This Friday, the 13th, sees the climax of the Men's Gallagher Senior Cup at The Green in Comber between holders CIYMS and North Down.
The home side have a real pedigree in the competition having won it 31 times and sharing the trophy in 1994 with Lisburn. CIYMS, on the other hand, have won the Cup only three times, most recently in 2019. However, local cricket pundits will probably make CIYMS the favourites in the showpiece game of the NCU calendar because of the match winners in their side.
On their way to the final CIYMS had a comfortable first round victory over Carrickfergus with new recruit from the North West Graham Kennedy named Man of the Match for his all round performance. Another regulation win in the quarter final over Woodvale saw JCD record his maiden century and in the semi final a strong all-round team performance saw them ease their way into the final with a 142 runs victory over CSNI CC.
North Down overcame a stubborn Cliftonville Academy side by 5 wickets in the first round. Then a comprehensive 9 wickets victory over Lisburn booked their semi final berth with Ryan Haire named Man of the Match for his 5 wickets. In the semi final win over Instonians wicketkeeper/batsman Ani Chore continued his fine form in the competition with an unbeaten 85, earning him the Man of the Match award. He has yet to be dismissed in the Cup, scoring 203 runs in the process!
So if the weather Gods are kind this week we should be in for a fasinating contest. Both teams will have picked the strongest team available to them with international trio of Mark Adair, Craig Young and Graham Kennedy flying back on Thursday evening from an Ireland training camp at Millfield School in England to play for their respective teams.
The action gets underway on Friday at 11.00am. So who will Friday 13th be lucky for!
Huge thanks to the sponsors of the Cup competitions, both Men's and Women's – Gallagher Insurance and I’m sure Shane Matthews and his team will enjoy the day at Comber!
