MERRION LAND SPORTSHUB PREMIER LEAGUE IN THRILLING FINAL DAY OF ACTION!

Having lost out by the smallest possible margin two years ago this week, Merrion were this evening crowned the winners of the SportsHub Premier League by the smallest margin possible, as just one point separated them from Pembroke at the end of proceedings tonight, seeing them claim the league and cup double for the 2025 season.

The game in Malahide saw Merrion batting first, and having suffered something of a batting collapse, they were 44/3 when Isabel Light was third out for 25. From there, it was Isobel Joyce who made a crucial 36 from 34 deliveries, guiding the team to 121/7 in their 20 overs.

Meanwhile in Sydney Parade, Pembroke batted first and their innings stalled much earlier than Merrion's, as they found themselves 18/3 inside the first 4 overs. They too however had some former international firepower to call on, as Clare Shillington was imperious with the bat, sharing a stand of 95 with Izzy McLean (18) on her way to a brilliant 87 from just 53 deliveries, guiding the side to 157/6 in their 20 overs.

At the halfway stage it was clear for both sides what needed to happen, however with proceedings underway in Malahide slightly earlier, Pembroke would have the advantage of knowing exactly what was needed at the back-end of the game.

Malahide started solidly, moving to 33 before losing the wicket of Meg Thompson, and when Haley Moore and Gemma Devally quickly followed, Merrion would have had their eyes on a full points haul. Sarah Condron remained throughout, sharing a stand of 34 with skipper Anna Kerrison, with the number three's unbeaten 35 eventually guiding the Village to 101/5 in their 20 overs, Merrion crucially holding them a run short of another bonus point and claiming 22 for themselves.

Balbriggan got off to a flying start against Pembroke, with the score moving quickly, Ella Marsh (25) added 70 with Madison Landsman before being dismissed in the 9th over. Hope was slipping away for Pembroke, however just at the point the news of Merrion's 20-run winning margin filtered around the Sydney Parade perimeter, Landsman fell for a well-made 54. Pembroke knew that they needed to keep their visitors to 137 or less to earn the league title, however as the light worsened more and more, the Maritz sisters, Tess and Lara, took the score to 142, before both were dismissed to poor shots with the winning line appearing to be in sight. When the players were hauled off five balls from the end by the umpires, Pembroke were just 4 ahead on DLS, meaning they gained just 20 points and seeing Merrion overtake them in the league standings.

There was no shortage of drama at the opposite end of the table, as both The Hills and Rush earnt victories.

The Hills hosted a depleted Leinster side, and having kept their visitors to 103 all out inside 20 overs, were massive favorites to win the tie. Two wickets for each of Lara McBride, Vanessa Scollard and Jane Maguire restricting the Rathmines outfit, who's top scorer was wicket-keeper Joanna Loughran with 29. In the chase, The Hills lost Lara McBride early on, however a fine stand between Tahlia Dunne (49) and Jane Maguire (23) took them to 78. With the game all but sealed, Jenny Sparrow dismissed the pair in quick succession, however it wasn't enough to stop The Hills, as they won by 6 wickets with 13 balls to spare.

Over in Clontarf however, the hosts were also depleted, this time thanks to a number of players being away with the Irish U19s side. In the face of an excellent all-round Rush bowling performance, they could muster only 74/8 in their 20 overs, Julie McNally top scoring with 19 as Mabel O'Donoghue was the pick of the bowlers, claiming 2/13. Rush hit the ground running in the chase, skipper Aoife Beggs dominating an opening stand of 60 with Ocean Bartlett, they hadn't reckoned however for Aoibheann Synnott's spell, she claimed four wickets for just eight runs, including Bartlett for 13 to send panic through the Rush camp. Beggs however remained calm, and her unbeaten 40 guided the team to their target of 75 for the loss of five wickets with nearly 8 overs to spare, securing their place in the Premier League for 2026.