Holders County Galway crashed out of the National Cup after a dramatic two-wicket defeat to University of Galway in a tense local derby that kept everyone on edge until the closing stages. County Galway were bowled out for just 106 in 23.5 overs as Mohammad Sufiyan ripped through the batting with superb figures of 4 for 30. Muhammad Asad claimed 2 for 12 and Puskar Saner took 2 for 20 to keep the pressure firmly on the holders. University of Galway’s chase was far from straightforward as Jayesh Juneja almost inspired a remarkable defence with figures of 4 for 49. Wickets tumbled regularly and nerves spread around the ground before the students finally edged over the line at 107 for 8 after 30 tense overs.

Sandyford produced one of the shocks of the National Cup second round with a superb 51-run win over fancied Terenure at Marlay Park. Batting first, Sandyford posted 164 for 9 from their 40 overs with Abhishek Pandey top-scoring with 28 and Rachan Potluri adding 26. Vishnu Sadanandan was the standout bowler for Terenure, claiming 4 for 21, while Bhavic Turkel took 2 for 49. Terenure were expected to chase the target comfortably but Sandyford’s bowlers had other ideas. Henry Dall battled hard for 37, but wickets fell regularly as the innings never gained momentum. Manan Ishtiyaq and Pandey both claimed three wickets, taking 3 for 16 and 3 for 21 respectively, while Skando Rao also picked up 3 for 30. The victory keeps Sandyford’s cup dream alive and sends them into the next round full of confidence.

The Hills underlined their status as one of the National Cup favourites with a commanding six-wicket win over Saintfield at The Vineyard. Saintfield were bowled out for 170 in 39.5 overs despite efforts from Brijesh Krishali, who made 37, and TJ McCavera with 30. Stefano Di Bartolomeo led the attack superbly with 3 for 19, while Tomas Rooney Murphy, Matthew Weldon and William Archer all claimed two wickets apiece. In reply, The Hills looked in complete control as Yaseen Sherzad and his brother Muzamil shared an opening stand of 60, with Muzamil contributing 24. Sherzad, dropped early in his innings, made Saintfield pay in devastating fashion with an unbeaten 104 featuring 10 fours and seven sixes. There were brief nerves among the home support as Werner Brand and Ethan Hanna both struck twice to reduce The Hills from 60 without loss to 87 for 4. However, Sherzad and Andrew Kavanagh calmly added an unbroken 80, with Kavanagh finishing 18 not out to secure victory.

Ardmore edged one of the closest contests of the National Cup second round with a thrilling 14-run victory over fellow former finalists Limerick at The Bleachgreen. Batting first, Ardmore were bowled out for 154 in 38.1 overs with Kasun Aberaytne and Vimal Dwivedi both making 29. Limerick’s bowlers kept the pressure on throughout, with Anvesh Bogavelly taking 3 for 15 and A Hari claiming 2 for 21. The chase went right down to the wire. Limerick skipper Bogavelly looked capable of steering his side home before the turning point arrived as Aberaytne produced a stunning diving catch at cover to remove him. Prasad Hegde top-scored with 29 after being dropped three times, while Bogavelly contributed 28 in a tense pursuit. Ardmore held their nerve brilliantly at the death as their spinners took control. Sadiq Safi claimed 2 for 16 and left-arm spinner Conor King applied relentless pressure to spark wild celebrations as Limerick were dismissed for 140.

Glendermott kept alive hopes of landing a major trophy in their centenary year with a five-wicket win over North Kildare in the National Cup at a sun-drenched Rectory. North Kildare looked in control after Yash Kalasannavar blasted a run-a-ball 54, including six fours and two sixes, in a 103-run second-wicket stand with opener Asadullah Ahmadzai, who struck 59 with five fours and three sixes. However, from 129 for 1 the innings unravelled dramatically after both set batters were run out. Once the door opened, Glendermott skipper Trevor Britton charged through the middle and lower order, finishing with an excellent 5 for 28 as North Kildare were dismissed for 170. Glendermott made a strong start in reply with Ben Mills hammering 47 from just 31 balls, including five sixes and two fours, sharing a 74-run opening stand with Blayde Capell (25). Nuralain Boda claimed 3 for 35 and also produced a stunning return catch to dismiss Alan Lynch, but Britton’s unbeaten 26 and Alan Johnson’s calm 29 not out guided the home side safely through to the quarter-finals.

Last year’s finalists County Kerry safely progressed to the next round with a three-wicket win over Bangor at Upritchard Park. Bangor were bowled out for 182 in 36.1 overs after struggling to build substantial partnerships. Angus Farrell top-scored with an unbeaten 36, while Sam McMillan made 30, Felix McMillan added 24 and Brodie Harrison chipped in with 20. Mohsin Taj led the Kerry attack with 3 for 39, while Yaqoob Ali and Usman Sherzad both claimed two wickets. County Kerry reached their target with 21 balls remaining thanks largely to an aggressive innings from Qassim Mohammed. He struck 56 from just 51 deliveries, including six fours and two sixes, to put the visitors firmly in control of the chase. Bangor fought back through Brodie Harrison’s 3 for 42, while Max Walker and George Prince both took two wickets, but Kerry held their nerve to book their place in the last eight.

Lurgan secured a convincing 55-run victory over Donacloney Mill at Pollock Park after an impressive all-round performance. Batting first, Lurgan posted 228 for 8 from their 40 overs with Liam Doddrell leading the way with a superb run-a-ball 64 that included eight fours and two sixes. Jack Maxwell contributed an excellent 45 and shared important half-century partnerships with both Doddrell and Ivan Sinovich, who added 47. Harry Lockhart was the pick of the Donacloney attack with 2 for 55. In reply, Donacloney Mill never fully recovered after early breakthroughs from Doddrell and Sinovich put them on the back foot. Neil Kilpatrick and Ryan Matthews both made 30, while Lachy Aitken scored 26 and Alex Ogle added 22, but the chase lost momentum as wickets continued to fall. Iqbal Khan finished off the innings in style, claiming 3 for 20, while Doddrell completed an excellent all-round display with 2 for 21 and Sinovich took 2 for 46.

Ballyspallen booked their place in the last eight of the National Cup with a five-wicket victory over Templepatrick at The Cloghan on Sunday. Templepatrick posted 195 for 9 from their 40 overs with Shane Henderson leading the charge in explosive fashion. Henderson hammered five sixes in a 26-ball 41, while Curtley Deelman and Mark Thompson laid the platform with a second-wicket partnership of 61. Deelman made 38 and Thompson added 34 before Jack Morrow provided a composed finish with an unbeaten 38. Hassan Shahid was Ballyspallen’s standout bowler, taking 4 for 22, while Stuart and Graham Kennedy both claimed two wickets. In reply, Ballyspallen reached 196 for 5 with 11 balls to spare. Shahid completed an excellent all-round display with 51 from 57 balls, including three fours and two sixes, while fellow opener Pushpender Singh made 25. Raveen Yasas anchored the chase superbly with an unbeaten 61, striking nine fours, and shared an unbroken sixth-wicket stand of 53 with Stuart Kennedy (22*) to seal victory.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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,

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.

At Galway, 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.