Their northside neighbours Clontarf having virtually copperfastened promotion, Malahide's emphatic seven-wickets home victory over North County yesterday kept Senior League Section A aspirations still alive, if just about. To make the great leap upward, Malahide must defeat Old Belvedere next Saturday, which is very likely, while Railay Union must beat Phoenix, which isn't.

Batting first, North County made a modest enough 166, with top-scorer John Andrews (51), John Mooney (39) and Paul Martin (25) getting the bulk of the runs. Andrews figured in a useful 49-run, third-wicket stand with Martin, after a disastrous start, and then he and Mooney put on 65 for the fourth wicket. Thereafter, it was downhill all the way, as Stephen Smith bowled well, taking 5 for 1 off 13 overs.

Adrian Barnard and Conor Armstrong picked up a brace of wickets apiece, having done the initial damage, dispatching George McNally and Richard Beukes in rapid succession. In Malahides innings, Michael Morson, Dara Armstrong and Dave McGeehan had all departed by the time 43 runs were scored, but there ended the good news for North County.

Conor Armstrong and Barnard rattled off the remainder, without further loss. Armstrong faced 72 balls and his unbeaten 77 included twelve fours, as Barnard hit his undefeated 38 off 47 deliveries.