LHW FINANCIAL PLANNING SENIOR CUP FINAL PREVIEW – AUGUST 2ND

This Saturday sees the Final of the LHW Financial Planning Senior Cup taking place in Sydney Parade, as the two most recent winners of the competition face off.

Pembroke’s 2024 win was built around a dominant batting performance, as half-centuries for each of Tim Tector, JJ Garth, Lorcan Tucker and their talismanic skipper Nick Stapleton helped underpin a total of 323/8 in their 50 overs, before 6 bowlers shared the wickets in rolling Phoenix over for just 113 to secure a comprehensive victory.

Clontarf were similarly dominant in their 2023 victory, as a century for Ryan Karunakaran, and 88 from Eoghan Delany teed up a similarly huge total of 343/7 in their 50 overs. The hero and player of the match on that day however was Fionn Hand, as he shot out The Hills’ top order taking 5/34, knocking the Skerries side over for 108 in a similarly comprehensive margin of victory.

These two sides fought out the final for this cup in 2022, when Pembroke emerged victorious by 5 wickets, chasing Clontarf’s total of 245 down with a relative ease, as they completed the task with 7 balls to spare.

This weekend sees the sides face off having each won three ties to progress to this point, as, in truth, neither side has been tested massively thus far.

Clontarf brushed aside Merrion thanks to half centuries from Mitchell Thompson, Eoghan Delany and Pat Xie in round 1, before their quarter-final saw a massive unbeaten partnership between David Delany (121) and John McNally (76) guiding them to a 6-wicket win. Their batting faltered somewhat in Park Avenue a couple of weeks ago, however a brilliant 7/19 from Delany saw them blast out Railway’s top order and secure a 71 run victory to seal their place in the final.

Pembroke meanwhile have seen centuries in each round of the cup so far, Jack Tector in round one against Adamstown in Airlie Park helping to set up a 164 run victory thanks to a Gavin Hoey five-wicket-haul. The quarter-final stage saw an unbeaten 150 from Andy Balbirnie teeing up a total of 308/4 from their 50 overs, resulting in a 101 run victory. The holders then produced what is certainly the performance of the season in 2025 so far, as they ran up 474/3. Blake Macdonald was the star of the show that day, making the highest score in Senior cricket as his 263* came from just 149 deliveries, as he cleared the rope 15 times to go with thirty boundaries. This knock somewhat overshadowed excellent efforts from JJ Garth (72) and Harry Tector (83), who both had excellent days in their own right. Three wickets apiece for Paul Lawson and Byron McDonough then helped shoot out North County for 192 to secure their final berth.

Pembroke skipper Paul Lawson is hopeful of building on a good recent record in the cup;

“We’ve had a reasonable record in the Leinster Senior Cup the past few seasons, so if we could win it again would mean a lot. It won’t be easy as Clontarf are a very good side, but we’re all really looking forward to it.”

Lawson also nods towards the several different contributions that have gotten the side this far, and is hopeful plenty of his side can contribute in spite of a big name missing;

“I feel everyone’s contributed in each round with various standouts; Jack Tector got us out of jail a bit with a gritty ton at Adamstown, while Andy Balbirnie’s excellent 150* made a tricky tie against The Hills quite comfortable and Blake Macdonald’s record-breaking day at North County was just great to be a part of. But we have a litany of match winners in our side, which gives us great confidence going into Saturday.

Only Barry McCarthy misses out through injury, but other than that, we have a full squad to choose from, so I’m very happy with the side we’ll have out.”

Clontarf’s coach Nicky Kenny meanwhile chose an inventive manner of introducing us to the men he hopes will be involved in a Champagne Supernova with the cup on Saturday evening;

“Little by little, our squad has grown in confidence throughout the season, and whatever the result on Saturday, it’s important we don’t look back in anger.

Some might say that with the quality Pembroke have, a side full of rock ’n’ roll stars that they should win every game they play. We respect them but we have match winners of our own.

David is bowling supersonic speeds currently and that can change any game.

Eoghan Delany is in great form and despite being married with children is training as hard as ever.

Cillian has had a masterplan of spin all season and will look to continue once again on Saturday”

Kenny is hopeful of having a close to full strength side out, that is set to contribute to what could be a game for the ages;

“It promises to be a great game - one that, win or lose, will live forever in people’s memories.

Team news currently is Fionn is out but no other major changes so far. We will see how everyone does at training and have a little talk tonight before a final decision is made”

With a potential of no fewer than 11 current IP players set to take the field across the sides, as well as numerous others who have featured in the past, and each side boasting an excellent Premier Cricket overseas player from Sydney, this battle is set to be one not to miss.

Clontarf will be looking to get themselves off to a strong start with the ball this weekend, with Reuben Wilson having had the ball on a string on several occasions in the PowerPlay. Once again, Pembroke will be hoping to see Tim Tector getting them off to a flying start in the opening 10 overs, and if he does, it will put pressure on Clontarf’s bowlers, whilst also setting up an excellent platform for the home side’s middle order.

KEY BATTLE: Tim Tector vs Reuben Wilson

LHW FINANCIAL PLANNING SENIOR CUP

SATURDAY, AUGUST 2^ND, 12 NOON

PEMBROKE VS CLONTARF AT SYDNEY PARADE