Northern Cricket Union side, Waringstown, will contest the Clear Currency Irish Senior Cup Final, against Merrion, on Saturday 1st September, at Stormont starting at 11:30am.

Both clubs have featured regularly in Irish Senior Cup finals over the last nine years. In that period the 2014 final was the only one which did not feature either side. This is Waringstown's fourth final appearance in succession, winning in 2015 and 2017, adding to a 2011 victory over Instonians. The victory in 2015 was at the expense of Merrion, by 5 wickets, however Merrion defeated the County Armagh side the following year by 56 runs. Merrion were winners in 2010, and runners up in 2012 and 2013.

Clontarf and The Hills are the only other sides to have won the Irish Senior Cup in the last nine years.

On route to the final Waringstown produced three commanding performances, beating YMCA by 7 wickets, and Pembroke by 133 runs, with James Hall contributing 175 not out and Adam Dennison 105. In the semi-final Strabane were defeated by 167 runs.

Merrion by contrast had a narrow one run victory against Donemana in the first round, and ten run success against CIYMS in the second round. John Anderson scored 139 not out, in a 116 run win over Leinster, and 99 not out in two wicket winning margin in the semi-final, against Clontarf.

Waringstown Squad 1. James Hall 2. Adam Dennison  3. James McCollum 4. Lee Nelson  5. Shaheen Khan  6. Greg Thompson (Captain)  7. Marcus McLean (Wicket Keeper) 8. Kyle McCallan 9. James Mitchell 10. Gary Kidd 11. Phil Eaglestone  12. Stuart Kidd 13. Ross Waite Scorer: Neale Matthews

Speaking about the forthcoming Irish Senior Cup Final, Waringstown Captain, Greg Thompson, said, 'The Irish Senior Cup is the pinnacle of club cricket in Ireland and has become a special competition for Waringstown CC and this squad in particular. 

This is our 4th final in a row, having beaten Merrion in 2015, losing to the same opposition in 2016 and beating The Hills in 2017. 

Having already won the Challenge Cup, Irish T20 and NCU T20 cups we will be entering the final in confident form. Merrion have proven themselves tough competition over the last few years and have just secured the Leinster senior league so we can predict a great game between the top two teams in Ireland. 

2018 has already proven to be a great year, but this is a special squad, driven by the desire to succeed and we hope to finish victorious at Stormont on Saturday by winning our 4th trophy of the season and a record 6th Irish Senior Cup'. 

All players, officials, and supporters will be made most welcome at Stormont, home of CSNI, on Saturday. 

Irish Senior Cup