Ben White sparked a Merrion collapse to inspire Phoenix to a second Irish Senior Cup success, 38 years after their first. It had seemed unlikely as the Anglesea Road side had reached 176 for 3 chasing a target of 212. However, White's 5 for 34 changed the momentum of the contest completely, as he bowled John Anderson for 39, ending a standi of 79 with top-scorer Sam Harbinson, whose 60 included 7 fours and 2 sixes. The dismissal of overseas professional Peter Francis for 0, courtesy of a stunning catch running back at cover by Tyrone Kane saw the belief grow, and at 202 for 9, Phoenix were probably ahead for the first time in the contest. Jamie Forbes boundary swung the tide back in favour of Merrion with two needed from two balls, but Devender Ranolia was the Phoenix hero, having a distraught Tom Stanton caught down the leg side as he moved across the stumps looking to sweep fine. The scenes of joy at the end showed just how much victory meant to Phoenix and their skipper Adam Chester. Head Coach Tyrone Kane played an uncharacteristically restrained knock, but his unbeaten 44 was crucial in getting his side to 211, along with a flamboyant 37 (8 fours) from Nic Pretorius. With their riches of spin they knew a total of over 200 would give them a fighting chance, and boy did they fight. Incidentally, Player of the Match White's figures were the third time that a bowler has taken five wickets in a final, all leg-spinners! Mark Gillespie's 5 for 33 in Strabane's 1998 win over Ballymena is still the best, White is second, with North County's Richie Lawrence 5-38 in the 2008 Fingal derby win over The Hills third.

Two times winners Merrion are through to yet another final after a convincing 117-run over Instonians, who had a miserable weekend, losing two semi-finals in two days. Merrion's powerful batting line-up were given a flying start by Irish international Stephen Doheny whose 25-ball 35 included 3 fours and 3 sixes. Swapnil Modgill hit 7 boundaries in a top score of 61, while the competition's second highest run getter of all-time John Anderson, and overseas professional Peter Francis made 40 apiece. Adam Rosslee chipped in with 38 to a total of 271 for 9 - two wickets apiece for Andrew White and James Magee. White's 41 was the top score in a reply that lost early wickets and never gained any momentum, not helped by the run out of opener Oliver Metcalfe. Mikey O'Reilly struck two early blows, while there were three wickets apiece for Melvin Deveraj and Tom Stanton.

Phoenix are through to their first final since they won the trophy back in 1986 as they knocked out 2022 winners CIYMS in a tense battle in the Park. The hosts made 208 batting first, with runs for George Dockrell (44), opener Johit Munjal (36), Amish Sidhu (26) and Levon Shields (20). Spinners Carson McCullough (4-23) and Jacob Mulder (2-28) did most of the damage, while there were two wickets also for left-armer Mark Best. The Belmont side's reply got off to the worst possible start with Ross Adair dismissed first ball by Tyrone Kane, but a second wicket stand of 82 between skipper John Matchett (37) and Chris Dougherty got them back on course. CIYMS were on track for the win at 120 for 3, but Devender Ranolia (3-26) inspired the loss four wickets for seven runs, including former international Dougherty for a top score of 59 (8 fours, 1 six) to leave themselves on the brink. Allen Coulter though hit four sixes in a counter-attacking 39 that had the home support worried. Kane though returned to dismiss him and Mark Best to clinch a 20-run win.

Instonians may be having a tough time in the league but their trip to Dublin was a fruitful one as a fine all-round display saw them beat Malahide by a convincing 118 runs to be the first team into the hat for the semi-final draw. Skipper Nikolai Smith (56) top-scored with a dogged half century that was just what his team needed. He added 68 with Cade Carmichael (37), while there was another vital half century stand between Cian Robertson (34) and James Lambert (29*) that got them up to 199 - four wickets for overseas professional Jeremy Martins and three for Kelvin Donnelly. There was some debate if it would be enough but the Shaws Bridge side produced an excellent bowling display to skittle the Village side for just 81, with Adam Doyle's 32 their best effort. Left-arm spinner Cian Robertson took 4-22, while there were two wickets apiece for James Magee and Andrew White.

Phoenix are into the last four thanks to a convincing 7 wicket win over North Down in the Park. The NCU side struggled to adapt to the conditions making a below par 172, with Ally Shields top scoring with 56, and Mo Aahil - who scored a hundred in the last round win over Balbriggan - making 33. Jack Lalor took three wickets and there were two apiece for Irish international Ben White and left-arm spinner Amish Sidhu. Nic Pretorius went cheaply in the reply, but a second wicket stand of 85 between Jack Lalor (48) and Levon Shields (41) broke the back of the chase. George Dockrell (31*) and Shane Getkate (21*) easing the Leinster side to victory in the 35th over.

Merrion won the 'Big Two' battle as they recovered from a disastrous start to oust 6-times champions Waringstown. Having been out in, Merrion lost Stephen Doheny and John Anderson without a run on the board, and Adam Rosslee soon after to be 32 for 3. They recovered thanks to a fourth wicket stand of 134 between Swapnil Modgill - who hit 11 fours in his top score of 78 - and skipper Sam Harbinson, who made 73 (5 fours, 2 sixes). Mick Lewis hit 9 boundaries in a 38-ball unbeaten 54 to take the home side to a challenging 266 for 8 - five wickets for Pakistan Test bowler Bilawal Bhatti. The NCU side's reply got off to a horror start as Tom Stanton accounted for the big 3 of the Topping brothers and Adam Dennison for a combined 3 runs. James McCollum and Graham Hume both made half centuries but weren't able to replicate Merrion's salvage operation as the hosts clinched a deserved 94-run win.

Holders Leinster were knocked out by 2022 champions CIYMS at Belmont. The Dubliners were in early trouble at 35 for 4 and 61 for 5, but rallied to 243 thanks to a 6th wicket stand of 109 between Saqib Bahadur and Joey Carroll. The stand was ended thanks to Jack Beattie's run out of Carroll who had thumped 6 sixes and 4 fours, while Bahadur top-scored with 85 (10 fours, 2 sixes). Bahadur then dismissed John Matchett and Chris Dougherty cheaply, but Tyron Koen and Max Burton soon set about building a match defining partnership. The free scoring pair found boundaries at will, with Gareth Delany not featuring in the Leinster attack. Koen hit 8 fours and 3 sixes in his 78, while Burton's top score of 82 included 12 fours and 1 maximum. The pair fell with the finishing line in sight but the result was never in doubt - the five wicket victory achieved in the 39th over.

Instonians won the other all-NCU clash, beating CSNI by 65 runs. A solid batting effort saw Cade Carmichael (74) and Nikolai Smith (61) both score half centuries, while there were contributions too from Cian Robertson (33), Adam Ly (29), and Andrew White (26). There was some resistance from Stuart Thompson (50), who added 80 for the 5th wicket with Harry Dyer (32). CSNI though never really threatened the target to keep the Shaw's Bridge side's hopes of a first Irish Senior Cup alive as they now face Malahide in two weeks' time.

Holders Leinster are into the last eight, ending North West interest in the process with a five-wicket win at home against Brigade. The visitors were soon in trouble and an early finish looked on the cards at 41 for 6 - wickets for Jai Moondra (4-24) and Mark Tonge (4-21). Ryan Barr hit 6 fours and 2 sixes in an unbeaten 69, as he and professional Marcello Piedt (41) shared a 7th wicket stand of 81 in 15 overs. Jamie Millar chipped in with 21, but while a total of 179 looked light, it did give something to defend. Piedt then grabbed three early wickets and at 101 for 5, the contest was very much in the balance. A sixth wicket stand of 80 between Mark Tonge (37*) and Tom Johnson (28*) soothed the Rathmines nerves, sealing the win in the 46th over.

Six times winners Waringstown are through after ousting Pembroke at Sydney Parade in a tight affair. Batting first the NCU side were looking comfortable at 64 for 0 thanks to runs for Adam Dennison (41) and Matthew Halliday (23). However, two wickets apiece for Gavin Hoey and Byron McDonough saw them stutter at 71 for 4. A fifth wicket partnership of 124 in 25 over between skipper Greg Thompson - who top-scored with 63 (8 fours, 1 six) - an in-form Ireland A player Morgan Topping (60) helped them recover to 265 for 6 - late runs for James Cameron-Dow (42*). The home side battled and were well in the game thanks to 50's from Nick Stapleton and Tim Tector. Danny Hogan (33) looked to be steering his side close to a famous win but Josh Froggatt was the late hero with a double-wicket maiden that sealed the two wicket win and set up the clash of the round at Merrion.

2022 winners CIYMS are safely through after John Matchett marshalled a successful chase of 219 in 37 overs. The skipper scored an unbeaten 106 from 98 balls (12 fours, 3 sixes) sharing an opening stand of 164 with Chris Dougherty (73). Max Burton then clubbed a rapid 26 to ensure no late drama, with the Belmont side easing to the 8-wicket win in the 33rd over. Earlier, half centuries from former CIYMS player Jason van der Merwe (59) and Ben Calitz (57*) had given Muckamore hoping of double cup success over the weekend, but it wasn't to be.

The holders had a wasted journey to take on Brigade with the weather never relenting, meaning the game will now be played at Rathmines on Sunday June 16th.

No play was possible at Stormont with a steady drizzle followed by heavier rain meant a frustrating day for all. At least the teams had a short trip and the match will now go ahead on Sunday at Shaw's Bridge.

Just eight balls were possible at The Lawn as Waringstown met Pembroke in a repeat of their 2019 final. The teams will now meet again at Sydney Parade on Sunday with Waringstown hoping that their Emerging Ireland trio of Tom Mayes, James McCollum and Morgan Topping will be allowed to play as they are scheduled to face West Indies U23 Academy in a four-day game starting next week.

It will be a trip to Moylena next Sunday for both sides after the game at Belmont was abandoned in the 15th over. Home skipper John Matchett had made 46 in CIYMS's 77 for 2 when play was stopped, never to resume - both wickets going to Satish Suresh.

It was a frustrating afternoon for Balbriggan who were well on top throughout their clash with North Down at Jack Harper Park only to be denied by the elements. The home side made 219 for 2 in a rain interrupted 30 overs with Chris De Freitas returning to form with an unbeaten hundred, sharing a century stand with opener Cameron Rowe (82*). More rain meant North Down were facing a near impossible 127 in 11 overs, and that got worse as they lost two early wickets. However, more showers meant an abandonment with the replay now at Comber next Sunday.

A third wicket partnership of 156 between Levon Shields and Tyrone Kane propelled Phoenix to an imposing 385 for 9 at home to Railway Union. Levon Shields - dismissed for 99 on Saturday - didn't miss out this time on the three figures landmark as he clubbed 15 fours and 4 sixes in 143 from 138 balls, sharing that stand with former Irish international Tyrone Kane whose 51-ball 76 included 8 fours and 4 sixes. Shane Getkate cleared the ropes four times in a 10-ball 31 as the home side plundered runs at will. Kenny Carroll and Zaman Safi both made 41 in the reply, but the Park Avenue side finished well short on 195 for 9, losing by 180 (DLS).

Malahide beat Clontarf and the weather to make it to the last eight in a 24-run (DLS) win at The Village. Reuben Wilson's 43 was the best of the Castle Avenue side's 175 for 9, with three wickets for Mike Frost and two apiece for James Newland and Kelvin Donnelly. Opener Younas Ahmadzai's unbeaten 33 ensured the home side were on the right side of the DLS calculations when rain forced the players off in the 12th over with Malahide on 68 for 2 - both wickets going to David Delany.

Two-times winners Merrion made an Irish Cup record score as they thumped The Hills by 231-runs at Anglesea Road. John Anderson made his 8th Irish Cup century - second only to Decker Curry's ten - hitting 22 fours and 8 sixes in a brilliant 178 off 134 deliveries in their 419 for 6. He shared a second wicket stand of 284, the second highest in the 42-year history of the competition, with opener Swapnil Modgill, whose 115 from119 balls included 12 fours and one maximum. Adam Rosslee cleared the ropes four times in a 22-ball 43 as Merrion piled on the misery. The Hills never threatened the huge target, but Mazamil Sherzad's 72 at least ensured some respectability as they scored 188.

No play was possible on the second and final attempt of the scheduled first-round replay at The Mardyke. A remote bowl-out was needed to decide who would progress with the Munster side missing all five attempts. Cameron Rowe was the Balbriggan hero as he hit on the second attempt to book their place in the last 16. There they will have a home tie against North Down at Jack Harper Park on Sunday June 9th.

The game at the Mardyke was called off after an early morning inspection which meant that Balbriggan were saved a wasted journey. The game will be replayed at Jack Harper Park in a few weeks.

It was a tale of two centuries at Beechgrove with two of the country's in-form players going head-to head. Brigade batted first and plundered 314 for 8 with Macbeth hitting 12 sixes - one of which cleared the clubhouse - on his way to 123 off 87 balls. He added 136 for the 3rd wicket in 20 overs with Adam McDaid, who hit 7 fours in his 61. Woodvale's chase was all about Pretorius who also reached three figures - hitting 10 fours and 5 sixes in his 103 from 90 balls. He received little help and with home skipper Andy Britton taking four wickets, Woodvale were 195 all out - losing by 119 runs. Brigade therefore the only NW side in the last 16 draw.

Jack Lalor's 201 not out propelled Phoenix to an emphatic 258-run win over Bready at Magheramason. The Australian hit 20 fours and 7 sixes in his brilliant knock, adding 90 for the 4th wicket with Tyrone Kane (44) and 169 for the 5th with Shane Getkate - who hit 6 sixes in his 77 from 45 balls. A final total of 374 for 5 was always going to be daunting, and the hosts never really got going despite Gavin Roulston's 45 and 28 from Kyle Magee. To add to Bready's woes Davy Scanlon suffered a stress fracture of his arm and was unable to bat - their innings closing on 116. A day to remember then for Lalor who has previously been in the Melbourne Renegades Big Bash squad, but never played.

An unbroken first wicket stand of 176 in under 20 overs between skipper Eoghan Delany and David Vincent hurried Clontarf to a 10-wicket win at Killyclooney. Delany's 76 came from just 50 balls and included 11 fours and 3 sixes, while Vincent's 73 from 69 deliveries saw hit stroke 10 fours and clear the ropes twice. The home side's 171 owed much to Mark Gordon with the left-hander hitting 6 sixes and 5 fours in a powerful 61 from 49 balls, while Kenzie Hall clubbed four sixes in his 45. David Vincent's four wickets would have meant he was a shoo-in for the Man of the Match if there was one, while David Delany took 3 for 52.

A century opening partnership between Ollie Metcalfe and Rob McKinley set Instonians on their way to 300+ total at Shaw's Bridge. After the departure of Metcalfe Instonians skipper Nikolai Smith and McKinley added a further 165 for the second, with McKinley finally falling for 107. The total was just short of 300 when Smith was out for 89 (9x4,3x6) no doubt satisfied that his side were well on their way to a win. Andy Millar had other ideas and the big left-handed opener raced to 55 off 40 balls (4x4, 5x6) before Ben Rose struck a massive blow for the home side in the space of two balls. The penultimate ball of the powerplay saw him bowl Miller and next ball a catch by Adam Ly saw professional Lahiru Dilshan depart without scoring, 72/0 had suddenly become 72/2 with both of the big threats gone. Rose made it a family affair as he claimed the wickets of the other two Miller brothers, both to Metcalfe catches. Cian Robertson was back to his parsimonious best, claiming 4-21 in his allotted ten overs as he and Andy White polished off what remained of the Eglinton lineup with only Ross McLaughlin providing any resistance.

The Hills travelled to Carrickfergus and safely progressed to the last 16 with a hard fought four-wicket win. Contrasting half centuries from Michael Gilmour and Jake Egan helped the hosts post 217. Gilmour top-scored with 72 (6 fours, 4 sixes), while Egan's 55 included 4 fours and a six. Teenagers Febin Manoj (3-22) and Matthew Weldon (3-60) took three wickets apiece. Andrew Kavanagh and Tomas Rooney-Murphy each made 61 in a second wicket stand of 93, and at 189 for 2, the result looked a foregone conclusion. However, four wickets for Prince Sharma (4-49) saw the innings stutter before they clinched victory in the 47th over.

CSNI skipper Stuart Thompson's unbeaten 87 from 71 balls (11 fours, 1 six) helped his side to a 76-run win over Newbuildings. Thompson shared an unbroken 5th wicket stand of 128 in 19 overs with Paddy Beverland (36*). Earlier, Jordan Neill also made a half century, hitting 7 fours and 2 sixes in his 73 as the Stormont side posted 252 for 4. Gareth McKeegan and Ryan Hunter - who hit 7 fours in his 38 - had the NW side in a good position at 90 for 1. McKeegan top scored with 65 (7 fours, 3 sixes), but his demise at 139 for 3 sparked a collapse as they lost 7 wickets for just 37 runs to be 176 all out - three wickets for Adam Leckey and two apiece for Jordan Neill and Matthew Foster.

North Down got the better of Ardmore in a close contest at The Bleachgreen with the Comber side winning by 14 runs. Ani Chore hit 6 fours in his 79 as the visitors posted 185 - three wickets for Harry Zimmermann and skipper Rachit Gaur, while Conor Brolly bowled an excellent ten-over spell to claim 2 for 12. Kerwin Mungroo (3-28) made early inroads in the chase,and at 87 for 5, Ardmore looked beaten. However, Ciaran Roundtree counterattacked as he added 64 for the 6th wicket with Mark Chambers. Liam Hayman (3-27) however got three wickets and despite Roundtree's 87 from 78 balls (8 fours, 4 sixes), Ardmore were 171 all out in the 40th over.

Malahide edged out Lisburn in a last over thriller in probably the game of the day. The Wallace Park side will rue throwing away a great position as a third wicket stand of 145 between Faiz Fazal and Neil Whitworth took them to 190 for 2 in the 40th over. However, from there they only added 39 to be 229 all out - three wickets apiece for James Newland and Jeremy Martins. The home side were in difficulty in the chase at 62 for 4, but Martins top-scored with an even time 73 (7 fours, 1 six), adding 112 for the 5th wicket with Mohit Sane (43). The game was still in the balance at 197 for 8, but Andrew Sheridan's unbeaten 33 got Malahide over the line with two balls to spare.

A superb century from young Afghanistan batsman Hedayat Ullah Khogiani was the catalyst for Railway Union's 74-run win over Cliftonville Academy at Park Avenue. He held the innings together with 103 (8 fours, 1 six) after they were struggling at 24 for 3. He added 55 for the 5th wicket with skipper Liam McCarthy (22) as they finished on 224. Tommy Orr top-scored with 33 in the reply, but three wickets for Sean O'Brien and Srihan Karpe, plus two for McCarthy closed out the win and ensured progress to the last 16.

2019 winners Pembroke brushed aside Coleraine, encountering little trouble as they won by a whopping 284 runs at Sydney Parade. Nick Stapleton and Tim Tector both made hundreds as they added 184 in 30 overs as the hosts plundered 394 for 7. Stapleton top-scored with 144 from 121 balls, hitting 9 fours and 8 sixes, while Tector's 124 from 100 deliveries included 13 fours and 3 sixes. Gavin Hoey hit four sixes in a quickfire 35, while Danny Hogan cleared the ropes twice in a hard-hit 31. The visitors never laid a glove in the reply as Scott Campbell's 36 was the best of their 110 - four wickets for Paul Lawson and three for Gavin Hoey.

Two times Merrion had little trouble accounting for Donemana as they chased 190 to win by 10 wickets in the 28th over. Irish international Stephen Doheny hit an unbeaten 106 from just 81 balls that included 14 fours and 2 sixes. He found a willing ally in fellow opener Swapnil Modgill who made an unbeaten 72 in their stand of 191. Earlier Raymond Curry stroked 13 boundaries in his stylish 78, but from looking well placed at 80 for 0 and 147 for 4, the Tyrone side faltered to be dismissed for 190 - five wickets for Melvin Devaraj.