Week 5 Match Reviews: a Snapshot

MCU Division 3B – Week 5 Match Report
Venue: Ballycasey Clare Oval, Shannon
Format: One-Day 40 Overs
Result: Clare CC 3rd XI beat County Kerry CC 5th XI by 239 runs

Clare CC 3rd XI beat Kerry with Dominant Batting Display

Clare CC 3rd XI put on a sensational batting performance to register a commanding 239-run victory over a youthful County Kerry CC 5th XI in Week 5 of the Munster Cricket Union Division 3B competition. Batting first, Clare piled up a mammoth 380/8, before bowling out the visitors for 141 in a one-sided contest at Ballycasey Clare Oval.

First Innings: Clare CC 3rd XI – 380/8 (40 Overs)

Clare’s innings was a tale of sustained aggression and standout individual brilliance. The innings was anchored early by Tejas Dagha (57 off 39) and Rafiq Alam (36 off 32), setting a strong foundation despite a few early wickets.

The middle overs belonged to Chandrasekaran Palanisamy, who blasted his way to 86 off just 43 balls, peppering the boundary ropes with sixes and fours in a whirlwind knock. He was well supported by Kokab Rehman, who retired not out on a composed 51 off 64.

In the death overs, fireworks continued with Zari Waraich (14 off 6) and Awais (9 off 6) swinging freely. Rushi and Sohail also made valuable late contributions to take Clare to an imposing 380.

Kerry’s bowling attack persevered but struggled throughout, with Shreyas Padmanabha Sharma Beedubail claiming three wickets, and a brace for Sujal Kumar. The rest of the attack was unable to contain the scoring as extras piled on and boundaries came at will.

Second Innings: County Kerry CC 5th XI – 141 All Out

Chasing a near-impossible target, Kerry never got into the game. Early wickets fell in quick succession as Clare’s bowlers applied consistent pressure. The top order collapsed, with no batter able to build a meaningful innings.

The only resistance came from Shreyas Padmanabha Sharma Beedubail, who produced a valiant 92 off 78 balls, including a flurry of sixes and fours that briefly threatened to bring respectability to the total. However, once he fell, caught by Zari Waraich off Sohail Muhammad, the innings unravelled swiftly.

Sohail Muhammad starred with the ball, picking up 3 wickets, including a double strike in a single over that derailed the lower order. Zari Waraich snared 2 wickets, Sumit Vaish and Chandrasekaran Palanisamy were equally effective, sharing crucial breakthroughs and cleaning up the tail.

Match Summary

Top Performers

• Chandrasekaran Palanisamy (Clare) – 86 (43) & 1 wicket
• Shreyas Beedubail (Kerry) – 92 (78)
• Sohail Muhammad (Clare) – 3 wickets
• Kokab Rehman (Clare) – 51* (retired)
• Tejas Dagha (Clare) – 57 (39)

Clare CC 3rd XI’s dominance sends a strong message to their Division 3B rivals, while Kerry will be looking to regroup after a heavy defeat.

MCU T15 Women’s Superleague – Week 5 Match Report
Cork County CC Women’s 1st XI vs County Galway CC Women’s 1st XI
📍 Lydican (MC), Galway – 18 May 2025

Result: Cork County CC Women’s 1st XI won by 42 runs

A dominant display from Cork County CC Women’s 1st XI with the bat and disciplined bowling helped them secure a 42-run victory over County Galway CC Women’s 1st XI in the Week 5 clash of the MCU T15 Women’s Superleague at Lydican.

The match featured no fewer than 7 debutantes- 2  for Galway, 2 for Limerick and 3 for Cork County. This is fantastic to see, as the MCUWG league continues to grow!

Cork County CC: D Dhananjayan, Nargish, and Pallavi

Co. Galway CC: Anitta Jose and Komal Bairwa

Limerick CC: Sindhusha Chandu and Avni Hari Shankar

🏏 First Innings: Cork County CC Women’s 1st XI – 131/3 (15 overs)

After being put in to bat, Cork County got off to a rocky start with the early loss of D Dhananjayan for a duck in the opening over, bowled by Jagrithi Thakur. However, Sara Kamel counterattacked with a flurry of boundaries, smashing 24 off just 16 balls before being trapped LBW by Beth Hannon.

Wickets fell regularly early on, with Cork County reduced to 38/3 in the 6th over. But from there, the innings was rescued and then ignited by an outstanding partnership between Padaniya and Spalding. The duo displayed both composure and aggression, rotating the strike smartly and capitalizing on anything loose.

Spalding was especially dominant at the death, finding boundaries with ease in overs 13 and 14, where she struck three fours in quick succession off Siddhi Kadam and Jagrithi Thakur. The final flourish helped Cork post a competitive 131/3 in their 15 overs.

Bowling Highlights (Galway):

• Beth Hannon (2)  Jagrithi Thakur (1) each claimed crucial wickets early on.

🏏 Second Innings: County Galway CC Women’s 1st XI – 89/1 (15 overs)

Chasing a challenging target, Galway’s innings never really found the acceleration needed. Opener A Jose struggled for rhythm early on and eventually retired out on 13 (29), as the required run rate began to climb.

Despite a late push from Jagrithi Thakur, who struck some stylish boundaries and remained not out, the required rate climbed out of reach. T Browne offered some resistance with singles and steady running between the wickets, but Galway’s innings lacked the intensity to rotate the strike in order  to challenge the Cork total.

The Cork County bowling attack performed well, but were not able to claim any Galway wickets. Spalding, already impressive with the bat, contributed with the ball as well, keeping things tight and economical in the final overs. Debutante D Dhananjayan returned the most economical figures of just 2.5 RPO.

⭐ Hero of the Match: Spalding (Cork County CC)

A commanding all-round performance makes Spalding the undisputed Hero of the Match. Her composed and aggressive knock in the latter stages of the innings was instrumental in Cork County’s total. She followed it up with a tidy spell of bowling that stifled Galway’s chase and maintained scoreboard pressure.

🔍 Summary:

With this win, Cork County continue their strong showing in the league, while Galway will look to regroup and increase their intensity in the chase.

MCU Division 2A – Week 5 Match Report
Venue: Croker’s Oval, Ballyneety
Date: 18 May 2025
Result: Nenagh CC 2nd XI defeated Limerick Blasters CC 2nd XI by 132 runs

A clinical all-round display from Nenagh CC 2nd XI on a very hot day saw them register a comprehensive 132-run victory over Limerick Blasters CC 2nd XI in this Week 5 clash of the MCU Division 2A One Day 40-Over competition.

🏏 First Innings – Nenagh CC 2nd XI: 239/9 (40 Overs)

Batting first, Nenagh got off to a disastrous, slipping to 7/2 early on after losing both openers Sreehari Vinobaji and Umair Akber without scoring to the excellent bowling of Shiju Chacko. However, a stabilizing third-wicket partnership between Tony Kurian (56 off 66) and Sri Teja (36 off 44) brought Nenagh back into the game.

The innings took real momentum in the second half, thanks to an explosive knock from Jibin Scaria, who hammered 79 off just 64 balls, including 9 fours and a six. His counter-attacking innings changed the tempo of the game and pushed Nenagh to a competitive total.

Lower-order contributions from Cinulal Varickatharappel (35 off 37) and a late cameo by the tail pushed the final score to 239/9 despite a flurry of wickets in the last five overs. The Blasters’ bowlers found success through Arun Mohan, who claimed 3 wickets, and Ajith A and Fivin Thomas, who chipped in with key breakthroughs.

🎯 Second Innings – Limerick Blasters CC 2nd XI: 107 all out (21.1 Overs)

In reply, the Blasters’ batting weathered the early storm that saw Nenagh drop no fewer than 4 catches in the opening three overs. Openers George Raju (15) and Sindo Puthur Devassy (14) looked promising early on, and Prestige Jaison added 24 very valuable runs. But the middle order faltered under pressure, collapsing from 26/0 to 107 all out within just over 21 overs.

The destroyer-in-chief was Tony Kurian, who followed up his half-century with the ball, producing a devastating spell of 4 wickets, including a double-strike in the 18th over that effectively sealed the contest. He removed the dangerous Prestige Jaison (24 off 43), Arun Kumar Harikumar, Paulson George, and Shiju Chacko, all while conceding minimal runs.

Jomy Joseph and T George kept the pressure on, bagging 2 wickets each and bowling economically.

The Blasters fell well short, handing Nenagh a resounding win.

🌟 Hero of the Match: Tony Kurian

In an all-round masterclass, Tony Kurian’s composed 56 with the bat and fiery 4-wicket haul ensured his side dominated both innings. He turned the game with the bat when Nenagh were wobbling and broke the Blasters’ backbone with the ball. His match-winning performance rightfully earns him the Hero of the Match title.

📝 Summary:

Nenagh CC 2nd XI will take plenty of confidence from this dominant display as they continue their MCU campaign, while Limerick Blasters CC 2nd XI will need to regroup quickly ahead of their next fixture.

Munster Cricket Union Division 2A – Week 5 Match Report
Date: 18 May 2025
Venue: Farmers Cross, Cork
Match: Cork Harlequins CC 3rd XI vs Limerick CC 3rd XI
Result: Limerick CC 3rd XI won by 1 wicket

Limerick Edges Harlequins in Final-Over Thriller at Farmers Cross

A nail-biting finish at Farmers Cross saw Limerick CC 3rd XI clinch a dramatic 1-wicket victory over Cork Harlequins CC 3rd XI, chasing down a target of 221 in the final over of this Division 2A MCU One Day 40-over clash.

First Innings: Cork Harlequins CC 3rd XI – 220 all out (35.1 overs)

Cork Harlequins, batting first, posted a competitive total of 220, thanks to a sparkling 64 off 49 balls by Faizan Gul, a steady 34 from Jatin Jaitley, 23 from 33 courtesy of Skipper Conor Stevenson, and 21 from 23 from the bat of Preston Searra.

Gul was especially aggressive, dispatching boundaries with authority, including a massive six and a string of fours in the 20–30 over period. His dismissal in the 28th over, caught by Patel off Shah, triggered a collapse.

The lower order struggled to add many, with wickets tumbling rapidly towards the end, including a run-out and several dot-ball-filled overs. Sajib and Diddigi Kulkarni added late runs, but Cork fell short of batting out their overs, all out in the 36th.

Top Performers (Cork Harlequins):

• Faizan Gul – 64 (49)
• Jatin Jaitley – 34 (68)
• Conor Stevenson 23 (33)
• Diddigi Kulkarni – 16 (12)
• Parth Borghare – 3 wickets
• Shah & Malik – 2 wickets each

Second Innings: Limerick CC 3rd XI – 222/9 (39.2 overs)

In reply, Limerick CC chased down the target with just four balls to spare, in what turned into a tense, seesawing battle. Their innings was anchored by a commanding 68 off 70 by B Dahima, who counterattacked after early losses.

After a sluggish start and the fall of opener Patel (19) and first drop Kumar Divyesh (0), the Quins bowling attack kept applying pressure, Dahima found support in the middle order-his 50-plus stand with Parth Borghare (27) stabilized the chase before both fell in quick succession.

The match twisted dramatically in the final 10 overs, with wickets tumbling at regular intervals. From 170/6, Limerick found themselves teetering at 202/9 in the 38th over, needing 19 runs with just one wicket in hand.

Enter Muhammad Shah (unbeaten) and Mohit Malik, who batted with remarkable composure under pressure. Shah struck a crucial 4 off the second ball of the final over to steer Limerick home.

Top Performers (Limerick):

• B Dahima – 68 (70)
• Parth Borghare – 27 (31)
• Muhammad Shah – 18* (finishing effort)
• Sharad Jaybhaye – 3 wickets
• Gul – 2 wickets, 1 catch

Summary & Turning Points

• Key Partnership: Gul & Jaitley’s 90+ stand for Cork; Dahima & Borghare’s middle-order effort for Limerick.
• Game-Changing Moment: Dahima’s dismissal at 119/4 threatened to derail Limerick, but the lower order kept chipping away.
• Final Push: Shah and Malik’s 20-run partnership for the last wicket clinched victory with just four balls remaining.

What’s Next?

Cork Harlequins will rue the missed chance to close out the match, especially after having Limerick 178/9 with still another 42 runs required. Meanwhile, Limerick 3rd XI move up the table with a thrilling away win and will carry massive confidence into the next round.

Result: Limerick CC 3rd XI beat Cork Harlequins CC 3rd XI by 1 wicket
Player of the Match: B Dahima (Limerick CC) – 68 (70), provided match-defining stability under pressure.

Munster Cricket Union – Division 2B, Week 5 Match Report
Date: 18 May 2025
Venue: Carriganore Cricket Grounds, Waterford
Match: Lismore CC 1st XI vs Waterford & District CC 1st XI
Result: Lismore CC 1st XI won by 151 runs

Lismore Dominate Waterford in One-Sided Encounter

Lismore Cricket Club produced a scintillating performance at Carriganore to register a commanding 151-run victory over Waterford & District in the MCU Division 2B contest, building momentum in Week 5 of the competition.

First Innings: Lismore CC 1st XI – 294 all out (39.6 overs)

Lismore’s innings was a rollercoaster of momentum, anchored by crucial partnerships and explosive hitting in the middle and late overs. Despite early setbacks, with Bineesh Pillai and Miguel Carolino both falling to a fiery spell by R Khalily (3 wickets), Lismore’s batting depth came to the fore, with opener S KS falling just short of a coveted 50.

Michael Talbot (32 off 18) provided early impetus before KS (49 off 57) and Guna Nanjappa (59 off 45) built a crucial middle-order stand, blending patience with power. The innings exploded into life with Vivek Thomas (43 off 33) and Jomy Kuriachan (54 off 39) adding fireworks in the death overs.

The final overs saw a cascade of boundaries as Kuriachan and Thomas struck cleanly, including a flurry of fours and sixes off Aroumont, Jayaram, and Shahid. However, the Waterford bowlers pulled things back marginally with late wickets. Rajendra Kshirsagar (2 wickets) and SK Jayaram (2 wickets) managed to stem some damage at the death.

Second Innings: Waterford & District CC 1st XI – 143 all out (27.3 overs)

In reply, Waterford never found their footing. They suffered a calamitous collapse early on, with Sarath Jose running riot through the top and middle order, claiming four wickets in a destructive spell. By the 10th over, Waterford were reeling at 23/7.

Only Sourav Ganguly (top-scoring with a masterful and spirited 95 off just 76 balls) provided resistance with some impressive hitting, including 4×12 6×5 in a display of clean striking.

Lower-order resistance from Aaron Pinto and Benjamin Martin briefly delayed the inevitable, but Lismore’s bowlers maintained relentless pressure. The irrepressible Michael Talbot (2 wickets) ensured there would be no miracles, helping to wrap up the innings in under 28 overs.

Zubair Shahid, who had to retire out, left Waterford even more exposed, culminating in a meek finish at 143 all out.

Standout Performances

• Jomy Kuriachan (Lismore) – 54 (39), 9 fours
• Guna Nanjappa (Lismore) – 59 (45), 4 sixes, 5 fours
• Sarath Jose (Lismore) – 5 wickets for 22
• Sourav Ganguly (Waterford) – 95 (76), 12 fours, 5 sixes
• S KS (Lismore) – 49 (57), 9 fours
• Michael Talbot (Lismore) – 2 wickets for 24

Summary

Lismore CC were clinical with bat and ball, showcasing their depth, discipline, and attacking intent. Waterford & District, despite a valiant innings from Ganguly, were outplayed in every department and will need a significant turnaround in the coming fixtures.

Next Fixtures:

Waterford & District need to regroup quickly as they face another tough test.

Lismore CC will look to carry this form into Week 6.

Munster Cricket Union U13 League – Week 5 Match Report
Limerick CC U13 XI vs Cork County CC U13B Tigers
📍 The Mardyke, Cork
🗓️ 18 May 2025
🏆 Result: Limerick CC U13 XI won by 132 runs

A dominant all-round performance from Limerick CC U13 XI saw them cruise to a comprehensive 132-run win over Cork County CC U13B Tigers at The Mardyke in the latest round of the MCU U13 League.

🏏 First Innings: Limerick CC U13 XI – 225/7 (30 overs)

Put into bat, Limerick posted an imposing total of 225 for 7 in their allotted 30 overs. The innings was anchored by an outstanding knock from Atharvan Alagesan, who scored a fluent 53 not out off 50 balls, retiring after his half-century. He struck multiple boundaries and played with composure through the middle and death overs, effectively marshalling the lower order.

Earlier in the innings, useful contributions came from Faizan Chaudhry (39 off 35) and Arham Ullah (30 off 34), who built a strong foundation after early wickets had threatened to destabilize Limerick’s innings.

The Cork bowlers struggled with consistency, conceding a high number of extras—including 54 wides which added to their woes. Ruairi Newton took 2 wickets, with one apiece to Ajay Jauhari, Monty Tom Pead, Ajay Byrne and Moosa Adnan Ahmed. All the bowlers were expensive, Lara Byrne, however, returned an economy rate of an impressive and miserly 3.5RPO.

🏏 Second Innings: Cork County CC U13B Tigers – 93 all out (22.1 overs)

In reply, Cork County’s chase never got going, as they collapsed to 93 all out in 22 overs. Their innings was marred by a flurry of early wickets, courtesy of Yousaf Ramay, who tore through the top order with figures of 4 wickets, including a crucial spell that saw three wickets fall in one over.

Despite a valiant knock of 44 off 68 balls from Moosa Adnan Ahmed, who held the innings together and tried to anchor the chase, wickets kept tumbling at the other end. Ahmed’s resistance ended when Hadi Alam bowled him in the 23rd over. The last 5 Cork County batters fell without a run being added with the bat, testament to the accurate bowling of the visitors.

Limerick’s bowlers were clinical. L George cleaned up the tail with a sharp spell that included 3 wickets in one over, while Faizan Chaudhry and Arham Ullah bowled tight, wicket-maiden overs that squeezed any remaining hope out of Cork’s chase.

⭐ Hero of the Match: Atharvan Alagesan (Limerick CC)

His mature, unbeaten half-century and ability to finish the innings strongly underlined his importance to Limerick’s lineup. With 53* (50), including some beautifully timed boundaries and calm running between the wickets, Alagesan was the clear standout in a match full of individual contributions.

📊 Key Performers

Limerick CC U13 XI

• Atharvan Alagesan – 53* (50)
• Faizan Chaudhry – 39 (35) & 1 wicket
• Arham Ullah – 30 (34)
• Yousaf Ramay – 4 wickets
• L George – 3 wickets for just 7 runs

Cork County CC U13B Tigers

• Moosa Adnan Ahmed – 44 (68)
• Ruairi Newton – 2 wickets

📝 Summary

It was a dominant showing from Limerick CC U13 XI, who outclassed Cork County in all departments. Their depth in batting and incisive bowling attack made the difference, and they continue their strong form in the MCU U13 League. However, the pedigree of Cork County’s youth section is such that it expected this young team will continue to develop and we can anticipate better days ahead for the Mardyke squad.

Our match reviews are a snapshot of matches across the MCU. Our goal is to highlight each club wherever possible. We encourage all clubs to submit team photographs and matchday images via the photo sharing WhatsApp group, or via email to programmes@munstercricket.ie