to score heavily, who would bet against them?
North Kildare beat Cork Harlequins by 164 runs.
The Maws, 12 June.
North Kildare 224 (49.2 overs; K Pawar 64, K Sidiqi 45; R Jones 4-25, D Mehta 4-39, S Jones 2-38) Cork Harlequins 60 (28.2 overs; A Sattar 7-14)
Cork Harlequins' struggles in the Championship continued as they were blown away by a magnificent seven wickets haul for Abdul Sattar. Sattar claimed 7 for 14 as the Munster side managed just 60 chasing 225 - Seanan Jones' 22 the highlight of a poor effort. Kaustabh Pawar top-scored with 64 as The Maws side reached 140 for 2 - runs too for Khawaja Siddiqui (45). Four wickets apiece for Ru Jones and Dawan Mehta saw Harlequins come back strongly, but alas ultimately in vain as Kildare made it two wins for two.
Cork County lost to Railway Union by 7 wickets.
The Mardyke, 12 June.
Cork County 173 (45.2 overs; S Singh 60, A Ghaffar 50; H Maan 4-36, A Mathew 3-24) Railway Union 177-3 (41.1 overs; K Carroll 84*, H Sultan 51)
Kenny Carroll
Railway Union's trip to the Mardyke was a successful one as Kenny Carroll yet again was the cornerstone of a seven-wickets win.
Carroll hit 8 fours and cleared the ropes 3 times in an unbeaten 84 as his team made light work of a 174 target. He shared a third wicket partnership of 93 with Hashir Sultan (51) that all but settled the contest.
Earlier, Cork County recovered from 27 for 4 to reach 173 thanks to a fifth wicket stand of 94 between Sukhpal Singh (60) and Abdul Ghaffar (50).
Hamza Maan impressed with 4 for 36, while Alan Matthew claimed three victims in an impressive all-round display by Railway.
North County beat Terenure by 10 wickets.
Balrothery, 12 June.
Terenure 62 (25 overs; J Mooney 3-14, A Ghaffar 3-19, U Azhar 2-7, A Sheridan 2-7) North County 63-0 (10.3 overs; N McGovern 50*)
Terenure's miserable season continued as they were crushed by a merciless North County by 10 wickets at Inch. Batting first, Terenure were unable to come to terms with the seam attack of the Fingal side, as only Donal Vaughan's 21 saved them from a worse fate than the 62 they managed to cobble together. John Mooney (3-14) was again in the wickets, with Abdul Ghaffar also taking three scalps, while there were two apiece for Andrew Sheridan and Usman Azhar. Niall McGovern didn't mess about in the chase, as he hit 6 fours and 3 sixes in his half century from only 35 balls. He and Sean Rooney (11*) passing the modest target in the 11th over without loss.
Terenure lost to Railway Union by 2 wickets.
Kenure, 6 June.
Terenure 188 (44.4 overs; R Grover 70; H Maan 3-35, F Zaman 3-40, A Mathew 2-21) Railway Union 189 (49.5 overs; C Divney 46*, A Mathew 43, H Sultan 27; R Grover 2-31)
Closest game of the day in the Championship was Railway Union's two wicket win at Terenure, with Ciaran Divney the last over hero for the Park Avenue side. Terenure were indebted to a hard-hit 70 from Raghav Grover (7 fours, 2 sixes) which rescued his side from a precarious 76 for 7. He added 62 for the 8th wicket with Sadiq Safi (24) to help the home side to a competitive 188. The total looked even more competitive when Kenny Carroll fell for 0, and it took 43 from Alan Matthew to get them back on track as he added 64 with Divney. Eight were needed from the last over, and a boundary which was also a no-ball proved crucial as Divney and Railway got over the line with a ball to spare in a superb match.
Rush beat Cork Harlequins by 83 runs.
Kenure, 6 June.
Rush 268-9 (50 overs; L Johnson 138, A Abbasi 30; B Kruger 4-29, E Ibrahimi 3-48) Cork Harlequins 185 (42.4 overs; J Buss 29, S Jones 26, E Ibrahimi 26*; J Mcgee 4-36, J Barnes 2-27, A Eastwood 2-40)
Llew Johnson was another overseas centurion with the New Zealander's prolific campaign continuing as he made 138 to help Rush beat Cork Harlequins by 83 runs at Kenure. Johnson hit 13 fours and 8 sixes in his brilliant century, sharing a seventh wicket stand of 100 in 18 overs with Ashar Abassi (30) after Rush had been in a spot of bother at 111 for 6. Alex Neary (21) and Allan Eastwood both struck some late, lusty blows to help Rush to 268 for 9 - four wickets for Brandon Kruger and three for Esmat Ibrahami. Harlequins struggled in the chase as they collapsed to 79 for 7 - wickets for Jack McGee, Allan Eastwood and Jarred Barnes. The tail did wag with 20s for Seanan Jones, Max Egan, Ibrahami and Jack Buss, but they were eventually dismissed for 185 - Jack McGee finishing with 4 for 36.
Leinster beat North County by 121 runs.
Rathmines, 6 June.
Leinster 189 (48.4 overs; S Bahadur 66, B Mitchell 25; J Mooney 4-29, U Azhar 2-31, A Ghaffar 2-41) North County 68 (22.3 overs; S Rooney 27; B Azhar 5-28, B Mitchell 3-34)
North County were on the end of a thrashing as they went down to Leinster by 121 runs to Leinster at Rathmines. The home side were indebted to 66 from Saqib Bahadur, who added 66 for the 6th wickets with Craig McKay in their 189 all out. John Mooney's excellent season continued with the former Irish international claiming four wickets for 29, while there were two apiece for Usman Azhar and Abdul Ghaffar. County's reply never got going as they were skittled for just 68. Home skipper Bilal Azhar did the damage taking five wickets, while there were three for Ben Mitchell in a convincing win for Leinster.
North Kildare beat Cork County by 262 runs.
The Maws, 6 June.
North Kildare 310-6 (45 overs; K Pawar 191, S Patel 38, I ul Haq 32; S Singh 3-59) Cork County 48 (19.5 overs; M Singh 4-7, M Sherzad 3-12, A Sattar 2-20)
Indian overseas professional Kaustabh Pawar's introduction to Irish cricket was certainly a spectacular one as he made the highest score of the day, his 191 helping North Kildare to a whopping 262 runs victory over Cork County at The Maws. Pawar hit 17 sixes and 11 fours in his 135-ball innings, sharing a third wicket stand of 147 in 22 overs with Samran Patel (38). Imran Ul Haq also made 32 as the hosts made 310 for 6. Cork's reply was soon in tatters as they slumped to 10 for 5, eventually finishing 48 all out, with four wickets for Manjeet Singh (4-7), Muzamil Sherzad (3-12) and Abdul Sattar (2-20).
League Cup
Final: Pembroke beat Clontarf by 5 wickets.
Sydney Parade, 11 June.
Clontarf 245-9 (50 overs; R Cronje 65, R Forrest 48*, A McGeehan 41, A Poynter 39; P Lawson 2-44, S Kumar 2-44, R Hopkins 2-55) Pembroke 249-5 (48.5 overs; D Tucker 51, P Mehta 45, JJ Garth 44, T Lawson 42, R Kelly 33*; R Cronje 2-35, M Grainger 2-51)
Pembroke celebrate their victory
Pembroke ended a 23 year spell as they beat Clontarf to capture the League Cup at Sydney Parade. The home side impressed in a potentially tricky chase of 249, winning by five wickets with seven balls to spare. They were given an excellent platform with a second wicket stand of 87 between Diarmaid Tucker (51) and JJ Garth (44). Skipper Theo Lawson (42) and Poonish Mehta (45) kept the momentum going with an impressive fourth wicket partnership of 70 in 15 overs to take their side to the brink. Former Irish U19 international Robin Kelly's contribution shouldn't be underestimated either as he cleared the ropes twice in his unbeaten 33 from just 20 balls, when the pressure was on. Clontarf's innings saw Ruan Cronje top scoring with 65, while opener Aaron McGeehan hit a solid 41. Andrew Poynter's quickfire 39 looked as if it would take Clontarf to 275 and beyond, but his dismissal - one of four lbw verdicts - saw the Castle Avenue side lose their way somewhat, and it took an unbeaten 48 from Robert Forrest to salvage a competitive total. Both sides should be congratulated for a fine display despite the absences of so many regulars. Both will surely be in the pack chasing more trophies later in the year.
Semi-Final: Clontarf beat North County by 1 wicket.
Castle Avenue, 4 June.
North County 233-7 (50 overs; J Andrews 48, J Mooney 39*, M Nofal 31, N McGovern 26; R Cronje 3-46) Clontarf 236-9 (46.5 overs; P Moor 64, J McNally 45*, D Delany 35, R Cronje 31, F Hand 26; A Ghaffar 3-48, U Azhar 2-30)
John McNally (Photo: D Vincent)
John McNally was the Clontarf hero as he guided the Castle Avenue side to a one-wicket win against North County in the League Cup semi-final. Chasing 234, Clontarf still needed eight to win when number 11 Mick Granger joined the teenager in the middle. The pair got two singles, before McNally finished the pulsating contest in style, striking his seventh and eighth boundaries in his unbeaten 45 to seal the win. It looked as if it would be anything but a stroll in the North Dublin sunshine as PJ Moor hit 10 fours and a six in his 64 from just 53 balls to get the chase off to a flyer. Makeshift opener Fionn Hand (26), David Delany (35) and Ruan Cronje (31) all joined in before the Balrothery side battled back - three wickets for Abdul Ghaffar and two for Usman Azhar. McNally though was the coolest head amidst the tension and ensured the final berth. Earlier, North County had battled their way to 233 for 7, with Jonno Andrews top scoring with 48, late runs from John Mooney (39*), and contributions from Malcolm Nofal (31), Niall McGovern (26) and John Devane (22). Clontarf will face Pembroke in the decider next week at Sydney Parade.
Semi-Final: Pembroke beat Merrion by 84 runs.
Sydney Parade, 4 June.
Pembroke 275-5 (50 overs; JJ Garth 86, P Mehta 68*, L Tucker 62, T Lawson 35; T Stanton 2-29) Merrion 191-9 (43.1 overs; J Carty 42, F Marais 38, M Lewis 29; D Tucker 2-43)
JJ Garth
JJ Garth top scored with 86 and gave a fielding masterclass as Pembroke made light of the absence of three internationals to beat Merrion by 84 runs in the League Cup semi-final. The former Irish youth international shared a second wicket stand of 117 in 22 overs with Lorcan Tucker, who hit nine boundaries in a run-a-ball 62. Garth and skipper Theo Lawson (35) added a further 77 as Pembroke piled on the runs. Poonish Mehta had a point to prove against his former side and he will have relished his late blitz as he clubbed 8 fours and 2 sixes in his unbeaten 68 from only 48 balls as Pembroke finished on an imposing 275 for 5. Merrion, without the influential John Anderson (attending wedding) would have been hoping for big runs from Stephen Doheny, so it was a big blow when he fell to Ryan Hopkins. However, Merrion appeared to be rallying as Jack Carty made a fluent 42 as he add Michael Lewis (29) added 52 for the second wicket. Garth's influence on the match wasn't confined to the bat, as he broke the stand with a direct hit - one of four run outs for the brilliant cover-point as Merrion failed to learn their lesson again and again. Franco Marais made a patient 38, while Tom Stanton's unbeaten 21 merely delayed the inevitable as they finished on 191. It's Pembroke versus Clontarf next weekend in what is sure to be a thrilling contest, albeit with two teams shorn of their interprovincial representatives. Pembroke have shown their depth with this win - will Clontarf have the same resources in reserve? Given their form this year, you would think so.
Post-match interview with Theo Lawson
League Cup A
| P | W | T | NR | L | BP | Pts | |
| Clontarf | 7 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 20 | 152 |
| Merrion | 7 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 23 | 135 |
| YMCA | 7 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 19 | 103 |
| Balbriggan | 7 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 8 | 100 |
| Leinster | 7 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 18 | 70 |
| Rush | 7 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 9 | 53 |
| North Kildare | 7 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 11 | 43 |
| Cork County | 7 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 7 | 39 |
Leinster lost to Balbriggan by 44 runs.
Rathmines, 28 May.
Balbriggan 228-7 (50 overs; N Rooney 86*, G Dara 47, R Hadley 29; S Bahadur 3-15, B Mitchell 2-68)
Leinster 184 (45.5 overs; B Mitchell 64, C Janik 38; D Lues 3-56, R Hadley 2-23)
Leinster 184 (45.5 overs; B Mitchell 64, C Janik 38; D Lues 3-56, R Hadley 2-23)
Balbriggan finished their league cup campaign on a high note as they clinched a 44-runs win at Rathmines against Leinster. Nathan Rooney top scored for the Fingal side with an almost even time unbeaten 86 which included 10 fours and 2 sixes as they posted 228 for 7. Ghanim Dara hit 47, while Ryan Hadley made 29 in a sixth wicket stand of 87 with Rooney. Saqib Bahadur (3-15) was the pick of the home side attack. Ben Mitchell's 64 was the highlight of Leinster's reply, but with Dylan Lues taking three wickets and Ryan Hadley two, Balbriggan closed out the victory.
North Kildare beat Rush by 84 runs.
The Maws, 28 May.
North Kildare 201-9 (50 overs; H Maroof 45, A Sattar 29, IU Haq 25; A Neary 4-39, D Coffey 2-23)
Rush 127 (35.5 overs; IU Haq 4-23, A Sattar 3-24, Y Sherzad 2-28)
Rush 127 (35.5 overs; IU Haq 4-23, A Sattar 3-24, Y Sherzad 2-28)
North Kildare secured their first win of the season with an 84-run win against Rush at The Maws. Husnan Maroof top scored with 45, while Abdul Sattar (29) and Imran Ul Haq (25) chipped in with vital runs in their total of 201 for 9. Alex Neary claimed four wickets, while Daniel Coffey bagged a brace - a word too for Allan Eastwood, who although went wicketless conceded just ten runs in his ten-overs spell. With little at stake the Rush batting failed to fire, as they were bundled out for 127 - Llew Johnson making 23. Imran Ul Haq took four wickets, while there were three for Sattar, and two for Sherzad in the 84-runs win.
YMCA lost to Clontarf by 3 wickets.
Claremont Road, 28 May.
YMCA 158 (48.4 overs; J Forbes 28, T Johnson 28; J McNally 2-25)
Clontarf 159-7 (40.4 overs; R Cronje 77*, J McNally 43; T Anders 3-27, R Wilson 2-26, J Forbes 2-34)
Clontarf 159-7 (40.4 overs; R Cronje 77*, J McNally 43; T Anders 3-27, R Wilson 2-26, J Forbes 2-34)
Clontarf won again as they beat YMCA by three wickets to finish the group stages unbeaten. The match was a test of both teams' resources, shorn of their interprovincial stars in action at Comber. Perhaps it was this unfamiliarity that caused three run outs in the home ranks - dismissed for 158 with Thomas Johnson and James Forbes making 28 apiece. It looked as if the total might be more than enough as the Castle Avenue side slumped to 23 for 4 in the chase, but they were rescued by a fifth wicket stand of 81 between Ruan Cronje and teenager John McNally. Cronje hit 10 fours and a six as he top scored with an unbeaten 77, while McNally hit 8 fours in his powerful 43. YMCA battled to the end with three wickets for Tom Anders, and two apiece for Ireland Under 19 internationals Forbes and Reuben Wilson, but Cronje stayed resolute to clinch the three wickets win in the 41st over.
Cork County lost to Merrion by 102 runs.
The Mardyke, 28 May.
Merrion 204 (50 overs; F Marais 41, M Sinan 29, M Lewis 25; A Gasper 4-22, A Saddique 2-27, B McDonough 2-38)
Cork County 102 (37.2 overs; A Ghaffar 33, R Durity 28; A Sidhu 4-20, M Sinan 2-12)
Cork County 102 (37.2 overs; A Ghaffar 33, R Durity 28; A Sidhu 4-20, M Sinan 2-12)
Merrion made the journey to Cork knowing a win would guarantee second spot and they duly achieved their goal with a professional 102-run win. Franco Marais hit five boundaries as he top scored with 41 for the Anglesea Road side, sharing a sixth wicket stand of 67 in 12 overs with Muhammed Sinan (29) to rescue them from a precarious 85 for 5. Mick Lewis also chipped in with 25, while Alex Gaspar was best with the ball for the Munster men, taking 4 for 22. Cork County's pursuit never got going, as they were bundled out halfway there, for 102, despite the best efforts of Abdul Ghaffar (33) and Ross Durity (28). Muhammad Sinan (2-12) made early inroads, while left-arm spinner's Amish Sidhu's prolific form continued as he snared four scalps in the 102-run win.
Leinster lost to Merrion by 8 wickets.
Rathmines, 22 May.
Leinster 145 (41.2 overs; B Mitchell 56; T Stanton 3-11, N Shankar 3-29, A Sidhu 2-12)
Merrion 146-2 (31.1 overs; N Shankar 53*, S Stanton 41)
Merrion 146-2 (31.1 overs; N Shankar 53*, S Stanton 41)
Clontarf beat Rush by 139 runs.
Castle Avenue, 22 May.
Clontarf 222-7 (50 overs; D Delany 86*, E Delany 51; A Eastwood 3-29, A Neary 2-48)
Rush 83 (24.4 overs; M Granger 3-20, F Hand 3-20, B McCabe 2-19)
Rush 83 (24.4 overs; M Granger 3-20, F Hand 3-20, B McCabe 2-19)
Balbriggan beat Cork County by 7 wickets.
Jack Harper Ground, 22 May
Cork County 111 (33.3 overs; R Pollard 37; D Lues 4-20, A Darroch 3-27, R Hadley 2-44)
Balbriggan 115-3 (25.4 overs; C Fletcher 58*; R Pollard 2-32)
Balbriggan 115-3 (25.4 overs; C Fletcher 58*; R Pollard 2-32)
YMCA beat North Kildare by 10 wickets.
Claremont Road, 22 May.
North Kildare 93 (37.1 overs; Y Sherzad 34; P Flanagan 6-20, M Thompson 2-16)
YMCA 95-0 (17.1 overs; M Thompson 45*, J Tector 35*)
YMCA 95-0 (17.1 overs; M Thompson 45*, J Tector 35*)
Merrion lost to Clontarf by 77 runs.
Anglesea Road, 14 May.
Clontarf 255 (48.5 overs; R Cronje 71, D Delany 56, J McNally 32, R Forrest 25; Muhammad Sinan 2-23, Amish Sidhu 2-57)
Merrion 178 (42.2 overs; S Doheny 50, Swapnil Modgill 39, J Anderson 31; P Ryan 4-26, D Delany 3-25)
A boundary for Ruan Cronje (Rodney Smyth)
Clontarf 255 (48.5 overs; R Cronje 71, D Delany 56, J McNally 32, R Forrest 25; Muhammad Sinan 2-23, Amish Sidhu 2-57)
Merrion 178 (42.2 overs; S Doheny 50, Swapnil Modgill 39, J Anderson 31; P Ryan 4-26, D Delany 3-25)
A boundary for Ruan Cronje (Rodney Smyth)A fourth wicket stand of 130 in 25 overs between Ruan Cronje and David Delany powered Clontarf to a 77-run win over Merrion at Anglesea Road. Cronje hit 12 fours in his 71, while Delany's growing status as a genuine all-rounder continued as he made 56, which included 9 fours and a six. John McNally (32) and Bobbo Forrest (25) shared a sixth wicket stand of 54 in eight overs that took the total up to a challenging 255. Stephen Doheny's half century, allied with runs for Swapnil Modgill (39) and John Anderson (31) had Merrion well placed at 125 for 2, but the wheels came off as Paul Ryan took four wickets, while Delany claimed three to cap an impressive all-round display in a 77-run win.
Rush 268 lost to Balbriggan by 2 wickets.
Kenure, 14 May.
Rush 268 (49.1 overs; N Rock 85, J Barnes 39, L Johnson 28, J McGee 24, S Gull 23, Asher Abassi 20; R Hadley 4-20, C Davies-Webb 2-48)
Balbriggan 271-8 (47.3 overs; G Ford 132, C De Freitas 81, N Rooney 24; J Barnes 3-37, J McGee 3-56)
Rush 268 (49.1 overs; N Rock 85, J Barnes 39, L Johnson 28, J McGee 24, S Gull 23, Asher Abassi 20; R Hadley 4-20, C Davies-Webb 2-48)
Balbriggan 271-8 (47.3 overs; G Ford 132, C De Freitas 81, N Rooney 24; J Barnes 3-37, J McGee 3-56)
Balbriggan won the most exciting match of the day, as they chased 268 to win at Rush. Greg Ford was the highest scorer of the day, as the Balbriggan skipper hit 18 fours and two sixes in his 132 from 112 deliveries. Ford shared a fourth wicket stand of 151 in 22 overs with Chris de Freitas, whose 81 included 8 fours and 4 sixes, Neil Rock had top scored for Rush, making 85 on his return from a calf injury, while Jared Barnes scored 39 and took three wickets for the hosts in a losing cause - Ryan Hadley's 4 for 20 the best bowling return for the winners.
Cork County lost to YMCA by 81 runs.
The Mardyke, 14 May.
YMCA 224-9 (50 overs; H Tector 125; B McDonough 3-55, R Pollard 2-53)
Cork County 143 (41 overs; R Pollard 40, C Haslett 34, Najeeb Anjum 31; P Flanagan 3-24, R Anders 3-32, M Thompson 2-26)
YMCA 224-9 (50 overs; H Tector 125; B McDonough 3-55, R Pollard 2-53)
Cork County 143 (41 overs; R Pollard 40, C Haslett 34, Najeeb Anjum 31; P Flanagan 3-24, R Anders 3-32, M Thompson 2-26)
Harry Tector hit a superb 125 from 143 balls, dominating YM's 224 for 9 in which the next highest score was Tom Anders 19. The Irish international hit 10 fours and cleared the ropes four times in an innings that was time to perfection. Rory Anders (3-32) early burst saw Cork County in trouble at 5 for 3, but a stand of 57 between Rudolph Pollard (40) and Cormac Hassett (34) hinted at a recovery. However, despite a further 31 from Najeeb Anjum, the hosts were bowled out for 143, with Padraic Flanagan also claiming three scalps, and Mitchell Thompson taking 2 for 26.
Leinster beat North Kildare by 138 runs.
Rathmines, 14 May.
Leinster 233 (48.5 overs; J Carroll 48, Bilal Azhar 42, C Janik 39, B Mitchell 37; Abdul Sattar 3-40, Yaseen Sherzad 2-34, Imran Ul Haq 2-42)
North Kildare 95 (24.1 overs; Moize Haider 35*; B Mitchell 4-28, J Carroll 3-22, M Tonge 2-25)
Leinster 233 (48.5 overs; J Carroll 48, Bilal Azhar 42, C Janik 39, B Mitchell 37; Abdul Sattar 3-40, Yaseen Sherzad 2-34, Imran Ul Haq 2-42)
North Kildare 95 (24.1 overs; Moize Haider 35*; B Mitchell 4-28, J Carroll 3-22, M Tonge 2-25)
Leinster were impressive 138-run winners at home to North Kildare, with Joey Carroll and Ben Mitchell to the fore. Mitchell (37) shared an opening stand of 82 with skipper Bilal Azhar (42), which was followed by a partnership of 79 between Chris Janik (39) and Carroll, who hit 7 fours in his top score of 48 as Leinster made 233. Kildare's innings was soon in tatters with Mitchell (4-28), Carroll (3-22) and Mark Tonge (2-25) doing the damage, and it took an unbeaten 35 from Moize Haider, who hit five fours and two sixes in his 21-ball knock to get them to their final score of 95.
League Cup B
| P | W | T | NR | L | BP | Pts | |
| Pembroke | 7 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 12 | 124 |
| North County | 7 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 19 | 111 |
| The Hills | 7 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 16 | 108 |
| Phoenix | 7 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 10 | 102 |
| Dublin University | 7 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 24 | 96 |
| Railway Union | 7 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 15 | 67 |
| Malahide | 7 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 8 | 60 |
| Terenure | 7 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 16 | 28 |
North County beat Railway Union by 7 wickets.
Balrothery, 28 May.
Railway Union 178 (49.3 overs; F Zaman 58, A Mathew 35; J Mooney 3-32, E Richardson 2-23, U Azhar 2-36)
North County 181-3 (31.5 overs; M Nofal 62*, E Richardson 52*; S Afridi 2-22)
North County 181-3 (31.5 overs; M Nofal 62*, E Richardson 52*; S Afridi 2-22)
John Mooney's prolific form with the ball continued as the former Irish international claimed three wickets as Railway Union were dismissed for 178 at Inch - two wickets also for Eddie Richardson and Usman Azhar. Fakhr Zaman (58) made a half century for the Park Avenue side, while Alan Matthew chipped in with 35. County lost three early wickets in the chase which wasn't ideal as they looked to secure not only the win, but as many bonus points as possible. They were soon back on track though as skipper Eddie Richardson and Malcolm Nofal both made half centuries as they shared an unbroken fourth wicket partnership of 131 in 23 overs to seal the seven wickets win and four valuable bonus points. Nofal hit 9 fours as he top scored with an unbeaten 62 from71 balls, while Richardson cleared the ropes three times and also hit 4 fours in his 52 not out to lead his side into the last four.
Interview with North County skipper Eddie Richardson
The Hills beat Terenure by 36 runs.
The Vineyard, 28 May.
The Hills 259-6 (50 overs; L Shields 112, D Blignaut 73; Z Khan 3-14)
) Terenure 223 (46.3 overs; H Dall 97, M Cotter 31; T Rooney Murphy 3-33, A Bain 3-34)
) Terenure 223 (46.3 overs; H Dall 97, M Cotter 31; T Rooney Murphy 3-33, A Bain 3-34)
The Hills won the battle but lost the war as they finished third in the group despite a 36-run win at home to Terenure. It all looked to be going to script as Levon Shields powered them to 259 for 8 with a hard hit 112 from just 104 deliveries, which included 14 fours and 2 sixes. Shields shared a fourth wicket stand of 125 in 24 overs with the in-form Dylan Blignaut who hit 8 fours and 2 sixes in his 73 from 91 balls. The home side's hopes to dismiss Terenure cheaply perished on the rocks of Henry Dall, who almost single-handedly denied them the maximum points they craved. Dall stroked 12 boundaries in a brilliant 97 from 106 balls, as Terenure posted 223 in a brave chase with Mick Cotter striking a breezy 31. Hills skipper Tomas Rooney-Murphy and Ashley Bain each took three wickets as they battled bravely, but ultimately in vain as they lost out to their fierce rivals.
Phoenix beat Pembroke by 5 wickets.
Phoenix Park, 28 May.
Pembroke 211 (49.1 overs; T Lawson 90, P Mehta 55; O Haid 3-32, S Morris 2-42, C Sheil 2-45, G Millar 2-49)
Phoenix 212-5 (41 overs; O Haid 51*, A Chester 38, C O'Byrne 27, L McDonough 25*; P Lawson 3-48)
Phoenix 212-5 (41 overs; O Haid 51*, A Chester 38, C O'Byrne 27, L McDonough 25*; P Lawson 3-48)
Phoenix caused a minor surprise as they took advantage of the absence of Pembroke's quartet of internationals on Lightning duty to win by five wickets chasing 212. Pembroke skipper Theo Lawson hit 8 boundaries as he top scored with 90, sharing a fourth wicket stand of 118 with Poonish Mehta (55) in their total of 211. Danish international Oliver Hald picked up three wickets, while there two apiece for Sam Morris, Gordy Millar and Conor Sheil. Hald then powered Phoenix to victory as he clubbed 5 fours and 3 sixes in a hard-hit unbeaten 51 from just 34 deliveries, sharing an unbroken sixth wicket stand of 71 in ten overs with Louis McDonough (25*). There were also runs for Adam Chester (38), Callum O'Byrne (27), and William Bennett (23) as they made light of George Dockrell and Tyrone Kane's absences. Despite the loss Pembroke remain top and will have home advantage in the semi-finals.
Pembroke skipper Theo Lawson
Malahide lost to Dublin University by 3 wickets.
Malahide, 28 May.
Malahide 262-4 (50 overs; R Hackney 100, C Riches 61, F McAllister 40*, A Muntha 27)
Dublin University 263-7 (49.1 overs; D Cosgrave 91, S Gupta 42; M Sane 2-30, J Newland 2-51, C Riches 2-63)
Dublin University 263-7 (49.1 overs; D Cosgrave 91, S Gupta 42; M Sane 2-30, J Newland 2-51, C Riches 2-63)
Action from the match at Malahide (© Deryck Vincent)
Dublin University finished their campaign on a winning note as they chased 262 to beat Malahide by three wickets in a last over thriller at The Village. Ryan Hackney scored a century for the hosts, as he and Callum Riches (61) shared a third wicket stand of 152 in their total of 262 for 4. Fintan McAllister hit a quickfire unbeaten 40 to put Malahide well in control at the halfway stage. However, skipper Sanil Gupta hit a well made 42 to get the students up and running, and a brilliant 91 from David Cosgrave (11 fours) proved the match winning innings. Despite two wickets apiece from James Newland. Mohit Sane and Callum Riches, Trinity completed a remarkable chase to win by three wickets with five balls to spare.
North County lost to Phoenix by 1 wicket.
Balrothery, 22 May.
North County 208 (47 overs; M Nofal 91, J Grassi 42; G Dockrell 3-29, B White 3-47, T Kane 2-31)
Phoenix 209-9 (50 overs, S Black 62, W Bennett 34; J Mooney 3-26, U Azhar 2-39)
Phoenix 209-9 (50 overs, S Black 62, W Bennett 34; J Mooney 3-26, U Azhar 2-39)
The Hills beat Dublin University by 5 runs (DLS)
The Vineyard, 22 May
The Hills 184-9 (50 overs; T Rooney Murphy 50, A Farooqi 43*; M O'Reilly 3-40, N Jones 2-16, T Dempsey 2-46)
Dublin University 159 (40.4 overs; N Pretorius 52; D Blignaut 4-34, L Shields 2-10, T Rooney Murphy 2-30)
Dublin University 159 (40.4 overs; N Pretorius 52; D Blignaut 4-34, L Shields 2-10, T Rooney Murphy 2-30)
Railway Union lost to Pembroke by 6 runs.
Park Avenue, 22 May.
Pembroke 179 (41.2 overs; P Mehta 42, G Hollins 34, L Tucker 31; A Mathew 3-27, H Maan 3-28, L McCarthy 3-40)
Railway Union 173 (49.1 overs; L McCarthy 32, A Mathew 29, F Zaman 25; P Sharma 4-53, P Mehta 3-22, D Tucker 3-44)
Railway Union 173 (49.1 overs; L McCarthy 32, A Mathew 29, F Zaman 25; P Sharma 4-53, P Mehta 3-22, D Tucker 3-44)
Terenure lost to Malahide by 39 runs.
Terenure, 22 May
Malahide 198 (47.4 overs; F McAllister 79, R Hackney 51; H Asad 4-34, S Lynch 3-32)
Terenure 159 (43.5 overs; C Morgan 39; J Newland 3-19, R Kumar 2-27, M Frost 2-38)
Terenure 159 (43.5 overs; C Morgan 39; J Newland 3-19, R Kumar 2-27, M Frost 2-38)
Pembroke beat Malahide by 47 runs.
Sydney Parade, 14 May.
Pembroke 286-5 (50 overs; T Lawson 94*, Diarmaid Tucker 53, B McCarthy 42, L Tucker 39, D Hogan 23*; D O'Halloran 2-60)
Malahide 239 (44 overs; A Doyle 62, D O'Halloran 27, J Newland 22, M Ford 21; Piyush Sharma 2-13; J Prendergast 2-33, Donncha Tucker 2-49, Poonish Mehta 2-50)
Pembroke 286-5 (50 overs; T Lawson 94*, Diarmaid Tucker 53, B McCarthy 42, L Tucker 39, D Hogan 23*; D O'Halloran 2-60)
Malahide 239 (44 overs; A Doyle 62, D O'Halloran 27, J Newland 22, M Ford 21; Piyush Sharma 2-13; J Prendergast 2-33, Donncha Tucker 2-49, Poonish Mehta 2-50)
Pembroke saw off the challenge of Malahide to win by 47 runs at Sydney Parade. Theo Lawson's unbeaten 94 at almost even time (8 fours) helped Pembroke to 286 for 5, after they had lost Ireland skipper Andy Balbirnie for just a single in the second over. Diarmaid (53) and Lorcan (39) Tucker got the innings back on track, and a stand of 92 in 15 overs between Lawson and Barry McCarthy - who scored a run-a-ball 42 kept the runs flowing. Aaron Doyle's half century kept Malahide interested, but two wickets each for Piyush Sharma (2-13), Joe Prendergast (2-33), Donncha Tucker (2-49) and Poonish Mehta (2-50) sealed the win.
Dublin University lost to Phoenix by 18 runs.
College Park, 14 May.
Phoenix 173-9 (50 overs; S Black 37, T Kane 35, G Dockrell 30, W Bennett 22; D Vincent 4-30, M O'Reilly 2-13)
Dublin University 155 (49 overs; M Hogan 31, T Dempsey 23, M O'Reilly 20; C Sheil 2-11, T Kane 2-29, B White 2-31)
Phoenix 173-9 (50 overs; S Black 37, T Kane 35, G Dockrell 30, W Bennett 22; D Vincent 4-30, M O'Reilly 2-13)
Dublin University 155 (49 overs; M Hogan 31, T Dempsey 23, M O'Reilly 20; C Sheil 2-11, T Kane 2-29, B White 2-31)
Phoenix clinched the Graham Pasley Cup as they beat Dublin University at College Park by 18 runs. Stephen Black top scored with 37 as Phoenix made 173 for 9 - runs too for Irish internationals Tyrone Kane (35) and George Dockrell (30). David Vincent took four wickets with his off-spin, while left-armer Mikey O'Reilly took 2 for 13. The students were always a little behind in the chase despite 31 from Michael Hogan and 20's in a late rally by Theo Dempsey and Mikey O'Reilly. The Phoenix attack stuck to their task well with two wickets each for Conor Sheil, Tyrone Kane and Ben White.
Phoenix captain Tyrone Kane after the match
Railway Union lost to The Hills by 179 runs.
Park Avenue, 14 May.
The Hills 247-7 (50 overs; C McLoughlin-Gavin 113, A Kavanagh 58, M Donegan 36; A Matthew 3-35, L McCarthy 3-40)
Railway Union 68 (24.3 overs; K Carroll 25; J Tall 4-3, D Blignaut 3-16, Athar Farooqi 2-7)
The Hills 247-7 (50 overs; C McLoughlin-Gavin 113, A Kavanagh 58, M Donegan 36; A Matthew 3-35, L McCarthy 3-40)
Railway Union 68 (24.3 overs; K Carroll 25; J Tall 4-3, D Blignaut 3-16, Athar Farooqi 2-7)
The Hills made light of the dismissal first ball of Murray Commins to go on and score 247 for 7 at Park Avenue. McLoughlin-Gavin shared stands of 137 for the second wicket with Andrew Kavanagh (58) and a rapid 72 in just eight overs with Mark Donegan (36) as The Hills accelerated the scoring. Railway's Alan Matthew and Liam McCarthy each took three wickets. The Hills attack never let Railway's chase get going as they were skittled for just 68 - Kenny Carroll's 25 the only double figures contribution. Jonathan Tall (4-3), Dylan Blignaut (3-16) and Athar Farooqi (2-7) did the damage in the emphatic 179-run win.
Centurion Cormac McLoughlin-Gavin
Terenure lost to North County by 151 runs.
Terenure, 14 May.
North County 222-9 (50 overs; J Mooney 57*, M Nofal 30, E Richardson 26, Ashish Jain 29, J Grassi 24; Raghav Grover 4=47. Bhavic Tukrel 2-45)
Terenure 71 (27.1 overs; M Nofal 4-11, Ashish Jain 2-13, Usman Azhar 2-13)
North County 222-9 (50 overs; J Mooney 57*, M Nofal 30, E Richardson 26, Ashish Jain 29, J Grassi 24; Raghav Grover 4=47. Bhavic Tukrel 2-45)
Terenure 71 (27.1 overs; M Nofal 4-11, Ashish Jain 2-13, Usman Azhar 2-13)
North County also impressed as they beat Terenure by 151 runs. John Mooney's unbeaten 57 saw County post 222 for 7 - Raghav Grover taking 4-47. Malcolm Nofal made 30 and followed it up taking four wickets with his left-arm spin as Terenure were bundled out for 71.
T20 Cup
Final: The Hills beat Clontarf by 5 wickets
Milverton, 9 August.
Clontarf 135/7 (20 overs; PJ Moor 36, D Delany 31, E Delany 31*; L Shields 3-19, Ash Bain 2-19) The Hills 136/5 (19 overs; D Blignaut 42*, L Shields 31, M Commins 21)
JIm Bennett presents the cup to Andrew Kavanagh (Cricket Leinster)
Dylan Blignaut’s unbeaten 42 steered The Hills to a five-wicket win against Clontarf in the Alan Murray Cup final at Milverton. Chasing 135, the game was in the balance at 90 for 5, despite breezy cameos from Levon Shields who hit 6 fours in his 31 and Murray Commins (21 from 10 balls; 3 fours, 1 six). Blignaut and skipper Tomas Rooney-Murphy (17*) added 47 in six overs to seal victory with 11 balls to spare. The German international’s 42 came from only 24 deliveries and included three fours and three sixes. Earlier, PJ Moor (36) and David Delany (31) had shared an opening stand of 50 in 5 overs, but were pegged back by wickets for Shields (3-19) and Ash Bain (2-19). Eoghan Delany’s steady unbeaten 31 took Clontarf to 135 for 7, but it proved not to be enough. The Hills will now host Cork Harlequins in the All-Ireland T20 semi-final on Sunday.
Andrew Kavanagh and Tomas Rooney-Murphy
Semi-Final: The Hills beat North County by 9 wickets.
Milverton, 22 July.
North County 78 (16.5 overs; E Richardson 32; D Blignaut 3-13, J Tall 3-14, L Shields 2-21) The Hills 80-1 (9.3 overs; M Commins 45*)
Jonathan Tall who took 3 wickets
The Hills won a bloodless Fingal derby against North County to reach the final of the Alan Murray Cup. Batting first, County’s innings was soon in tatters, Jamie Grassi out in the first over, and Malcolm Nofal run out in the second. It continued in that vein, at one stage 20 for 5. Eddie Richardson’s 32 (4 four) gave a modicum of respectability but 78 all out is never going to win a game. Dylan Blignaut and Jonathan Tall took three wickets each, while there were two for Levon Shields. The chase was over before the halfway stage with Murray Commins hitting 5 fours and 3 sixes in an undefeated 45 from 2 balls, while Levon Shields made 20 not out in the emphatic 9-wicket win.
Semi-Final: Phoenix lost to Clontarf by 22 runs.
Phoenix Park, 22 July.
Clontarf 144-4 (20 overs; D Delany 73, D Vincent 36) Phoenix 122-8 (20 overs; L McDonough 28; L Thomson 3-15, D Vincent 2-25, D Delany 2-28)
Luke Thomson took 3 wickets (Deryck Vincent)
Clontarf are through to the T20 final after defending 144 to win by 22 runs against Phoenix in the Park. The hosts drafted in New Zealander Luke Georgeson from CSNI, and he had an immediate impact dismissing PJ Moor for just a single. David Vincent (36) and David Delany then added 58 for the second wicket as Clontarf laid the foundations. The in-form Delany hit 8 fours and 2 sixes in a top-score of 73 from 53 balls as the Castle Avenue side ended on 144 for 4. Teenager Luke Thomson (3-15) took the huge scalps of Georgeson, Tyrone Kane and Stephen Black to put the brakes on the chase. David Delany and David Vincent took two wickets apiece to complete fine-all round matches – the latter having the dangerous Adam Chester stumped and completing a brilliant caught and bowled off Ben White.
Luke Thomson of Clontarf
Group A
| P | W | T | NR | L | Pts | NRR | |
| Clontarf | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 3.98 |
| Railway Union | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0.56 |
| Malahide | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | -0.02 |
| Adamstown | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | -3.61 |
Railway Union beat Malahide by 4 runs.
Park Avenue, 21 June.
Railway Union 168-3 (20 overs; K Carroll 61, A Matthew 50, H Sultan 46*) Malahide 164-7 (20 overs; R Hackney 95, F McAllister 26; H Maan 2-23, S O'Brien 2-25, A Matthew 2-39)
Kenny Carroll hit 7 fours and 3 sixes as he top scored with 61 from only 35 balls as Railway Union took on Malahide. The former Irish international added 103 in ten overs with Alan Matthew (50), and Hashir Sultan (46*) kept the runs going as they made 168 for 3. It didn't look enough though as Ryan Hackney made 95 from 59 balls (7 fours, 4 sixes), but he just couldn't get his side over the line as with 12 needed off the last over, he fell to Sean O'Brien (2-25) as Malahide ended four runs short.
Clontarf beat Adamstown by 8 wickets.
Castle Avenue, 21 June.
Adamstown 101-9 (20 overs; A Tariq 25; J McNally 3-7, M Butler 2-13, R Cronje 2-14) Clontarf 105-2 (10 overs; R Cronje 47, J McNally 24)
Clontarf flexed their muscles with a comfortable eight wickets win at home to Adamstown. John McNally took three wickets as the visitors were restricted to 101 for 9. AAron McGeehan fell first ball of the chase, but Ruan Cronje then hit 10 fours in his 47, adding 86 in just 40 balls with McNally (24) as Clontarf sealed the win with ten overs to spare.
Group B
| P | W | T | NR | L | Pts | NRR | |
| North County | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 5.08 |
| Merrion | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 4.78 |
| Balbriggan | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | -2.65 |
| Civil Service | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | -7.68 |
North County beat Civil Service by 141 runs.
Balrothery, 21 June.
North County 214-5 (20 overs; M Nofal 134, J Andrews 40; B Thambi 3/20)
Civil Service 73 (18.4 overs; U Azhar 3-14, A Ghaffar 3-18, G Muhammad 2-8, M Nofal 2-16)
Malcolm Nofal launched a brutal attack on the Civil Service bowlers on his way to a match winning 134. The overseas professional hit 16 fours and 7 sixes in his 65-ball innings. sharing a second wicket stand of 154 in 12 overs with Jonathan Andrews (40) as County posted 214 for 5. In reply CS were bowled out for 73, with three wickets apiece for Usman Azhar and Abdul Ghaffar.
Merrion beat Balbriggan by 44 runs.
Anglesea Road, 21 June.
Merrion 178-6 (20 overs; F Marais 31, S Modgill 28, M Lewis 27, J Carty 23, S Stanton 21*; C De Freitas 2-19, D Lues 2-51) Balbriggan 138-10 (18.3 overs; G Ford 36, D Lues 32, K Ali 25; D Forkin 3-29, T Stanton 2-14, H Kennedy 2-19)
A solid batting effort from Merrion helped them beat Balbriggan by 44 runs at Anglesea Road. Franco Marais top scored with 31, while 20s from Swapnil Modgill, Mike Lewis, Jack Carty and Sean Stanton helped them to 178 for 8 - two wickets for Chris De Freitas and Dylan Lues. Skipper Greg Ford top scored with 36 in the chase, while Lues made 32, but three wickets for spinner Daniel Forkin, plus two apiece for skipper Tom Stanton and Hugh Kennedy ensured the 44-run win.
Group C
| P | W | T | NR | L | Pts | NRR | |
| Phoenix | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | -0.97 |
| Leinster | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3.33 |
| YMCA | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1.51 |
| Terenure | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | -3.07 |
Terenure beat YMCA by 6 runs.
Terenure, 21 June.
Terenure 181-9 (20 overs; S Lynch 64, D Lynch 55; R Anders 3-26, R Wilson 2-47) YMCA 175-8 (20 overs; R Anders 54, T Tector 33, A Bailey 29; A Doyle 2-21, M Cotter 2-36, Z Khan 2-39, R Grover 2-44)
Seamus Lynch continued his weekend run blitz as he clubbed 7 sixes and 5 fours in his 64 from just 21 balls, sharing an opening stand of 98 in 50 balls with his brother Donal, who cleared the ropes four times in his 55. Rory Anders took three wickets to stem the flow as Terenure finished on 181 for 9. Anders then hit 5 sixes and 5 fours in a quickfire 55 from just 22 balls as 76 runs came in the powerplay. The home side though chipped away, taking wickets at crucial times to eke out a six-run win against YM.
Leinster lost to Phoenix by 3 runs.
Rathmines, 21 June.
Phoenix 139-9 (20 overs; A Chester 34, B White 29; B Azhar 3-19, B Mitchell 3-21, J Carroll 3-34) Leinster 136-10 (18.5 overs; B Mitchell 78; T Dempsey 3-28, B White 3-33, D Ranolia 2-23, O Hald 2-28)
Phoenix recovered from 47 for 6 to post 139 at Rathmines. Adam Chester made a run-a-ball 34, while Ben White hit 5 fours in a quickfire 29. For the home side there were three wickets apiece for Joey Carroll, Bilal Azhar and Ben Mitchell. The Australian then looked to be easing his side to victory as he hit 9 fours and 4 sixes in his 78 from 45 balls, but White, Devender Ranolia, and Oliver Hald kept plugging away, and with eight wickets down, five runs were still needed. Theo Dempsey (3-28) then dismissed Jack Barry and Aviril Shukla to clinch what looked an unlikely three-run win.
Group D
| P | W | T | NR | L | Pts | NRR | |
| The Hills | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 1.72 |
| Rush | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0.31 |
| North Kildare | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0.25 |
| Pembroke | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | -1.17 |
The Hills beat Pembroke by 8 wickets.
The Vineyard, 21 June.
Pembroke 140-7 (20 overs; D Hogan 39, S Gupta 31*, JJ Garth 25; D Blignaut 3-27, A Farooqi 2-19) The Hills 141-2 (16.1 overs; D Blignaut 84*, C McLoughlin-Gavin 41*)
It was the Dylan Blignaut show at The Vineyard as the German international firstly took three wickets to keep Pembroke to 140 for 7, with runs from Danny Hogan (39), Sanil Gupta (31), and JJ Garth (25). The Hills lost two quick wickets in the reply, but were blown away then by Blignaut's blitzkrieg of boundaries. He smashed 8 sixes and 4 fours in his unbeaten 84 from juts 51 balls, sharing an unbroken third wicket stand of 129 with Cormac McLoughlin-Gavin (41*), to get the win with almost four overs to spare.
North Kildare tied with Rush.
The Maws, 21 June.
Rush 178-8 (20 overs; L Johnson 55, A Abbasi 36, J McGee 27; K Sidiqi 4-28) North Kildare 178-6 (20 overs; M Patel 48, K Pawar 41.H Maroof 27, A Sattar 25; J McGee 4-35)
Llew Johnson's run-filled season continued as he hit 7 fours and 3 sixes in a rapid 55 from just 21 balls to help Rush to 178 for 8 at The Maws - four wickets for Khawaja Murtaza Sidiqui. Indian overseas professional Kaustubh Pawar (41) and Monil Patel (48) got the reply off to a flyer, but were pegged back by four wickets for Jack McGee. 12 were needed off the last over, and when Abdul Sattar cleared the ropes from the first, the home side were favourites. However, with two needed from the last ball, Sattar was run out attempting the second to ensure honours were even in a pulsating contest.
Women's Competitions
Women's Cup Final: Merrion beat Clontarf by 79 runs
Sydney Parade, Pembroke, 1 August.
Merrion 160/2 (20 overs; R Stokell 70, L Paul 58; J McNally 2-29) Clontarf 81 (16.2 overs; C Raack 4-11, J Morrissey 3-25)
Winners Merrion (Cricket Leinster)
Merrion won the Women’s Senior Cup with a fine all-round display beating Clontarf by 79 runs at Sydney Parade. The victory was set up by an opening stand of 149 between Irish internationals Leah Paul and Rebecca Stokell. The pair each scored half centuries, with Stokell hitting eight boundaries as she hit 70 from 54 balls, while left-hander Paul hit four fours in her 58 from 54 deliveries. The pair were both dismissed in successive balls by Julie McNally (2-29) as Merrion ended on 160 for 2. In the chase, openers Bhavi Devchand and Christina Coulter-Reilly both made 17 as the Castle Avenue side reached 42 for 1. However, four wickets for Celeste Raack (4-11) and three for Julianne Morrissey (3-25) saw them bowled out for 81 in the 17th over. The men’s final between The Hills and Clontarf was abandoned and will be replayed at a date still tbc.
Pilkington Plate Final: Clontarf beat Merrion by 6 runs
Anglesea Road, 18 September.
Clontard 179 (33.1 overs: C Coulter-Reilly 72, A Kirk 51; N McNulty 4-26) Merrion 173 (38.5 overs; C Joyce 31, C Raack 30, A Boucher 21; M Butler 3-36, J McNally 2-15)
Clontarf made it a memorable weekend for their women's and girls sections as they edged out Merrion by 6 runs in a thrilling Pilkington Plate final. The Castle Avenue side looked in trouble batting first as they slipped to 33 for 4 batting first, but were rescued by a fifth wicket stand of 92 between Christina Coulter-Reilly and Anna Kirk. CCR top-scored with a fine 72 from 78 balls (7 fours), while Kirk also made aa half century, hitting four boundaries in her 51 as Clontarf posted 179. Niamh MacNulty (4-26) was the stand-out bowler for Merrion. The chase looked to be going to plan for the hosts as Cecelia Joyce (31) and Celeste Raack (30) shared a second wicket stand of 82. However, Clontarf chipped away and wickets for Mollie Butler (3-36) and Julie McNally (2-15) ensured the narrow win to seal the third trophy of the weekend for the club.
Reports & Articles
Hoey hitting the highs Down Under
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The Trinity and Pembroke man has been playing with University of New South Wales and at the half-way break he is the leading wicket-taker in the Sydney Second Grade competition.
Jamie-Lee Strang signs for Balbriggan
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Balbriggan have confirmed the signing of Jamie-Lee Strang for their Women's side for the 2023 season.
Leinster Senior Cup draw made
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The draw was made at the weekend for the 2023 Leinster Senior Cup.
Death of David Murray
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Brian Gilmore on former West Indian international David Murray, who was coach of Malahide in 1986.
Sacred Chain
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There I found it. A 22-yard strip of fine turf, a cut above the scutchy tawny rough grass that surrounded it. I’d have guessed it hadn’t been used for one hundred years but there it was, in open ground in Dublin’s Phoenix Park.
Rush return for McGuire
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Rush have confirmed that all-rounder Nathan McGuire is returning to the club for the entirety of the 2023 season.
Balbriggan keen to build on success
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It's been an incredible few years for Balbriggan securing back-to-back league titles, but the Fingal club isn't resting on their laurels with plans for expansion to build on their success.
Winner Botha determined to keep growing
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It's been a dream start for Andre Botha in his tenure as Balbriggan Head Coach, helping them to the Leinster Championship and Premiership in successive seasons. He won't be resting on his laurels though, with plans already in place to keep them at the top.
LCU Review 6: Pembroke
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It was a very mixed season for Pembroke, who despite lifting the Senior League Cup were relegated from the Premiership on the final day of the season.
Early birthday present for Una Raymond-Hoey
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Former Clontarf batter Una Raymond-Hoey has been drafted into the Melbourne Stars squad for the Women's Big Bash League.
LCU Review 5: North County
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While North County failed in their quest to gain promotion to the top flight of Leinster cricket, they did at least have the consolation of a trophy, winning the Irish National Cup.
Hoey makes strong start Down Under
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It's been a great start in Australia for Pembroke and Leinster Lightning leg-spinner Gavin Hoey.
LCU Review 4: Rush
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It wasn't a great season for Rush, although in Llew Johnson, they had the top run scorer of the season as he made well over a thousand runs in a prolific run of form.
LCU Review 3: The Hills
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It was a mixed season for The Hills, who although they lifted the Alan Murray T20 Cup, needed a last day battling effort to get the bonus points required to avoid the drop.
LCU Review 2: Balbriggan
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We continue our Leinster club reviews with a look at who did what for Premier League champions Balbriggan.
LCU Review 1: Clontarf
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We start our reviews of the Leinster clubs with a look at Clontarf. The Castle Avenue side just missed out on silverware losing the League Cup and T20 finals, but it took a final day win to avoid relegation from the Premier.
Clontarf beat Merrion to clinch Pilkington Plate
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Clontarf made it a memorable weekend for their women's/girls section as they edged out Merrion by 6 runs in a thrilling Pilkington Plate final.
Pembroke and Phoenix relegated
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On a dramatic last day in the Premiership, Pembroke and Phoenix finish in the bottom two and will be playing Championship cricket in 2023.
Leinster and Railway Union promoted
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Gareth Delany and Saqib Bahadhur were to the fore as Leinster won the Championship with a 61-run win over bottom side Cork Harlequins at Rathmines.
Balbriggan worthy Premier League Champions
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Balbriggan were crowned Premier Champions after their scheduled clash with Phoenix was washed out on Saturday.
Star studded line-up for Philip Quinlan Cup
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The second edition of the Philip Quinlan Perpetual Cup played between South and North Leinster Over 40’s will take place at Merrion Cricket Club on the Thursday 8th of September with a 4pm start time.
Wins for bottom three in Premier League
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Skipper Theo Lawson’s century gained his side vital points in their quest to avoid relegation as they travelled to table toppers Balbriggan.
Kildare beat Leinster to open up Championship race
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The Championship title race took another twist as North Kildare got the better of Leinster in a low-scoring match at The Maws.
Death of Vincent Savino
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The news that Vincent Savino has passed comes as a shock, despite his 94 years. It was a long life but one which VF filled with the things he loved, family, the military and sport whether playing or coaching.
Wins for North County and Rush
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There were just two games scheduled in the Leinster Championship on Saturday, resulting in comfortable wins for Rush and North County.
Promotion battle heats up in Leinster Championship
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Leinster are back in the mix after their 191-run mauling of Cork County.
Balbriggan take giant leap towards title
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Balbriggan won the Fingal derby against The Hills to give themselves some breathing space in their quest for a historic Premiership crown in the year of the underdog.
McCarthy's party as Railway beat Leinster
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Railway Union beat Leinster in the promotion race, while North County, North Kildare and Cork County also win.
Balbriggan stay top with one wicket win over Pembroke
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Balbriggan hold their nerve to edge out Pembroke, while The Hills are closing fast after Merrion beaten. Wins too for Malahide thanks to a record stand, and Phoenix win crucial basement battle over Clontarf.
Leaders falter in Leinster Premiership race
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There were wins in the Premiership for Clontarf, The Hills, YMCA and Malahide.
Leinster Championship race bubbling up
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Railway Union, Leinster, Terenure and Cork County win in the Championship.
Merrion wins Women's Cup
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Merrion won the Women’s Senior Cup with a fine all-round display beating Clontarf by 79 runs at Sydney Parade.
Railway, Leinster, and Rush win in Championship
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Railway Union beat Terenure, Leinster won at North County, while Llew Johnson was again in the runs as Rush beat Cork Harlequins.
Balbriggan and Merrion both beaten
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There were Premiership wins for Clontarf, Malahide, The Hills and Pembroke.
Clontarf and The Hills to meet in T20 final
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Clontarf are through to the T20 final after defending 144 to win by 22 runs against Phoenix in the Park. They will meet The Hills who won a one-sided Fingal derby against North County.
Balbriggan and Merrion pull clear of the pack
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Balbriggan continue to defy the odds as they pulled off a remarkable chase to beat YMCA at Claremont Road.
Championship race hotting up in Leinster
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It was the Joey Carroll show at Rathmines as the all-rounder scored a brilliant century to help Leinster to an emphatic win over Cork Harlequins. Wins too for Railway Union, North Kildare and North County.
Bowlers on top in Championhip
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There were wins in the Championship for Cork and North County, Leinster and Railway Union on a day dominated by the bowlers.
Magnificent seven for Kane
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Phoenix produced an almost Lazarus like comeback to stun Pembroke, putting a serious dent in the Sydney Parade’s title ambitions. The Hills beat YMCA, while Merrion bring Balbriggan back to earth with a bump.
Rosslee to debut for YMCA
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YMCA will have 18 year-old South African wicket-keeper batsman Adam Rosslee making his debut this weekend against The Hills.
Leinster Women's Cup semi-finalists decided
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The Women’s Senior Cup quarter-finals all went ahead, albeit shorn of the international players, taking a little gloss off the proceedings. YMCA coped without star performer Gaby Lewis, as they beat Phoenix by 42 runs.
Richardson five wickets lead North County to victory
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There are wins in the Championship for North and Cork County, Terenure and Railway Union.
Balbriggan continue to set the Premiership pace
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Balbriggan beat The Hills, while there are also wins for Merrion, Pembroke and YMCA.
Leinster Championship round-up
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Terenure stun North County, Leinster hammer Rush, Railway edge out Cork County, while North Kildare prove too strong for Cork Harlequins.
Leinster Premiership round-up
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Balbriggan win again, Malahide beat Clontarf to collect the Podge Hughes trophy, centuries for the Tectors as YMCA thump The Hills, while Phoenix win at Pembroke.
Lewis breaks record in YMCA run feast
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It was a record-breaking display for Gaby Lewis, Jennifer Gray and the YMCA team as they beat rivals Pembroke by 143 runs at Sydney Parade.
Drama aplenty in Alan Murray T20 Cup
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It was a night of two halves in the Alan Murray T20 Cup with four one-sided games contrasted by four thrillers, which saw a tie plus three games that went to the wire.
Championship wins for Leinster, North County, Kildare and Terenure
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Leinster were the day’s biggest winners in the Championship as they crushed Railway Union by 216 runs at Park Avenue.
Balbriggan continue to set the pace
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Balbriggan’s excellent league campaign continued as they beat Clontarf by 87 runs in a statement win that shows they are to be taken as serious title contenders.
50 years of The Hills
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The Hills have released a YouTube video celebrating their 50th anniversary.
Championship wins for County, Kildare, Railway and Rush
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In the Championship there were convincing wins for North Kildare, North County, Railway Union and Rush.
Premiership wins for YM, Merrion, Balbriggan and The Hills
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The Hills, Balbriggan, YMCA and Merrion were the winning teams in the Premiership on Sunday.
Pembroke beat Clontarf to lift League Cup
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Pembroke ended a 23 year spell as they beat Clontarf to capture the League Cup at Sydney Parade.
Garth the Great as Pembroke beat Merrion
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JJ Garth top scored with 86 and gave a fielding masterclass as Pembroke made light of the absence of three internationals to beat Merrion by 84 runs in the League Cup semi-final.
McNally the hero as Clontarf beat County in thriller
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John McNally was the Clontarf hero as he guided the Castle Avenue side to a one-wicket win against North County in the League Cup semi-final.
Alan Murray T20 Cup round-up
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Rain wasn't far away as the Alan Murray T20 competition got under way on Thursday night.
North County pip The Hills to semi-final slot
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North County pipped Fingal rivals The Hills to second place in Group B and secured the semi-final berth along with group winners Pembroke.
Merrion beat Cork to secure semi-final berth
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Merrion made the journey to Cork knowing a win would guarantee second spot and they duly achieved their goal with a professional 102-run win.
Pembroke win Group B
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Pembroke clinched Group B with a six-run win against Railway, but it's tight for second place with The Hills five-run win over Trinity drawing them level with North County, who lost by one wicket against Phoenix.
Clontarf stay top of Group A
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The Delany brothers deliver again as Clontarf stay top of Group A, while there were also wins for Merrion, Balbriggan and YMCA.
YM back home with a bang
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YMCA's return to Claremont Road was a successful one as they beat The Hills by ten wickets in their Leinster Senior Women's clash. Pembroke, Clontarf and Merrion were also victorious.
Sully
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Andrew Poynter and myself were always chuffed to see Daniel O'Sullivan or Sully as he is known to all, arrive, he was a good kid who gave his best and was a pleasure to coach.
McLoughlin-Gavin scores ton as Hills win
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Cormac McLoughlin-Gavin was the day's third centurion as his 113 helped The Hills beat Railway Union, while there were also wins in Group B for North County, Phoenix and Pembroke.
Tector and Ford score hundreds
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Centuries from Harry Tector and Greg Ford helped YMCA and Balbriggan to victory, while there were also wins in Group A for Clontarf and Leinster.
Tector and Coulter-Reilly five wicket hauls
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Five wicket hauls for YMCA's Alice Tector and Clontarf's Christina Coulter-Reilly were the highlights of the latest round of Leinster Women's Division One games.
Delany delivers again as Clontarf beat Balbriggan
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David Delany starred again as Clontarf hammered Balbriggan, while there were victories too for Merrion, YMCA and Cork County.
Tucker century as Pembroke beat The Hills
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Lorcan Tucker scored a century as Pembroke defeated The Hills, North County beat Dublin University while there are also wins in Group B for Railway Union and Phoenix.
Sophie's Choice
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Sophie MacMahon was the star of the show in the Leinster Women's top flight clash against The Hills, scoring an unbeaten century in their convincing win.
Delany delivers as Clontarf break Kildare hearts
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David Delany orchestrated a super rearguard action as Clontarf beat North Kildare by one wicket at The Maws.
McCarthy's party as Pembroke stun North County
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Barry McCarthy was the Pembroke hero as he struck a last ball six to beat North County in Balrothery.
Leinster edge out Cork County in thriller
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There was further last-ball drama at The Mardyke as Leinster edged out Cork County, while Merrion trounced Balbriggan by ten wickets.
Students impress as Trinity hammer Terenure
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Dublin University beat Teernure by 9 wickets, while The Hills and Railway Union had convincing wins over Malahide and Phoenix.
Dramatic tie in Leinster Women's league
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There was drama at Rathmines with defending champions Leinster and YMCA tieing in the Women's Division One match.
No shortage of thrills and spills as Leinster season opens
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There was no shortage of drama with plenty of talking points as the Leinster senior action began with wins for Trinity, Merrion, Pembroke, Clontarf, North County, Rush, Balbriggan and Malahide.
Leinster Preview 15: Terenure
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Donal Lynch is captain of Terenure and will have three new players in the ranks as they attempt to challenge for promotion to the top flight of Leinster cricket.
Leinster Preview 14: Leinster CC
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Bilal Azhar is captaining the Rathmines club and he will have a few new faces at his disposal for the upcoming campaign.
History for Balbriggan Women
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There was a little bit of history this week as Balbriggan Women played their first competitive match in their 61 years, making a winning start as they beat North Kildare.
Leinster Preview 13: Railway Union
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Railway Union will be hoping Liam McCarthy is able to lead them to promotion in 2022.
Leinster Preview 12: The Hills
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With new coach Jeremy Bray at the helm, you get the feeling this could be the year the Milverton side get back into the trophy hunt.
Gupta stars as Trinity beat UCD
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Sanil Gupta's 98 inspired his Trinity to an 80-run win against UCD in the first Blues match between the side in seven years.
Leinster Preview 11: North Kildare
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North Kildare certainly held their own in the Championship last year and they will looking to continue to lay solid foundations in 2022.
Leinster Preview 10: Rush
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There was mixed news for Rush this past week with the news that Lynal Jansen was returning as a coach, while Nathan McGuire had opted to move to the NW to join Glendermott.
Colin Siller takes coaching role at Clontarf
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Colin Siller is back. The much travelled cricket coach is returning to Ireland to take a Director of Coaching role at Clontarf.
Leinster Preview 9: Dublin University
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Dublin University bring a different and welcome challenge to Leinster cricket sides and the students have real quality as well as youth at their disposal in 2022.
Leinster Preview 8: Cork County
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After two shortened seasons it is a return to an action-packed full schedule for the club competing in both Munster and Leinster competitions.
Open day success for Rush
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A fantastic initiative by Rush CC will see 125 youths trying cricket at the club's Kenure ground on Saturday April 89h.
Leinster Preview 7: North County
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It's been a tough time for North County but the Balrothery side are confident they have what it takes to return to the top flight of Leinster cricket.
Leinster Preview 6: Balbriggan
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It's a historic season for Balbriggan who dip their toes into the water of Leinster Premier cricket for the first time.
Leinster Preview 5: YMCA
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While there still is great uncertainty over the future of their Claremont Road home, YMCA received a major boost last week with the appointment of Graham Ford as their Head Coach.
Leinster Preview 4: Malahide
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Matt Ford is the man with the captain's armband as the village side look to build on the progress of previous seasons.
Leinster Preview 3: Pembroke
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Pembroke on their day can put out a formidable side but international commitments mean they are rarely at full strength.
Leinster Preview 2: Clontarf
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Eoghan Delany is the captain at Clontarf and is looking forward to leading the Castle Avenue side into the new season next month.
Leinster Preview 1: Phoenix
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It wasn't the best of seasons for Phoenix in 2021, but they have strengthened their squad with three quality additions to their ranks.
Balbriggan sign Australian Ryan Hadley
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Balbriggan have signed Australian Ryan Hadley as their overseas professional for the 2022 season.
Ben White back at Phoenix
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Irish international Ben White is returning to his boyhood club Phoenix for the 2022 season.
MCC confirm Irish tour
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The MCC Women’s team will visit Ireland for the first time, playing a two-match series against an Ireland Women’s Select XI and a Leinster President’s XI– with Irish players set to feature on both sides of the contest.
The Story of Cricket in Fingal
by James Bennett
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The factors which enabled cricket to survive and then thrive in Fingal are analysed in detail and the inextricable links between cricket and the social, political, and cultural history of Fingal are examined.
Double for Lewis at Irish awards
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Gaby Lewis picked up two awards at the Irish Cricket Ceremony on Friday night.
Life Lessons
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In tribute to Podge Hughes we reproduce Deryck Vincent's article on valuable life lessons taught by the former Irish international.
Grants bonus for clubs
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Huge boost for Balbriggan and Galway in particular as they receive huge cash injections from the government capital grants scheme.
Leinster appoint Aussie Woods
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Leinster Cricket Club has announced the appointment of Ron Woods as their Women’s and Girl’s Head Coach for the upcoming 2022 season.
Jamie Grassi joins The Hills
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Former Ireland Under 19 international Jamie Grassi has confirmed he is joining The Hills from Phoenix.
Malahide sign Ryan Hackney
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Malahide have confirmed the signing of Australian Ryan Hackney as their overseas player for the 2022 season.
Clontarf seek Director of Coaching
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Clontarf are on the lookout for a Director of Coaching ahead of the start of the new season.
Jeremy Bray appointed Hills Head Coach
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The Hills have announced the appointment of Jeremy Bray, the former Irish international, as its new Head Coach.
Merrion role for Hingston
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Merrion have appointed Michael Hingston as their Youth Development Officer.
Terenure strengthen ahead of new campaign
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Australian batsman Henry Dall and New Zealander Jono Tuffin are Dublin bound this summer.
Coaching roles at Malahide
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Malahide CC is looking for a new Cricket Development Officer for their youth section and also a new Women’s Senior head coach with excellent remuneration package for both roles.
Leinster seeking new coach
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Leinster Cricket Club are looking to employ a Women’s and Girl’s Head Coach for the 2022 season, and beyond.
Photographs
- Clontarf II v Pembroke II (17 August)
- Pembroke Women v County Kerry Oystercatchers (14 August)
- Clontarf v Balbriggan (6 August)
- Dublin University v MCC (2 August)
- Merrion 2 v Clontarf 2 (24 July)
- Phoenix v Clontarf, Alan Murray T20 Cup (22 July)
- Clontarf v Merrion (23 July)
- Pembroke II v Clontarf II, Tillain Cup (26 June)
- Clontarf V v Civil Service IV (12 June)
- Malahide v Dublin University (28 May)
- North County headshots (21 May)
- Balbriggan headshots (21 May)
- The Hills Headshots (21 May)
- Merrion v Clontarf 2nd inns (15 May)
- North County II v Clontarf II (15 May)
- Merrion v Clontarf 1st inns (14 May)
- Clontarf Women v Leinster Women (11 May)
- North Kildare v Clontarf (3 May)
- Knockharley v Co. Galway (25 April)
- Dublin University v Railway Union (23 April)
- Leinster Women v Merrion Women (16 April)
- Trinity v UCD (15 April)
- Clontarf pre-season (10 April)
Audio
Kenny Carroll on winning promotion to the Premiership (10 September)