A WIN ON AND OFF THE FIELD!

Tuesday night was Sports Hub Senior Cup Semi-Final night and to tie in with Pembroke's home tie against Malahide, three of the home team’s current international players, Orla Prendergast , Sarah Forbes and Louise Little ran a fundraiser on behalf of the Irish Heart Foundation.  Following the recent passing of her father, The Irish Heart Foundation carries additional poignancy for Orla.

In return for a donation to the organisation, the players made playing kit available, so expect to see various versions of Prendergast, Forbes and Little in the nets and around the ground of Sydney Parade in coming weeks.  Every sports person loves new gear and Orla's father Peter was no different. Boy did that man love a new bat. So it seems an ideal event to honour his memory and raise some money for a good cause.

Of course the players had the not so small matter of a game to deal with as well but all the indications are that they were suitably motivated. Louise (sorry too old to call her by her more commonly used name LouLou) Little got proceedings off to a fine start with a 43 ball 69 including 8 fours and 2 sizes while Orla initially enjoyed the fireworks from the non-strikers end, she came into her own with an elegant 52.

It included a beautiful straight six which was immediately deemed the shot of the game by Craig and Heatley on commentary and I am fairly sure that it would have got the seal of approval from her father too. Having set a target of 172, Malahide needed a big score from Amy Hunter, however she decided to take on Sarah Forbes at backward point but a pin point throw meant that 19 was her contribution for the night. Sarah added a wicket in 4 tidy overs of canny off-spin.

So a good day on the pitch and I have no doubt that the good people of Pembroke were generous too in their support for the Irish Heart Foundation initiative. You can be sure that the gear disappeared quickly but if you wish you can still donate at the link below.

https://irishheart.ie/ways-to-give/ 

In the other semi-final, a third wicket stand of 108 in 50 balls between Irish internationals Leah Paul and Rebecca Stokell was the catalyst for Merrion's 126-run win at Balbriggan. 

Paul hit 11 fours in a whirlwind 62 from 31 balls, while Stokell was no slouch either on her way to 41 off 31 deliveries (4 fours). 

Aisling Lawlor (25*) and Ally Boucher (22*) then added an unbroken 53 in five overs to take Merrion to a total of 210 for 4. 

The chase never got going as Ella Marsh's 25 was the best of Balbriggan's 84 all out. 

The wickets were shared with two apiece for Aoife Brennan, Victoria Hayes, Leah Paul, Ashwi Manoj and Bella Armstrong.