Civil Service relegated after crushing North County defeat

Civil Service’s relegation from the Leinster Premiership was confirmed in emphatic fashion as North County completed a crushing 122-run victory.

North County made 176 for nine from 44.3 overs, a total built around a half-century from John Devane before their bowlers tore through the Civil Service batting line-up for just 54.

Syed Mohammed Aiman gave North County a positive start with 31 from 26 balls, striking four fours and a six, before Devane took responsibility for holding the innings together. He made 51 from 70 deliveries before retiring hurt, while his brother Jake (I keep thinking of the Free song) chipped in with 23 and Brandon Morris added a patient 27. Sean Sludds gave the innings useful late impetus with 24 from 29 balls.

Civil Service had actually performed well with the ball, with Vijay Adhikari claiming four for 23 from nine overs and Noor Ullah returning three for 26. Any hopes that 176 might prove manageable, however, quickly disappeared.

Eddie Richardson ripped through the top order as Civil Service slumped to three for two and then 10 for three. Only Zaman Safi, with 16, reached double figures as wickets tumbled relentlessly.

Richardson finished with superb figures of four for 21, while Alan Joseph Mathew ran through the lower order with three for nine. Abdul Ghaffar claimed two for 16 and Sarthak Pant picked up the remaining wicket as Civil Service were dismissed in only 14.5 overs.

The manner of the defeat underlined what has been a difficult campaign for Civil Service, whose fate is now sealed. For North County, it was a ruthless performance with both bat and ball, while Civil Service are left to regroup after their stay in the Premiership came to an abrupt and disappointing end.

The Hills return to the Premiership was confirmed last month meaning the 2027 campaign will have no shortage of Fingal derbies.