PEMBROKE SECURE LHW LEINSTER SENIOR CUP FOR 2025

It was another one-sided affair in the LHW Financial Planning Leinster Senior Cup Final today, as Blake Macdonald's century was to the fore in an excellent, 81 run victory for Pembroke against Clontarf.

Having won the toss, the hosts batted first and lost Tim Tector early on, falling to a remarkable catch at mid-wicket by Mitchell Thompson. They reached 54 before the second wicket fell, as the threatening looking Andy Balbirnie was dismissed for 32, LBW off the bowling of John McNally.

Macdonald dominated a 56 run stand with Harry Tector before the latter was also adjudged LBW for 8, bringing Lorcan Tucker to the crease for what would prove to be the most fruitful partnership of the innings, adding 76 before the Lightning skipper laced a half-tracker from McNally to Campher at mid-wicket to fall for 37.

Victorian state player Macdonald continued on relentlessly, and having reached his century launched a massive six on to Cyril's Way, before a brilliantly anticipated catch by McNally saw him falling to Wilson, caught scooping on the 45.

He was the fifth wicket to fall, and the final 5 added just 49 runs between them, as only JJ Garth (18) made any level of contribution with the side all out for 244 in the 48th over. Reuben Wilson and David Delany doing the majority of the late damage, both finishing with three wickets.

Clontarf started their chase rapidly, Séamus Lynch and Mitchell Thompson both finding the boundary early on, however, when Lynch was bowled by Byron McDonough's nip-backer, and the 'Broke immediately arrested any momentum which had built up.

Harry Tector then entered the attack, and had an immediate impact, firstly seeing Thompson stumped, before the very next ball getting Curtis Campher caught at point off a long-hop, Tim Tector spectacularly plucking a diving catch in mid-air. The next over saw him adding the wicket of Pat Xie.

Much of the hopes now lay on David Delany, however when he skied a short ball from Mark Berry and was caught by Andy Balbirnie, the home side were well on top. John McNally and Eoghan Delany added 39 before the left-hander was bowled by Gavin Hoey for 20, bringing about the second spurt of wickets in the innings.

McNally was quickly followed by Andrew and Eoghan Delany, leaving the score 107/8 at drinks. Some late belligerence from Reuben Wilson took the score to 163, however when Cillian McDonnell was bowled by Gavin Hoey, it was an 81 run win for the hosts and they became the first side since Clontarf in 2015 to retain the Leinster Senior Cup.

Gavin Hoey was the pick of the bowlers with 3/21, whilst David O'Riordan's pick as Player of the Match, Harry Tector, took 3/28.

Congratulations to Pembroke players, coaches, officials and supporters on this brilliant achievement, the LHW Financial Planning Leinster Senior Cup Champions, for 2025.