Pembroke Cricket Club will, this Friday 11 July at 6:30 pm, host the Women’s Leinster Senior Cup Final. This final is the showpiece, the blue riband event of Women’s cricket in Leinster and the two finalists are hosts Pembroke and local rivals YMCA.
YMCA have reached the final after beating Malahide in the first round by six wickets and Merrion in the semi final by 16 runs. Pembroke went to Castle Avenue in the first round to beat Clontarf by 8 wickets before defeating Leinster at home by 19 runs. YMCA haven’t lifted the trophy since 2007, but will be hoping to make this their tenth victory since 1992. Pembroke on the other hand have only won one final, albeit more recently, in 2011.
Pembroke currently top the Leinster league with six wins from six games, whilst YMCA have saved their best for the cup. The sides have met once this season with Pembroke coming out on top by 8 runs. On the day, Meg Kendal scored 52* and Kim Garth 69* as Pembroke set a target of 141. YMCA will be hoping to improve on the wides conceded in that game with 16 sent down. In reply YMCA got to within 8 runs of victory. Clare Shillington top-scored with 56*, although one suspects that she may bat higher than number six in this final. Gaby Lewis scored 42 until she was run out. However a cup final is not decided by league form and both sides will be going all out to capture the trophy.
Pembroke captain Ciara J. Metcalfe leads a team which includes current Irish internationals Shauna Kavanagh and Louise McCarthy as well as Kim Garth and New Zealander Meg Kendal. Louise McCarthy would be hoping to repeat her 8 wickets for 1 run achieved earlier this season, whilst Meg Kendal has provided runs galore.
YMCA captain Robyn Lewis can also call on internationals, both new and, shall we say, more established. Gaby Lewis is the most recent call up to the “Girls in Green”, having accompanied the side to England last weekend as twelfth man. Jennifer Gray is another full international and presently is studying in Dublin University, but plays her cricket in Claremont Road. Clare Shillington has been injured recently, having split her hand, but it would take a lot more than that to keep her off the field. In fact amputation would probably be shaken off as a flesh wound by Clare, but this is to be expected from a true lady who has been described as the most competitive in the Irish squad.
Both clubs have done well to promote the youth within their clubs and also cricket itself within Leinster. As well as Robyn Lewis at 15, YMCA also have 15 year old Lucy O’Reilly who has already played in her first World Cup Finals at the T20 event held in Bangladesh earlier this year.
All Division 1 games have this season been umpired by members of the LCU&SA, and the final will be umpired by Conor McElhinney and P. Carty.
Pembroke President Janice Walsh never got to win the Leinster Senior Cup in her own playing career, but will undoubtedly ensure that Sydney Parade will be in tip top shape to host this game. Ronan Malin has done superb work in preparing wickets and the weather has ensured the outfield will be as quick as the greens at Augusta. Bar Manager Philip Byrne will be on duty to provide refreshments and all we ask for is that the weather co-operates.
If you are a supporter, coach, parent or just a member of YMCA or Pembroke we hope to see you there in your club colours and if you’re just a supporter of women’s cricket or just cricket do come down. It’ll be a game full of commitment and passion, unlike a certain world cup semi-final.....