Merrion defied a battling Waringstown to win the All-Ireland T20 Women’s Cup for the third time at a blustery Stormont.

Batting first, Waringstown got off to a dreadful start, losing influential opener Amy Caulfield for nought in the first over, but rallied back strongly thanks to Cara Murray.

The Irish international is best known for her leg-spin bowling, but showed her all-round quality with a counter-attacking top-score of 44 from just 28 balls that included six fours and two maximums.

Murray added 61 for the second wicket in just seven overs with Abbi Harrison, but her dismissal didn’t alter the positive intent from the NCU double Champions.

New Zealander Abigaile Gerken joined Harrison and the pair kept the scoreboard ticking along in a third wicket partnership of 53, before Harrison fell for an excellent 40-ball 43 (five fours).

Gerken ended unbeaten on 28, putting on 30 in the last four overs with Naomi Matthews (17) in a total of 145 for four that gave Waringstown real belief they could be the first non-Leinster side to win the crown.

That faith increased when 15-year-old left-arm spinner Penny Speer dismissed Annabel Squires with her first ball in just the second over.

Merrion’s top-order, though, is among the best in the country with New Zealand interprovincial opener Bella Armstrong and Irish internationals Rebecca Stokell and Leah Paul, and the trio showed their quality in a batting masterclass.

Armstrong hit five fours in a 26-ball 35, putting on 67 for the second wicket with the powerful Stokell — the pair being particularly severe on Murray, who Waringstown were depending on to make inroads at the top.

Rachel Harrison gave her side hope by dismissing Armstrong, but thereafter it was all Merrion in a magnificent batting exhibition.

Stokell hit eight boundaries in a player-of-the-match unbeaten 74 from just 54 balls — her unbroken third wicket stand of 74 in eight overs with Leah Paul (27 not out) sealing the ultimately comfortable eight-wicket win with 15 balls left.

Despite the loss, Waringstown captain Sophie Hinds was proud of her team’s effort.

“I thought we did really well today against quality opposition in Merrion,” said Hinds.

“We were happy to push them all the way and can take a lot of pride from that.

“It was a much better effort from us this time around as there was a little bit of stage fright last year and, while there were a few nerves this time, that experience put us in good stead.

“I’m delighted for Penny Speer who has been exceptional all year, and it’s hard to believe she’s only 15 as she’s so mature.

" She’s involved in the Irish youth set-up and she’s only going to get better which is great for us.”