Dundalk CC Firsts set for cup finale

GS Cricket Intermediate Cup (Semi-Final): Dundalk 1: 118 (19.1 ov) Jithin 32, Boshoff 3-23, Mullingar 2: 114/9 (20 ov) Zain 34, Tayyab 2-18; Dundalk won by 4 runs.

Division 18: Dundalk 2: 101 (39 ov) Amal 45, Pratamesh 4-13, Sandyford 4: 102/7 (34 ov) Pratamesh 32, Amal 2-25; Sandyford won by 3 wickets.

Dundalk Firsts won a thrilling T20 tie in Mullingar’s St. Finian’s College Saturday last to advance to the final of the GS Cricket Intermediate Cup.

Despite shaky league form (only 3 wins total from 16 matches combined), both sides had enjoyed undefeated cup runs on their way to the semis.

Mullingar were no strangers, the two teams having faced off in the league home and away already this season. The spoils were shared up to this point, with both sides defeating the other away from home.

In warm overcast conditions at St. Finian’s, the hosts won the toss and put Dundalk in to bat. Keeper Sakhi Jan and veteran all-rounder Jithin John opened and partnered well, putting on 36 for the first wicket.

The visitors struggled to put together partnerships after this, falling to 69-6 before Sanju Thomas and Umer Khan pulled Dundalk into triple figures.

Mullingar’s Tomas Mount and Brandon Boshoff caused the tailenders difficulty, combing to remove four of the last five batters.

Defending just 118, Dundalk knew advancing looked a tough prospect but got the perfect start, captain Syed Adnan removing Mullingar opener PJ Mount early without runs on the board.

A worrying 58-run stand for the second wicket followed before off-spinner Muhammad Tayyab made a breakthrough with two quick wickets.

After the dangerous Bilal Alam was run out brilliantly by Syed Adnan, Dundalk knew they had brought themselves back into the tie, needing 5 wickets against the hosts’ 42 remaining runs.

Umer Khan took two crucial wickets late on to restrict Mullingar to 111-9, but the final batting pair could only muster a further 3 runs to finish 4 short and Dundalk celebrated a riveting victory.

Dundalk advance to the final where they will meet Phoenix 4 on August 16th at Lucan’s St. Catherine’s Park. Elsewhere, Dundalk 2 lost narrowly in a low-scoring affair away to Sandyford 4 at Marlay Park.

This weekend’s league fixtures: Dundalk 1 v Pembroke 4 (Division 10, Sat 9 Aug, home), Knockharley 3 v Dundalk 2 (Division 18, Sun 10 Aug, away).

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