CRICKET: Malahide, the holders, nose-dived out of their home Royal Liver Irish Senior Cup second round match against Donemana on Saturday in a performance of near self-destruction, writes Karl Johnston.

All credit to Donemana's tenacity and self-belief, but this was a result which Malahide supporters will recall with angst for a long time to come.

Batting first, Malahide totalled 215 for 8, thanks largely to a superb 120 from Brian Gilmore, with only three other batsmen managing to reach (very modest) double figures. But when Peter Saville, aided by Damien Ryan, had skittled the first five batsmen - with only Dwayne McGerrigle smiting a lightning 32 - Donemana were left teetering on the brink at 56 for 5 wickets, and Malahide looked home and dried.

But Malahide were destined to take only one more wicket. Yet, as Ryan was recalled to the attack (far too late, as it happened) to bowl the 49th over to Robert Kee, a home win was still possible. But two inexcusable dropped catches and then two soaring sixes into the adjoining park saw Donemana home.

Still, despite Malahide's exit, Leinster have six clubs in the quarter-finals of the Royal Liver Irish Senior Cup, to be played on Saturday July 5th next.

The draw is: Phoenix v Limavady, Phoenix CC; Pembroke v Railway Union, Sydney Parade; North County v Merrion, Balrothery; Donemana v CYM, Donemana.

Meanwhile, North Leinster yesterday retained their top place in the Inter-Regional Challenge with a three-wicket victory over South Leinster at Anglesea Road, despite the early loss of Ireland's opening pair, Jason Molins and Jeremy Bray.

Man of the match was North Leinster's Andre Botha, who took 3 for 31 and then made 37 runs.