Mark Gleghorne: I've been at the Olympics, World Cup and Commonwealths… now I'm relishing Muckamore journey
The Moylena side won it in their centenary year for just the second time, beating Lisburn in a hard-fought contest.
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Belfast Telegraph
6 days ago
- Belfast Telegraph
Adam Dennison stars as knockout kings Waringstown secure yet another Challenge Cup crown
There wasn't much love lost between the two teams in an ill-tempered contest that threatened to boil over at times, but as Waringstown took complete control, the fight went out of Instonians like a deflated balloon. The Shaw's Bridge side opted to bat first but failed to post anywhere near what they would have hoped in a disappointing effort. Their best stand of the innings was the opening one of just 38 between Ireland international Cade Carmichael (24) and Rob McKinley, ended by Morgan Topping's low catch at second slip. Nikolai Smith and professional Shane Dadswell fell in successive balls, both to Daniel van der Merwe, and, although Neil Rock made a counter-attacking 26, 101 for three was as good as it got for 'Inst'. Ross Allen and skipper Greg Thompson got two wickets each as Waringstown took a grip of proceedings that they never relinquished despite a battling 71 from McKinley (eight fours, one six). There was no fairytale comeback for James Shannon, who made just four, in a final total of 189 with almost 10 overs unused. A fired-up Instonians knew that early wickets were key if they were to have any chance, but the opening partnership of Dennison and Sam Topping blunted their attack in a stand of 60. Robertson, the leading wicket-taker in the NCU, eventually got the breakthrough, but any hopes that this would lead to a collapse quickly evaporated. Dennison – with two Cup Finals centuries already to his name – had eyes on a third as he and James McCollum went about chasing down their modest target. Initially watchful, the pair accelerated as they settled to ensure the result was never in doubt, no matter what their opponents threw at them. The pair shared an unbroken second wicket stand of 130 in 152 balls to ease to victory in the 43rd over. Dennison didn't quite reach his century, having to settle for an unbeaten 90 (ten fours), while McCollum's 71 not out from 68 balls included seven fours and three maximums. 'It was a very enjoyable win,' said Waringstown captain Greg Thompson afterwards. 'I think we are very capable of performances like that. I thought our skills and mental discipline was top notch today and I think that was the difference. 'It was a used pitch so we weren't expecting it to be a 300 plays 250 or anything like that. At the halfway point we were confident we had enough batting to chase the runs. 'Denny (Adam Dennison) and Sam Topping showed great application to get us a 60-run start, and no better man than Prince (James McCollum) to kill any momentum they may have got from the wicket. 'I don't think Denny cared too much about not getting the hundred as he has two already. He just wanted to win as quickly as possible and have another winner's medal in his hand. 'He's certainly a big game player and he has proved that in his five Finals. We have other big game players too, Morgan Topping wasn't even needed today. We have talked a lot about our strength in depth but we've probably relied on that too much. What we did today was to make sure the set batters bat, and they certainly did that.' Waringstown have still an outside chance of a double but would need results elsewhere to go their way. Instonians too have much to play for, with an All-Ireland Semi-Final against Phoenix on Sunday as well as occupying pole position in the Premiership. However, their 13-year wait for a fourth Challenge Cup goes on, with the manner of their loss bound to hurt.
Belfast Telegraph
07-08-2025
- Belfast Telegraph
James Shannon can give Instonians the edge in Gallagher Senior Challenge Cup Final, says Cian Robertson
James Shannon has been given a surprise recall to the Instonians starting line-up for their Gallagher Senior Challenge Cup Final against Waringstown at Stormont on Friday (11am). The 35-year-old former international hasn't featured in the senior side for over three years, but injuries and availability issues mean Shannon makes the starting XI for the Shaw's Bridge side after impressing in their Junior Cup run.
Belfast Telegraph
03-08-2025
- Belfast Telegraph
Captain pays tribute to collective effort as Waringstown breeze past Holywood to net Women's Senior Challenge Cup
The Irish international got her side back on track after they lost the wickets of Amy Caulfield and Charlotte Lyons inside the first eight balls of the game after electing to bat first on winning the toss. Murray counter-attacked, hitting six boundaries in a thrilling 43 from just 31 balls, adding 65 in nine overs for the third wicket with Abbi Harrison (20). The game swung again when the duo and Naomi Matthews fell in quick succession to leave the contest evenly poised at 102 for five. Skipper Sophie Hinds was then joined in the middle by Kiwi Abigaile Gerken, and the pair shared a match-defining partnership of 100 from only 75 balls as the total went over 200 and beyond. Gerken top-scored with 45 (five fours), while Hinds also missed out on a half-century, hitting seven boundaries in a fluent 34-ball 42. Holywood didn't help their cause with an erratic bowling effort that saw them concede 53 extras – 28 of them wides and no-balls – as well as nine penalty runs for a slow over rate. Nina Kerr picked up four wickets, but a total of 240 for seven – a Final record – was always going to be an uphill battle for the Seapark side. Madison Landsman did her best to keep Holywood in contention, dominating an opening stand of 51 with Eva Cupitt (six). Irish international Lara Maritz struck a few lusty blows, but when she sliced Lyons to third man for 16, Holywood's chances diminished severely. Landsman, a South African-born Netherlands international, went on top-score with an even-time 59 (five fours), but her dismissal saw the game come to a rapid conclusion with Holywood losing seven wickets for just 20 runs – all out for 115 in 26 overs. Murray claimed four wickets to make the Player of the Match award a formality, while former skipper Lyons claimed three scalps and young left-arm spinner Penny Speer two. 'We've been pretty confident batting first this season, so I had no hesitation in batting first,' said Hinds after the match. 'I looked at our team and saw that they could bat right down the order. The fact that the Cup is 30 overs meant we prepared a little differently, but a lot of our squad is used to longer matches with representative sides. 'The ground was in great shape today, super job from the ground staff, and 240 was a really brilliant effort from the team.' Captain Hinds paid tribute to all her team, especially the impact of the return of Murray from international commitments that meant they were at full strength for the clash. 'It was certainly great to have Cara back in the side along with Abbi Harrison and also Abigaile Gerken, who has come over from New Zealand. They gave us real quality and depth and we showed today just what we can do,' she said. The teams are also battling for the Premiership title, and leaders Waringstown will have the chance to complete the double when they meet at second-placed Holywood in two weeks' time.
