MCU Div 1 - Lawlor Back as Visitors Crash

April 23rd 2005

 

Limerick Seniors kicked off their campaign to retain the Munster Division 1 Cricket Championship last Saturday (23 April) with an emphatic win over Midleton. Playing at their home ground on a damp day when rain threatened, but never quite came, Gay Lawlor's men kept the opposition well below 100 and lost no wickets in passing the target they had been set.

Melt Siebert and Lawlor, who had missed most of last season through injury, opened the bowling and extracted speed and bounce from the UL track. At one point, Midleton were on the rack at 6 for 4, all to catches, but through Smith (28) and Laverty (24), the visitors were able to post 78 off 30.3 overs. Siebert (8 overs, 2 maidens, 3 for 11) and Lawlor (13 overs, 5 maidens, 3 for 30) were really all the bowling that was needed, although Furqan and Azeem chipped in with a wicket apiece, and there were good catches by Chris Thomas, Alan Lynch, Zulfikar and keeper Abbasi (2). Chasing a low total, Alan Lynch (38 n.o.) and Furqan Waris (31 n.o.) made no mistakes, punishing poor deliveries and running their singles well. Lynch's final 4 on the third ball of the 15th over brought the formalities to a close and the teams retired to a nearby hostelry to review their different fortunes before the rain could play a part.

Limerick had only really used four or five players in an impressive win and there is plenty of talent - some entirely new - waiting to show itself. One down, eleven to go.        

MCU Div 1 - UCC Swept Aside by Seniors

May 7th 2005

Limerick Seniors continued their outstanding form with a comprehensive defeat of UCC Seniors at their Cork ground last Saturday. In their second win of the season by a country mile, Gay Lawlor's team have opened up a healthy gap at the top of the table.

Playing on the artificial surface at the Farm on a perfect cricketing afternoon, UCC captain Jaideep elected to bat and was soon regretting the decision. Shah Alam (Shanni) bowled at a hostile pace to remove Mujib and Narinh, while Lawlor, who bowled through and recorded the figures of 13 overs, 4 maidens, 1 for 21, kept the end into the wind well bottled up. Furqan Waris (12 overs, 2 for 32) replaced Shanni and snapped up two quick wickets thanks to excellent catches by Zulfikar and Luke Kirwan, while Azeem fired a quick ball in to remove the wickets of the last batsman of note. When Shanni returned, he shot through the tail and finished with the very creditable figures of 10 overs, 4 maidens, 6 for 19. Three cheap overs from Jeremy Callaghan supported his final spell. Despite a few (and only a few) misfields, the Limerick catching and ground work had been excellent and the home team had been restricted to 112 off 45 (of the available 50) overs.

As it turned out, the reply was a formality. Alan Lynch opened with Furqan and the runs came quickly, at nearly six an over. Furqan was in no mood to defend and when he was eventually bowled by Mujib for 69, he had hit 10 fours and two very big sixes. Alan, no more circumspect, but with less of the strike, finished on 35 not out and Luke Kirwan, who joined him with only a few runs needed, took the score to 115 for 1 with a well placed on drive for four. Only 18.4 overs were needed to claim the win.

The Limerick team is showing strength in depth this season, with two key players from the last match unavailable this time. The return game against UCC will be played this Saturday, 14 May, at Limerick's homeground, Plassey. They may well establish a points lead that will be hard to overhaul. Come along and watch.

 

 

MCU Div 1 - Depleated Seniors team performance to too strong for UCC

May 14th 2005

A significantly under-strength Limerick Senior team maintained their impetus in Division 1 of the Munster Senior League as they put in a workmanlike performance to overcome UCC Seniors in their latest clash at Plassey last Saturday

For the first time in recent years a ten-man Limerick Senior Team took the field without the presence of a 'Lynch' or 'Callaghan' in their ranks. Missing seven stalwarts, including those who have contributed match-winning performances so far this year, and let down on the day by several fringe players, Gaybo's team faced a potential banana skin. These fear were further compounded by a strong start by the UCC openers who exploited the lightning fast outfield, and the loss of Azeem thanks to an injury picked up whilst attempting a slip catch, to pass 60 before the first wicket fell thanks to some hostile bowling by Ryan Hartigan and a good catch by Cuan Hanley.

From then on Limerick stuck to their task, bowling tight lines, strangling significant acceleration by the middle order, and regularly picking up wickets, bowling the opposition out for 140. The wickets were shared with Sandeep impressing on his Div debut with 2, Zulfikar taking 3, Gaybo 2. The highlight of the fielding performance was an amazing run out of the non-striker by Zulfikar who picked up a firm drive at mid-on and shattered the stumps with a direct hit.

Set 141 to win the Limerick openers got off to a steady start with Abbasi striking boundaries to complement the initial defensive approach of Azeem. The first wicket (Abbasi) fell at 30, the second at 50-odd (Azeem) before some dodgy umpiring lead to the 'dismissal' of Luke Kirwan caught at first slip off a clear bump ball caused some butterflies within the Limerick camp. But the middle order came up trumps with some powerful hitting from Zulfikar (30); superbly timed late square cuts Cuan (23no) steadied the innings before Sandeep contributed a swift 27no to bring the target up for the loss of 4 wickets.

A real team performance avoided the potential banana skin and the Limerick roadshow moves on to the Mardyke.

 

 

MCU Div 1 - Seniors stay on track at the Mardyke

 

May 21st 2005

 

Limerick continued the rich vein of form which has seen them win four consequetive Munster Senior League Division 1 matches from four starts. Last Saturday was expected to be the greatest test of Limerick’s new found strength as they travelled to the Mardyke in Cork to play Cork County, who have been the dominant team in Munster for the past decade. This proved to be the case, but Limerick came through their test with flying colours in a match that was considered by many who attended to be the best, and most sporting, cricket match played in Munster for many years. The match was not only significant in the context of the current Munster Senior League, but also doubled as the Munster Senior Shield match which is now an annual fixture between the previous year’s Munster Senior League and Munster Senior Cup winners. It was also played as a memorial match to the late Doug Shaw who passed away two years ago and who had acted as a senior umpire for many years.

Cork County won the toss and asked Limerick to bat on a difficult wicket. Alan Lynch and Luke Kirwan were dismissed by John Power for 12 and 1 respectively, but Azeem and Zulfikar then shared an excellent partnership of 86, with the latter putting pressure on the fielding side with enthusiastic running between the wickets. Azeem blossomed as the innings progressed and hit some 4 sixes, some of which resulted in lost balls, and 4 fours in a score of 77. Zulfikar hit 4 fours in his 39. Shah Alam fell for a duck, but Anthony Hartigan and Melt Siebert then set about the bowlers mercilessly in an unbroken stand of 83, including 26 crucial runs from the last over of the innings. Hartigan hit 4 sixes and 2 fours in his first match of the season, following a successful rugby campaign with UL Bohemian, to finish with 44 not out. Siebert hit a six and 4 fours in his unbeaten 35. John Power was the best of the bowlers, taking 3 wickets for 20 runs from 12 overs. Mike Atkinson took 2 for 41 as the innings ended with Limerick on 237 for 5 wickets.

Cork County began their reply in a positive manner, with Ted Williamson and Michael Wicherley taking the fight to Limerick. Alan Lynch was introduced to the bowling attack and dismissed Wicherley with his first delivery. The game ebbed and flowed, with both sides in the hunt for victory as the home side scored at a respectable run rate, but also lost wickets. Williamson fell for 41, Steven Hickey for 27, Robert Duggan for 32, John Power for 3 and Niall Tynan without scoring. Mike Reid made 6, lan Lordon 22 and John Fogarty 22 as the last wicket fell with Cork county on 220, giving Limerick a 17 run win. Alan Lynch was the best of the bowlers, taking 3 for 33 from 13 overs. Shah Alam took 3 for 70 from 12 overs, Melt Siebert 2 for 66 from 11 overs and skipper Gay Lawlor 2 for 44 from 13 overs. Excellent catches were taken by Zulfikar, Azeem, Morgan Callaghan and Chris Thomas and Robin Edwards, Anthony Hartigan and Zulfikar excelled in the field.

 

 

Gay Lawlor gratefully receives the Senior Shield from Amanda Lanigan (Chair of the MCU)

 

 

Winners of the 2005 Senior Shield (Dougie Shaw Memorial Cup) Limerick Cricket Club

Back (L to R) Zulfikar; Morgan Callaghan; Azeem; Melt Siebert; Shan Alam; Luke Kirwan; Chris Thomas; Robin Edwards; Front (L to R) Anthony Hartigan; Gay Lawlor (Captain); Alan Lynch.

Limerick enters Senior Cup Semi-final

June 2005

Limerick reached the semi-final of the Munster Senior Cup with an emphatic 9-wicket win over Cork Harlequins on Sunday last at Midleton. Harlequins batted first and were all out for 76 in 22 overs, with Melt Siebert taking 4 wickets for 22 runs from 10 overs. Furqan took 3 for 23 and skipper Gay Lawlor 2 for 20. Rory Heaslip made top score of 15 before being run out, with Richard Gash (14) and Richard Benson (12) being the only others to reach double figures. Anthony Hartigan took an excellent catch at first slip to dismiss Colm Wilcox from Gay Lawlor's bowling.

Limerick made the required runs in 13.3 overs, with Azeem making 27. Alan Lynch and Furqan were both unbeaten, on 28 and 12 respectively. Daryl Moyser was the only bowler to take a wicket for Harlequins.

 

Limerick suffer first defeat of the season

June 25th 2005

Limerick Cricket Club suffered their first defeat of the year at senior level when losing heavily to Cork County in the semi-final of the Munster Senior Cup at the Mardyke on Saturday. Both teams were missing key players, with Limerick in particular affected by the absence of skipper Gay Lawlor, Melt Siebert and brothers Anthony and Ryan Hartigan.

Batting first, Limerick made a reasonable start with Alan Lynch and Azeem putting on 26 for the first wicket. However, Lynch was dismissed for 15 and Azeem for 9 and Limerick slumped to 47 for 4. Abassi (9) and David Lynch (21) then shared a partnership of 29, the highest of the innings, to give some hope at 74 for 4. Alas, it was a false promise as the last six wickets fell for only 37 runs. Robin Edwards was the only late order batsman to reach double figures and his 10 runs hel[ped Limerick to limp to 111 all out. Mike Reid took 4 wickets for 14, Keith Banks 2 for 15 and Brian Lordan 3 for 42, all from 9 overs.

Cork County opened their innings with Stephen Hickey and Ross Durity. Hickey, with 38 not out, satisfied himself with a supporting role as Durity reached an unbeaten 50 as the home side won by 10 wickets.

Limerick have several weeks before their next senior match and there is no doubt that they will bounce back to the form that has seen them reach a strong position to retain the Munster Senior League Division One title.

 

MCU Div 1 - Limerick register convincing win over Harlequins

July 30th 2005

Limerick Cricket Club had a sparkling weekend with a convincing win over Harlequins in the Munster Senior League and a hard-fought victory in Galway to secure the Munster Junior Cup.

Travelling to Cork under leaden skies on Saturday, the Seniors took on Harlequins at Farmer's Cross. The early loss of Alan Lynch and Furqan, their recently in-form batsmen, put Limerick under pressure, but Matthew Callaghan (34), David Lynch (51) and Zulfikar (59) helped to take the score past 200. Shah Alam (28) and Morgan Callaghan (17 not out) stayed with a succession of late order batsmen, including Mustafa with a brisk 18, to build a challenging target of 283. David and Zulfikar did what they so often do, and well, but Morgan seemed to have moved up a level with the confidence and skill of his strokes and ensured that the team used all their overs, with a wicket in hand.

Harlequins started well and their openers Wilcox (23) and Richard Gash (78) placed them in a strong position as they exploited uncharacteristic fielding from the Limerick side. However, their middle order failed to fire with Shah Alam taking 3 wickets and Matthew Callaghan securing a brilliant run out when the home side looked to be building a useful partnership. Gay Lawlor bowled 13 tight overs from one end and when Furqan (2 for 35) and David Lynch (3 for 20) came on, the Harlequins innings had run out of steam. A sharp stumping by Morgan Callaghan off David Lynch's bowling removed the dangerous Roger Perrott and Harlequins finished on 208 in the 45th over.

This win takes Limerick to within 8 points of retaining the Munster Senior League title, with a return fixture against Harlequins next on the list.

 

MCU Div 1 - Limerick Seniors Claimed back to back Munster Cricket Union Division 1 titles as season peters out as a result of bad weather.

 

 

MCU Div 2 - The Kerry Massacre

 

May 2nd 2005

 

UL put in an almost flawless performance last Sunday (May 2) to massacre the men from Kerry on the Plassey playing fields.

Matthew Callaghan's team conceded a mere 23 runs to end the visitors' innings, with strong bowling performances from Zulfikar (3 for 3), Matthew (3 for 7) and Jeremy Callaghan (2 for 5). Only one catch was dropped (God bless the Monk), seven were taken and two Kerrymen were run out. Paddy 'Tresco' Redmond (9 n. o.) and Morgan Callaghan (6 n. o.) joined Paudie Ryan to gather the runs needed in just eight overs.

A friendly game followed, with UL again prevailing. Alan Lynch contributed 28 runs, Abbas 55 and Matthew 79 (a big thank you to Newbery) to post a total of 204 for 4. The visitors were all out on the last ball of their 25 overs, with clear daylight between their total and the runs needed.

 

UL Start Season with an Emphatic Win

May 15th 2005


UL continued its campaign to retain the Munster Division 2 championship with a tidy win over Kerry on the Plassey playing fields last Sunday (15 May). They held their opponents to a meagre 61 runs off 28 overs and overtook their target for the loss of only two wickets in under 14 overs.

Only middle order batsman Livingston (caught on 10) reached double figures for Kerry. With pacemen Hilal (6 overs for 10 runs) and Sandeep (6 overs 2 for 13) tying down the openers, it was the flight and turn of Ankur Agarwal and Niranjan Srinivasan, both of whom claimed four wickets, that proved the undoing of the Kerrymen.

Although only chasing a small total, UL made heavy work early on with opener John Lenehan and number three batsman Paramvir Singh going very cheaply. However, Andy Webster, the other opener, who finished on 38 not out, was playing fluently and despatched the ball to the boundary seven times. Ranjit Singh joined him at the crease and, after an uncertain start, he too cut loose with two fours and a six, finishing on 17 not out. Several wides took the UL total beyond the target.

It is good to welcome several new players this season, and in particular Hilal, Ankur and Sandeep who did so well with the ball, and Ranjit who performed with the bat.

UL Grind it out in Lismore Damp

May 22nd 2005

A cold and showery afternoon in Lismore made cricket difficult in the first fixture of 2005 between UL and Lismore Cricket Clubs on Sunday 22 May. The teams were on and off throughout the match and a heavy pitch made bowling and batting a real effort. However, UL ground it out and won the match by five wickets.

Captain Zulfikar won the toss and, gambling that the wicket would dry out, invited Lismore to bat. Hilal (who finished with 9 overs, 3 maidens, 1 for 18) and Sandeep (7.3 overs, 2 for 19) bowled economically but without success in their opening spells, and it was Ankur who removed the dogged openers Boyle (19) and Ind (12). Power (25) and Mubbin (27) formed the last partnership of any length, before Pradeep bowled them both. Pradeep (5 overs, 4 for 19) and Sandeep mopped up the tail, assisted by an excellent stumping by Morgan Callaghan and two outstanding catches by John Lenehan. Lismore finished on 134 all out in the 43rd over.

John Lenehan, usually the bridesmaid, became the bride with a knock of 28 which anchored the UL innings. Helped by Morgan (caught on 19), he took the score beyond 100 before Zulfikar (36 n.o.) and Ankur (20 n.o.) came together to steer the ship home, with the innings closing on 135 for 5. This was not the characteristic Zulfi, hitting 6's and 4's around the park, but it was what was needed on a pitch that got wetter as the afternoon wore on.

In addition to Sandeep, Pradeep and Hilal, newcomers Malik and James Murphy joined old-timers Jeremy Callaghan and Pete Nicholson to form a determined UL side on target to retain the Division 2 title.

Quarter Slaughter

June 19th 2005

UL booked a berth in the semi-finals of the Munster Junior Cup with a comprehensive defeat of Cork County on the Plassey playing fields last Sunday, 19 June. A strong Limerick team took full advantage of a bouncy track and a dry, fast outfield to down their opponents by 147 runs.

Although UL captain, Zulfikar Dholkawala, lost the toss and was invited to bat, his early batsman were not inhibited by tight opening bowling from Atkinson and Siddharth. Abbasi went cheaply, but Morgan Callaghan (caught and bowled for 20) and Luke Kirwan kept the runs coming at nearly five an over for the first 20 overs. Luke hit five fours and three sixes before holing out on 56. None of the middle order batsmen, Azeem, Robin Edwards and Mustafa, troubled the scorers unduly and it was only when Zulfikar and Sandeep came together in the 30th over that the runs flowed again. The captain showed the way with a knock of 51, with Sandeep contributing a gritty 24. A late stand of 16 between Ankur and Shershah carried the total to 198 for 8 in the 45th over.

This total certainly didn't look invincible, but the Cork County batsman made hard work of it from the start and struggled with the bounce of the wicket and the pace of the UL openers. Mustafa made a breakthrough at the beginning of the second over and never looked back, finishing with the outstanding figures of 7 overs, 1 maiden, 5 for 14 on his debut for the club. Sandeep supported him well and was unlucky not to take a wicket in seven overs which conceded only 16 runs. Committed fielding supported the bowlers and when Azeem (3 for 13 off 4), Jeremy Callaghan and Ankur came on as change bowlers, the Cork innings had been broken. Keeper Morgan Callaghan was excellent behind the stumps, taking three catches, and Shershah took two in the field, as did Azeem. Cork died in the 23rd over, all out 51.

This was an impressive win from a UL side that is in serious contention this year for both the Munster Cup and League titles.

UL take points at Galway

July 3rd 2005

UL came away with the points in a rain-affected match last Sunday, 3 July against Galway Cricket Club. With both innings reduced to 40 overs, and heavy showers threatening throughout the afternoon, UL worked hard to secure victory before the inevitable downpour put an end to proceedings.

Galway batted first and were soon in trouble against Sandeep's pace and lift off the pitch. Their openers were back in the Pavilion, both bowled, with only 16 on the board. Azeem failed to find the same penetration and it was first-change bowler Chris Thomas who made the breakthrough with a quick ball superbly caught behind by Morgan Callaghan when Galway were in the mid 50's. A run out with the score at the same mark gave further encouragement to UL, and it had hardly advanced when Chris struck again with an LBW. Thereafter, the dogged batting of Jaffa proved an obstacle and the Galway total rose slowly as the lower order batsmen stayed with him for a series of smallish partnerships. Ankur, bowling with beautiful flight and turn both ways, took two good wickets before Jeremy Callaghan came on and, with a ball there for the hitting, dismissed Jaffa to a splendid catch on the boundary by Dave Lynch. Number 10 batsman, Thomas, defied Callaghan and Lynch, before he was beaten by the former with a well placed delivery which took the top of middle stump. Galway closed on 157 in the 40th over, with the four main bowlers securing two apiece.

The prospect of rain appeared to have receded when Abbasi and Azeem took the crease after tea. Abbassi, scratching for form, was caught from a mistimed drive, but Azeem was in the mood and his 60 not out included six 4's and four very big 6's. Luke Kirwan supported him ably with 17 not out. When the rain came in the 22nd over, UL had posted 105 for 1 and were clearly ahead on the run rate.

With no prospect of play resuming, the players retired to the Quality Inn, with UL having taken another step towards retaining the Division 2 title.

 

UL in Junior Cup Final

 

July 10th 2005

UL made it a weekend double for the Limerick Club with an impressive win on Sunday (10 July) in the Junior Cup semi-final over Harlequins. Playing in possibly the best cricketing weather seen in Munster since the late Pleistocene, the lads blew away their Cork rivals with an in depth batting display and great penetration in their bowling.

The wicket looked dry and firm (if not hard) and captain Zulfikar elected to bat. Although Azeem soon went to an excellent diving catch by David Gash off the bowling of Perrott, Andy Webster and Luke Kirwan dug in to see off the openers. Andy was bowled three short of his 50 with the score on 110 and when Luke went shortly afterwards, LBW for a strong 36, an excellent foundation had been set. New Irish Under 15 selection, Shershah, played anchor with an entertaining innings of 41, joined by Amir (10), Zulfikar (a hard hitting 35, including five 4's and two 6's), Sandeep and Ankur (three huge 6's in a quick fire 26). Towards the end, Mustafa provided the firepower with 18 not out and the UL score reached 261 for 9 after the allotted 45 overs. This really was an excellent batting performance with six batsman making significant contributions, all the time keeping the scoreboard ticking over.

To their credit, Harlequins went for the runs from the outset. Although Perrott and Doyle (15 and 45 respectively) gave them some hope, Mustafa's pace was too much for the early batsmen, and he bowled the two openers, one with an inswinger, the other with an outswinger. Sandeep bowled well and was unlucky not to take wickets from straightforward catches that Azeem seemed unable to hold. Jeremy and Ankur were introduced into the attack and soon struck, Jeremy bowling Joey Sherlock with a peach, and Ankur recording a magnificent 4 for 16 off 7.1 overs, with two batsmen caught in the deep by Mustafa and an excellent stumping by Morgan. Zulfikar, whose captaining decisions were impeccable, chipped in with a run out and a catch to send the Harlequins out of the cup, in the 30th over, with 124 on the board. There were several claimants to the man of the match title, but Ankur, with a gem of an innings and superb bowling, took it by a short head.

UL go on to the finals on July 31 against Galway, a team they have already beaten in the league. With their form of last Sunday, they should be hard to beat.

 

UL Clinch Munster Junior Cup Title

 

July 31st 2005

UL forfeited ground advantage by agreeing to travel to Galway to play the Munster Junior Cup final on Sunday last, 31st July. On a day that started overcast, but steadily improved, only 3 overs were lost to rain as Limerick batted first in an attempt to win a trophy last won in 1992. Azeem and Andy Webster began well, taking ones and twos before Andy played across the line and was bowled for 13 with the score on 24. Azeem was beaten for pace and was caught by the wicket-keeper for 15 soon afterwards. David Lynch and Matthew Callaghan came together and looked about to enjoy a lengthy partnership, until the latter lost his footing while trying to regain his ground and was unluckily run out. Rizwan and Ankur came and went and UL looked in distinct trouble at 49 for 5. Zulfikar, the skipper, stayed with Dave who was putting together a lovely score, with shots all round the ground, but only for 12 when he too was run out. Dave was running out of partners when Shershah was bowled with little more than 100 on the board. Then came two critical partnerships. First Dave was joined by Morgan Callaghan, who played a determined supporting role in the context of a low-scoring match. They brought the score into the 130's, with Dave finding the boundary often enough to disturb the Galway rhythm, Although Morgan was bowled for 13, UL had avoided a collapse. Dave was then joined by Mustafa, who finished on 22 not out with some bold smacks of the ball, and the UL innings closed on a respectable, but nor formidable, 182 for 8 after 47 overs. Dave Lynch was the backbone of the innings. His 76 not out included 9 fours and just about every scoring shot in the book. Gregory was the pick of the Galway bowlers, taking 2 wickets for 16 from 10 overs.

After a superb tea, and having taken heart from their recovery with the bat, UL set about defending their total. Opener Walsh was soon dismissed by the quick bowling of Mustafa, but Turton and Green proved stubborn before the former was caught by Zulfikar off Dave Lynch's bowling with the score on 59. Hallet, the incoming pugnacious batsman, went for a golden duck, caught securely by Sheshah on the square leg boundary, again off Lynch, and UL were back in business. When Green went to a catch by Lynch off Azeem's bowling, Galway were on the ropes at 76 for 5, and UL were odds-on to dismiss their opponents for under 100. However, a partnership of 49 between Shazad and Mahon saw the game swing back in Galway's direction, at least until Ankur and Mustafa came back into the attack. Ankur, who had opened with his deceptive spin, but without success, quickly sent Mahon back to the pavilion, well caught by Zulfikar. Mustafa then caught and bowled Shazad. At 139 for 8, the game remained tense and the result open, but when Amair hit his own wicket with the score on 145, UL sniffed victory. It came in the 34th over, with a lightning stumping by Morgan, as Galway finished 37 runs shy of the target. Mustafa, with 3 for 33 and Dave Lynch, 3 for 25 and a couple of catches, were the most successful of the bowlers, but Ankur, with 2 for 21 off 9.3 overs, was the most impressive. A disappointing feature of the bowling was the total of 26 wides conceded.

There was no contest for the man of the match and Jim Doran, on behalf of the MCU, presented the award to Dave Lynch for an outstanding performance with the bat and the ball. Coincidentally, when Limerick last won the Munster Junior Cup in 1992, David Lynch's brother, Alan, was presented with the man of the match award.

The cup went to Zulfikar Dholkawala, who had captained the team outstandingly. Winners medals also went to Azeem, Andy Webster, Jeremy Callaghan and his sons, Matthew and Morgan, Rizwan Alam, Ankur Sharma, Shershah Shahab (who had a successful tournament with the unbeaten Irish under 15 team recently), and Mustafa Malik. This had been a thrilling final, keenly contested, and open almost to the final ball, which, in the end, UL deserved to win

 

Junior Captain Zulfikar holds aloft the Junior Cup.  Oh how bitter sweet this game can be !

 

 

2005 Junior Cup Winners – Back (L to R) Mustapa; Andy Webster; Morgan Callaghan; Rizwan; Azeem; Jeremy Callaghan; Front (L to R) Matthew Callaghan; Ankur; David Lynch; Zulfikar (Captain); Shershah.

 

MCU Div 2 – Limerick Juniors went on to also capture the Munster Division 2 Championship for 2005

 

MCU Div 3 - Minors snatch victory - just

 

May 29th 2005

In a topsy turvy match last Sunday (29 May), UL Minors just failed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory against UCC thirds. The win, which maintains the Club's 100% record in all divisions this season, was ground out in a determined ninth wicket stand between Ranjit Singh and Paramvir Singh.

Limerick, fielding first, started well enough with opening bowlers Sandeep and Jeremy Callaghan giving little away in the first 12 overs. However, the early UCC batsman proved difficult to dislodge and it took a superb return form Salman Tariq (in the Munster Under 13 squad) to run out the dogged Anwar. His dismissal opened the way for first change bowler Shershah Shahab to be introduced, and his 3 for 14 broke the middle order. Supported by Pradeep, and generally good fielding all round (Pradeep also took two catches), Limerick dismissed UCC for 93 in the 31st over.

94 looked an easy enough target and the Limerick innings began in the best possible way with Shershah hitting a 6 off the first ball, which was also a no ball. From there, however, the team went into self-destruct mode with the first eight batsman contributing only 33 runs from the bat. With defeat seemingly inevitable, Limerick's only hope came from the appalling number of extras conceded by their opponents, particularly no balls and wides. Ranjit and Paramvir came together with the score in the 50's and, needing little more than 1.5 an over, the two toughed it out, hitting the occasional boundary off the odd bad ball. An unlikely win became more possible over by over, and a final boundary from Paramvir secured the points.

Not a pretty win, but a win all the same, to keep the team in contention for the Minor League Trophy.

 

 

MCU Div 3 - Clonmel inflicted the first defeat on Minors

June 20th 2005

Also on Sunday, Limerick played Clonmel in a Munster Senior League Division 3 match at Lismore. Unfortunately, Clonmel inflicted the first defeat on any Limerick team so far this season, winning by 2 wickets in a tense but enjoyable match. Limerick were put in to bat and made 129 in 36.2 overs. Sandeep made top score of 36 and received best support from Gogi Ranvir (12), Pradeep (10), James Murphy (6) and Paramveer, who was unbeaten on 20. Joe Whelan took 4 wickets for 15 runs and Paul Croke 4 for 20.

Darren Laing, who made 45 before being run out, dominated Clonmel's innings. Other useful contributions came from Paul Clifford (17), skipper Paul Kelly (10) and the unbeaten ninth wicket partnership of Steve Aubrey (13) and Brian Cunningham (5). The concession of 30 extras did not help Limerick's cause. Limerick's best bowling came from Paramveer who took 3 wickets for 16, Sandeep 2 for 17, Gogi Ranvir 1 for 24 and Pradeep, 1 for 32. Felix Ross also bowled well, but without reward. Gogi Ranvir showed his versatility by also keeping wicket excellently for part of the innings.

MCU Div 3 - Minors bounce back

June 25th 2005

The Minors bounced back from their league defeat against Clonmel to record an emphatic win against Kerry on Saturday 25 June. Playing in Tralee on the best day of the season so far - if not the decade - the boys in green showed form with bat and ball and Vice-Captain John Lenehan passed a personal milestone along the way.

Batting first, by invitation, the Limerick openers, Lenehan and Arul, defied some tight bowling for the first 12 overs and kept the score moving, if not racing, along. Arul was caught for a useful 13 with the score on 44 and John watched a succession of partners come and go before he was joined by Felix Ross in the 24th over. With Felix finding form, and displaying some lovely ground strokes, the score climbed steadily, with Felix run out on 28. Pradeep joined Lenehan for the most fruitful part of the innings which saw John gain his first ever 50 (he finished to a catch on 63) and Pradeep smash the ball to every part of the ground. Pradeep hit three fours and eight sixes in an unbeaten 75, joined briefly at the crease towards the end by Jeremy Callaghan whose only task was to stand and admire. The last 10 overs saw 100 runs added to the Limerick total.

In no mood to lose the match with a total of 240 under their belts, Jeremy and Pradeep bowled with accuracy and penetration to frustrate the Kerry opening batsmen. When the change bowlers were introduced, after 13 overs, the score was in the mid 20's and the match to all intents and purposes over. Ranjit and Felix were introduced to some effect in the middle of the innings and with the required rate reaching double figures in the last dozen or so overs, Malik, Niranjan, Nico, Conor and Arul were all given an opportunity with the ball. Niranjan and Conor, in particular, impressed. Kerry finished on 180 for 8, well short of their target, but nonetheless pleased at the spirit in which the game had been played.

Overall, a great afternoon for the Minors, with some new players (thank you Paul and Arul) representing the Club for the first time, and some (Conor and Felix) making a welcome return.

MCU Minor Cup – Limerick Through

July 9th 2005

The Limerick Division Three side made it through to the semi-finals of the Minor Cup last Saturday (9 July) with a victory over Kerry. The team, which included three newcomers, had to travel away as the UL grounds were still unavailable, but pulled off an unlikely win thanks to the strength of their fielding in all departments.

When the team arrived at the Tralee grounds light rain was still falling and Limerick were invited to bat on a difficult track with a slow, wet outfield. Although openers Gogi and Morgan Callaghan stuck around, they made slow progress and Gogi was eventually caught on 5. Morgan was joined by Mohammed and Pradeep, who left him scoreless in quick succession, before departing to a catch having scored 11 singles, in the slow outfield. Ranjit looked promising before succumbing to a lofted drive for 6 and Greg Thomas (10) and Andrew Thomas (5) both threatened before departing, run out and LBW. Niranjan, Malik, James and Jeremy added only 10 runs at the end. The innings finished in the 31st over on a mere 69, with 22 extras providing the highest score. The conditions were difficult, but none of Limerick's batsmen had fired and the team looked to be on its way out of the competition.

Still, 69 runs were on the board and Kerry had to get them. A quick flurry by opener Javid soon ended and Pradeep, bowing beautifully, sent the first four batsman back to the Pavilion with fewer than 20 on the board - two bowled and two caught behind by Morgan. Mohammed, on debut, also secured a catch behind and, with Kerry struggling, and hoping the change bowlers would relax the pressure, Jeremy brought on Gogi and Andrew. Gogi, bowling with a damaged finger from a nearly-taken slip catch, claimed two wickets from excellent catches by Ranjit at gulley and Pradeep, running for a skyer, at deep mid-off. Andrew, supported him well and a smart run out of the Kerry captain, Gideon de Swaart, by Greg set the stage for a dramatic conclusion. With the Kerry lads still needing a dozen runs, Andrew was not to be denied and took the final two wickets, one bowled and one leg before. Kerry finished on 57 all out in the 27th over. Pick of the bowlers was Pradeep - eight overs, one maiden, 4 for 16 - and of the fielders Morgan - three caught behind and a part in a run out.