Kidd Insurances Women’s Leinster Senior Cup Final
Clontarf and Merrion will contest the Leinster Senior Cup Final in Sydney Parade this evening at 5pm. Both sides look to crown their season with victory in the Kidd Insurances sponsored, Blue Riband event.
Merrion have made the final on the back of a 9-wicket victory over The Hills in round one and a 69-run victory over Leinster in the semi-final. Matilda Lugg with scores of 41 not out and an unbeaten 93 in those matches, may need to go big again for her side.
In that semi-final victory over Leinster, Lugg put on an unbeaten 137 with Isobel Joyce (82*). Unfortunately for Merrion both Isobel, and her sister Cecelia will miss the final, along with Hannah de Burgh Whyte.
A tough blow for the Anglesea Road outfit but their large squad and the development of their younger players, particularly Leah Paul and Sadhbh Breslin, will ensure a tight game.
It is not just the loss of three star-players that has made Clontarf favourites going in to tonight’s final.
The northsiders are in fine form, none more so perhaps than captain Una Raymond-Hoey, named captain of Ireland A this week.
An unbeaten 65 helped Clontarf past Malahide in round 1 but it was in the semi-final that Raymond-Hoey’s really showed her batting prowess.
She smashed 14 fours and two sixes in her 101 not out. This outshone what was another stunning batting display at the other end, Lara Maritz hit 97 not out as Clontarf posted 225/0 off their 20 overs.
Clontarf had few scares in closing out a 48-run victory and reaching the final.
This will be the fourth time that these sides go head-to-head this season and the record stands at 2-1 in favour of Merrion.
Back in May, Merrion had a resounding 9-wicket victory in a fifty over match at Anglesea Road. Leah Paul took three wickets, and Breslin, Delaney and Raack 2 each, as Clontarf were dismissed for 118. Paul then made 58* to secure the win.
Perhaps more pertinent are the two Division 1 T20 League matches between the sides.
In May again, Merrion had another comfortable win on home soil. Lugg’s 107 not out set Clontarf a challenging 205 for victory. Despite 73 not out from Raymond-Hoey, the visitors came up 73 runs short in that chase.
Just three weeks ago, the sides met in the return fixture at Castle Avenue. On this occasion, Clontarf inserted Merrion and restricted them to 145. Raymond-Hoey couldn’t be removed once again, making 59*, but it was Kerry Tomlinson who top-scored with 78 as Clontarf got home with 3 balls to spare.
Looking ahead to tonight’s match, Clontarf are probably marginal favourites, but Cup Finals are all about holding your nerve and performing on the day.
Clontarf against Merrion gets underway at 5pm and promises great entertainment and excitement for all the family. If you can’t make it to Sydney Parade, Cricket Leinster are delighted to be able to bring live streaming of the Kidd Insurances Women’s Senior Cup Final. Details of the live stream will be released via social media this afternoon.
Kidd Insurances Women’s Leinster Senior Cup Final, Friday August 3rd
At Pembroke Cricket Club, Sydney Parade, 5pm
Clontarf CC Team (from)
Una Raymond Hoey (capt)
Aoife Brennan
Kerry Tomlinson
Tess Maritz
Lara Maritz
Sue Lawless
Emma Butler
Anna Kirk
Hollie Erskine
Keeva Vickers
Lauren Maxwell
Christina Coulter Reilly
Molly Butler
Merrion CC Team
Rachel Delaney (capt)
Matilda Lugg
Leah Paul
Sadbdh Breslin
Emma Paul
Julianne Morrissey
Jessica McGrane
Kate McAlinden
Emily McAlinden
Abi England
Niamh Asher