CRICKET IRISH SENIOR CUP FINAL: NORTH COUNTY became the first team to claim back-to-back Bob Kerr Irish Senior Cup titles with a brilliant 53-run victory over Donemana on Saturday that once again proved that you write off this side at your peril.
It increased the Balbriggan side's record haul to five, two clear of their nearest rivals, in a competition they have made their own since first winning it back in 2001.
Their ability to fight their corner despite the odds was again to the fore as they comfortably defended 165 by bowling the north west side out for 112 after the game went into a second day following Friday's rain.
Resuming their innings on 106 for five, County had 18 overs to post a target, but runs proved hard to come by on a pitch that was much more sluggish than a day previously. The frustration proved too much for Conor Armstrong, who added just four to his overnight score before holing out to James McBrine off the bowling of Jordon McGonigle for 68.
Despite his disappointment, it would prove the vital innings of the game and was enough to earn the former international the man of the match honours.
Ciaran Garry was out soon afterwards, stumped by Richard Dougherty off Alex "Junior" McBrine for 20 as County fell to 116 for seven.
It was a position they could have easily imploded from, but a 46-run stand for the eighth wicket between Dara Armstrong (30) and Denver De Cruz (18) pushed them past the 150-mark before their innings came to a close on 165.
Andre Botha got the early breakthrough County required when he bowled Graeme Boyd in the fifth over, while James McBrine survived what looked a good shout for a run-out in the same over.
Botha made an inspired decision to replace himself with Dwayne Harper at the pavilion end as he claimed the key wicket of Donemama pro Azhar Shaffique for 18 with his second ball, wicket-keeper Dara Armstrong taking the catch down the leg-side.
Harper struck again before lunch, Eddie Richardson staying calm under a high dropping ball to catch Dale Olphert to leave Donemana on 47 for three at the break.
Richie Lawrence turned one through Junior McBrine's defences soon after the resumption, but twin brother James and Donemana skipper Dwayne McGerrigle then upped the tempo in what had the makings of a match- defining partnership.
McGerrigle was given a life when De Cruz spilled a catch off Richardson, but the former Ireland player added just two before Mooney held on to him at point off the same bowler with the score on 91.
It was the cue for a collapse that saw Donemana lose their last six wickets for just 21 runs, with Richardson picking up three wickets, while Botha, Harper and Lawrence each claimed two in a superb display as North County wrapped up an emphatic victory.
Botha admitted the 59 runs his side added in the morning proved vital to his side's success.
"When we got up to 160 we actually thought it was something to bowl at. It was a different wicket and I think that played to our advantage because it just got very slow and low," said Botha.
"We always knew they had a couple of guys there that could win the game for them, but the wickets fell at the right time and it worked out perfectly for us," he added.
At Strabane:
North County won the toss and batted.
NORTH COUNTY
C Armstrongc J McBrine b McGonigle 68
R Strydomb Dunn 0
R Lawrencec McGonigle b Dunn 0
A Bothac McGerrigle b Britton 0
A Murphylbw b Shafique 11
J Mooneyb A McBrine 8
C Garryst Dougherty b A McBrine 20
D Armstrongc Britton b A McBrine 30
D De Cruzcb A McBrine 18
E Richardsonnot out 0
Extras10
Total(for 9 wkts, 50 ovs) 165
DNB: D Harper Fall: 1-5, 2-10, 3-11, 4-46, 5-67, 6-113, 7-116, 8-162, 9-165.
Bowling: A Britton 10-1-25-1; S Dunn 10-3-29-2; A Shafique 10-1-41-1; A McBrine 10-0-46-4; J McGonigle 10-2-19-1.
DONEMANA
A Shafiquec D Armstrong b Harper 18
G Boydb Botha 6
J McBrinelbw Botha 30
D Olphertc Lawrence b Harper 5
A McBrineb Lawrence 3
D McGerriglec Mooney b Richardson 23
R McBrinec Murphy b Lawrence 3
J McGoniglerun out 0
A Brittonc Murphy b Richardson 6
R Doughertyb Richardson 2
S Dunnnot out 1
Extras15
Total(all out, 39.4 ovs) 112
Fall: 1-19, 2-28, 3-36, 4-52, 5-91, 6-91, 7-97, 8-107, 9-111, 10-112.
Bowling: A Botha 8-3-17-2; D De Cruz 8-0-23-0; D Harper 3-0-7-2; J Mooney 5-2-10-0; R Lawrence 9-2-25-2; E Richardson 6.4-1-25-3.
• North County won by 53 runs.
• Man of the match: Conor Armstrong (North County)
