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Posts Tagged ‘Munster Cricket Union’

Cork County’s Quest for Historic Treble

Wednesday, September 20th, 2023

As Cork County Cricket Club gears up for the Munster Senior Cup final against County Kerry Cricket Club, they have their sights set on achieving a remarkable treble this season. Already crowned champions in the Senior T20 Blast and Premier Division, Cork County now aims to add the Senior Cup to these.

The prospect of securing the treble is a testament to the talent and hard work of the Cork County squad who juggle both Munster and Leinster commitments. Their performances in the Senior T20 Blast and Premier Division have been consistent throughout, earning them well-deserved titles and recognition in the Munster cricket scene.

Now, with the Senior Cup final on the horizon, Cork County has the opportunity to cap off an extraordinary season with another significant achievement. Winning the Senior Cup would not only solidify a dominant season in Munster but also add a historic chapter to their storied legacy in the competition.

Since the inception of the Senior T20 Blast in 2016, the Munster Senior treble has been a rare and coveted feat, and achieving it would be a source of immense pride for Cork County Cricket Club who has achieved the accolade on two previous occasions in 2017 and 2019. It’s a testament to their commitment and determination, and it reflects the strong cricketing culture and tradition within the club.

If the weather permits, the Senior Cup final promises to be a thrilling encounter, with County facing a Kerry side buoyed by the addition of Monil Patel to their ranks and following victories at the Quarter and Semi-Final stages against Harlequins and Limerick, respectively. The Mardyke will be buzzing with excitement, and spectators can expect a fiercely competitive match as these two talented sides take the field.

A victory would mean a first Senior Cup title for the club in the 2020s following the two gap due to Covid and since their last victory in 2019. The club has won 20 Senior Cup titles since 1987 and won six in a row during the 2001 to 2006 period.

2023 Munster Senior Cup Final

Sunday, 24th September, at the Mardyke (11.30am)

2023 1st XI Season Preview

Friday, April 21st, 2023

As the 2023 cricket season approaches, Cork County prepares for an exciting and challenging campaign under the leadership of its new club captain, Abubakar Saddique, who takes the reins from Ross Durity. With a wealth of experience gained at both club and interprovincial levels, Saddique will look to lead from the front with bat and ball, having taken 142 wickets at 19.7 in Leinster competition.

Abubakar Saddique - Cork County Cricket Club

Joining the squad as the club’s overseas player is South African Stefano di Bartolomeo, a seam bowling all-rounder from Benoni Northerns CC in the Easterns Premier League. Di Bartolomeo, who is also eligible for the Italian national side, will aim to play his way into their squad for the WT20 Qualifiers later in the summer while also aiming to put in some strong performances with bat and ball for the club in all competitions.

The 1st XI will face a tough start to their Premier Division campaign with an uncompromising schedule of three successive away fixtures in Munster competitions, followed by a trip to Ardmore in the Irish Senior Cup. However, the squad is strengthened with a few new faces who will inject some freshness and necessary depth into the team. Saddique will also be able to rely on the experience and talent of the likes of  Ross Durity, Byron McDonough, Nabeel Anjum among others who will all have key roles to play to ensure the club has a successful season.

Saddique is optimistic about the upcoming season and his role as club captain, stating, “It’s a new season, and as the new captain, I want to instil an aggressive mindset in the squad and look to win back some silverware in Munster and become a tough opponent in a very competitive-looking Leinster Championship.” It promises to be an exciting season for Cork County, and their supporters can’t wait to see what unfolds on the pitch.

Groundsman Matt Reed is also hard at work preparing the Mardyke for what promises to be another action-packed season on the ground, with fixtures at all levels scheduled throughout the summer. In addition, the first T20 Interpro festival is set to take place in early June, adding to the already exciting lineup of matches. Matt’s expertise and attention to detail ensure that the ground is always in top condition, ready for play at all times.

Looking north across the the Mardyke Cricket grounds towards Sunday's Well.

1st XI Complete Impressive Senior Treble

Monday, September 9th, 2019

Cork County completed an impressive Senior treble following confirmation that they retained the Premier Division title on Sunday.

The 1st XI were confirmed as Premier Division champions on Sunday which followed on from their Senior Cup success the previous week. In addition to the Senior T20 Blast trophy which they won earlier in the summer, it is their second treble of Senior trophies in three seasons.

2019 Munster Senior Treble

2019 SENIOR CUP

A century for Cormac Hassett and a five-wicket haul from Abubakar Saddique helped Cork County to a 206-run win against County Kerry in the Senior Cup Final.

An opening stand of 130 between centurion Hassett and Brandon Kruger laid the perfect platform for Cork to post a daunting total. Hassett top scored with 103, while Kruger hit 55.

The middle order kept the momentum going as Jeremy Benton made 48, Robert Duggan 33, and Zubair Shah an unbeaten 31 in their total of 363 for 6.

Kerry were never in the chase with only Qassim’s 39 the major resistance as they made 157.

2019 Munster Senior Cup Winners

Abubabkar Saddique claimed 5 for 15, Nabeel Anjum 2-30, while a special word of praise for teenage spinner Diarmuid Carey who probably deserved better than his 1-28 off 10 overs.

“I’m absolutely delighted with the win in the cup final and for me personally to contribute with a century is a huge bonus,” said centurion Cormac Hassett.

“My opening partnership of 130 with Brandon Kruger really set the tone for the day and I aimed to take the attack to the Kerry bowlers from the off.

“The middle order really backed us up to help put on a big total and the bowlers were excellent to deny Kerry any room to get going.

“All in all a great overall team performance.”

Scorecard

At The Mardyke, Cork County beat County Kerry by 206 runs

Cork County 363-6 (50 overs; Cormac Hassett 103, Brandon Kruger 55, Jeremy Benton 48, Rob Duggan 33, Zuhair Shah 31*)

County Kerry 157 all out (43.2 overs; Qassim 39, Abubakar Saddique 5-15, Nabeel Anjum 2-30) 

 

 








County 2 overcome Waterford & District to reach Cup semi-final

Wednesday, May 20th, 2015

Waterford & District were the visitors to the Mardyke on Sunday last to take on Cork County 2 in the quarter-final of the Munster Junior Cup. In chilly and overcast conditions Kevin O’Sullivan won the toss and had no hesitation in asking the visitors to set a score.

David Head and Bilal Hussein strode out from the pavilion to face Aaron Cawley from the Mardyke End and first Oscar Cotter from the Tennis Club End. With the ball swinging prodigiously and the opening bowlers generating good pace, progress was slow. Wides accounted for the bulk of the 14 runs that Waterford had accumulated by the start of the seventh over when Hussein skyed a knee-high full toss on leg stump from Cotter, Rory O’Keeffe taking a good catch after running in from slip.

Siblee Islam joined the Waterford ‘keeper at the crease but Aaron Cawley was bowling at a consistently good pace and had both batsmen in trouble during his spell of 5 overs for 5 runs. The young right-armer was unlucky not to pick up a wicket, something which bowling a fuller length should sort out next time round. Meanwhile, Narsa Renjarla had replaced Oscar Cotter and despite conceding some early wides, his medium-pace was causing problems for Head and Islam.

It took another bowling change and a considerable degree of patience for County to pick up their second wicket, Islam gloving a short ball from James Hunter straight to Rory O’Keeffe at first slip. Dylan McGuire was next to go, bowled by Hunter for a single. The Suir-siders were in trouble at 33-4 after 16 overs and things soon got worse for them when Renjarla had Brendan du Preez lbw first ball. Du Preez felt he had edged it onto his pad but umpire Jack Russell had no hesitation in lifting the finger and he had to go.

Hunter picked up his third wicket soon after when Nithin Padmaprabher drove uppishly to O’Sullivan at mid-off. Some excellent Cork County bowling aswell as a solid fielding performance had the home side on top but with Head still at the crease they were wary of a Waterford backlash.

DSC_0076

Thankfully for the Mardyke men, the mainstay of the innings was out just one over later, castled by Hunter for 13 out of 50-6. Following the drinks break, Sean Cawley who had replaced Renjarla at the Tennis Club End enticed Pushkar Nigam to flick to mid-wicket where Kevin Bray took a good low catch. Despite conceding three no balls and several wides, Cawley struck again two overs later, disturbing Glen Egerton’s stumps and leaving Waterford 8 down with just 60 on the board.

Ram Sarkar decided that it was time to counter attack and he flayed Hunter to the mid-wicket fence before lofting him over mid-off for six. Despite a relatively expensive final over, Hunter finished with figures of 9-0-26-4, an outstanding performance by any measure.

Following the completion of his spell, O’Sullivan introduced himself from the University End and had Manish Singh dropped first ball, wicket-keeper Peter Barlow failing to cling on to a tough chance. It mattered little however as Sarkar was plumb lbw two balls later for a swift 23.

The visitors skipper David Latimer was last man in and two balls later last man out when he was bowled around his legs by O’Sullivan to leave W&D 84 all out in 30 overs.

Following the tea interval, Peter Barlow and Paul McDowell set about the task of chasing down what looked like a relatively easy target. That task suffered an early setback however as Barlow was bowled by Nigam with the score on 4. McDowell followed his opening partner back to the pavilion five overs later, bowled by Bilal Hussein for 8.

Meanwhile, Rory O’Keeffe had set about the task of dispatching the Waterford bowlers to all parts of the Mardyke and assisted by a few wides and the odd no ball had succeeded in pushing the score to 43 when he lost his partner Aaron Cawley (1) caught at cover attempting to cut Manish Singh.

James Hunter joined O’Keeffe and both played assertively and with patience, taking what runs were on offer without much risk. Following David Latimer’s excellent, if wicketless spell from the Tennis Club End, Bilal Hussein returned to the fray and had O’Keeffe smartly caught behind for 25.

However, with just 21 runs needed for victory, it was too little too late for the visitors and a flick to fine-leg for three by Kevin Bray ensured that Cork County emerged triumphant. They will now go on to face either Midleton or Limerick in the semi-final to be held at the Mardyke on June 27th.








County to face holders Galway in the Senior Cup

Thursday, February 5th, 2015

The draws for the 2015 Munster Senior, Junior and Minor Cup’s were completed on Tuesday night by the MCU’s Cricket Competitions Committee. The Munster Cup’s have always provided some memorable contests and the frequent upset over the years so the draw had been eagery anticipated with the 2015 season on the horizon.

The pick of the Senior Cup Quarter Final ties sees Cork County make the long trip up to Lydican to face holders County Galway. The remainder of the Quarter Finals sees Midleton host Limerick and County Clare making the journey down to Tralee to face County Kerry. Cork Harlequins received a bye into the Semi-Finals.

The Junior Cup also sees some tasty contests with Cork County hosting Waterford & District while Limerick make the journey to Midleton and Tipperary County welcome County Kerry in the Quarter Finals. Once again, Cork Harlequins had the luck of receiving a bye into the Semi-Finals.

The Minor Cup saw the uncanny occurrence of Midleton and Limerick being drawn together once again with the East Cork side having home advantage. Cork Harlequins will welcome the students of UCC to Farmers Cross in the other Quarter Final tie. The winners of both of those ties will face off in the Semi-Final with Cork County and County Kerry facing off in the other side of the Semi-Final draw.

2015-munster-cups








2014 Munster Cricket Union Awards Night

Tuesday, November 18th, 2014

MCU logoThe 2014 Munster Cricket Union Awards Night will take place on Friday, 21st November, at Cork County Cricket Club starting at 8 p.m. There will be a number of presentations on the night including:

  • –  League trophies and medals to the winners of Divisions 1, 2 and 3.
  • –  Awards to the most valuable players for the season in Divisions 1, 2 and 3.
  • –  Announcement of the Division 1 team of the year based on the stand out performances throughout the season.
  • –  Youth awards at U13 and U15 levels.

Light refreshments will also be available on the night.

Cork County are in line to receive their Division 1 League cup and medals after retaining their title with a number of the 1st team squad in contention to be named MVP and selected in the Division 1 Team of the Year.

2014 season for Cork County Cricket Club








Kelleher the star as Cork County secure Cork T20 Cup

Tuesday, August 5th, 2014

Cork County A made the short trip up Airport Hill to Farmers Cross for the final of the Cork T20 Cup on Friday evening. A youthful Cork County team had beaten UCC in the semi final while opponents Cork Harlequins had overcome Cork County B to reach the decider.

Quins won the toss and chose to have a bat, eager to set a score before the forecasted rain arrived. Alas, it was not to be and after just 12 deliveries heavy rain swept across Farmers Cross and forced the players off. Aside from two boundaries and Junaid Ayub falling LBW to Kevin O’Sullivan those twelve deliveries were uneventful.

The victorious Cork County team which defeated Cork Harlequins in the Cork T20 Cup

By the time the rain abated the match was reduced to fifteen overs per side with a maximum of three overs per bowler. The hosts wasted no time in upping the run rate, going at almost 11 runs per over until Zuhair Shah holed out to Kevin O’Sullivan at long on off the bowling of Scot Jeffers.

Andrew Whittaker and Andrew O’Reilly continued to add to the score and O’Reilly reached a well-made fifty in the eleventh over despite the best efforts of County bowlers Aidan Kelleher, Brian Kelleher and Barry O’Sullivan. He added another twenty four runs before Ryan O’Connell took a stunning catch at deep mid-wicket to end O’Reilly’s innings.

Aidan Kelleher leaves the field following his unbeaten 92Amaan Mehraj and Andy Whittaker added six more runs until a direct hit from Aidan Kelleher at mid-wicket saw Mehraj run out off the very last ball of the innings. The home side had reached 155-4 from their fifteen allocated overs and despite the fact that one boundary was just 25 metres from the artificial wicket County were very much underdogs at the innings break.

No one could have scripted what came next however. Aidan Kelleher and Peter Barlow opened the batting for County and took an incredible 114 runs from the first seven overs, Kelleher bringing up a magnificent half century in the process with a leg glance. The youngster who has captained Munster at Under 15 level smashed five maximums in the first seven overs to leave County in an extremely strong position with just 42 more runs required for victory.

Peter Barlow, having made a fluent 23 was stumped off Junaid Ayub, but his replacement Scot Jeffers flicked his second ball over fine leg for six to keep the visitors’ momentum going. At the other end Kelleher, who also captained his school side PBC in last year’s Galty Cup demolition by CBC continued to take the attack to the ‘Quins bowlers and it was fitting that he finished the game by flicking a Greg Higgins full toss through mid-wicket, to hand Cork County a 9 wicket win and the inaugural Cork T20 Cup trophy.

During the post-match presentation tournament organiser and President of the MCU, David Griffin thanked all the players who took part in the competition and expressed his desire to see the competition continue to run in coming seasons. Kevin O’Sullivan spoke on behalf of Cork County and expressed his thanks to Mr. Griffin for taking the time to organise such a fantastic competition as well as thanking Cork Harlequins for their hospitality.

 








Date and venue of Cork T20 Cup Final announced

Monday, July 28th, 2014

MCU logoThe final of the inaugural Cork T20 Cup will take place at Farmer’s Cross on Friday August 1st with a 6pm start time.

Cork County A and Cork Harlequins will contest the final and David Griffin, President of the Munster Cricket Union and the tournament referee will be on hand to present the trophy to the winning side.








Cork County A progress to T20 Cup Final with victory over UCC

Tuesday, July 22nd, 2014

The first semi-final of the Cork T20 Cup took place at the Mardyke on Monday evening where Cork County A took on UCC. UCC won the toss and asked County A to set a target. Peter Barlow and Barry O’Sullivan opened the batting for Cork County and some excellent running as well as the odd boundary helped County to 26 for no loss after 5 overs.

Barlow was first to depart, caught at point by Khan off the bowling of Tahir for 14. Scot Jeffers joined O’Sullivan and they succeeded in putting on 13 when O’Sullivan was out caught behind off Khan. Aidan Kelleher cover drove Khan to the boundary but fell next ball, caught by Tahir at cover point.

Cork County in Cork T20 action

That wicket meant that County had reached 48-3 at the halfway stage and still had some work to do in order to set a sizeable target for UCC. Jeffers wasted no time in upping the run rate and took three consecutive fours from Ishmail Khan before dispatching a free hit to the square-leg boundary. Kevin O’Sullivan who had joined Jeffers at the crease when Kelleher was out continued to feed his partner the strike and the home side had reached 86-3 from 15 overs.

Shahrukh Baig eventually made the breakthrough for the visitors when Jeffers holed out to deep mid-wicket but not before he and O’Sullivan had put on a 52 run partnership to put County in a relatively strong position at 100-4 from 17.2 overs, Jeffers falling 9 runs short of a half century.

Chris Van Heerden joined Kevin O’Sullivan at the crease and took a single to square leg before O’Sullivan pulled a Baig free hit for six and then cut him for four. Some aggressive running helped to put pressure on the UCC fielders and they conceded four overthrows, helping County to 125-4 with one over remaining. Two runs came from the first two balls before O’Sullivan cut straight to gully for 20 out of 127-5. Chris Van Heerden finished off the innings with a boundary, flashing over the slips and County had set UCC a daunting target of 134 to win.

Kevin O’Sullivan opened the bowling for the Tennis Club End and took a wicket with his first ball, Singh edging through to Peter Barlow behind the stumps. Barry O’Sullivan bowled from the University End and had Abdullah Khan caught behind before bowling Bryan Deadman for a duck.

Cork County Cricket Club Crest

County were well on top at 26-3 and things soon got even better as Shahrukh Baig was bowled by Sachin Saxena for 19. Sean Power was next to go, bowled by Scot Jeffers and he was soon followed by UCC captain Ali, debutant Josh Van Heerden taking a terrific catch at short fine-leg.

Despite the efforts of Kevin Galvin and Danyal Siddiqui, it was always going to be an uphill struggle for UCC and when Galvin was caught by Aidan Kelleher off the bowling of Scot Jeffers the game was up for the away side.

Brian Kelliher(2) and Chris Van Heerden(1) picked up the final three UCC wickets for the loss of just 4 runs and County had completed a comprehensive victory by 62 runs. Cork County A now go on to face the winners of Cork Harlequins and Cork County B in the final of the inaugural Cork T20 Cup which is likely to be played at the Mardyke in a fortnight’s time.

Kevin O’Sullivan








Weekend Preview-June 28th/29th

Friday, June 27th, 2014

Saturday will see all three Cork County teams in action. The 1st XI travel to Dublin for a top of the table clash with Malahide in LCU Division 2. This game is sure to be a cracker with Cork County, unbeaten in league competitions so far this year set to take on a strong Malahide batting line-up including the likes of Reinhardt Strydom and Leinster Lightning batsman Fintan McAllister. County will travel North with great confidence having taken 24 points from their clash with Rush last week and will hope for a similar performance this weekend.

The Cork County CC 1st XI

The 2nd XI host UCC at the Mardyke on the same day. With both teams looking for their first league wins, this game is sure to be a competitive one. UCC come into the game on the back of a four game losing streak while the home side endured a disappointing five wicket loss in Farmer’s Cross last Saturday. Ali Khan, Peter Barlow and Kevin O’Sullivan return to the team after the exams and together with the experience of Niall Tynan, Justin McGurk and Barry O’Sullivan aswell as exciting young talent in the form of the Kelleher brothers and Chris Van Heerden, County will be hoping for a winning performance.

Cork County Cricket Club CrestBilly Quinn’s 3rd XI make the trip to Tralee to take on Kerry. A win would go a long way for both sides in the Division 3 league table, particularly for County ahead of their Cup tie with Cork Harlequins next weekend. Andrew Sommerfield and Ryan O’Connell return for County, bolstering a batting line-up which has had a slight dip in form recently. Home advantage could be key for Kerry with away sides tending to find the artificial wicket a daunting prospect recently.

The 1st XI return to Munster league action on Sunday when Clare visit the Mardyke. County have been in spectacular form in Munster recently, with the experienced core of Ross Durity, Robert Duggan, Morne Bauer and Stephan Grobler all in terrific form with the bat. Clare have also had their share of success in recent weeks with the demolition of Cork Harlequins in Farmer’s Cross last weekend the highlight. This game could have an important say in deciding the Munster Division 1 title and both teams will have their sights fixed on a win.