T20 Finals weekend, and it was ACTION all the way!
MCU Premier T20: Midleton CC 1st XI vs. Cork County CC 1st XI (Week 9)
Date: 11 June 2026
Venue: Townparks, Midleton
Result: Midleton CC 1st XI won by 8 runs
First Innings: Midleton CC 1st XI Batting
After winning the toss, Cork County CC elected to bowl first. Midleton opener Naman Gandhi was dismissed early for 3 runs, caught off the bowling of Suliman Safi. Fellow opener Awais Yasin ahmed provided a solid start, anchoring the top order with 38 runs off 26 balls, including 5 fours and 1 six. Captain Majid Khan contributed a patient 26 runs from 34 balls to push the score forward.
Midleton’s middle order faced regular breakthroughs from the Cork County bowling attack. Adeel Rafi Ahmed (7), Zuhair Shah (1), and Faraz ur rehman Sharif (8) fell in quick succession, while Robin Sebastian (3) and Farrukh Fiaz (0) were dismissed in the 17th over. Late resistance from Javed Ahmed Azami, who remained unbeaten on 14 runs from 13 balls, helped lift Midleton to a total of 111/8 at the end of their allotted 20 overs.
For Cork County, Diarmuid Carey was the pick of the bowlers, taking 3 wickets for 18 runs in his 4 overs. Suliman Safi (2-14) and Mark Donnelly (2-20) also registered multiple dismissals, while Eshan O’Sullivan claimed 1-23.
Second Innings: Cork County CC 1st XI Batting
Chasing a target of 112, Cork County lost opener Brian Upman (8) in the second over, caught off the bowling of Robin Sebastian. Josh Hartill (13) and Thorne Prophet (10) made brief contributions but were unable to establish long partnerships. Midleton bowler Farrukh Fiaz dismantled the top-to-middle order, clean-bowling opener Donald Marakassery (9) before dismissing Z Khan for a duck in consecutive deliveries during the 7th over.
Sunil Gautam (16) and Nabeel Anjum (13) attempted to stabilize the innings, but the run rate remained under pressure from disciplined Midleton bowling. Eshan O’Sullivan top-scored for Cork County with 21 runs off 16 balls, keeping his team in contention late into the match. However, wickets continued to fall at crucial moments. Suliman Safi (1) and captain Diarmuid Carey (3) fell cheaply, and Eshan O’Sullivan was the final wicket to fall in the final over, caught off Anoop Sasidharan Pillai with 2 balls remaining. Cork County were bowled out for 103 in 19.4 overs, falling 8 runs short.
The Midleton bowling unit delivered a balanced performance. Farrukh Fiaz led the attack with figures of 3 wickets for 15 runs. Anoop Sasidharan Pillai (2-20) and Robin Sebastian (2-28) collected two wickets apiece, while MUHAMMAD ALI (1-10), Faraz ur rehman Sharif (1-12), and Javed Ahmed Azami (1-16) claimed one wicket each.
Hero of the Match
Farrukh Fiaz (Midleton CC) is identified as the hero of the match. His bowling spell of 4 overs returning 3 wickets for 15 runs slowed Cork County’s momentum in the middle overs, including a double-wicket breakthrough in the 7th over that left the chasing side under sustained pressure.
MCU Division 1 T20 Cup Semi-Final 1: Nenagh CC 2nd XI vs. Midleton CC 2nd XI (Week 9)
Date: 13 June 2026
Venue: Knockshigowna Cricket Grounds, Nenagh
Result: Nenagh CC 2nd XI won by 44 runs
First Innings: Nenagh CC 2nd XI Batting
Nenagh CC 2nd XI won the toss and elected to bat first. The top order faced early difficulties as opening bowler Danish Iqbal dismissed captain Vimal John Mathai (7), while Avinash Nagarajan removed wicketkeeper Sreehari Vinobaji (12) and Naveen George (6), leaving Nenagh at 31/3 in the seventh over.
The innings was completely turned around by a substantial fourth-wicket partnership between Tony Kurian and Cinulal Varickatharappel. The pair added 114 runs together, with Cinulal Varickatharappel scoring a steady 32 off 33 balls before being clean-bowled by Christian Laubscher in the 19th over. Tony Kurian anchored the entire remainder of the innings, finishing unbeaten on 80 runs from just 44 deliveries, featuring 10 fours and 2 sixes.
The final over of the innings produced a highly unusual and spectacular sequence as Midleton bowler Danish Iqbal took a hat-trick and completed a five-wicket haul. Nenagh collapsed from 160/4 to 161/9 in the final six balls, with Jomy Joseph (7), Roshan Patel (0), Asif safin (0), and Sreenivas Pockathara Maniappan (0) all falling to Danish Iqbal, before Rajkumar Nagulsamy (0) was run out on the final ball.
Danish Iqbal finished with excellent figures of 5 wickets for 24 runs from his 4 overs. Avinash Nagarajan also contributed significantly with 2-24.
Second Innings: Midleton CC 2nd XI Batting
Chasing a target of 162 for a place in the final, Midleton CC 2nd XI struggled to generate the required scoring rate. Openers Naman Gandhi (1) and Murad Rasheed (14) were both dismissed early by Rajkumar Nagulsamy. A mid-innings run-out accounted for Faraz ur rehman Sharif (7), and Jigar Vyas (9) fell shortly after to Dhanaraj Mavila, leaving Midleton at 62/4.
Zuhair Shah tried to build a platform, top-scoring for Midleton with 27 runs off 26 balls before being stumped by Sreehari Vinobaji off the bowling of Sreenivas Pockathara Maniappan. Christian Laubscher (17 not out) and captain Balaji Suresh (20 runs off 18 balls) put together a late 40-run partnership, but the target proved too distant. Balaji Suresh was bowled by Tony Kurian in the final over as Midleton concluded their 20 overs at 117/6.
The Nenagh bowling performance was highly economical. Rajkumar Nagulsamy led the wickets with 2-22, while Sreenivas Pockathara Maniappan (1-15), Tony Kurian (1-19), and Dhanaraj Mavila (1-23) maintained tight control across their spells to secure the 44-run victory.
Hero of the Match
Tony Kurian (Nenagh CC) is identified as the hero of the match. His explosive, unbeaten innings of 80 runs off 44 balls single-handedly rescued Nenagh from a poor start and set an unassailable total. He also returned later in the match to deliver a disciplined bowling spell of 1-19 from 3 overs to help seal the semi-final win.
MCU Division 1 T20 Cup Semi-Final 2: Clare CC 2nd XI vs. Cork County CC 2nd XI (Week 9)
Date: 13 June 2026
Venue: Knockshigowna Cricket Grounds, Nenagh
Result: Clare CC 2nd XI won by 30 runs
First Innings: Clare CC 2nd XI Batting
Clare CC 2nd XI won the toss and chose to bat first. They lost opener S Taj (5) early, caught off the bowling of Ishaan Singh Seehra in the second over. Wicketkeeper M Sidiqi then stabilized the top order, top-scoring for Clare with 29 runs off 31 balls, which included 3 fours. He found brief support from V Mukundan (5) and an aggressive cameo from K Javed, who struck 17 runs off just 5 balls (1 four, 2 sixes) before falling to Srihari Ravichandran.
Following the dismissals of A Udin (8) and M Sidiqi, leaving Clare at 74/5, the lower-middle order worked to push the score past the century mark. Hrushikesh Pardeshi contributed 10 runs, while Mudassar Aziz added 16 runs off 13 balls. The final overs saw a rapid lower-order collapse as Clare’s final three wickets fell for no runs in the space of four deliveries. S Pannerselvam (7) was run out, while Z Udin (6) and captain Gurpreet Singh (0) were dismissed by Parag Soni to bowl Clare out for 115 in 19.4 overs.
For Cork County, Mark Donnelly delivered the standout bowling performance, claiming 3 wickets for 25 runs in his 4 overs. Parag Soni (2-21) and Ishaan Singh Seehra (2-29) picked up two wickets each, with CP Healy Browne (1-13) and Srihari Ravichandran (1-10) also among the wickets.
Second Innings: Cork County CC 2nd XI Batting
Chasing 116 for a place in the final, Cork County CC 2nd XI started at a steady pace. Ishaan Singh Seehra made a brisk 19 runs from 15 balls before being caught off Z Udin in the fourth over. Fellow opener Gaurav Singh played a patient anchor role, scoring 16 runs off 31 balls. However, the chasing side struggled with partnerships as running between the wickets proved costly. Niall Donnelly (7) and Elham Momand (1) were both run out in quick succession, leaving County at 40/3.
Srihari Ravichandran (4) fell to S Pannerselvam, bringing captain Arpit Ahuja (10) and Suliman Safi (12) to the crease, but both were dismissed by Gurpreet Singh as they tried to accelerate. A third run-out accounted for S Nagarajan (3), before Gurpreet Singh struck twice more in the 16th over, removing Mark Donnelly (1) and Parag Soni (0). Hrushikesh Pardeshi then claimed the final wicket of Gaurav Singh on his first delivery to bowl Cork County out for 85 in 16.1 overs.
Clare’s bowling attack was spearheaded by captain Gurpreet Singh, who returned decisive figures of 4 wickets for 15 runs in his 3 overs. Hrushikesh Pardeshi (1-0), S Pannerselvam (1-12), and Z Udin (1-14) maintained a tight line to complete the 30-run defense.
Hero of the Match
Gurpreet Singh (Clare CC) is identified as the hero of the match. The Clare skipper produced a defining performance in the second innings, taking 4 wickets for 15 runs to dismantle Cork County’s middle and lower order, ensuring his side successfully defended a low total of 115 to advance.
MCU Division 1 T20 Cup Final: Clare CC 2nd XI vs. Nenagh CC 1st XI (Week 9)
Date: 13 June 2026
Venue: Knockshigowna Cricket Grounds, Nenagh
Result: Clare CC 2nd XI won by 57 runs
First Innings: Clare CC 2nd XI Batting
Clare CC 2nd XI won the toss and elected to bat first in the tournament final. Opening batsman K Javed provided a quick cameo of 17 runs from 8 balls (2 fours, 1 six) before being bowled by Naveen George in the second over. M Sidiqi (7) fell inside the Powerplay to leave Clare at 51/2, bringing S Taj to the crease to join opener V Mukundan.
V Mukundan and S Taj constructed the definitive partnership of the innings, adding 74 runs for the third wicket. V Mukundan reached his half-century off 42 deliveries and top-scored with 58 runs from 47 balls, hitting 3 fours and 3 sixes before being dismissed by Cinulal Varickatharappel. S Taj accumulated 44 runs from 34 balls, including 4 fours and a six, before retiring not out at 137/3. A late accelerating contribution from Mudassar Aziz (23 not out off 12 balls) helped push Clare’s final score to a competitive 166/5 after 20 overs.
Among the Nenagh bowlers, Naveen George delivered an exceptionally economical spell, claiming 3 wickets for just 11 runs in his 4 overs, including one maiden. Tony Kurian (1-27) and Cinulal Varickatharappel (1-27) took one wicket each.
Second Innings: Nenagh CC 1st XI Batting
Chasing 167 for the title, Nenagh CC 1st XI suffered an immediate setback in the second over when K Javed took three top-order wickets in quick succession, dismissing Sreehari Vinobaji (5), Tony Kurian (0), and later captain Vimal John Mathai (16) to leave the chase reeling at 31/3.
Naveen George single-handedly kept Nenagh in contention, striking a resilient 45 runs off 31 balls with 3 fours and 2 sixes. However, he lacked sustained support from the middle order. Cinulal Varickatharappel reached double figures with 10 runs before falling to Hrushikesh Pardeshi, while Jomy Joseph (2) and Roshan Patel (6) were removed by Z Udin and Gurpreet Singh respectively. Once Naveen George was trapped lbw by Gurpreet Singh in the 16th over at 95/7, the remaining resistance faded.
Hrushikesh Pardeshi clinically concluded the match in the 19th over by taking a brilliant hat-trick. He dismissed asif safin (6), Rajkumar Nagulsamy (0), and Dhanaraj Mavila (0) with consecutive deliveries to bowl Nenagh out for 109 and secure a 57-run victory for Clare.
Aside from Hrushikesh Pardeshi’s standout figures of 4-26, K Javed set the tone early with 3-11 from his 3 overs. Captain Gurpreet Singh (2-14) and Z Udin (1-27) were the other successful bowlers.
Hero of the Match
V Mukundan (Clare CC) is identified as the hero of the match. His vital innings of 58 runs anchored the Clare batting line-up on a big occasion, providing the structural platform that allowed his team to post an imposing total of 166, which ultimately put the match beyond Nenagh’s reach.
MCU U15 League: Cork Harlequins CC U15 XI vs. Limerick CC U15 XI (Week 9)
Date: 13 June 2026
Venue: Farmers Cross, Cork
Result: Limerick CC U15 XI won by 6 wickets
First Innings: Cork Harlequins CC U15 XI Batting
Cork Harlequins CC U15 XI won the toss and elected to bat first. They lost opener Namish Kumar (13) in the third over, caught off the bowling of Ghufran Chaudhry. AARUSH VERMA (1) followed shortly after, leaving the score at 24/2. Opener Archis Yewale compiled a patient 16 runs off 21 balls before being bowled by Arnav Ravishankar.
Captain Hashim Bilal Ahsan top-scored for the Harlequins, striking 26 runs from 18 balls (including 1 six) before retiring not out. Following his retirement, the middle order struggled to maintain momentum as Aryan Zuhair Shah (0) and Aarav Khurana (1) fell in quick succession. Middle-order batsman Andrew Joseph Mason contributed 4 runs from 16 balls before also retiring not out. Late runs from Ammar Maqbool (9), A Gumber (8 not out), and O Flynn (7 not out), alongside 21 extras, helped guide Cork Harlequins to a total of 111/7 at the completion of their 20 overs.
Limerick utilized ten different bowlers during the innings. Arnav Ravishankar achieved the best return with figures of 2 wickets for 6 runs from his 2 overs. Single wickets were claimed by Abubakar Aziz Ullah (1-5), Ghufran Chaudhry (1-12), Atharvan Alagesan (1-12), Yousaf Ramay (1-13), and Sana George (1-23).
Second Innings: Limerick CC U15 XI Batting
Chasing a target of 112, Limerick CC U15 XI experienced early setbacks. A Gumber struck twice for the Harlequins, bowling opener Robert McCutcheon (3) and having Leon George (4) caught by AARUSH VERMA. When Sana George (2) was run out by Archis Yewale, Limerick were placed at 38/3. Opener Faizan Chaudhry anchored the start of the innings, making 15 runs from 25 balls before retiring not out at the end of the eighth over.
The chase was stabilized by a crucial fourth-wicket partnership between Atharvan Alagesan and Abubakar Aziz Ullah, who added 59 runs together. Abubakar Aziz Ullah scored a swift 29 runs off 20 balls (including 1 four and 2 sixes) before retiring not out. Atharvan Alagesan contributed 27 runs from 29 balls with 2 fours before his retirement. Despite a late run-out of captain Ghufran Chaudhry (0) by Hashim Bilal Ahsan, M Riyan Shah (7 not out) and Yousaf Ramay (0 not out) guided Limerick past the target. Boosted by 25 extras, Limerick reached 112/4 in 16.4 overs to secure the victory.
A Gumber was the standout performer for the Cork Harlequins bowling attack, taking 2 wickets for 12 runs in his 3 overs. The remaining bowlers went wicketless.
Hero of the Match
Abubakar Aziz Ullah (Limerick CC) is identified as the hero of the match. He made an impact in both innings, first delivering a highly economical bowling spell of 1 wicket for 5 runs across 2 overs, and later top-scoring in the chase with a quick 29 runs from 20 balls to shift the momentum in Limerick’s favor.
MCU Division 2/3 T20 Finals Day: Lismore CC 1st XI vs. Midleton CC 3rd XI (Semi-Final 1)
Date: 14 June 2026
Venue: Castlelands Cricket Ground, Lismore, Waterford
Result: Midleton CC 3rd XI won by 6 wickets
First Innings: Lismore CC 1st XI Batting
Lismore CC 1st XI won the toss and elected to bat first. They lost opener Sarath Jose (6) in the fourth over to Naveen Kumar Siddotam, leaving the score at 25/1. Miguel Carolino provided a strong anchor for the top order, scoring a brisk 43 runs off 38 balls, including 4 fours and 3 sixes. However, he struggled to find sustained support as Michael Talbot (1) was bowled by Naveen Kumar Siddotam and Jomy Kuriachan (2) was bowled by Nitin Patil.
Following the dismissal of Miguel Carolino with the score at 57/3, Lismore’s middle and lower order collapsed rapidly under pressure. Excellent fielding from Midleton resulted in the run-outs of Ragesh Nirmal (2) and A Veera (8). Midleton bowler Atif Jameel then tore through the tail, taking 3 wickets for 11 runs across 2.4 overs by dismissing Vivek Thomas (1), Niju Joseph (1), and Jibrin Augustine (0). Captain G Nair added a brief 11 runs before being caught off Fayyaz Khan, as Lismore were bowled out for 84 in 17.4 overs.
Alongside Atif Jameel’s three-wicket haul, Naveen Kumar Siddotam finished with 2-24, while Dean Wilson (1-3), Fayyaz Khan (1-6), and Nitin Patil (1-15) all contributed single dismissals.
Second Innings: Midleton CC 3rd XI Batting
Chasing a target of 85 for a place in the final, Midleton CC 3rd XI lost opener R Muhammad (1) early in the second over, bowled by Michael Talbot. Opener Fayyaz Khan then took control of the chase, hitting an aggressive 45 runs from 34 deliveries, which included 4 fours and 3 sixes, to keep the required run rate comfortably in check.
Sunny Dhiver (5) fell in the eighth over to A Veera, and Arun Kumar R (2) was run out shortly after. When Fayyaz Khan was stumped by Vivek Thomas off the bowling of Niju Joseph, Midleton were left at 69/4. However, Atif Jameel (13 not out off 12 balls) and Jeff Hitchmough (4 not out) ensured there were no further complications. Assisted by 17 extras, Midleton chased down the target in 14.1 overs to finish on 87/4 and secure a 6-wicket victory.
For the Lismore bowling unit, Niju Joseph was the most economical with figures of 1-8 from 2.1 overs, while A Veera (1-16) and Michael Talbot (1-22) also picked up a wicket each.
Hero of the Match
Fayyaz Khan (Midleton CC) is identified as the hero of the match. His explosive top-order innings of 45 runs off 34 balls broke the back of the small 85-run chase early, ensuring Midleton maintained complete control of the match. He also contributed a wicket (1-6) and a run-out in the first innings.
MCU Division 2/3 T20 Finals Day: Limerick Blasters CC 2nd XI vs. Clare CC 3rd XI (Semi-Final 2)
Date: 14 June 2026
Venue: Castlelands Cricket Ground, Lismore
Result: Limerick Blasters CC 2nd XI won by 60 runs
First Innings: Limerick Blasters CC 2nd XI Batting
Clare CC 3rd XI won the toss and elected to field first. Limerick Blasters lost opener Binil Joy (1) early in the third over, caught off the bowling of Sapan Kale. Wicketkeeper-captain Paulson George (4) and Regis Rex (0) fell in consecutive deliveries to A Mukthar during the seventh over, but top-order batsman Jeffin Mathew anchored the early recovery. He struck a rapid 40 runs from 22 balls, hitting 5 fours and 2 sixes before being caught off R Shahid.
Feby K Keepanasseril Roby added 17 runs, but a quick succession of middle-order wickets by Raj More left the Blasters under pressure at 94/8 in the 14th over. The final stretch of the innings belonged to Arun Mohan and Thomas Raju, who compiled a crucial 59-run partnership for the ninth wicket. Arun Mohan top-scored with a vital 48 runs from 33 deliveries (3 fours, 4 sixes) before falling on the final ball of the innings, while Thomas Raju remained unbeaten on 18 runs off 23 balls to guide the Blasters to 153/9.
Clare’s bowling attack shared the wickets evenly. WS Qureshi was the most economical, taking 1-13 from his 4 overs. A Mukthar (2-20), R Shahid (2-29), Sapan Kale (2-33), and Raj More (2-38) each picked up two wickets.
Second Innings: Clare CC 3rd XI Batting
Chasing 154 for a spot in the final, Clare CC 3rd XI found it difficult to establish momentum. Daniyal Shams (0) fell early, trapped lbw by Regis Rex in the third over. Opener A Khaleel scored 20 runs off 21 balls (2 fours, 1 six) before being caught off Thomas Raju, and Raj More added 10 runs before falling to Aromal TK. Tight fielding from the Blasters also resulted in the run-out of V Mukundan (4), leaving Clare at 45/4.
Wickets continued to fall at regular intervals. Chandrasekaran Palanisamy (3) was caught off Arun Mohan, and Johnson Navroop ground out 10 runs from 23 balls before departing to Fivin Thomas. WS Qureshi matched the top score of the innings with a patient 20 runs off 19 balls, but Thomas Raju struck three times in quick succession to clean up the lower order, dismissing WS Qureshi and A Mukthar (1). Regis Rex claimed the final wicket of Sapan Kale (1) to bowl Clare out for 93 in 17.4 overs.
Thomas Raju led the Limerick Blasters bowling unit with clinical figures of 3 wickets for 12 runs from his 3 overs. Regis Rex supported well with 2-11, while Arun Mohan (1-18), Aromal TK (1-9), and Fivin Thomas (1-21) applied consistent pressure.
Hero of the Match
Arun Mohan (Limerick Blasters CC) is identified as the hero of the match. Coming in under pressure with his team eight wickets down, his excellent innings of 48 runs off 33 balls completely swung the momentum back to the Blasters. He followed up his top-scoring batting display with a disciplined bowling spell of 1-18 from 4 overs to help secure the 60-run victory.
MCU Division 2/3 T20 Cup Final: Midleton CC 3rd XI vs. Limerick Blasters 2nd XI (Week 9)
Date: 14 June 2026
Venue: Castlelands Cricket Ground, Lismore
Result: Midleton CC 3rd XI won by 55 runs
First Innings: Midleton CC 3rd XI Batting
Midleton CC 3rd XI won the toss and elected to bat first in the Division 2/3 T20 Cup final. Openers R Muhammad and Fayyaz Khan provided an assertive foundation for the innings. Fayyaz Khan scored a rapid 46 runs off just 22 deliveries, striking 3 fours and 4 sixes before being bowled by Arun Mohan. R Muhammad anchored the upper order, compiling a well-made 52 runs from 44 balls, which included 4 fours and 1 six, before falling to Aromal TK.
Following the departure of the openers, Midleton’s middle and lower order experienced regular breakthroughs. Jeff Hitchmough (9) and Atif Jameel (2) fell in quick succession to Ajith A. Nitin Patil contributed a useful 14 runs from 15 balls, but Aromal TK dismantled the remaining batting lineup. He dismissed Nitin Patil, captain Dean Wilson (1), and Simon McKeown (3) to stall late acceleration. With Arun Kumar R (1) bowled by Jeffin Mathew and Sunny Dhiver (1) run out, Midleton finished their innings on 148/9.
Aromal TK delivered a standout performance for the Limerick Blasters bowling unit, returning highly effective figures of 4 wickets for 12 runs from his 3 overs. Ajith A kept the run rate down with 2-17 from his 4 overs, while Jeffin Mathew (1-21) and Arun Mohan (1-32) took one wicket apiece.
Second Innings: Limerick Blasters 2nd XI Batters
Chasing 149 for the championship title, the Limerick Blasters 2nd XI suffered immediate setbacks in the opening stages of their reply. Opener Regis Rex (0) was caught off Nitin Patil on his second delivery, and Ikram (0) was clean-bowled by R Muhammad inside the first over.
Captain Jeffin Mathew launched a defiant counter-attack, striking a swift 38 runs off 14 balls, including 4 fours and 3 sixes. He found a steady partner in wicketkeeper Paulson George (10 runs off 20 balls) to stabilize the middle order. However, Naveen Kumar Siddotam completely turned the match in Midleton’s favor with a decisive, match-winning spell. He bowled Jeffin Mathew to break the partnership before removing Ajith A (0) and Binil Joy (0) in quick succession. Nitin Patil then trapped Paulson George lbw to leave the Blasters reeling.
The lower-order resistance was brief. Sreejith Raveendran (5) and Fivin Thomas (0) were clean-bowled by Atif Jameel, while Arun Mohan (5) and Aromal TK (11) were both dismissed by Fayyaz Khan. Supported by 20 extras, the Blasters were bowled out for 93, handing Midleton a 55-run victory.
Naveen Kumar Siddotam spearheaded the Midleton attack, producing outstanding figures of 4 wickets for 13 runs in his 4 overs. Atif Jameel was exceptionally economical, taking 2 wickets for just 2 runs in 2 overs. Nitin Patil (2-32) and Fayyaz Khan (2-25) also collected two wickets each.
Hero of the Match
Naveen Kumar Siddotam (Midleton CC) is identified as the hero of the match. His exceptional bowling performance of 4-13 from 4 overs decisively disrupted the Limerick Blasters’ run chase, claiming the crucial wicket of the dangerous Jeffin Mathew and effectively sealing the tournament title for Midleton.
MCU U17 T20 Superleague: Cork County CC U17 XI A vs. Cork County CC U17 XI B (Week 9)
Date: 14 June 2026
Venue: The Mardyke, Cork
Result: Cork County CC U17 XI A won by 97 runs
First Innings: Cork County CC U17 XI A Batting
Cork County CC U17 XI A won the toss and elected to bat first in this club derby. Opening batsman Eddie Ross carried his bat through the entire 20 overs, anchoring the innings with an unbeaten 89 runs off 60 deliveries, featuring 12 fours.
The Team B bowling unit found early breakthroughs through James Venter, who dismissed opener Adam Kamel (8) in the third over and W Shields (0) in the fifth over to leave Team A at 38/2. Cillian Donald Ross contributed 16 runs during a 50-run third-wicket partnership before being caught off Kaustubh Gude.
Captain Mark Donnelly then joined Eddie Ross to establish the definitive partnership of the innings. Mark Donnelly scored a swift 50 runs from 31 balls, hitting 7 fours, in a 94-run fourth-wicket stand. Following Mark Donnelly’s dismissal to James Venter in the 19th over, Elham Momand (8) was run out on the final ball, pushing Cork County A to a substantial total of 195/5.
James Venter was the pick of the Cork County B bowlers, finishing with figures of 3 wickets for 32 runs from his 4 overs, while Kaustubh Gude claimed 1-40.
Second Innings: Cork County CC U17 XI B Batting
Chasing a target of 196 runs, Cork County CC U17 XI B were kept under tight defensive pressure by the Team A bowling attack and were unable to accelerate effectively.
Opener Ahmar Ahsan was bowled by Ciara Spalding for 8 runs in the sixth over. Kaustubh Gude made a patient 29 runs off 26 balls (4 fours) before being caught off the bowling of Mark Donnelly. Abeer Muhammad top-scored for the innings with 26 runs from 38 balls, including 4 fours, before he became Ciara Spalding’s second wicket in the 19th over.
The middle and lower order struggled to find boundaries against disciplined bowling. Arnav Gupta (1) fell to Elham Momand, while Moosa Adnan Ahmed remained unbeaten on 14 runs from 24 balls. Late in the 20th over, Senan O Connell struck twice in three balls to clean-bowl both James Venter (3) and Sanan Ahmed (0). Ruairi Newton (0 not out) closed out the innings as Cork County B finished their 20 overs on 98/6, falling 97 runs short.
Ciara Spalding delivered an economical spell for Team A, taking 2-14 from 3 overs. Senan O Connell finished with 2-17 from 3 overs, while Mark Donnelly (1-2) and Elham Momand (1-11) maintained excellent control.
Hero of the Match
Eddie Ross (Cork County CC U17 XI A) is identified as the hero of the match. His disciplined, undefeated opening innings of 89 runs off 60 balls provided the platform for his side’s large total, effectively batting Cork County B out of the contest from the outset.
MCU Division 3: County Kerry CC 3rd XI vs. Limerick Blasters CC 3rd XI (Week 9)
Date: 14 June 2026
Venue: Oyster Oval, Tralee
Match Type: MCU One Day (40 Overs)
Result: County Kerry CC 3rd XI won by 3 wickets
First Innings: Limerick Blasters CC 3rd XI Batting
Limerick Blasters CC 3rd XI won the toss and elected to bat first. The top order struggled to establish significant partnerships against a disciplined bowling performance from County Kerry. Openers Arunraj Thalappilly (2) and Saji Pulimalayil (4) fell relatively early, with Arunraj Thalappilly trapped lbw by Luqman Kabir and Saji Pulimalayil caught off the bowling of Muhamamd Kamran.
Wickets fell at regular intervals as Prestige Jaison (2), Pavi Sankar (1), and Ananthu Krishnan (3) were dismissed, leaving the Blasters at 40/5. Captain Byju D Philip provided much-needed stability, grinding out 22 runs from 125 deliveries. He was supported by minor contributions from Jishore Thomas John (17) and Rijin Varughese (15).
Following the dismissal of Byju D Philip, Arun Balakrishnan Embran Kandy provided some late lower-order resistance, scoring a brisk 31 runs off 27 balls, including 3 fours and 2 sixes. Sunil Philip remained unbeaten on 9 before Noor Shah claimed the final wicket of Shiju Chacko (5) to bowl the Blasters out for 159 in 37.3 overs. The innings total was significantly enhanced by 48 extras, including 42 wides.
Luqman Kabir was the pick of the Kerry bowlers, returning efficient figures of 3-16 from 8 overs. Muhamamd Kamran also performed strongly with 2-26, while Jithu Jayaprakash, Libin Philip, Rahul Y, Noor Shah, and Karthik S all claimed one wicket each.
Second Innings: County Kerry CC 3rd XI Batting
Chasing a target of 160 runs for victory, County Kerry CC 3rd XI suffered three quick breakthroughs. Muhamamd Kamran (6) was caught off Arun Balakrishnan Embran Kandy, captain Stephen Jonnalagadda (5) was run out, and opener Shreyas Padmanabha Sharma Beedubail was bowled by Rijin Varughese for 18, leaving the score at 42/3.
The defining partnership of the innings came via Libin Philip and Luqman Kabir, who added 65 runs for the fourth wicket. Luqman Kabir struck 35 runs from 34 balls (4 fours, 1 six) before being run out. The Blasters’ captain Byju D Philip triggered a minor collapse by dismissing Enamullah Chakari (3) and Noor Shah (0), while Pavi Sankar accounted for Rahul Y (1) to reduce Kerry to 123/7.
However, Libin Philip anchored the chase securely, finishing unbeaten on 45 runs off 65 deliveries with 4 fours and 2 sixes. Backed by Karthik S (6 not out) and aided by 41 extras from the Blasters’ bowling attack, County Kerry completed the chase in 28.1 overs, finishing on 160/7 to seal a 3-wicket win.
For the Blasters, Byju D Philip finished with the best figures of 2-18 from his 4 overs, while Pavi Sankar bowled a disciplined spell of 1-27 from 8 overs.
Hero of the Match
Luqman Kabir (County Kerry CC) is identified as the hero of the match. He set the tone for the fixture with an exceptional opening bowling spell, taking 3-16 from his maximum allotment of 8 overs to restrict the Blasters. He later made a crucial contribution with the bat, striking a quick 35 runs to turn the chase in Kerry’s favour.
