National Cup holders County Galway eased past competition debutants  Letterkenny by seven wickets after bowling the visitors out for 146 in just 28.1 overs. Ramees Machingal top-scored with 37 for Letterkenny, but Basheer Fanakzai ripped through the innings with outstanding figures of 5-24. Galway’s chase was anchored by an unbeaten 42-ball 52 from Khawaya Sidiqi (7 fours, 2 sixes), while Tabish Ali added 39 not out as they put on an unbroken fourth wickets partnership of 99 in a comfortable victory.

Glendermott continued their fine start to the season as they made the long trip to Tipperary, and made light work of Nenagh, cruising to a six-wicket victory after dismissing the home side for 123. Vimal Mathai (40) and Sreehari Vinobaji (33) got the hosts off to a fine start with an opening stand of 60, but Craig Averill's leg-spin climaed four wickets, while Ben Mills (3-21) and Ted Britton (2-21) proved once again it's 'spin to win'. Big Ben Mills then smashed 8 fours and 3 sixes in an unbeaten 84 to complete the chase in only the 23rd over, giving the Bonds Street side plenty of time to make it back to the Waterside. The quest for silverware in their centenary year is gathering momentum.

University of Galway also advanced, defeating Clare by four wickets in Shannon. Clare posted 187 thanks largely to Hrushikesh Pardeshi’s 58 (7 fours) and Mudassar Aziz’s 39, adding 74 for the 7th wicket as they recovered from 83 for 6.  Mohammad Danish’s superb 74 from 71 balls (7 fours, 4 sixes) guided the students home with more than five overs to spare.

One of the most emphatic wins of the day came in Midleton, where The Hills demolished the hosts by 153 runs. After posting 190-8, led by contributions from Andrew Kavanagh (36), Febin Manoj and Stefano Di Bartolomeo, who each scored 30., The Hills bowlers made light work of  Midleton,  dismissed for just 37 in 11.3 overs. Matthew Weldon and Killian McGrane shared the destruction with devastating spells of 6-15 and 4-22 respectively.

Saintfield chased down 223 against Eglinton thanks to a magnificent unbeaten 135 from Werner Brand. The South African benefitted from several reprieves and timed the chase to perfection. He hit 13 fours and two sixes in his 102-ball kock, well supported by Andrew McCavera’s half-century in a second wicket stand of 134.Saintfield sealed a six-wicket success despite Eglinton’s balanced batting effort earlier in the day with Chris Pierce (44) and Andy Millar (41) adding 91 for the second wicket, with runs too for skipper Robbie Millar (36) as they made 222 for 9. 

Terenure produced one of the most fluent chases of the round, overhauling Killyclooney’s 203 in under 28 overs. Sid Nair’s unbeaten 42-ball  64 included 5 fours and 5 sixes, while opener Mick Cotter’s fluent 52 (10 fours, 1 six) ensured a six-wicket win. There were runs too for Zeeshan Mumtiaz (38), and Donal Lynch, who made a run-a-ball unbeaten 29. Earlier, Tim Dougherty was one of five batters to pass 20, but none passed 30 after disciplined bowling from skipper Henry Dall and Naveed Khan, each of who took three wickets, while Ben Dillon claimed two.

At The Bleachgreen, Ardmore edged Civil Service by four wickets in a high-quality contest that went to the final over. Zaman Safi hit five sixes to take the Leinster Premiership side to 204, with opener Deepak Jeyachandran also making 44. Left-arm spinner Conor King took three wickets, while there were two apiece for Conor Brolly, Matt Cuffe and Sadiq Safi. Early wickets for Safi (4-44) had Ardmore in trouble, but Kasun Aberaytne stole the show with a brilliant century, sharing vital stands of 96 with Aneesh Anilkumar (44) and 53 with skipper Mark Chambers (21*). The Sri Lankan overseas professional hit 11 fours and one maximum in his even time knock that saw the 2019 finalists into the next round.

Templepatrick were too strong for Burndennett, winning by 80 runs after Ben Cave’s all-round display. Cave struck 12 sixes in a brutally destructive 44-ball 92 in Templepatrick’s 271 with half centuries too for Richard Greer and Jack Smyth. Cave then  claimed three wickets, as did professional Curtley Deelman and Shane Henderson as Burndennett were dismissed for 191. Opener Eddie McGettigan hit 10 fours and a six in a defiant 57, while there were runs too for Mark Doherty (35) , Corey Roulston (27) and skipper Andy Barr (25). There was a nice touch before the game with the teams observing a minute's silence in memory of former player and home club administrator Davy Williamson.

The biggest margin of victory came at Pollock Park where Lurgan crushed Ballaghaderreen by 217 runs. Overseas professional Liam Doddrell hammered a superb unbeaten 122-ball 157 (12 fours, 7 sixes), sharing a fifth wicket century stand of 103 with Jack Maxwell (37).  There were runs too for Stephen Johnston (31) in Lurgan’s imposing 287-5. The visitors reply never got going, skittled  for only 70 with three wickets apiece for John  Guy and Nithin Babu.

There was drama at Middle Road in the tightest contest of the round, where Limerick held off 2014 winners Carrickfergus by just five runs. Prasad Hegde top-scored with 47 from just 31 balls, a knock that included four sixes. A fine batting effort saw five of the top six for the visitors  making runs. Ryan Eagleson (3-30) the most successful of the home attack. The veteran former Irish international then made an unbeaten 49, but Ramoji Alla’s superb 5-32 proved decisive as Carrickfergus finished agonisingly short on 198-9.

North Kildare's home advantage worked as they recorded a five-wicket win over Cregagh at The Maws. Alistair Watt (39) and Aaron Johnston (28) the best of an under-par total of 144 with almost ten overs unused - three wickets for Asadullah Ahmadzai and Nuralain Boda, plus two for Josh Uddin. The Ahmadzais then made 20s as they reached their target in the 22nd over.

Ballyspallen chased confidently to beat Armagh by five wickets, powered by half-centuries from Pushpal Singh and an unbeaten 59 from former Ireland youth international Graham Kennedy. Armagh had posted 186 for 9 with Luan Liebenberg making a rapid 63 (8 fours, 1 six). Left-arm spinner Kennedy and overseas professional Raveen Yasas each taking three wickets. Liebenberg (3-27) struck twice in the opening over, but Singh hit 9 fours and 3 sixes in a 55-ball 69 to get the chase back on track, while the stylish Kennedy guided them home, hitting ten fours in his half century.

Bangor and Adamstown served up one of the day’s highest-scoring contests. Bangor's Sam McMillan showed what a leveller sport can be - a century one week, bowled first ball the next. The hosts recovered to post  271-7, with 77 not out from Andrew Kirkpatrick that included four sixes.  Former New Zealand international Ian Butler also cleared the ropes on four occassions in his 43, while Seb Yeates (47) and overseas star Brodie Harrison were also in the runs. They needed them all as Adamstown closed on 255-9 with half-centuries from Irish youth international Shravon Biju and Jaivir Singh Oberoi.

Sandyford booked their place in the next round with a 37-run victory over Bonds Glen. Skanda Rao hit 51 in their total of 225 for 8 in Marlay Park - two wickets each for Sam Kincaid and Dharm Singh. The Bee Gees looked on course for a win as a 38-ball half century from South African pro Dane Rossouw (8 fours) led them to 105 for 2 after 17 overs. His dismissal proved key as the innings lost momentum and they faltered to 188 all out - four wickets for Manan Ishtiyaq (4-13).

Donacloney Mill defeated Knockharley by 29 runs thanks to an excellent all-round display by overseas professional Lachy Aitken. Ryan Matthews top scored with 66 (4 fours, 4 sixes) sharing a third wicket stand of 116 with Aitken (58) in a total of 204 for 8. Knockharley threatened briefly, but Aitken's four wickets and three for Alex Ogle settled the contest in favour of the NCU side.

Last season's beaten finalists County Kerry are safely through after getting the better of Laois in a high-scoring contest. Awais Saghir hit 14 fours and 10 sixes in a brilliant 168 that took the Munster side to what looked an imposing 290 for 6. Laois though were undaunted and kept up with the required rate throughout before falling 28 short on 262 - half centuries for Nasir and Rashid Mirza, while Alam Morshed's four wickets proved pivotal in a tight affair.