MacMahon Fireworks Prove the Difference in Rain-Affected Victory

Sophie MacMahon blasted an unbeaten 45 off just 26 deliveries as Leinster defeated Clontarf by 24 runs (DLS) in a rain-affected Sprint Coatings Division 1 T20 at Observatory Lane on Thursday evening.

In doing so, Leinster moved to the very brink of retaining the Women’s Division 1 title they won in 2019.

Clontarf are a young side, but they put it up to their more experienced opponents. When Anna Marshall ran Isabel Saeed-Maguire out for 21 in the seventh over, Leinster were 39/1 and in a game.

Freya Sargent then ran out Jenny Sparrow (10) before having Ellen Ridgeway (31), who had been anchoring the innings, stumped by Hannah Pasley. At 79/3 in the 14^th over, the momentum could have been with Clontarf, however nobody had counted on Sophie MacMahon.

MacMahon, supported by Joanna Loughran’s 10 off 9, added 58 runs off 25 balls as they wrested the game back in Leinster’s favour. At 137/3 after 17.5 overs the rain arrived, and the players left the field.

The extra runs added by MacMahon meant that the DLS calculations would now be in the home side’s favour. With the Leinster innings closed, Clontarf would have to chase 108 in 12 overs.

This never looked likely, as the showers were in the air and regular interruptions looked probable.

Aoife Brennan (13), in particular, started the reply positively as Clontarf raced to 17 without loss in just two overs. However, Sue O’Connor’s second over proved the telling difference in this match.

O’Connor bowled both Coulter-Reilly and Marshall in the space of three balls, as the DLS par score begin to rocket. Another rain break was followed by another wicket as Brennan was brilliantly stumped by Saeed-Maguire.

Leinster raced to get to five overs and ensure a result would be found as they were well on top.

After the 6^th over had been bowled and with Clontarf 30/3, yet another rain interruption arrived and this time it was to be the final one, Leinster had their victory by 24 runs by DLS.

Elsewhere on Thursday night, Malahide against Merrion in The Village was abandoned due to the weather. Merrion were 42/2 when the rain intervened. Malahide had started positively with the dismissal of Leah Paul before Rebecca Stokell scored a run-a-ball 24. Having accounted for both openers, an interesting match was developing however the weather had the final say halfway through the ninth over.

The third game scheduled for Thursday night between The Hills and YMCA at Milverton was cancelled due to the wet ground.

Sprint Coatings Division 1 20-over

Leinster v Clontarf, Observatory Lane, Thursday August 20^th    

Leinster 137/3 17.5 Overs (S MacMahon 45*, E Ridgeway 31; F Sargent 1-21, C Coulter-Reilly 0-12)

Clontarf 30/3 6 Overs (A Brennan 13; S O’Connor 2-6)

Leinster won by 24 runs (DLS)