Cricket

A heroic combined batting effort from Ireland, headlined by half-centuries from Andy Balbirnie and Kevin O’Brien, ensured they set Afghanistan a tricky target of 147 to chase for victory at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in India.

Rahmat Shah missed out on becoming Afghanistan’s first Test centurion by two runs but his innings deepened Ireland’s predicament on the second day in Dehradun.

They came from all corners of Ireland to honour Billy Boyd.

Waringstown have changed their overseas professional for the 2019 season.

Ireland Wolves have drawn a two-day warm-up match against the Sri Lanka Board President’s XI at the Katunayake Cricket Ground on Wednesday morning, with Head Coach Pete Johnston commending his squad during its first encounter with subcontinent conditions.

North Down will face Donemana in the first round of next season’s Clear Currency Irish Senior Cup.

South African Corné Dry has been announced as Waringstown’s overseas player for the 2019 season.

CIYMS have unveiled South African all-rounder Obus Pienaar as their overseas professional for the 2019 season.

Waringstown club cricketer Cara Murray receives a prestigious Gardiner Brothers award for her excellent 55 against CSNI during the Premier League season.

The death has taken place of the proud father and grandfather of a dynasty of Northern Ireland sporting stars.

It started with January laps around a school sports hall and ended with a 137-run win over Donacloney Mill eight months later, but it was all worth it for Lisburn who can call themselves a Premier League club once again.

Back in 2014, Waringstown brought in overseas professional Shaheen Khan, and the South African got off to a flying start in the NCU, hitting 53 in his maiden game against Muckamore and took 2-42 from his 10 overs.

Waringstown captain Greg Thompson praised the efforts of his team in the 2018 campaign after they won the Clear Currency Irish Senior Cup with a 85-run victory against Merrion at Stormont on Saturday.

Templepatrick sealed a dream season when they were crowned Section Two champions on Saturday, bringing their trophy tally for 2018 to three after Twenty20 Shield and Junior Cup success earlier in the campaign.

Waringstown were crowned champions of Ireland for the third time in four years on Saturday, an 85-run win over Dubliners Merrion at Stormont taking them to a record-breaking six all-Ireland triumphs.

Ireland’s bowlers must do more to restrict Afghanistan in their second one-day match insists Tim Murtagh.

Afghanistan landed the first blow in the Gulbahar ODI series with a 29 run win against Ireland at Stormont on Monday.

CIYMS will have to wait another week to mathematically seal the Robinson Services Premier League title, but a seven wicket win over Waringstown at The Lawn on Saturday means the race is all but over.