Rachel Delaney took over as captain as Ireland under 19’s rounded off a successful week with a comprehensive 231-run victory over Italy in Dublin after two T20 wins on Monday.
Delaney, recently capped for the first time at senior level, stood in for Kim Garth as captain and led from the front with an impressive 50 after winning the toss and electing to bat.
Opening pair Una Raymond-Hoey and Anna Kerrison (33) got Ireland off to a positive start and set the foundations for a big score with Raymond-Hoey making a brilliant half century before being caught in the deep for 68.
Lucy O’Reilly (25) and Sophie MacMahon (38) made important contributions to the innings as Delaney kept her head despite wickets falling and finished the innings with an excellent 64 not out as Ireland posted and imposing 285-7.
The Italian side had struggled to cope with the Irish attack in Monday’s T20 fixtures, and the high target set meant they were once again under pressure to score quickly from the start, allowing the Irish bowlers to once again take advantage.
Katie Boylan and MacMahon took a wicket along with a run out before spin took over and sealed the game for Ireland with Elena Tice taking four wickets, Kerrison two, and Delaney one as the Italian side folded to finish 54 all out, handing Ireland a 231-run victory in the final match of the series.
Pic: Rob O’Connor
Yes
Connaught
