Balrothery National School have won the newly formed hardball cricket competition for Dublin-based National Schools. They captured the ‘Leprechaun Cup’ with an eight-wicket victory against Aravon School from Bray. Although losing Leinster provincial player Nick Peters early in the game Ross Layden batted through the innings for Aravon finishing with an excellent 56 not out. Balrothery had little trouble chasing the total with Stephen Sharpe ending on 48 and was well supported by Ross Staunton (28).

Leprechaun Cup Winners 2009

This year’s tournament involved several new schools introduced to cricket over the winter months:

  • St Mochta’s - Blanchardstown
  • St Patrick’s- Porterstown
  • Kilmacanogue NS
  • Scoil Mobhi – Glasnevin
  • Scoil San Treasa – Mount Merrion
  • Rathmichael National School - Shankill
  • Castaheany Educate Together - Ongar

The Leprechaun Cup continues to be the flagship for cricket development in Leinster with many new schoolchildren now being given the opportunity to play hardball cricket during their primary school years.

To present the new trophy (in honour of Noel Mahony) was Leprechauns president Louis Jacobson while also in attendance to present medals to the children was current Ireland international Alex Cusack along with Joan Mahony and Joe Caprani.

Aravon v’s Balrothery NS (YMCA CC – June 22nd)
Aravon 111-6, 25 overs (Ross Layden 56*, Graham Uzell 3-21)
Balrothery NS 112-2, 18.3 overs (Stephen Sharpe 48*, Ross Staunton 28, Elana Tice 1-7, Nick Peters 1-30)
Balrothery won by 8 wickets