Cork County comfortably secure another season among Leinster elite

Cork County achieved their main objective with room to spare in 2026, comfortably ensuring their place once again in the top flight of Leinster cricket.

After the 12-team competition divided into two for the second half of the campaign, County finished third in the Championship section, keeping themselves well clear of any late-season trouble and underlining their ability to compete at senior level.

The standout performer with the bat was Josh Hartill, who enjoyed an excellent summer. Hartill amassed 538 runs at an average of 41.38, including three half-centuries and a century, with a highest score of 133.

Behind him the returns were more modest, although several players made useful contributions. Nabeel Anjum scored 224 runs, Donald Marakassery 215 and Thorne Prophet 183, including two half-centuries. Brian Upman’s 162 runs included a best of 89, while Zubair Khan and Bakhtyar Nabi provided valuable lower-order runs.

If Hartill was the clear batting star, the bowling unit was more evenly balanced.

Diarmuid Carey led the way with an impressive 22 wickets at just 16.77, while William Shields claimed 18 at 22.89.

Bakhtyar Nabi was particularly economical, conceding only 3.06 runs per over while taking 16 wickets at 18.31. Prophet added 11 wickets and Anjum 10, giving Cork County a useful spread of options.

There remains scope for improvement, particularly in finding greater consistency and depth in the batting around Hartill, but the overriding objective was accomplished without too much drama.

For a Munster club competing in Leinster’s senior structure, maintaining their place among the leading sides remains an achievement in itself. A third-place finish in the Championship section means Cork County can now look towards 2027 with another season of top-flight cricket secured and a platform from which to build.

Top 10 Cork County batters

1. Josh Hartill – 538 runs, average 41.38, highest score 133, 3 fifties, 1 hundred, 41 fours, 16 sixes.
2. Nabeel Anjum – 224 runs, average 20.36, highest score 43, 18 fours, 5 sixes.
3. Donald Marakassery – 215 runs, average 23.89, highest score 45, 24 fours, 5 sixes.
4. Thorne Prophet – 183 runs, average 18.30, highest score 78, 2 fifties, 15 fours, 5 sixes.
5. Brian Upman – 162 runs, average 16.20, highest score 89, 1 fifty, 19 fours, 6 sixes.
6. Zubair Khan – 147 runs, average 16.33, highest score 34, 12 fours, 9 sixes.
7. Bakhtyar Nabi – 137 runs, average 15.22, highest score 61, 1 fifty, 8 fours, 10 sixes.
8. Ross Durity – 106 runs, average 21.20, highest score 32, 8 fours.
9. Tiago Oelofse – 94 runs, average 13.43, highest score 30, 6 fours.
10. Eshan O'Sullivan – 83 runs, average 13.83, highest score 43, 7 fours, 2 sixes.

Top 10 Cork County bowlers

1. Diarmuid Carey – 22 wickets, average 16.77, economy 4.56, strike rate 22.1, best 4-34, 3 maidens.
2. William Shields – 18 wickets, average 22.89, economy 5.07, strike rate 27.1, best 3-26, 4 maidens.
3. Bakhtyar Nabi – 16 wickets, average 18.31, economy 3.06, strike rate 35.9, best 4-16, 16 maidens.
4. Thorne Prophet – 11 wickets, average 27.09, economy 4.20, strike rate 38.7, best 2-31, 4 maidens.
5. Nabeel Anjum – 10 wickets, average 38.10, economy 5.79, strike rate 39.5, best 3-49, 2 maidens.
6. Eshan O'Sullivan – 8 wickets, average 37.50, economy 5.36, strike rate 42.0, best 2-29, 4 maidens.
7. Tiago Oelofse – 3 wickets, average 44.33, economy 7.06, strike rate 37.7, best 3-13, 1 maiden.
8. Mark Donnelly – 3 wickets, average 48.67, economy 8.11, strike rate 36.0, best 2-45.
9. Suliman Safi – 2 wickets, average 35.50, economy 7.10, strike rate 30.0, best 2-59.
10. Sam Fenn – 1 wicket, average 11.00, economy 3.67, strike rate 18.0, best 1-11, 1 maiden.