CLONTARF VICTORIOUS IN GIRLS U17 CUP!

This evening saw Clontarf’s U17 Girls take home the Gresham House U17 Cup for 2025 and in doing so booked their place in the All Irelands. They ran out comprehensive winners by 8 wickets on a beautiful evening at Sydney Parade.

At the toss, Pembroke won and elected to bat first on their home soil. They were initially under the pump after a tight opening salvo from the Clontarf bowlers saw them slump to 18-3. Pembroke were able to fight back through a magnificent partnership between Georgia Beatty and Jessica Duffy Mullen, Beatty the aggressor contributing 27 with no less than 5 boundaries. After her dismissal off the bowling of Katie O’Toole the momentum swung and despite a fighting 17 from Duffy Mullen their side could muster only 116/8 from their 20 overs.

The chase didn’t initially appear to be straight forward as some good bowling from Pembroke caused ‘Tarf issues. Things looked even trickier when Clontarf lost Julie McNally early LBW off the bowling of McLean. This only succeeded in bringing Genevieve Morrissey to the crease who along with Sinead Thompson formed an outstanding partnership. The pair were sedate at first but were able to open their shoulders as Pembroke wrung the changes in an effort to get a much needed breakthrough.

The only minor hitch for the girls from Castle Avenue was the loss of Sinead Thomson falling caught and bowled to sharp reaction effort from Georgia Beatty for 25. This was as good as it got for the Pembroke side as Morrissey saw her side over the line with 8 wickets and plenty of time to spare to get their hands on the cup for 2025. Morrissey eventually finishing unbeaten on 58 in guiding her side to victory.

Cricket Leinster would like to thank all at Gresham House for their support of youth cricket in Leinster in 2025, it is greatly appreciated.