This weekend saw the double header at our home grounds in Hiney Park where both our teams were playing in the semi finals to secure a spot for the finals. A busy weekend of Cup action ended in heartbreak for Dundalk CC as both men’s teams were eliminated from their respective T20 Cup competitions at the semi-final stage.
Up first was the second team who took to the field against Mullingar 3. The visitors batted well for their 160, the openers getting the bulk of the runs. Mullingar opener Zahid Iqbal is likely ruing a missed opportunity as the town’s in-form leg-spinner Lutfullah Sediqi removed him for 49.
Dundalk’s top order started well but were unfortunate to lose Prashant Nair who had to retire on 33. Jithin John batted well at number three but wickets began to tumble once the hosts reached 100, eventually falling 26 short of the mark and bowing out. View full scorecard here
Everyone hung on to support the first-team, who were aiming for a second successive ED Sports Whelan Cup final. Taking on Adamstown 4, the visitors batted first and began well with a 52-run opening stand. Left-arm medium pacer Sanju Baby brought this partnership to an end and took two wickets in three balls to put the town in the driving seat. 147 was the score needed to win.
It was a gritty and difficult effort in the chase and at 77-7, the tail-enders needed someone to step up. Raheel Qamar and Umer Khan gave the hosts every chance of a shock victory by counterattacking with a half-century stand of their own, bringing the tie into the final over. Qamar hit a huge six to leave Dundalk needing three off the final ball but, unfortunately, they could only manage a single and an impressive cup campaign for the club drew to a close. View full scorecard here
Both teams still have league titles to chase and the action continues for the next few weeks to see if either team can gain promotion.
