David Delany orchestrated a super rearguard action as Clontarf beat North Kildare by one wicket at The Maws.

Batting first North Kildare posted 176 with Monil Patel scoring a fluent 42 which included 4 fours and 2 sixes.

There were contributions too from Manjeet Singh (24) and Sayed Shah (22), with the total given a significant boost by the awry radar of the Clontarf attack which conceded 43 extras, 33 of which were wides.

Inbetween their profligacy, there were wickets for Mick Granger (3-17), David Delany (2-25) and Fionn Hand (2-34).

When the Clontarf reply slumped to 37 for 5, with PJ Moor, Andrew Vincent, Ruan Cronje, Eoghan Delany and Andrew Poynter back in the hutch, it seemed all was lost for the Castle Avenue side.

However, cometh the hour, cometh the man, as David Delany guided the middle and late order to a stunning great escape.

He set about repairing the damage with Robert Forrest (20) and Fionn Hand (15) but when the ninth wicket fell, they were still 33 runs adrift and it looked as if his efforts would be in vain.

However, number 11 Ben McCabe proved resolute, allowing Delany to plunder the required runs, finishing unbeaten on 86 (8 fours, 1 six).

The result was tough on Kildare, for whom Muzamil Sherzad (3-19) was the best of the attack.

The honours in a thrilling contest though go to David Delany.

At The Maws, Clontarf beat North Kildare by 1 wicket

North Kildare 176 (44.3 overs; Monil Patel 42, Manjeet Singh 24, Syed Shah 20; Mick Ganger 3-17, David Delany 2-25, Fionn Hand 2-34)

Clontarf 177/9 (46.5 overs; David Delany 86*, Robert Forrest 20; Muzamil Sherzad 3-19)