Double Delight As Armagh CC U13s Sign Off 2026 In Style

Two Finals. Two Days. Two Trophies. One Unforgettable End To The Season...

Aug 24, 2026

TWO FINALS. TWO WINS. WHAT A WAY TO FINISH THE SEASON!

A belated report on our U13s’ remarkable end to the season... but one well worth the wait!

With the team facing two cup finals in the space of just two days, there were plenty of hopes, expectations and more than a few nerves heading into the final week of the season.

As it turned out, we needn’t have worried.

The boys delivered when it mattered most - producing two victories that could hardly have been more different!

Thursday 20th August - Development Cup Final

Against Lurgan CC, Armagh Cricket Club produced an emphatic performance, with the bowling attack ripping through the opposition to dismiss them for just 59.

Having opted to bat first, Lurgan’s batters had no answer to the star of the show, Tom Kindred, who produced an outstanding spell of 5 wickets for just 5 runs - at one stage having the remarkable figures of 4 for 0.

Taking the first five wickets to fall, Tom had put Armagh firmly in control and it quickly became a question of when, rather than if, the remaining wickets would follow.

Harry Halligan (2 for 7) and Oscar Steenson (2 for 8), along with William Morton and Harry McMahon, who combined brilliantly for a run-out, accounted for the remainder as Armagh dismissed Lurgan for 59.

With just 60 needed for victory, the chase looked like it should be a formality...

...although the loss of a few early wickets ensured there were still one or two nervous faces on the sidelines!

Will Steenson and William Morton steadied the ship before Dylan Coppard decided enough was enough, smashing a quick-fire 19 from just 7 balls to see Armagh safely to their target and lift the Development Cup!

One final. One trophy. Job done.

But less than 24 hours later, they had to do it all over again...

Friday 21st August - League Winners Playoff Final

Friday night couldn’t have been more different.

Invited to bat first against Derriaghy, Armagh found runs much harder to come by.

Oscar Steenson led the way with an excellent 53, supported by Will Steenson (12) and Dylan Coppard (18), as Armagh posted 116.

By our own admission, perhaps a few more runs on the board would have been welcomed...

...but there was still a feeling that 116 was a total this team could defend.

Derriaghy, however, had other ideas.

Their chase started confidently and efficiently and, at 83 for 2 midway through the 15th over, the game appeared to be firmly in their hands.

Armagh needed something to happen.

And, as has been the case so often this season, when the pressure came on, the whole team stepped up a gear.

Oscar struck in his first over before Harry Halligan quickly followed with another.

The intensity in the field suddenly lifted.

Larkin Polack, Jacob Wilson, Jack Eakin and Charlie Dougan threw themselves into everything, turning guaranteed twos and potential boundaries into singles and steadily increasing the pressure on the Derriaghy batters.

Behind the stumps, Harry McMahon grew in confidence as the match went on, taking his first catch as wicketkeeper and also playing his part in a crucial run-out.

Suddenly, the momentum had shifted.

Then came a tremendous catch from William Morton to remove the set batter...

...and suddenly Armagh were firmly in the driving seat.

From there, Oscar (4 for 11), Harry Halligan (2 for 10) and Dylan Coppard showed incredible composure under pressure to finish the job.

Two finals. Two days. Two trophies!

Two Finals. Two Contrasting Victories. One Very Special Team.

It has been an absolute pleasure to coach this group.

Their improvement, attitude and competitiveness — and, most importantly, their enjoyment of the game — have been fantastic to watch throughout the season.

Every single player has contributed to what has been a hugely successful unbeaten season, and it’s fair to say Armagh Cricket Club U13s have set themselves quite a challenge if they’re going to better the achievements of 2026!

For a few of the boys, this was also their final year at U13 level, making two trophies in two nights an especially fitting way to bring their time in the age group to a close.

A huge thank you to Derriaghy for hosting us and for playing their part in a very special final. On another night, the result could easily have gone their way.

And finally, a massive thank you to all our parents - for the lifts, the support, the encouragement, the sideline cheering and everything else that goes on behind the scenes to make youth cricket possible.

An amazing season comes to an end.

Unbeaten. Two trophies. And a season full of memories.

For now, congratulations to a very special group of U13 cricketers.

What a season. What a team. Roll on 2027!