A very mixed weekend of results for Cork County with the 1st XI suffering two disappointing defeats to Clontarf 1 and County Kerry 1 in both Leinster Division 1 and the Munster Premier Division, respectively. However, there were big wins for the 2nd and 3rd XI’s as they both opened their respective league campaigns with full points.
Cork County finished on 100-6 from 24 overs before bad light stopped play which meant they lost by 55 runs on DLS to the Leinster Champions. Clontarf finished on 208-7 from 43 overs. Cork County were penalised 24 runs for slow over rate which resulted in a final ‘effective’ total of 232 which was DLS adjusted and resulted in a target of 248 in 43 overs.
Cork County’s innings was interrupted at the end of the first over with the score 2 for no loss. When play resumed, Cork County reached 100-6 from 24 overs when play was called off due to bad light. The DLS par at that time was 155.
In Munster Division 1, the 2nd XI recorded an impressive 8 wicket victory chasing 249 in just 30 overs against County Kerry 2 at the Oyster Oval on Saturday. Despite the blustery and showery conditions, Cork County reached their target almost 5 overs to spare thanks to excellent centuries from Marc Smith (124) and Robert Duggan (110*).
On Sunday, the 1st XI sought to make it two from two in the Premier Division but came up short by 17 runs chasing just 157 on a good wicket at a blustery Oyster Oval. Marc Smith once again led the way with 44 but no one gave the necessary support to see County home with Yakub Ali (4-10) causing most of the damage. The result and performance will hopefully be a wake up call for the champions who will need to up their game once league action returns in a few weeks!
The 3rd XI got their Division 2 campaign off to a winning start on bank holiday Monday with a 78 run victory over Lismore 1 at the Mardyke. 64 from Paul McDowell helped the home side to 207-8 off their 40 overs. In reply, Lismore were bowled out for 129 with Saleen Mir (4-25) and young Eshan O’Sullivan (3-0) doing most of the damage.
Weekend Results:
Saturday, 29th April
Leinster Division 1
Clontarf 232-7 (Mooney 59, Gallagher 39) beat Cork County 100-6 (Mooney 3-16, Delany 3-19) from 24 overs by 55 runs (DLS) (including 24 penalty runs for slow over rate) at the Mardyke. scorecard
Munster Division 1
Cork County 248-2 (Smith 124, Duggan 110*) beat County Kerry 247-7 off 45 overs (Ahmed 68) by 8 wickets at The Oyster Oval.
Sunday, 30th April
Munster Premier Division
County Kerry 157 all out (Y. Ali 38, Kelleher 3-15) beat Cork County 140 all out (Smith 44, Y Ali 4-10) by 17 runs at The Oyster Oval.
Monday, 1st May
Munster Division 2
Cork County 207-8 (P. McDowell 64) beat Lismore 129 all out (S. Mir 4-25, E. O’Sullivan 3-0) by 78 runs at the Mardyke.