Magic Malahide are Alan Murray Cup Champions

The LHK Insurance Alan Murray Finals Day didn’t disappoint as after three cracking matches Malahide emerged victorious with a 32-run victory over Clontarf in the final.

Matt Ford was the hero of the hour as his sublime 79 was the cornerstone of the 160 for right, the Villagers amassed off their 20 overs. Ford’s half-century came up off just 23 deliveries as he bludgeoned the Clontarf to all parts of the ground, striking five boundaries and three maximums in his 50.

Malahide survived the early departure of semi-final star Alan Reynolds to amass the highest total of the day in the most important innings of the day.

For Clontarf, Joe Morrissey was very economical taking 1-16 in his four overs while Conor Kelly (2-31) and David Delany (2-35) took a pair of wickets each.

Peter Chase (2-14) struck in the first over of the reply to remove Robert Forrest and Malahide never looked back. When he returned to take the final wicket of the innings, Clontarf had been dismissed for 128 inside 18 overs.

In between times, Keith Reynolds (3-39) and James Newland (2-23) took wickets at regular intervals, including just the second ever example of a wicket falling – caught Alan Reynolds, bowled Keith Reynolds – when Macalister Wright was dismissed for 37, Clontarf’s top score.

Kelvin Donnelly (2-24) executed an incredible caught and bowled to dismiss Joe Morrissey and that finished any doubt that it was Malahide’s day.

When Donnelly held on to Butler’s wicket in the 18^th over, the celebrations truly started for Malahide and they were the LHK Insurance Alan Murray Cup champions for 2019.

Earlier in the day, Malahide had defeated Leinster by 4-wickets, chasing down 136 in 16.4 overs. James Newland took 3-27 as Leinster were bowled out for 135, before Alan Reynolds hammered 59 off 31 to get the chase off to the perfect start.

Clontarf had themselves beaten Merrion by 4-wickets too in the first semi-final. Conor Kelly (2-19) the pick of the bowlers as Merrion were restricted to 123/8 off their 20 overs.

Robert Forrest (66) made sure there were few nerves for Clontarf, until a slight wobble at the very end of the chase and captain Eoghan Delany had to hit the winning runs.

Alan Murray Cup Final 2019

Pembroke CC, Sydney Parade,  

Clontarf v Malahide, Sunday August 11^th, 20 overs

Malahide 160/8 (M Ford 79, F McAlister 22; C Kelly 2-31, D Delany 2-35)

Clontarf 128 a/o (M Wright 37, A Poynter 31; K Reynolds 3-39, J Newland 2-23, K Donnelly 2-24)

Clontarf won by 32 runs