Firstly I would like to pay tribute to the Cricket Europe Ireland site for providing such excellent directions for getting to the ground. I had never been to Milverton before and it is a beautiful setting to play and watch a game of cricket. Credit has to go to The Hills Cricket Club for producing such an excellent track and outfield in the most difficult of conditions leading up to the final. The ground is compact and created a tremendous atmosphere for the players when filled by the supporters from both teams and the neutrals. Far from being inappropriate for a final as some had suggested, it was perfect for the Irish Senior Cup.

There may have been 3500 people in Stormont for the England game but it would be hard to create an atmosphere there with 35,000. In contrast there was a real buzz around the ground at Friday's final. And whilst we are on the subject, the entertainment served up by the two teams was far in excess of the International fixture and at 10 Euro was a bargain in comparison.

We arrived in plenty of time this year and even debated whether we would beat the Donemana team who are not known for their timekeeping. We didn't but we did hear the convoy of buses arriving from County Tyrone packed with supporters so we made our way promptly around the ground to find a seat.

As I passed the pavilion my ‘blazer' radar was starting to twitch. The clubhouse was cordoned off like it was part of a crime scene. 'Cricket Ireland has taken it over' explained Will Dwyer as I later purchased my first beer from the tent.

We ended up sitting beside Cecil Allen formerly of Laurelvale CC. It turns out however he was originally a Donemana man. Well why not? Everyone else in the ground seemed to be from Donemana.

The match started in spectacular fashion with Leinster professional Carlos Braithwaite bowled first ball by Stephen Dunn. Dunn is a left arm over the wicket bowler and there was a strong breeze blowing across the ground from off to leg.

Jason Molins would normally have been next in but he was getting married. Fortunately for Leinster his absence was not a factor. Class player he may be but he couldn't have been any more effective than JP O'Dwer. Taking advantage of the strong wind he played a simple but highly effective game. When Dunn strayed at all on his line O' Dwyer lifted him with consummate ease over mid wicket and well into the trees.

When Donemana replaced him with James McBrine, JP batted in exactly the same manner: Front foot down the wicket, watch it onto the bat and then watch it sail over the boundary. James was getting a little frustrated and a wry smile crossed my lips. At least he knows how the rest of us feel when bowling at him! There were quite a few hold ups at this point in time as umpire Noel McCarey ran towards the pavilion to get more white balls. He didn't get past the UN exclusion zone however as a harassed third official was sent running out to greet him with a bag of balls.

At this point Mark Jones was playing the anchor role but on occasions reminded us all off the firepower he possesses. Junior McBrine replaced the ineffective Shaffique and immediately a huge appeal went up for a caught behind. Not out said Mark Hawthorne as The Umpire Strikes Back much to the bewilderment of the Donemana players.

Encouraged by this, Shaffique brought on Jordan McGonigle and there was now left arm spin at both ends. But by this time the Leinster innings had real momentum. It was only when Junior McBrine was replaced by junior ‘Junior' McBrine that Donemana restored any control into the innings. Sixteen year old Andrew McBrine showed real maturity and removed the dangerous O'Dwyer attempting his sixth six with the score on 93.

Anton Scholtz settled very quickly at the crease and looked a class act. He scored off almost every ball he faced without looking too flash. In fact he made batting look easy. You always know a good player because he has suddenly has fifty to his name and you don't remember him doing too much.

Mind you my memory lapse could also be down to frequent trips to the beer tent. On one of those I got hugged by big ‘Lofty' McGonigle. I've never batted against Carlos Braithwaite but he can't be scarier than that.
Lofty was complaining that he had been asked to leave the pavilion along with the Donemana vice chairman. They seemed to fail the two No's and a Yes test.

Later Alistair Bushe of the News Letter told me he had sought the shelter of the clubhouse to start typing out his report after he feared the Press tent was in grave danger of blowing across the middle of the ground. He and Eamonn McLaughlin of Highland Radio had been asked to leave. Sitting quietly, typing on his laptop must have caused a disturbance. He didn't get to finish telling me all the details as we were standing 30 yards in front of the clubhouse and we were told to move on. Apparently someone's view of a couple of blades of grass at the far end of the ground was obscured.

All of the people asked to leave failed the test: Are you a player? No. Are you wearing a blazer? No. Are you from the North? Yes. That would explain umpire Noel McCarey's difficulties getting a new ball.

When Sholtz was out for an excellent 75 immediately after a rain break it looked like Donemana might hold Leinster to around 240 but a little gem of an innings of 37 by keeper Ian O'Herlihy pushed the score to 265. It was a fine effort by Leinster after the start they had. They dominated all of the Donemana attack except young McBrine who was easily the pick of the bowlers.

Donemana started slowly and caution appeared to be the watch word. Graeme Boyd went for 14 but Richard Kee and Azhar Shaffique started to build momentum. When the Pakistani professional was out with the score at 134 for 2 the North West men were in control of the match. However Leinster at no point had let them get away from them and the rate was around 6 an over with about 22 overs remaining. I felt Donemana had been too cautious so far. Anton Scholtz had got away with a number of loose deliveries early in his spell and was now in a rhythm and bowling well.

Carlos Braithwaite had sent down a couple of menacing overs early doors but was now wasting his time bowling pretty ordinary off spin. Molins may not have been missed with the bat but I was beginning to think young Dockrell would prove to be the bigger hole in the team. All Donemana had to do was to bat properly and a little more positively to win.

Andrew McBrine was due to be next in and he has already proved in the North West Senior Cup semi-final win over Limavady he can handle the big occasion. However I was surprised when Junior came in at four. He fell cheaply and when he was replaced at the crease by his brother James, Leinster sensed that this was their moment. Another quick wicket here and with the run rate climbing Donemana could fold.

Rob Miley was restored to the attack and removed Richard Kee for a well compiled 61. Dwayne McGerrigle came in next and suddenly Donemana didn't know whether to stick or twist. The running between the wickets was poor with numerous singles declined. A shot down to long on even became a dot ball. Despite being crashed into the trees Miley kept his nerve and bowled straight and it was good enough to account for McGerrigle, McBrine and Olphert.

Panic had now ensued within the Donemana ranks. Richard Dougherty had been promoted to the giddy heights of number eight as boundaries were desperately needed. Still no sign of Andrew McBrine as Jordan McGonigle joined Dougherty in the middle.
Braithwaite had replaced Miley and young Hugh MacDonnell was doing sterling work at the other end. The young man was varying his pace beautifully to keep the batsmen guessing. McGonigle launched one to the long on boundary. It was sweetly struck but to the furthest corner and into the wind.

Will Lennon took an excellent running catch just inside the rope. It was a great effort especially when he had to go through a clatter of kids who had kept us royally entertained having their own Leinster versus Donemana match in the nets. At 219 for 8 and with overs running out I think everyone sensed that the game was up. Cue Carlos Braithwaite's bizarre celebrations which were exuberant to say the least. He wasn't even the bowler as it was young MacDonnell who took the wicket. The big West Indian was separate to the huddle of Leinster fielders and ran approximately 30 or 40 yards right in front of the Donemana supporters screaming at them.

Next over a pumped up Braithwaite hit an un-helmeted Dougherty on the head with a hostile bouncer. The man was lying prostrate on the pitch and the bowler took one look at him and marched back to his mark whilst other Leinster players ran to see if he was all right. Not unsurprisingly a number of Donemana supporters took exception to what they saw as unsporting conduct. At this point a Leinster fielder on the boundary ropes was incensed by something and suddenly it was handbags at 30 paces.

Everything was calmed down pretty quickly and you can rest assured that if any disciplinary action needs taken then the club will take it. Thankfully the batsman was alright (as was the Leinster fielder) and Dougherty batted on and did so without a helmet. Shortly after he also managed to top edge one onto his chin which he simply shrugged off. I suspect that chin has taken a blow or two over the years!

Carlos got his man eventually and despite a late flurry by Andrew McBrine, Leinster ran out deserved winners by 27 runs. It was a tremendous match, fiercely contested by two excellent teams and played in a tremendous spirit. Anton Scholtz was a deserved man of the match. There was great banter between the supporters and the crowd behaviour bar that one isolated incident was impeccable. When you consider that Dublin promotes itself as the stag and hen party capital of Europe, some of the comments posted on the forum were nothing short of embarrassing.

The Hills CC were tremendous hosts and I enjoyed the craic in the beer tent and the burger stand outside it. I can't wait for next years final. If it is at Milverton I won't be complaining. Who knows, I might even get to see the clubhouse.