In two comfortable semi-finals, Rush defeated Ballyspallen by 70-runs and Limerick beat Galway by 5-wickets to set up a National Cup Final date on September 2nd in Stormont.
Rush made the long trip to the North West in a competition they’ve shown remarkable consistency in over recent seasons.
After winning the toss and opting to bat, Rush put on 212/6 in their 40 overs before bowling the home side out for 142 in 33 overs to secure passage to a final berth in early September
Stephen Doheny (54 off 47, 6x4,3x6) recovered from the first over loss of his opening partner to put on 91 with Conor Mullen (45) for the second wicket.
Doheny and Vishwanath fell in succession and Mullen retired hurt, however an unbeaten 50 from Gull (75 balls, 5x4,1x6) anchored the Rush innings. A brilliant 36 off 26 from international underage star Nathan McGuire propelled the visitors to 212/6 off their 40 overs.
Speaking afterwards, Doheny felt this was an above par score on a wicket that was a little two-paced. “I felt I could have gone on and got a big score, but it wasn’t easy on that pitch,” he said.
When it came to the chase, Ballyspallen’s best partnership came from their openers who put on 43 for the first wicket. After that, wickets fell at regular intervals as the Rush attack put the squeeze on the home side’s batting line-up.
Ballyspallen were bowled out for 142 with the final ball of the 33rd over and Rush had sealed a 70-run victory. Doheny was once again the star with the ball as his 4-13 off five overs gave him the best bowling figures.
After the match however, he was keen to stress it had been a team effort. “We bowled well collectively, Shahid Iqbal bowled 8 economical overs (1-13) while the wickets came from the other end.”
In today’s other semi-final, Limerick bowled out their hosts, County Galway, for just 97 in a little under 20 overs.
Limerick chased the required runs in 18 overs as they made 99/5 to seal a 5-wicket victory.
As a result, Limerick CC become the first Munster side to reach a national cup final. They will face Rush in Stormont on September 2nd.
Looking ahead to that final, Rush’s Stephen Doheny said, “the consistency we have shown over the past four years in this competition is most pleasing.
“Hopefully we can get the job done on the 2nd and win the National Cup for the third time, and if we keep our league form steady we can compete in the Irish Senior Cup next season.”