Cork County recorded a clean sweep of victories at Senior, Junior and Minor levels over the first weekend of competitive league cricket of the 2010 season.
The Cork County 1st XI faced an early showdown against last season’s Senior League & Cup holders, Cork Harlequins, at the Mardyke on Monday. Cork County went into the match having completed a very successful pre-season schedule which included a comprehensive victory against Quins a few weeks earlier. Once again Harlequins won the toss and decided to bat hoping to put a competitive total on the board however they were once again put under early pressure from Cork County seamers James Duggan and former captain Keith Banks, who was making his debut for the 2010 season. Banks picked up three early wickets to remove the Harlequins top order and he was ably supported by some excellent control and pace from young seamer James Duggan who ended with figures of 0-17 off 9.5 overs. Ciarán Healy was introduced into the attack and once again picked up 4 wickets against the league holders to remove much of their middle order. Some resistance was provided by Brendan Winslow who ended up on 49 not out however he was given no real support from his teammates besides a brief cameo from young wicketkeeper Rory O’Keefe who made 22. Harlequins were finally bowled out for 137.
In response 
Cork County made a poor start losing Des O’Leary to some poor running between the wickets and Captain Robert Duggan was caught at cover-point by Robin Russell after a mistimed shot having faced just 3 balls. The early loss of wickets continued with some questionable LBW decisions against Chris Banon, Oliver Creedon and in particular Matt Reed. Those umpiring decisions put the home side into some trouble in their pursuit of the 138 runs required to win. However the ever dependable all-rounders Bruce Koch and Keith Banks consolidated the Cork County innings and gradually took the attack to the Quins bowlers with some great shots down the ground and square of the wicket from Banks in particular. Koch played a more subdued but vital innings denying the away side any further glimpse of victory. Banks made a well deserved half century (51 not out) to push the home side to a 4 wicket victory against their old rivals. Bruce Koch just missed out on his own half century, finishing up on 47 not out. The victory puts Cork County into a good early position in Munster League Division 1 and they will aim to build on that result when they take on Midleton in three weeks time. In the meantime they will turn their attention to their Irish Cup tie against CSNI at Stormont next Saturday, 8th May, and then their first double header away in Dublin in Leinster League Division 2 against Phoenix and Trinity in the two weeks time on the 15th and 16th of May, respectively.
Cork County 1: Robert Duggan (Capt.), Bruce Koch, Chris Banon, James Duggan, Keith Banks, Oliver Creedon, Matt Reed, Ciarán Healy, Des O’Leary†, Cian Scannell and Tim Clifford
Cork County 2 recorded a convincing victory against Kerry 1 at O’Dowd Park on Saturday as they got their Division 2 campaign off to a great start in terrific fashion. Kevin Bray led his side out for the first time as Junior Captain and his players responded in emphatic style posting a imposing total of 273 after batting first. Mirza Baig made a terrific century and was ably supported by Hassan Shoman who made 54. In response Kerry 1 were dismissed for just 129 runs to give the Mardyke side a huge 144 run victory. Brad Morgan (3-14) and Captain Kevin Bray (3-6) were the pick of the County bowlers as they never let the side from the Kingdom to get going in pursuit of County’s mammoth total.
Cork County 2: Kevin Bray (Capt.), Cian Scannell†, Brad Morgan, Mirza Baig, Mohammed Afzal, Noelie Cronin, Hassan Shoman, Saqib Khan, Barry O’Sullivan, Justin McQurk, William Bradley
Cork County 3 travelled the short distance to the western suburbs to take on UCC at The Farm in their opening League Division 3 clash. The morning started well for UCC winning the toss and deciding to bat. UCC’s Alan Hurley and Greg Higgins had looked comfortable against William Bradley and Joe Calnan however a suicidal run out during one of Calnan’s overs meant the demise of UCC captain Higgins. Left-arm seamer Jack Marks was then introduced and he created great difficulty for the batsman and the pressure finally told when Hurley gave County cover fielder Bryn Nelmes a chance which he took with great ease. Hassan Shoman (2-4) and Brad Morgan (4-9) strangled the UCC batting lineup and wickets came at regular intervals throughout their innings. Young left arm spinner Kevin O’Sullivan wrapped up the innings with a well earned wicket.
Cork County 3 responded in emphatic fashion with Bryn Nelmes (33 not out) and Brad Morgan (35 not out) guided the Mardyke side to a overwhelming 10 wicket victory in just 11 overs against the university side. 3rd XI Captain William Bradley was delighted with his team’s performance and noted tight fielding and good catching as the key to their victory.
Cork County 3: William Bradley (Capt.), Cian Scannell †, Brad Morgan, Bryn Nelmes, Hassan Shoman, Scott McNamara, Joe Calnan, Kevin O’Sullivan, Noel Cronin, Jack Marks, Areeb Mian.
Saturday 1st May:
Cork County 109-4 beat Leprechauns CC 107-7 by 6 wickets at the Mardyke
County Kerry 1 129 all out lost to Cork County 2 273-9 by 144 runs at O’Dowd Park. scorecard
Sunday 2nd May:
UCC 64 all out lost to Cork County 3 68-0 by 10 wickets at The Farm
Monday 3rd May:
Cork County 138-6 beat Cork Harlequins 137 all out by 4 wickets at the Mardyke. scorecard