We have been here before. Since 2010, either Waringstown or Merrion have been in the ISC Cup Final on every occasion barring the 2013 encounter between Clontarf and The Hills. They have met twice in the final - with the score one each. Over this eight year period Waringstown have won the trophy three times and Merrion twice. Merrion have been in the final no less than five times to Warinstown’s four. Add to this the forthcoming event and even with one year to go to complete the decade, it is clear that these are the two most successful sides in the competition over this period. Who ends up the dominant side has yet to be determined but a fourth win for Waringstown will probably be enough to clinch this unofficial title.
The paths to the final for the two sides this season could not have been more different. For Warinsgstown, going into every match as favourites, it has been more a procession than a campaign. A bye in the first round was followed by an easy eight wicket win over YMCA who they bowled out for 80, a QF victory over Pembroke by 133 runs [after scoring 358/2] and another 100 plus run win over Strabane in the SF defending 331/7. It is fair to say that they have not been challenged in any of their games so far.
Merrion journey was very different. In the first game away to Donemana they scraped home in a pulsating game where defending 295/7 they bowled Donemana out one run short of the total on the last ball. In the second round they also batted against CIYMS and had to defend 273/9 in Anglesea Road. They had to overcome an onslaught from Nigel Jones [109] but somehow managed to hang in and came out on top by 10 runs.
A QF against Leinster brought some relief for the hard pressed supporters and having scored 335/8 they were comfortable winners by 116 runs. But normal service was resumed in the SF v Clontarf. Having held Clontarf to 205/9 in their 50 overs Merrion were well placed on 110/1 but a flurry of wickets allowed Clontarf back into the game. In the end it took until the last over for Merrion [thanks to 99* from John Anderson] to reach the target, winning by two wickets.
Waringstown go into the final as favourites. They are the number one ranked side in the country and they have shown their quality throughout this year’s tournament. If they can establish a strong position in the game at any time it is unlikely that they will be prised loose. But if Merrion can hang in and bring it to a close finish who would bet against them given the way they have fought for their wins this year.
Both sides are packed full of match winners and neither are lacking in experience. Merrion will happily take on the mantle of underdogs and recall that two years ago they came out on top in similar circumstances. But it is difficult to get past the all round strength of the Waringstown side.
Final takes place in Stormont with an 11.30 start time.