Cricketers bow out of Irish Cup against slicker Strabane

Mick Jones

STRABANE were the visitors on Sunday for a rematch of the washed out Irish National Cup Quarter-final on July 9. The North West club have history and boast long traditions of cricketing families. Coached by the legendary Bobby Rao, and with former Irish International Peter Gillespie in the squad, Kerry were clearly looking at an extremely tough contest.

Kerry put up a decent enough fight, but ‘decent enough’ was always unlikely to send the visitors home unhappy. In the event, the younger Aaron Gillespie who dominated the match for Strabane securing a 6-wicket victory and progress to the Irish National Cup semi-final.

Kerry batted first in this 40 overs a side contest and though everyone contributed, no-one dug in to put a major score together. Usman(37no) who ran out of partners and Shani Alam(35) both looked in good nick, while Azeem, Qassim and Khurram all passed the 20 mark but fell trying to lift the strike rate. No-one scored a duck, but Kerry finished their innings on 192 for 9; at least 30 runs below par, leaving Strabane as the happier squad at the innings break. Kevin Pretorius took 3 wickets for 36 runs off eight overs, Tommy Barr finished with 3-45 off six overs.

In reply the Strabane openers, Scott (9) and Sharma (10), struggled with the Kerry bowling. The talented young South African, Kevin Pretorious, also went cheaply and at 47 for 3, the visitors nerves must have been jangling somewhat. But that, sadly for Kerry, was as good as it got.

Aaron Gillespie combined with Ryan Gallagher in a superbly crafted partnership, demonstrating excellent running between

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the wickets, creating runs almost from nowhere, together with clean hitting and well placed boundary shots. The pair put on 135 before Gallagher(38) was adjudged LBW. But it was Aaron Gillespie who completely took control of the match smacking twelve 4s and two 6s in his undefeated 101. Frustratingly for him, he was forced to retire with serious cramping, leaving Peter Gillespie and Tommy Barr with the privilege of closing out the match.

Kerry stuck to their task and fought well to take Strabane into their 39th over, and though there were a few moments of brilliance in the field - Bilal took a sensational low diving catch to dismiss Sharma - the home squad were generally lacklustre in their ground fielding. Strabane, on the other hand, were slick in every department and that translates to runs and in this match, the difference between a win and a loss.

Kerry 3rds are currently top of Munster Division 2, a league of ten clubs with a game in hand, but lost out to Cork County 3rds in a nail-biting finish at The Marydyke on Sunday. Khan top scored for County with 38 as they put 186 on the board, Shazib took 2 for 16.

In the Kerry reply, in spite of a fine 64 from Sean Rutland and support from Ian Brick (22) and John Roux (20), the home squad bowlers, led by Khushall taking 4 for 38, kept a lid on the run rate and Kerry came up just 3 runs short on 183. Cork County won by 3 runs.

FIXTURES Saturday, July 29

Kerry & North Kerry Over40s v Harlequins Masters in Oyster Oval

Munster Div. 1 - Cork Harlequins 2 v County Kerry 2 in Farmers Cross

Sunday, July 30

Munster Premier Division - Midleton 1 v County Kerry 1 in Town Park

Munster Division 2 – Waterford & District v Kerry3, venue TBC