LEINSTER LIGHTNING SEAL IP20 TITLE ONCE AGAIN!

Even the rain couldn't halt the Sherwin O'Riordan Leinster Lightning this afternoon, as they claimed a comprehensive DLS victory over the North West Warriors in the first IP20 of the day in Lisburn.

This victory means they have now secured the IP20 title for the third year on the bounce.

Having won the toss, Lorcan Tucker decided to bowl first, and there were wickets in the PowerPlay once again, as Jai Moondra and Fionn Hand were both successful. When Moondra claimed his second wicket in the 12th over to dismiss Scott Macbeth, it was an all-Leinster affair on the field as Gareth Delany joined Andy Balbirnie at the crease.

Delany struck five boundaries before becoming his club-mate Moondra's third victim of the day in the final over, however when Balbirnie got back on strike, he was able to move to a century from 60 balls to set the Lightning a DLS adjusted target of 185 in 18 overs.

Tim Tector hooked the first ball of the innings straight to fine-leg to be dismissed by Liam McCarthy without scoring, however from there on it was all about the Lightning batters, as Stephen Doheny initially carted 42 from just 14 deliveries including four boundaries and three maximums, before falling with the score on 66 after just four and a half overs.

That saw the skipper Tucker joining Harry Tector at the crease, and the pair continued to accelerated matters, adding an unbroken partnership of 63 from the next five overs, before the rain struck once again with the Lightning 40 runs ahead on the DLS method, meaning they once again claimed a Bonus Point in securing the competition with a game to spare.

Leinster Lightning has dominated the IP competitions since they were reconstituted in 2013 and this year’s success is their 10th time as IP20 Champions in the 14 years of the competition. It is also their 7th double (IP20 & IP50) and the third in succession (2024/25/26) despite the continued reallocation of many CL players to other PU teams.

Huge congratulations to the whole squad and in particular to Head Coach, Andre Botha and Captain Lorcan Tucker on this major achievement.

Our thanks to James Sherwin and David O’Riordan (Sherwin O’Riordan Solicitors) for their ongoing sponsorship support of the Leinster Lightning and Leinster Bolts, it is very much appreciated.