Pembroke v Railway Union 3 May 2025

I could lie and just claim that I was there for the whole game but there were enough familiar faces around to see that I missed the first hour and half of the game which as it turned out was the crucial period. So while I can’t lie and claim to have seen the main parts of the game,

I have decided that today’s report will come in a form that befits the fact that I spend my working days in the company of primary school children, in an acrostic style.

P - power play

A game is not won in the power play but it sure as hell can be lost in one. Losing 5 wickets in the first nine overs makes it a very uphill struggle.  While Railway Union battled admirably to reach a total of 95, they probably knew that it was never going to be enough

E - Early season

An new season brought a new enlarged structure to the Premier League and on the opening day both of these sides started with a loss last week.  The stakes were high, with Pembroke very keen on being in the business end of the league and Railway hoping to learn to adapt to a higher standard and get some points on the board.

M - McCarthy

It helps when the selection committee are able to call upon the likes of internationals Andy Balbernie, Harry Tector, Barry McCarthy and Wolves captain Gavin Hoey when they are deliberating the weekend side.  Barry McCarthy was the trump card today, his 3 wickets all came in those destructive early overs and set the tone for the day. He came back later for another turn and seemed less than impressed when young Peter LeRoux gave him the charge in an effort to free the shackles. It sets a great example when your international players are just as competitive in a club game as in a higher profile game.

B - Blake McDonald

A good pro is gold. Its the first time I have seen or even heard of Blake McDonald but I will be quite happy to watch him bat whenever the occasion arises.  Very comfortable on the back foot and destructive on the front when the game was just about done. Yes there will be tougher chases but he looks a good one.  A close second for B was Bounce Back, that certainly was the view of beaming Pembroke captain, Paul Lawson.

R - Railway

This is the most local of local derbies and there was a healthy number of Railway members and former players who took the couple of hundred metres walk across the road to support their team.  I spoke with Archie Noone, Frank Whelan and Ginger O’Brien who was supporting his son, Kevin and grandson Rob who also captained the visitors. How good to see ex CYM’er Gerry Hoey watching his grandson Gavin as well.

O - Overs

I won’t lie, I wasn't looking forward to the prospect of a 9 hour cricket match so there was a little bit of relief that it did not run anything like its full course.  Railway’s innings lasted 32 overs while Pembroke completed the job in just 12.

K - Kim

The wall in Pembroke is famous in Leinster cricket as the spot to watch and Saturday was no different.  It was sunny and noisy as acquaintances were renewed and gossip shared. Along the wall, I spotted a familiar face, though familiar now as a star of world cricket. Kim Garth was there to watch her brother JJ.  Though he started beautifully with some exquisitely timed stokes, he took some blows from Liam McCarthy, in particular, who extracted some lift from an otherwise excellent pitch.

E - End

The end came quickly, Tim Tector and Blake McDonald shared a partnership of 75 in just 8 overs, combining good running between the wickets and thumping shots.

In case it isn't clear PEMBROKE won by 9 wickets