North County travelled to Phoenix and came away with an excellent 59-run (DLS) win. The victory was set up by a fine batting display with Suliman Safi (72) and Niall McGovern (40). The good start was built upon with Eddie Richardson making an unbeaten 50, and runs too for Jamie Grassi (28) and Brian Dunphy (24) in their total of 255 in 44 overs. Phoenix required a revised 215 in 28 overs but only Eknoor Singh with 72 really got going as three wickets for Alan Mathew and two each for Hunter Kindley and Abdul Ghaffar sealed a relatively comfortable win.

Merrion skipper Max Sorensen hit 3 sixes and 2 fours in a 17-ball unbeaten 31 to lead his side to a revised target of 159 in 22 overs against Balbriggan. The chase was set up by Conor Blaxall-Hill's hard-hit 53 in 41 balls (4 fours, 3 sixes). Earlier, Cameron Rowe top-scored with 73 (8 fours, 1 six), while there runs too for the visitors from Seb De Oliveria (45*), Jordan Hollard and Dylan Lues (25). Swapnil Modgill took three wickets, while there were two each for Max Sorensen and Daniel Forkin.

Clontarf continued their strong start to the season with a seven-wickets win over Malahide successfully chasing down a revised target of 167 in 30 overs. Eoghan Delany hit a better than even times 72 (6 fours, 1 six) sharing vital stands of 59 with Mitchell Thompson (29) and a match defining 72 with Patrick Xie (34). Earlier David Delany's four wickets derailed the Malahide innings, with two apiece for John McNally and Cillian McDonnell. The runs were shared about Malahide with Robbie Foulkes (34), Matthew Langan (33), Mike Frost (28) and Andrew Sheridan (26*) all doing well, but in the end it wasn't enough.

Another game to fall by the wayside was the clash between Railway Union and The Hills at Park Avenue, abandoned just at the end of the first innings. Sean McNicholl (4-40) made early inroads, but a third wicket stand of 112 between top-scorer Ashil Prakash (79) and Ryan Smith (56) - both hitting five boundaries. There were three wickets apiece for Febin Manoj (3-27) and Cian Nulty (3-30) in a game that ultimately ended in frustration for both sides.

Nathan McGuire's prolific form continued as his unbeaten 104 (13 fours, 5 sixes) ensured Rush chased a revised target of 183 in 35 overs to win by three wickets. he shared stands of 77 with Abidullah Taniwal (37) and an unbroken 48 with Asher Abbasi. Mark Adrianatos took three wickets, and it was his 67 that formed the basis for Cork's 195. Nasir Totakhil (4-46) and Asher Abbasi (3-34) did the most damage, while Allan Eastwood's two wickets included PJ Moor for 0.

Pembroke went into action against Leinster missing no fewer than six internationals, and they looked in trouble at 130 for six when the game was abandoned. Andy Balbirnie made 36 while there were three wickets for Joe Carroll and two for Jai Moondra.

A game for the ages between two of the Leinster superpowers saw champions Pembroke once again break Merrion hearts with a one-wicket win off the last ball. Chasing 310, Pembroke looked beaten at 252 for nine, but Jack Tector and Paul Lawson thought otherwise as they got the 58 runs from the last six overs. Tector hit 10 fours and four sixes in a 60-ball unbeaten 94 that proved the difference in a high quality encounter. Andrew Balbirnie (64), JJ Garth (33) and Lorcan Tucker (27) also chipped in to the successful pursuit. The result was tough on Stephen Doheny who hit 16 fours and 6 sixes in a 121-ball 158. He shared stands of 62 with Swapnil Modgill (30), 65 with Connor Blaxall-Hill (29) and 135 with Adam Rosslee (51). However, they lost eight wickets for 47 runs in the final ten overs - five for Gavin Hoey (5-61), three for Harry Tector (3-49) and two for Mark Berry (2-52) and that was to cost them dearly in the final analysis.

Eknoor Singh hit a brilliant 129 (16 fours, 4 sixes) as he and Shane Getkate added 169 for the opening wicket to set Phoenix on their way to an emphatic 163-run over Clontarf. Getkate was also fond of the boundaries, hitting 13 fours and a six in a hard-hit even time 89. George Dockrell was also quick out of the traps as he hit a 38-ball 51 (5 fours, 2 sixes), adding 111 for the second wicket with Singh as Phoenix ended on 322 for 6. The chase never got going despite 44 from John McNally (44) and 26 apiece from Seamus Lynch and David Delany - playing as a batsman only due to a knee injury. Ben White took three wickets, while there were two apiece from James Maginnis and Amish Sidhu in a complete all-round performance.

A century from Irish youth international Rob O'Brien was the highlight of the game as Railway Union won by 138 runs against Cork County at The Mardyke. O'Brien hit 13 fours and a six in his 102, sharing a 6th wickets stand of 146 with Letotlo Sesele - who hit 7 fours and 4 sixes in a 73-ball 87 - as Railway recovered from 93 for 5 to post 291. Bakhtyar Nabi claimed four wickets, while there were two for Thorne Prophet. Irish and Zimbabwean international PJ Moor made his debut following a move from Clontarf, but managed just 14 as County were bowled out for 153. Zubair Khan hit a rapid 43 (3 fours, 3 sixes), but too little, too late. Irish international Liam McCarthy picked up four wickets, while there were three apiece for Gethin Kelleher and Muhammad Sinan.

Rush got the better of Malahide in another entertaining contest winning by three wickets chasing 223. Ehtesham Ahmed got the pursuit off to a fast start as he hit a rapid 42 (5 fours, 2 sixes). However 64 for 0 became 83 for 4 to change the momentum. The game swung again with a decisive fifth wicket partnership of 113 between Finn McGee - who had earlier taken five catches - and Abidullah Taniwal. Taniwal hit 6 fours and 6 sixes in a 66-ball 80, while McGee stayed on to make an unbeaten 44 as Rush survived a late wobble to get over the line. Robbie Foulkes (64) and Matt Ford (49) were best with the bat in a fourth wicket stand of 78, while the old firm of Jared Barnes (3-49) and Allan Eastwood(2-27) starred with the ball.

On a day of high scoring for the most part, Monil Patel's 158 proved the difference as Leinster won by 17 runs (DLS) chasing a revised target of 291 in 44 overs, Patel hit 21 fours and 5 sixes in a 152-ball 158, adding 131 for the sixth wicket with Joey Carroll - whose 51 included 6 fours and a six. Suliman Safi's 61 (7 fours, 2 sixes) and a hard-hit 40-ball 53 from Eddie Richardson (4 fours, 3 sixes) kept County in the hunt, and further runs from Alan Mathew (48) and the ever-consistent Jake Devane (32) meant it went down to the wire. Leinster prevailed as Ben Mitchell took three wickets, while there were two apiece for Bilal Azhar and Saqib Bahadur in a tense contest.

Matthew Hollard's five-wicket haul allied with an excellent half century from Chris De Freitas ensured Balbriggan earned the Fingal bragging rights with a six-wicket win at The Hills. Hollard claimed 5 for 46, while there was three scalps for Andrew Darroch (3-37) as the home side were bowled out for an under par 135. Edson Silva hit 4 fours and three sixes in a 37-ball 41, while Oliver Horlock hit 25. Balbriggan stuttered at the start, but any nerves were quickly dispelled by a fourth wicket stand of 74 in just eight overs between Greg Ford - who hit 5 fours and a maximum in 35 from 24 balls - and Chris De Freitas. CDF has been one of the in-form batters in the country and he continued his rich vein of form in making an unbeaten 55 from only 39 balls (10 fours, 1 six).

Leinster's Younas Ahmadzai and Monil Patel both made 70's as the Rathmines side posted 252 for 5 before rain forced an abandonment at 46 overs. Ahmadazai's 76 from 59 balls (6 fours, 4 sixes) entertained the crowd, as he and Patil - who hit seven fours in his 73 - shared a fourth wicket stand of 101 in 14 overs. There were runs too for Gareth Delany (31) and Ben Mitchell (23), while John McNally picked up two wickets.

Merrion travelled to The Mardyke but the weather gods once again had the final say as their clash with Cork County fell by the wayside just after the first innings. Swapnil Modgill (33) and Adam Rosslee (29) both hit five boundaries as Merrion raced out of the traps - reaching 101 for 1 in 11 overs. Thereafter, the hosts pulled it back considerably as the last nine wickets only doubled the score, and that was primarily due to the efforts of overseas professional Connor Blaxal-Hill whose 70-ball 79 included 6 fours and 3 sixes. There were three wickets apiece for Diarmuid Carey and Thorne Prophet, while Eshan O'Sullivan picked up two. Cork were on 4 for 0 in two overs when the plug was pulled.

Railway Union pulled off a great chase at Rush in a somewhat bizarre encounter. Nathan McGuire followed up his Irish Cup hundred with another, making 149 from just 105 balls (22 fours, 6 sixes) as he and Nasir Totakhil 69 (8 fours, 2 sixes) added 236 for the s\third wicket. Abidullah Taniwal clubbed 5 sixes in a 10-ball 35 but his run out sparked the strange scenario of Rush retiring out their last five batters in the 40th over, in the hope of forcing a result. 315 became a target of 206 in 26 overs. That proved a walk in the Kenure park as half centuries from Letlotlo Selese and Rob O'Brien, plus 46 from Muhammad Sinan - who hit 5 sixes in a 24-ball 46 saw them home with two overs to spare.

Malahide ran out 9-wicket winners in the Fingal derby beating rivals The Hills. Adnan Shinwari top-scored with 57 in a Hills total of 225, sharing a fourth wicket stand of 84 with Andrew Kavanagh (28) - one of six batters to pass 20. James Newland took four wickets, while there were two each for Andrew Sheridan, Robbie Foulkes and David O'Halloran - a welcome return for the former Lightning speedster. Chasing a reduced target of 126 in 20 overs. a second wicket stand of 95 in ten overs between the in-form duo of Robbie Foulkes and Cormac McLoughlin (37*) saw them race to the win in the 15th over. Foulkes unbeaten 63 from 44 balls included 6 fours and 4 sixes in an emphatic win.

Pembroke certainly had a tiger by the tail as 'Tiger' Tim Tector clubbed, drove, and pulled mercilessly to a 44-ball 86 (9 fours, 5 sixes) to make light work of a DLS target of 172 in 26 overs. The Irish international showed his increasing power and class as he and JJ Garth (27) shared an opening stand of 120 in 12.5 overs to make the result a formality. Tector deserved a hundred but was adjudged lbw on 86 - the first of three wickets for four runs- but there was to be no escape for Phoenix. Jack Tector (26*) and Gavin Hoey (17) helping them over the line. Raghav Grover (2-23) the pick of a disappointing Phoenix attack. Earlier, Shane Getkate top-scored with 54 (3 fours, 3 sixes), while skipper Adam Chester made a run-a-ball 48*, before the rain intervened in the 48th over. Too many Phoenix batters made rash decisions, opting to try and clear the longest boundaries into the wind. A good win for Pembroke in their title defence.

An unbroken 8th wicket stand of 105 in 15 overs between highly rated Irish teenager Jake Devane and Alan Mathew was the highlight of North County's innings in their abandoned game up the road at Balbriggan. County had been in real trouble as four wickets from Matthew Hollard and two from Sebastian De Oliveria had them reeling at 27 for 5 and 81 for 7 before Devane counter-attacked hitting five fours and three sixes in a better than even time unbeaten 57, while Mathew proved the perfect foil in his 56 not out before play was abandoned at 186 for 7 in the 42nd over.

There was incredible drama at Park Avenue as Clontarf pulled off a great escape to deny Railway Union. Chasing 281, Clontarf looked down and out at 186 for 8 with four wickets for Srihan Karpe and two for Liam McCarthy. However, Patrick Xie benefitted from being dropped twice to post a superb unbeaten 115 from 97 balls (8 fours, 2 sixes), finding a willing ally in Yash Bala (28*). The result was tough on young Rob O'Brien, who hit 9 fours in an even time 92 for Railway that probably deserved to be a match winning innings.

Leinster fought back well to beat Malahide by 53 runs in an entertaining match at The Village. Ben Mitchell hit 11 fours in a rapid 47-ball 61 as Leinster made 232. Liam Foulkes took five wickets, and his brother Robbie tried his best with the bat to get the home side over the line. He made a brilliant 99 (15 fours, 1 six) adding 60 for the 5th wicket with his sibling, but three wickets apiece for Bilal Azhar and Saqib Bahadur ensured victory for the Rathmines side.

It was the George Dockrell show as Phoenix Park as the Irish international's unbeaten 117 was the catalyst for an emphatic 180-run win. His 93-ball knock included 8 fours and 6 sixes, and was the bedrock for their total of 267 for 8 - 33 apiece for Shane Getkate and Amish Sidhu. Tyrone Kane then blew away the top order with a five wicket haul as Balbriggan were bowled out for 87 - three wickets for Amish Sidhu.

Half centuries from the Pembroke trio of Blake McDonald, Harry and Tim Tector propelled Pembroke to 305 for 5 in their home clash with Rush. McDonald thumped 8 fours and 3 sixes in a rapid 55-ball 79, while Tim's 54 came at a run-a-ball (7 fours, 1 six). JJ Garth also chipped in with 45 as he and Tim shared an opening stamd of 109 in 17 overs, while a third wicket stand of 90 between McDonald and Harry took the home side to 212 for 2 in the 33rd over. Alex Neary's five wicket haul pegged it back a bit, but it was always going to be a tough ask. Indeed, that proved the case as Rush made 197 - Abidullah Taniwal top-scoring with 47.

An opening stand of 173 in 22.2 overs between Stephen Doheny and Swapnil Modgill effectively decided the match for Merrion at The Hills. Doheny hit 10 sixes and 9 fours in a whirlwind 115 from 77 balls, while Modgill's 71 from 83 deliveries included 7 fours and 3 sixes. Once they want the turmoil continued as Jamie Forbes made an excellent unbeaten 78 (10 fours, 3 sixes) as Merrion ended on an imposing 345 for 5. Brandon Kruger hit 53 (7 fours, 1 six), while Edson Silva clubbed 9 fours and 5 sixes in a 45-ball 77. It was all in vain though as four wickets for Hugh Kennedy and Stephen Doheny saw them bowled out for 235.

It was the Eddie Richardson show at North County with the former Irish international top-scoring with 86 from 89 balls (11 fours, 1 six), sharing a 9th wicket stand of 111 with Brandon Morris (45) that got them up to 193. Bakhtyar Nabi took four wickets, while there were three apiece for Zubair Khan and Darshit Shetty. Richardson then turned his attentions to the ball, and picked up four scalps as County were dismissed for 157, despite the best efforts of overseas professional Mark Adrianatos, who hit seven fours and two sixes in his 69. Morris completed a fine all-round effort with two wickets, while Alan Mathew also picked up a brace.

Ben Mitchell powered Leinster to an impressive four-wickets win at Balbriggan as they chased 292. The overseas player just missed out on a century as he hit 10 fours and 7 sixes in his hard-hit 67-ball 99. Gareth Delany (49) and Younas Ahmadzai (42) kept the boundaries flowing and an even time unbeaten half century from Joey Carroll steered them over the line. The home side had also batted well, spearheaded by half centuries from Connor Fletcher and Dylan Lues, while there were runs too for Jordan Hollard, Chris de Freitas and Ghanim Dara.

George Dockrell top-scored with 64 (4 fours) as Phoenix ground out a 52-run win against Cork County at The Mardyke. The Irish international was well supported by Eknoor Singh (31) and Shane Getkate (26) in their total of 194 - four wickets for Raj Undre and three for Bakhytar Nabi. County in reply were dismissed for 142, with three wickets for Amish Sidhu and two for Raghav Grover.

Merrion bounced back from last week's loss to inflict a 144-run defeat on Malahide. Opener Swapnil Modgill set the tone with a rapid 55-ball 73 (10 fours, 2 sixes), but the home side faltered to 104 for 4 and it needed contributions from the middle and lower order to post 301 for 9 - the highlights being 37 from skipper Max Sorensen and a last wicket stand of 62 between Andrew Doheny (36*) and Melvin Deveraj (31*). Malahide's reply never really got going with only Robbie Foulkes hard-hit 73 (8 fours, 2 sixes) causing any major consternation. Left-armer Tom Stanton (4-43) did the bulk of the damage with Sorensen picking up 2 for 29.

Clontarf made it two wins from two as they accounted for The Hills at Castle Avenue. Mitchell Thompson hit 8 fours and a six in a quickfire 56 as he and Eoghan Delany (37) shared a second wicket stand of 77 in 11 overs. Bobbo Forrest made 37 down the order but four wickets for Cian Nulty, plus a brace apiece for Sean McNicholl and Brandon Kruger kept them to what looked like a gettable 221. However The Hills' batting frailty was to the fore once more as only Hassan Shahid (45) offered any tangible resistance as they were bowled out for a pitiful 109. Yash Bala took three wickets, while there were two apiece for John McNally, Cillian McDonnell, and David Delany.

It was a day for the bat at Kenure where Rush and North County dished up almost 700 runs. Abidullah Taniwal led the way with a top score of 135 (12 fours, 9 sixes), while Hashir Sultan's hard hit unbeaten 106 from just 61 deliveries included 7 fours and 8 sixes. Finn McGee (34), Nasir Totalkhil (33) and Jack McGee (25) all chipped in and a final score of 371 for 6 looked daunting. County though were unfazed as after Brian Dunphy's 60, Hunter Kindley and Niall McGovern (51) shared a century stand. Kindley's 116 from 74 balls (10 fours, 5 sixes) took them to 222 for 3 and on course for the chase. However, he became Jarred Barnes' third wicket and they ended on 313 - hampered by the inability of John Devane to bat after sustaining a shoulder injury while fielding,

A second wicket stand of 156 was the driver for Clontarf's thumping 113 win over Balbriggan. Debutant Seamus Lynch top-scored with 94 (8 fours, 6 sixes), as he and former skipper Eoghan Delany 60 put the game beyond Balbriggan. New pro Patrick Xie (56), David Delany (39*) and John McNally (20) were also in the runs in an imposing total of 320 fpr 7. New captain David Delany took three wickets in the chase, while there two apiece for Xie and Yash Bala, as Balbriggan were bowled out for 207. Dylan Lues made 52, while Cameron Rowe scored 27.

Cork County were given a harsh introduction to top flight cricket as they were skittled for just 77 by Leinster. Skipper Bilal Azhar (5-22) and Jai Moondra (4-16) were the destroyers-in-chief in a fine bowling display. The chase was a routine one thanks to a second wicket stand of 66 between Tristen De Beer (34*) and Monil Patel (26*) as the nine wickets win was sealed inside 12 overs.

Irish Cup winners Phoenix started their 2025 campaign with a win thanks to a fine bowling display against Merrion. Batting first, Merrion reached 60 for 0 with runs for Swapnil Modgill (34) and Daniel Forkin (17). The wheels though came off as Ben White and Theo Dempsey took four wickets apiece to bowl them out for 128 - the Merrion bowlers got no fewer than seven lbw verdicts - a record? Eksor Singh (37*) and Shane Getkate (28) steered their side to a comfortable six wickets win despite two wickets apiece for Deveraj and Stanton.

The shock of the day saw defending champions Pembroke humbled by North County, even more so as the home side were without their talismanic captain Eddie Richardson, nursing a niggle. Macdara Cosgrave (58*) and new pro Blake MacDonald (44) were the main contributors to Pembroke's 209 - three wickets apiece for Alan Mathew and Usman Azhar. Brian Dunphy (34) anchored the first part of the chase, but at 105 for 5 it looked as if Pembroke would start their defence with a win. Mathew (47*) and Niall McGovern (40*) had other ideas as their unbroken sixth wicket partnership of 107 clinched the win.

Closest game of the day was at The Village with Diarmuid Burke the home side hero. With three needed from two balls, Burke's boundary secured the points in a 1-wicket win. In a game reduced to 37 overs, Phillipe Le Roux's 66 was the backbone of Railway's 182 for 8. Timcy Khanduja made 60, with Mohit Sane hitting a rapid 27 that kept the game in the balance before Malahide prevailed. Digamber Mishra took four wickets but the Park Avenue side will be left ruing the concession of 38 extras that included 27 wides - criminal.

Brandon Kruger's half century and a six wicket haul for Sean McNicholl were the catalysts for The Hills' 27-run win in the Fingal derby. Kruger hit 6 fours and 2 sixes in his 52, laying a solid foundation with Hassan Shahid (21) and skipper Tomas Rooney-Murphy (30) that took them to 100 for 1. Nathan McGuire took four wickets but a strong tail ensured a competitive 227. McNicholl's burst saw the chase faltering at 24 for 4, but Abidbullah Taniwal's 66 (7 fours, 2 sixes) and 30 from Finn McGee kept them in the hunt before falling 27 short.