PEMBROKE & CLONTARF INTO SENIOR CUP FINAL

The cup holders (Pembroke) will play the 2023 winners (Clontarf) in the LHW Financial Planning Senior Cup Final at Sydney Parade on Saturday 2nd August.

PEMBROKE STEAMROLL INTO FINAL

Pembroke bludgeoned the North County bowling attack to secure their place in the LHW Senior Cup Final which will take place at their home ground.

The star of the show was overseas professional Blake MacDonald who broke all senior cricket records to score an enormous unbeaten 263 off just 149 balls.

MacDonald’s record-breaking knock included no less than 45 boundaries (30x4 and 15X6) at a strike rate of over 170!

His innings was book-ended by two excellent contributions from JJ Garth (72) and Harry Tector (83 off just 41 balls).

The partnership between MacDonald and Garth put on 179 for the second wicket before Tector combined with MacDonald to pummel 266 for the third wicket off just 103 balls as the North County bowling wilted in the face of such an onslaught.

In response, North County battled bravely with Niall McGovern (38) and Jamie Grassi (51) combining to add 81 for the fourth wicket.

That was to be the high point as the Pembroke attack took wickets at regular intervals throughout in dismissing the home side for 192. The wicket taking bowlers for Pembroke were Byron McDonough (3/38), Andrew Boulton (2/14), Gavin Hoey (2/37) and captain Paul Lawson cleaning up the tail to finish with 3/25.

Pembroke winners by a staggering 282 runs!

Pembroke 474/3 (Blake MacDonald 263* (30X4, 15X6), Harry Tector 83, JJ Garth 72)

North County 192 AO off 34.4 overs (Jamie Grassi 51, Niall McGovern 38, Alan Joseph Mathew 23; Paul Lawson 3/25, Byron McDonough 3/52, Andrew Boulton 2/14, Gavin Hoey 2/39)

DELANY LEADS TARF INTO THE FINAL!

Clontarf comprehensively beat Railway Union in a game reduced to 45 overs per side in Park Avenue.

Having been put into bat, Clontarf battled their way to 204 all out in the 45th over with solid contributions throughout their innings. Five batsmen contributed between 23 and 40 without anyone going on to dominate proceedings.

The Railway attack all bowled tightly with contributions across the board, Farman Afridi (3/41), Mark Canniffe (2/21) whilst the two opening bowlers also finished with two each (Muhammed Sinan 2/42, Liam McCarthy 2/42).

In response, Railway were immediately in trouble as Clontarf captain David Delany opened the bowling by blitzing the first 5 wickets (all bowled) to leave the home side 35/5 after just seven overs.

Philippe Le Roux then launched a recovery for Railway with support from Gethin Kelleher (25) as the pair added 68 for the seventh wicket to give hope to the home side - before David Delany returned to dismiss Kelleher (also bowled!). Luke Thomson, John McNally and Reuben Wilson chipped in with a wicket a piece but it was the Delany show as he also removed Philippe Le Roux for a gritty 52 to finish with the remarkable and brilliant figures 7/19!

Comprehensive win for Clontarf as they book their place in the Final!

Clontarf 204 All Out off 44.2 overs (John McNally 40, Patrick Xie 27, Mitchell Thompson 26, David Delany 24, Seamus Lynch 23; Farman Afridi 3/41, Mark Canniffe 2/21, Muhammed Sinan 2/39, Liam McCarthy 2/42)

Railway Union 133 AO off 27.1 overs (Philippe Le Roux 52, Gethin Kelleher 25; David Delany 7/19)