Dundalk CC bring home the GS Cricket Intermediate Cup

The Dundalk Cricket team headed down to St. Catherine’s Park this weekend to play the final of the GS Cricket Intermediate Cup against Phoenix Cricket Club.

Dundalk carried through their undefeated run in the T20 competition, consolidating their strength through a convincing and comprehensive win against a strong Phoenix team.

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Dundalk won the toss and chose to bowl, a decision that provided an immediate dividend when Usman Azhar removed Vinayak Latti in the second over.

That was as good as it got for Dundalk in the first half, as Phoenix’s batting unit were able to move their side to 93 in the 11th over.

What followed from there were six overs of complete dominance from Tayyeb Ali and Adarsh Hegde as they dismantled the Phoenix batting line.

Phoenix lost the next eight wickets within a span of 25 runs to be bowled out for 118. Usman Azhar took 3/17, Adarsh Hegde 3/20 and Tayyeb Ali 3/25.

It was all one-way traffic in the chase as Dundalk openers Sakhi Jan and Jithin John set about their task in fast fashion, advancing to 49-0 after six overs.

From there, Phoenix attempted to wring the changes to break the partnership but found little success in the next phase of the game as Dundalk moved to 84 in the 11th over before losing Sakhi Jan for 25.

This loss did not prove to be the catalyst for Phoenix, though, as Jithin John only accelerated after the loss of his opening partner, finishing the game in style with a six. Jithin scored 81* from 55 balls while Sakhi contributed with 25 runs from 22 balls.

Team captain Syed Ibnan Shah commented that he was very proud of the team and how they stepped up in the bowling to bring the game to their advantage, and the ease with which the batsmen chased the score. 

This is the second T20 Cup win for Dundalk, following on from their previous win in 2023. They were presented with the century-old trophy by the newly elected Cricket Leinster President, Baskarasubramanian. She commended Dundalk for their success on and off the field. 

Off the field, the club has made significant progress and have successfully completed the works of new training nets, brand new competition wicket and other civil works within the club.

The club now boasts 52 active members in their Open Squads and over 12 youth girls and 6 boys in the training academy. The club, for the first time in their history, expanded to a third team this season.

The Club committee is still committed to the growth of the sport as ever and unanimously commented: The victory is only beginning.

The club hopes to attract women and young talent so that the club is sustainable, along with those who want to take up the sport for the first time.

The main cricket season is nearing its end; however, there will be winter softball games as well that people can join. 

Finally, the club would like to thank their supporters and sponsors, Grafton Barbers, Marshes Shopping Centre and DAPT Cricket for their continued support through funding.

The club also wants to thank Dundalk Football Club at Oriel Park and Dundalk Grammar School for allowing them to use their facilities.

The club hopes to get more sponsors and local support on board so that they can get toilet facilities and changing rooms at the club, which are crucial to growing the club and becoming more diverse.