Cricket Irish Senior Cup finalThe final of the Irish Senior Cup, which was postponed because of bad weather the previous day, was scarcely a heart-stopping confrontation at Castle Avenue on Saturday, despite some excellent individual performances.
But, as they collected the trophy for the second time in two years - and the first time down south - North County skipper Andre Botha, his team and supporters had plenty to cheer about, having already carried off the Conqueror Leinster Senior Cup for the first time, just three weeks before.
Railway Union's captain, Adrian Murphy, won the toss and took a brave decision by putting North County in to bat. But his judgment looked good, as Roger Whelan soon removed both openers, Conor Armstrong and Sean O'Connor, both well caught behind by Murphy, with only 37 runs on the board.
Very encouraging, but then enter Botha and 16-year-old Eoin Morgan, who on last week's English tour became Ireland's youngest capped player.
They put on 71 for the third wicket before Botha was caught behind off Ger O'Brien; his 40 runs were scored off 54 deliveries and included six boundaries.
Young Morgan and Paul Mooney then added 86 for the fourth wicket before Mooney was out after a useful 20-run contribution with the score on 194 in the 46th over.
Just five runs later Morgan was out, well held by Ger O'Brien off the bowling of his brother Kevin.
Morgan's performance was one of impressive maturity and judgment. His 70 runs made him the game's top scorer and were hit off 95 balls, with four fours and two sixes. Definitely, a young player to be watched with interest.
Dara Armstrong added an unbeaten, lively 17, blasting an enormous six over the roof of the pavilion off the last ball of the final over.
Whelan bowled well for Railway to take two for 12, while Kevin O'Brien picked up three valuable wickets, those of Morgan, Paul Mooney and John Mooney.
Whatever hopes Railway had of winning their first-ever Royal Liver cup evaporated rapidly as their first five batsmen were taking early showers with only 25 runs on the board by the ninth over.
Paul Mooney did the damage, removing openers Gareth Carroll and Peter Johnston, as well as Mohammed Tariq and Adrian Murphy, while Botha had Kenny Carroll caught behind by Armstrong.
Conor Mullen, batting at number six, greatly helped to prevent a total rout with a gallant and patient 58 hit off 101 deliveries and including eight boundaries, before being run out in the 21st over with the total on 159 for nine.
Kevin O'Brien and Gary Black contributed useful scores of 22 and 20, respectively, before they were both removed by Joe (Big Bird) Murphy.
An excellent and well-earned victory for North County, then, and despite Morgan's batting display, it was hardly a surprise that Mooney's devastating bowling - four for 19 off seven overs - won him the man-of-the-match award.
