2009 winners Leinster ran out convincing 101-run winners over The Hills at Rahmines. Batting first, they made 284 for 7, thanks primarily to an unbeaten century from Saqib Bahadur, who hit 11 boundaries in his 98-ball effort. There were runs too for Michael Hogan (61), Monil Patil (30) and Patrick Lynch (28). The Hills' reply got off to a solid start with runs for Bakesh Lakhotia (39), Cormac McLoughlin-Gavin (37), Nathan Rooney (27) and Mark Donegan (21), but from 113 for 2, they faltered to 183 all out. Australian professional Peter Francis took three wickets, while there were two apiece for Joey Carroll, Mark Tonge, and skipper Bilal Azhar.

Waringstown dug deep and thanks to a Herculean effort on and off the field, they avenged their 2019 final loss with a nail-biting 7-run win over Pembroke. The home side raced out of the traps with Adam Dennison (51) sharing a second wicket stand of 94 with Pat Botha - the South African professional hitting 6 fours and 4 sixes in a rapid 63 from only 38 balls. At 110 for 1 in just the 15th over, they would have hoped for a total of 300, but had to settle for 248 with almost seven overs unused. Graeme Hume did shepherd the lower order on his way to 54, but three wickets apiece for Piyush Sharma, Nick Stapleton and Gavin Hoey meant the Sydney Parade side were perhaps the happier at the break. An opening stand of 67 between JJ Garth (45) and Diarmaid Tucker (42) got the chase off to a solid start, before rain saw the game halted for 82 minutes. That it wasn't longer was down to the efforts of the ground staff and volunteers, and was to prove crucial in the final analysis. Set a revised target of 207 in 39 overs, Greg Thompson struck twice in the 25th over, dismissing two of the three Tucker brothers - Lorcan for a duck the decisive moment in the contest. Theo Lawson (35) and Fiachra Tucker (29) kept things interesting, but they were always playing catch-up, losing by 7 runs. Waringstown, the competition's most successful side will get the chance to make it a magnificent seventh Irish Cup triumph on home soil when they face Leinster on Saturday August 12th at The Lawn.

The Hills' quest for a third 'Bob Kerr' Trophy remains firmly on track after an impressive six wickets win against Instonians at Milveton. A second wicket stand of 56 between Cade Carmichael - who hit 6 fours in his 33 - and Nikolai Smith gave the NCU a platform, but a superb display by the hosts bowling unit saw Cian Nulty, Tomas Rooney-Murphy, Sean McNicholl and Nicolaj Laegsgaard each taking two wickets to dismiss their opponents for 129. Danish international Laegsgaard hit 6 fours and a six in a breezy 39, but just when the Belfast side were looking to fight back, Murray Commins (30) and the prolific Mark Donegan (37*) shut the door firmly with a 4th wicket stand of 42 that all but sealed the win.

Pembroke won a tense battle against Balbriggan in the all-Leinster clash. Batting first the 2019 winners were given a solid start with an opening stand of 85 between in-form JJ Garth and Diarmaid Tucker (31). Garth hit 7 fours in a top-score of 77, while there were runs too for skipper Theo Lawson (35), Nick Stapleton (20), and crucially Danny Hogan (30) down the order. There were three wickets for Matt Pollard and Dylan Lues in the total of of 236. Balbriggan, like the hosts, were understrength and the absence of Cameron Rowe and Connor Fletcher was to prove telling. Greg Ford's even time 88 (9 fours, 3 sixes) kept it evenly balanced, and his dismissal with 34 needed from 7 overs was the game changing moment. Nick Stapleton's four wickets book-ended the start and end of the innings, while Gavin Hoey claimed three scalps, and Fiachra Tucker two - including Ford's - in the 24-run win.

The competition's most successful side are in another semi-final after overcoming fierce rivals Merrion in a high-scoring game at The Lawn. Waringstown made light of their depleted stocks to rack up an imposing 324 for 8. Pat Botha hit 11 boundaries in a fluent 59, adding 88 for the second wicket with Adam Dennison (41). The decisive partnership though was the 5th wicket one of 150 between skipper Greg Thompson and Morgan Topping. The pair have been in rich veins of form and continued that here with Thompson hitting 11 fours and three sixes in a top score of 88 from just 60 balls, while Topping's 77 included 7 fours and 2 sixes. Swapnil Modgill (28) flew out of the blocks and when John Anderson and Stephen Doheny both made half centuries, the Dubliners looked on course at 148 for 1 near the halfway stage. However, their dismissals sparked a collapse with two wickets for Thompson, Pat Botha and Adam Dennison, while Eaglstone had the prize scalp of Anderson. Hugh Kennedy hit four sixes in an entertaining 42, but it was only delaying the inevitable as the hosts ran out 61-run victors. They will now have their sights firmly on a magnificent seventh title, with the added knowledge of knowing the final will be on home turf on August 12th should they win the semi-final/

2009 winners Leinster were the first team into the last four as they beat Phoenix by four wickets in a low scoring tussle. Batting first, Phoenix were bowled out for just 92, with Levon Shields 35 their one bright note. Peter Francis picked up four wickets, while there were two apiece for Saqib Bahadhur, Deveder Ranolia and Mark Tonge. Skipper Azhar hit 7 fours in a rapid 37, adding 49 for the first wicket with Michael Hogan (17). However, they were pegged back by Tyrone Kane and Amish Sidhu who took three wickets apiece. The Rathmines side eventually got over the line for the loss of six wickets.

Two-times winners Merrion advanced safely to the quarter-finals of the Irish Senior Cup as the made light work of a potentially tricky 249 target in the replayed match at Anglesea Road. YM's total of 248 for 9 was boosted by late runs down the order, plus 30 wides and 2 no-balls. Tom Anders top-scored with 46, sharing a sixth wicket stand of 69 with his brother Rory (29) while Mikey O'Reilly made a run-a-ball 28 not out from number 10. O'Reilly then struck twice to remove Stephen Doheny and John Anderson cheaply. That was the high point for YM as Swapnil Modgill and Sam Harbinson quickly took the contest away from them. Modgill made a brilliant 112 from 98 balls (13 fours, 4 sixes), adding 134 in 23 overs with Harbinson - whose undefeated 92 included 7 fours and a six. Jack Carty (26*) added a further 78 with Harbinson as the 7 wickets win was sealed with five overs to spare. Merrion now travel to Waringstown in a real heavyweight clash - the sides having met in the final three times in recent years.

The game between YMCA and Merrion was abandoned after seven overs by the umpires who considered the pitch to be dangerous. The matter will now be considered by Cricket Ireland once they receive the official report. The most likely outcome will be a replay at Anglesea Road given the extenuating circumstances of YMCA's tenure at the ground.

Balbriggan beat Railway Union in the all-Leinster clash to keep alive their hopes of a first all-Ireland success. They showed their depth once again, as they overcame a shaky start to post 252. Matthew Pollard hit 7 fours and 3 sixes in an excellent 73, while there was also a half century for Chris De Freitas (51). The hosts had a solid start to the chase with Ashil Prakash making 60, but three wickets for Dylan Lues and two for Andrew Darroch gave the momentum to Balbriggan which they maintained to close out a hard-fought 34-run win.

Holders CIYMS crashed out as they lost by 45 runs against 2009 winners Leinster. The Rathmines side posted 270 for 9 with half centuries for Monil Patel and Joey Carroll. The CIYMS reply was in deep trouble at 124 for 7, but they showed their fighting qualities as they rallied. Skipper John Matchett scored 107 (14 fours, 2 sixes) as he and Mark Best - a former Ulster rugby player = added 74 for the 8th wicket. However, they left themselves too much to do, eventually bowled out for 225, with Peter Francis taking three wickets, plus two apiece for Joey Carroll, Mark Tonge and Saqib Bahadhur.

2019 winners Pembroke enjoyed their trip to the Mardyke as they recorded a whopping 249-run win over Cork County. JJ Garth top-scored with 156 from 132 balls (10 fours. 5 sixes) as he shared stands of 140 for the opening wicket with Diarmaid Tucker (67) and 152 in 20 overs for the second with Nick Stapleton (85). A final total of 327 for 3 was certainly a daunting one, and thus it proved as the Munster side was shot out for 78 - three wickets for Gavin Hoey, and two apiece for Paul Lawson, Piyush Sharma and Fiachra Tucker.

Instonians excellent season continued as they knocked out last season's beaten finalists Lisburn by six wickets at Shaws Bridge. Shane Dadswell took five wickets as Lisburn could only manage 165 - Nigel Jones top scoring with 43. An opening stand of 95 between the prolific Robert McKinley (51) and Nikolai Smith (48) broke the back of the chase, and a fluent 43 from Cade Carmichael ensured a comfortable win with more than 12 overs to spare.

Six times winners Waringstown progressed but were given a tough fight by Clontarf. Chasing 215, the Castle Avenue side were right in the mix at 170 for 5 in the 42nd over, but lost their last five wickets for 15 to be 185 all out - two wickets apiece for former Irish internationals Phil Eaglestone and Greg Thompson, as well as James Mitchell. Morgan Topping continued his fine form as he was the glue that held a depleted home side together - his unbeaten 71 getting them to 214/8 - which their bowling unit resolutely defended.

Phoenix ran out five-wicket winners at North Down as they made light work chasing down 220. Jed Wiggins (78) and Stephen Black (33) laid the base, and Tyrone Kane clubbed five sixes in a rapid 41 to speed them to victory. Jacob Mulder (56) and Ryan Haire (44) were the main contributors to North Down's 220 for 7.

Mark Donegan hit 7 sixes and 7 fours in a rapid century to propel two-times winners The Hills to an emphatic 179-run win at Middle Road. The Milverton side piled on 338 for 7, with 50s for Cormac McLoughlin-Gavin and Nicolaj Laegsgaard, plus runs too for Bhavesh Lakotia )44) and Tomas Rooney-Murphy (31). Michael Rippon took three wickets and top-scored for the hosts with 79,but they were bowled out for 159 - six wickets for Sean McNicholl and two for captain Andy Kavanagh.

Ardmore made the long trek to Cork and travelled home empty handed after being on the wrong side of a 37-run loss. Syden Aiman hit 6 fours and a six in a well composed 85 as the Munster men posted 220/9 - vital late runs too for Eshan O'Sullivan (35). Edrees took three wickets, while there were two apiece for Aviwe Mgijima, Rachit Gaur and Dharm Singh. The chase started steadily with Mgijima (43), Conor King (25) and Harry immermann (29) taking the Bleachgreen side to 105 for 2 as drinks approached. However, they lost their way to be bowled out for 183. Cork now host Pembroke in the second round on Sunday.

Carrickfergus eased into the second round as they beat the last remaining hope of the North West, chasing 241 to win by six wickets with almost five overs to spare. Gary McClintock (61) and DJ Dougherty (43) shared an opening stand of 80 to lay the foundations for a big total, but the Tyrone side lost wickets at regular intervals, with big hitting William McClintock one of four wickets for Michael Rippon (4-34). The tail rallied with 20's for Joe Robinson and Gary Neely getting them to 241. A second wicket stand of 123 between Craig Averill (14 fours) and Iain Parkhill (8 fours) - both making 72 ensured a comfortable chase. Michael Rippon (38*) and skipper CJ van der Walt (30*) applying the last rites with plenty to spare.

Ardmore face a long trek to The Mardyke after their game against Cork County was abandoned just 8 balls into the second innings. Ryan Brolly returned to the team and showed his quality as he top-scored with 83, while there were runs too for South African professional Aviwe Mgijima (37) and Mark Chambers (35). For the Munstermen there were two wickets apiece for Watoo, Nabel Anjum and professional Stefano Di Bartolomeo. That replay is scheduled for next Sunday (May 28).

A 5th wicket stand of 113 between Irish international Harry Tector and overseas professional Ash Burton took YMCA from a precarious 59 for 4 to 233. Tector showed his class on a challenging track top-scoring with 87, while Burton made 65. Gareth Burns took four wickets while former captain Stephen Hutchinson claimed a brace. Matthew Smyth (32) and Matthew Hutchinson (22) had Coleraine 67 for 1 in the chase before the wheels came off. Three wickets apiece for Jamie Forbes and Ash Burton as 9 wickets tumbled for just 27 runs.

A ONE-SIDED contest at Farmers Cross saw Merrion rack up 395-3 and steamroller Cork Harlequins by 280 runs as the home side were bowled out for 115 in 25.4 overs. Ireland opener Stephen Doheny led the way for the visitors with 146 off 128 balls, with 14 fours and five maximums, while Joe Carty, Jon Anderson, Sam Harbinson and Swapnil Modgill all scored half-centuries. Modgill hit six fours and three sixes as he raced to 53 not out from only 18 balls while Devon Joyce (1-41) was the pick of the bowlers. Harlequins lost Jack Buss in the first over of the reply without a run on the board and could not mount any sort of challenge as Merrion pro Harbinson followed up his 52 not out with 4-16.

In the closest tie of the round, Leinster squeezed to a six-run win at Stormont as CSNI’s last-wicket pair just failed to chase down the visitors’ 248 all out, finishing on 242-9. Joey Carroll scored a solid 62 from 80 balls for Leinster after skipper Bilal Azhar had made 42 at the top of the order while Matthew Foster showed why he has caught the eye of the Ireland selectors with 4-47 from his 10 overs. Half-centuries from Stuart Thompson and Marc Ellison, plus Ryan Hunter’s 47 took CSNI to 174-3 in the 37th over only to collapse to 196-9. Game over? Last man Foster had other ideas and with the support of teenager James West he took the home side to within a shot of parity, making 32 not out as the pair added an unbeaten 46.

A fine all-round display by Railway Union saw the 2006 winners thump Bready by 130 runs at Park Avenue. A solid batting effort helped by a plethora of bowling extras - 16 alone from Irish international Conor Olphert whose first over cost 25. Punya Meha top-scored with 68 as the home side posted 285, with five others passing 20. David Scanlon and Jordan McCorkell each took three wickets for Bready while Olphert repaired some of the initial damage to end with 2-57. Ian Young - brother of Craig - hit 51 in the Bready reply and Sri Lankan overseas professional Irosh Samarasooriya made 44 bit there was little else as they were bowled out for 155. Brandon Kruger took 5-16, while Liam McCarthy (3-20) and Sean O'Brien - the latest of the famous Railway dynasty -took 2-27 in the one-sided win.

LORCAN TUCKER steered to Pembroke to a nervy two-wicket victory over Brigade after the home side had looked on the brink of elimination at Sydney Parade.The visitors from the north-west had Ryan MacBeth (33) and his brother Scott (28) to thank for a modest 151 all out as Paul Lawson took 3-41 and Nick Stapleton, Zach Micklewright and Joe Prendergast each claimed two victims. Scott MacBeth then removed JJ Garth first ball and fellow opener Diarmuid Tucker again with out scoring, brother Ryan and Andy Britton also took two wickets, and when Iftikhar Hussain (2-34) removed Micklewright for 10, Pembroke were 94-8. Ireland wicketkeeper Tucker stood firm, though, guiding his side home with 72 not out from 96 balls, including six boundaries, sharing an unbroken 9th wicket stand of 58 with Joe Prendergast (17*) as Pembroke won with 4.5 overs to spare.

Andrew White claimed four wickets at The Village as Instonians eased to a 123-run victory over Malahide. A team effort - with six batters making between 23 and Cade Carmichael’s top score of 39 - took the visitors to a competitive 216-8 from 50 overs. James Newland, Andrew Sheridan, Peter Chase and Hunter Kindley took two wickets apiece for the home side. Malahide would have fancied their chances at halfway but Younas Ahmadzai fell second ball - one of four home ducks - and with Dan Rose following up his 35 from 25 balls with a frugal 3-7, and veteran White taking 4-22, the visitors were never in danger.

Two-times winners The Hills are safely into the next round after a comfortable seven-wicket victory over Fox Lodge when the sides met for a second successive season at Ballymagorry. The home side improved on last year’s record low score of 27 as Craig Doherty top-scored with 44 and Jonathan Robinson made 39 in a total of 151 all out in 36.1 overs. Sean McNicholl (4-34) and Nicolaj Laegsgaard (3-53) did the damage for the visitors before Bhavesh Lakhotia’s rapid 88 from 58 balls saw them to their target in only 20.1 overs. Lakhotia hit nine fours and six sixes a she shared a stand of 143 in 17 overs with Cormac McLoughlin-Gavin (48*)

Slow going at the start for Woodvale who were asked to bat first by Balbriggan before an unbeaten 66 run eighth wicket partnership between Paul Robinson and Stephen Bunting carried Woodvale to a total of 192 that seemed unlikely for most of the innings. It proved to be much too little however as Chris de Freitas added exactly 100 with Greg Ford to chase down the win in 31 overs.

Six times winners Waringstown made light of the absence of five regulars including Irish internationals James McCollum (knee) and Graham Hume (refused permission to play by Cricket Ireland) to brush aside the challenge of NW champions Newbuildings. The home side were dismissed for just 98 with Johnny Thompson (23) and Mark Hanna (21) the best of a bitterly disappointing batting effort. Young left-arm spinner Seby Best took 3 for 2, while there were two wickets apiece for Greg Thompson, Ben Snell, and Pat Botha. With rain around, Waringstown raced to victory with Adam Dennison making a quickfire unbeaten half century and Ross Waite 41 not out to ensure their place in the next round.

North Down's prolific opening pair of Ali Shields and Ani Chore made light work of their 167 target at home to Eglinton as they romped home by 10 wickets in the 27th over, Shields top-scored with an unbeaten 88 from 79 balls, hitting 11 fours and 2 sixes, while Chore's undefeated 67 took 80 balls and included 9 fours. Shields had earlier taken three wickets, with two apiece for Peter Eakin and Ben Escott as the NW batsmen struggled to get going despite a few starts. Tommy Orr top-scored with 30, while South African professional Mike Erlank made 29 and Jamie Millar 26.

Donemana and Carrickfergus must try again after their tie at The Holm was abandoned at the halfway point. Home skipper Dwayne McGerrigle was at his belligerent best hitting 9 sixes and 7 fours in a top-score of 95 from 72 balls. That helped his team to 247 with quick runs too for William McClintock, whose 45 from just 25 balls included 5 fours and 3 sixes. Dutch/NZ international Michael Rippon's left-arm wrist spin saw him take wickets as did Jake Egan.