Gormley inspires Bleachgreen men

Dessie Brolly opted to bat first on a good Rectory track but the Bleachgreen side lost both of their openers early on. Thomas Brolly led the recovery however sharing in a 48-run partnership with Ryan Brolly and then adding 81 with Ciaran Curley as Ardmore seized the initiative. Thomas hit 5 fours and 3 sixes in his 63 while Curley hit 3 fours and 3 sixes in making 45.

At 182 for 5 the Creevies were back in it but Sean Gormley was about to burst their bubble with a half century that included 4 sixes and 3 fours allowing his side to end their 40 overs on an impressive 266 for 7.

Brian Dougherty showed all his experience with a really solid spell of bowling returning figures of 3 for 36. Ardmore’s attack looked strong on paper and it was none too shabby on grass either; Martin Gormley and Gerard Brolly strangling the reply early on before Sean Gormley (2-18), Ryan Brolly (3-36) and David Bradley (3-8) got in among them. Lee Williamson anchored as best he could making 29 at the top of the order but Trevor Dougherty’s 14 was next highest after that as Creevedonnell were skittled for 102.

With a lead of 164, a drying pitch and an attack with their tails up, Dessie Brolly decide to throw everyone a body-swerve and refused to enforce the follow-on, opting instead to try to bat the Creevies out of it. Brian Dougherty was soon into the Ardmore top order however and it again required the intervention of Thomas Brolly who hit 3 sixes and 2 fours in his 32 and a timely 31 from Martin Gormley who hit 6 fours in his 31 to steady things up.

Once that pair had parted however a combination of some blinding catches and some accurate bowling from Don Dougherty (3-10), Myles Neely (3- 25) and Brian Dougherty (2-20) wrapped things up as Ardmore were dismissed for just 126 this time. That left Creevedonnell requiring an unlikely 291 to win and despite Lee Williamson making 40 and Alan Patterson smashing 5 sixes in an entertaining 32 it was only death with the boots on.

Sean Gormley won the man-of-the-match award and deservedly so but there were big performances too from Thomas Brolly whose runs contributed very heavily to this win and from Martin Gormley who has played far too little cricket over the years.

Brian Dougherty had an excellent game for Creevedonnell as well and despite lasting just one day it was well worth the watch throughout.