CRICKET: An unbeaten century from Adrian Murphy and a quick-fire 79 from captain Kenny Carroll was enough to put Railway Union through to the last four of the Irish Senior Cup on Saturday. In the process, they became the first team to beat Clontarf in a competitive fixture in 2005.
Once Murphy gets his eye in, he is a very difficult man to dismiss, and the West Indian ended up on 109 not out as Railway posted a fine total of 276 for 7 at Park Avenue.
While it was always going to be a challenging target, it didn't help Clontarf's cause that they lost opener Jeremy Bray first ball, caught at third man by Roger Whelan off the bowling of Gary Black.
In truth, Clontarf never looked like getting there after that as they consistently lost wickets. Only Bill Coghlan was in scoring form, hitting 100 of his side's disappointing total of 164 all out.
It was a great result for Railway Union, who now have to make the difficult trip up to Limavady for the semi-final.
Limavady beat Glendermott in the northwest derby at the Hunter Memorial Grounds thanks to some fine batting by Ricky McDaid (86 not out) and Stephen Smyth (75).
Merrion have not had a great season to date, but they, too, are in the last four of Ireland's premier knock-out competition after beating Rush by 76 runs at Anglesea Road. Kade Beasley top-scored with 75, while Rob Willis did most of the damage with the ball, ending with figures of 3 for 14.
Merrion have been drawn at home to North County and will have nothing to lose as they take on the clear favourites for the title.
Eoin Morgan was in imperious form for County as they beat North Down by 62 runs at Comber.
The Middlesex and Ireland player hit 142 not out as County posted a daunting total of 305 for 2, which proved to be too much for Peter Shields's side.
Meanwhile, Jason Broker hit a phenomenal double century for North County as they easily overcame CYM in the Whitney Moore League yesterday. His 200 came off just 134 balls as he smashed the ball to all parts of the Inch ground.
Elsewhere, there were league wins for The Hills, Phoenix, Malahide and Leinster and a successful double weekend for YMCA.
IRISH SENIOR CUP
At Limavady: Limavady 260 for 6, 50 overs (R McDaid 86 not out, S Smyth 75) Glendermott 228 all out, 46.2 overs (G Watson 44; K Byrne 4-39) Limavady won by 32 runs
At Anglesea Road: Merrion 231 for 7, 50 overs (K Beasley 75, J Blakeney 34; S Iqbal 2-40) Rush 155 all out, 39.1 overs (S Iqbal 57; R Willis 3-14) Merrion won by 76 runs
At Comber: North County 305 for 2, 50 overs (E Morgan 142 not out, C Armstrong 90, J Mooney 53 not out) North Down 243 all out, 47.1 overs (G Rogers 50) North County won by 62 runs
At Park Avenue: Railway Union 276 for 7, 50 overs (A Murphy 109 not out, K Carroll 79; J Bray 3-53) Clontarf 164 all out, 41 overs (B Coghlan 100; G O'Meara 4-36) Railway Union won by 112 runs
The draw for the Irish Senior Cup semi-final to be played on Saturday, August 6th: Merrion v North County, Limavady v Railway Union.
