…that was finally put to rest at Strabane when the Leinster club won their fifth Irish Senior Cup final in eight years by 53 runs.
This final was billed as the match of the season, and rightly so, givenDonemana’s fine league form in North-West cricket, and North County’s continuing dominance of Leinster cricket. It was the first time that a northern team had made the final for several years, and when the venue was allocated to Strabane, the gap in ability was narrowed with almost home advantage, and the prospect of a large partisan crowd cheering the County Tyrone men home. The Strabane club did their bit magnificently in staging this match, despite the inclement weather, and the large crowd gave Donemana plenty of vocal support and encouragement, but at the end of the day, it was the class and will-to-win of the North County players that won the day.
Donemana got off to a rousing start with three early wickets, including the dangerous Strydom and Botha, but they couldn’t dislodge opener Conor Armstrong and his stout resistance was effectively the match winning performance in this rain-affected game. When he eventually fell, Donemana failed for the second time to hammer home their advantage withNorthCountyreeling on 116 for 7. It proved costly, as North County reached 165 for 9 in their 50 overs, and in the difficult conditions, this was a formidable total. ‘Junior’ McBrine picked up four wickets, but at a cost of nearly five runs an over, and the failure of the North-West team to plug the gaps in the closing overs proved crucial.
Rain took the match into a second day as was widely predicted, but the North County players held their focus, and while Andre Botha may have failed with the bat, he was a giant with the ball, and led from the front with 2 for 17 in eight overs. Donemana struggled from the outset, but even at 53 for 4 they showed all their renowned fighting spirit when James McBrine and skipper Dwayne McGerrigle took the score to 91, but then everything collapsed in a heap, and when both batsmen fell in quick succession, the last six wickets could only muster 21 runs. The 112 reply was 53 runs short of what was needed, a long distance in the conditions.
Donemana might rue their missed opportunities, but overall North County proved the better team and were worthy winners. Connor Armstrong was Man-of-the-Match and deservedly so as his innings was the best of the match, and in difficult batting conditions.
Once again the Irish Senior Cup stays south, and if northern teams are going to oustNorthCountyfrom their pedestal, they are going to have to match their ability, fitness and commitment, as this team has set high standards in all three areas.
Well done North County , deserved all Ireland champions once again.
