England U19's gained revenge for their Monday loss with a resounding 209-run win over Ireland at Loughborough. Kesh Fonseka top-scored with 76 and there were also half centuries for Ross Whitfield and Henry Rogers as the hosts made 372 for 7. Finn Lutton took two wickets, while there were one apiece for Jordan Neill, Harry Dyer and Matt Weldon. Facing such a daunting total, Ireland were never in contention, dismissed for 163. Macdara Cosgrave top-scored with 45, while skipper Philippe Le Roux made 36 and Ryan Hunter 34. Ireland finish the week with a match against England Young Lions who have been taking on Australia Under 19s this week.

Ireland U19s claimed a famous 72-run win over their English counterparts in their first youth ODI at Loughborough. Batting first they were given the perfect start by an opening stand of 98 between Jordan Neill and Ryan Hunter, who made 47 (7 fours). Merrion opener Neill went on to add a further 53 with Gavin Roulston before being dismissed for 77 (10 fours). Macdara Cosgrave and skipper Philippe Le Roux went cheaply to leave the game finely balanced at 170 for 4 in the 36th over. Scott Macbeth joined Roulston and the North West pair produced a match defining partnership of 117 in just 11.3 overs, with Macbeth top-scoring, hitting 8 fours and 6 maximums in his unbeaten 90 from just 48 balls. Roulston also made a half-century, his 73 including 5 fours and 2 sixes. The pair really pressed the accelerator as 143 runs came in the last 10 overs of the innings - 46 from the last three as Carson McCullough (23* off 10 balls) took up the mantle after Roulston's dismissal. A total of 333 for 5 gave the Irish a real filliip, but they knew that on a good pitch with smallish boundaries they would have to bowl well. The Hills left-arm quick Matthew Weldon (2-55) gave them a perfect start with a breakthrough in the first over, but Nottinghamshire's Travis Holland (35) and Kesh Fonseka got the innings back on track with a second wicket stand of 89. It was a case of 'spin to win' for Pete Johnston's side as Carson McCullough (2-52), Jordan Neill and Scott Macbeth all got among the wickets. The star turn though was Merrion left-arm spinner Daniel Forkin, who got four wickets including the prize scalp of Lancashire batsman Fonseka, who made a quite brilliant 121 from 112 balls (12 fours, 5 sixes) and it was only when he was back in the pavilion that Ireland could relax - eventually sealing a 72-run win. A very proud day for all of Irish cricket in what is undoubtedly one of, if not the best win by an Irish youth side. The teams meet again on Wednesday at the same venue.

Ireland Under 19's were on the receiving end of another heavy loss against Warwickshire Academy as they went down to a 145-run defeat. Daniyal Khan (70) and Kai Smith (58) scored half centuries as the Bears posted 283 for 9. It could have been worse but for a fightback by Pete Johnston's side that saw the spinners once again bring some control to proceedings. Jordan Neill took three wickets, while there were two apiece for Carson McCullough and Scott Macbeth. The Irish reply started brightly as Ryan Hunter (37) and Jordan Neill (30) shared an opening stand of 62 in 10 overs, before the wheels came off with the introduction of left-arm spinner Theo Wylie, who took full advantage of the used pitch to claim 7 for 40 - Ireland bundled out for 138 in the 28th over. Ireland are back in action next week as they take on England in two youth ODIs at Loughborough.

Ireland U19s five-match trip to England got off to a losing start as they encountered 'Hurricane Oliver' in a 5 wicket loss against Warwickshire Academy. Batting first, Ryan Hunter and Gavin Roulston both scored 37 in a second wicket stand of 60, before the Irish lost their way, losing wickets in clusters to slip from 98 for 1 to 168 for 7. The tail wagged with Olly Riley hitting an unbeaten 35 as Pete Johnston's side finished on 252 for 9. Theo Wylie - signed on a rookie contract by the Bears for the One-Day Cup took four wickets and made 27 in an opening stand of 67 with Oliver Dandy in just six overs. Dandy took the Irish attack apart in a powerful display of pinch hitting, with the teenager clearing the ropes 8 times as well as hitting 8 fours in his 106 from just 102 deliveries. He added a further 97 for the second wicket with Amir Khan (37) as the hosts reached 164 for 1 in the 23rd over. The Irish spinners wrestled back some control, with Merrion left-armer Daniel Forkin taking 1-27, and being the pick of the Irish bowlers. Warwickshire sealed the win in 46 overs, with wicket-keeper George Maddy hitting an unbeaten 31. The sides meet again on Thursday at the same venue.

James West claimed a stunning five wicket haul to bowl Ireland Under 19's to a remarkable comeback win against Jersey. Pete Johnston's side got out of jail after a poor batting display saw them dismissed for just 117 - thanks primarily to Aaron McGeehan's 35. Charlie Brennan then thumped 7 fours and a six in a whirlwind 41 from only 20 balls to take the Channel Islanders to 66 for 2 in the 13th over. His dismissal by Carson McCullough proved the decisive moment in the contest, as they lost eight wickets for 34 to be 100 all out - West claiming five wickets, fellow CSNI player Finn Lutton claiming two, as did Merrion left-arm spinner Daniel Forkin. Ireland claim the series 2-0, and will now embark on a four-game series in England, two of which are against the senior U19 side.

Ireland Under 19s continued their winning run with a 33-run win over Jersey in a game reduced to 25 overs. That any play was possible was thanks to a Herculean effort by Dean Simpson and the Wallace Park groundstaff following the relentless weather of recent weeks. The hosts posted 170 for 5, with Hayden Melly making a steady 46, before late fireworks from Macdara Cosgrave and Carson McCullough. They added 60 in just five overs, hitting a combined 5 sixes. Louis Kelly (3-30) was the pick of the Channel Islanders bowling. It was a case of 'spin to win' for Pete Johnston's side with James West - one of four CSNI players in the squad - taking 3 for 17, and Merrion's Daniel Forkin again in the wickets, claiming 2 for 18. Jack Stevens (40) and Charlie Brennan (21) did well for Jersey as they ended on 137. The teams will meet again on Thursday at the same venue in a 50-overs contest.

Less than 9 overs were possible in the third and final match of the Celtic Cup series, with the hosts on 47 for 1 when play was abandoned - John McNally with the wicket for Ireland. Pete Johnston's side take the trophy 2-0, and will now play two matches next week against Jersey in Lisburn, before playing four games in England, including two ODI's against their English counterparts.

Ireland Under 19s took a 2-0 lead in the series with a thoroughly convincing 123-run win against Scotland in Aberdeen. Bready's Gavin Roulston and Pembroke's Macdara Cosgrave scored half centuries, while Merrion left-arm spinner Daniel Forkin took five wickets. Left-hander Roulston top-scored with 67 (4 fours) as he shared stands of 64 for the third wicket with skipper Phillipe Le Roux (26) and 55 for the fifth wicket with Cosgrave - who hit five boundaries in his 58 from 55 balls. There were runs too for CSNI opener Ryan Hunter (32) as Ireland posted 275 - four wickets for Mackenzie Jones and three for Nikhil Koreeswaran. Ollie Riley again struck in the first over of the chase, and with the Irish fielding vastly improved, Scotland were never in contention. Jordan Neill, Macdara Cosgrave and Ollie Riley held excellent catches as Scotland were bowled out for 152 despite another half century for skipper Owen Goold. Forkin finished with 5 for 22 to cap a superb display by Pete Johnston's side who will play the third game of the Celtic Cup series on Thursday at the same venue.

Half centuries from skipper Phillipe Le Roux and John McNally helped Ireland Under 19's to a 27-run win on the opening day of their Celtic Cup clash with Scotland in Aberdeen. Railway Union's Le Roux top scored with 63 (7 fours, 1 six) as he shared stands of 78 for the third wicket with Gavin Roulston and 60 for the fourth with Scott Macbeth - both of whom made 44. Clontarf left-hander John McNally took advantage of the platform set by the top order as he thumped a rapid unbeaten half century from just 29 balls as Pete Johnston's side finished on 291 for 7. Olly Riley (2-38) struck with the first ball of the chase, but any notion Ireland had of a quick win were soon dispelled by a second wicket partnership of 126 between Owen Goold (73) and Ali Price (47) - both of whom benefitted from dropped opportunities. Three wickets for Scott Macbeth and two for CIYMS spinner Carson McCullough ensured Ireland started with a 27-run win, despite a hard hit 78 in just 64 deliveries from Uzair Ahmad, who again took advantage of a dropped chance early on - something for Ireland to work on as the teams continue their series on Tuesday morning at Mannofield.

Scotland duly completed a 4-1 Celtic Cup series win with an emphatic 96-run over Ireland at Forthill. Bruce Weatherhead and Max Lindsay scored half centuries as the hosts piled on the runs - making 192 for 6 in their 20 overs. James West (3-31) and Cameron Nawn (2-30) were the most successful of the Irish attack. The chase was a poor one with the visitors unable to get any sort of a foothold. The CSNI duo of James West (26) and Adam Leckey (24) the best of their disappointing 96 all out.

Ireland went down to a 16-run loss in the first T20 of the day at Forthill despite an excellent all-round effort from CSNI's Adam Leckey. He took three wickets and Srihan Karpe two as the Scots made 148 - runs for Ben Willmott (34) and Tom Knight (21). Leckey then hit 30 from 23 balls, but the Irish never recovered from a slow start, losing by 16 runs - Tom Wylie taking three wickets and Farhan Khan two.

Scotland clinched the Celtic Cup 3-1 after a dominant display in the second T20 of the day at Forthill. The hosts never looked back after a second wicket stand of 111 between top scorer Max Lindsay and Ethan Ramsay (52). Lindsay's powerful unbeaten 76 included 4 sixes and came from just 52 balls. A total of 189 for 2 was always going to be challenging and Ireland came up well short, with Aaron Doyle's 32 the best of their 106. It's been a tough week for the Irish, whose playing resources have been stretched with many of their first-choice squad required for the U19 series in England, While on the face of it a heavy series loss to Scotland is a cause for concern, the reality isn't as bad as it may seem at first glance.

Ireland U17s levelled the Celtic Cup series with a 57-run win over Scotland at Forthill. Skipper Aaron Doyle's powerful 85 from 81 balls (15 fours, 1 six) helped the Irish to 245. Srihan Karpe and Ryan Nolan made 38 apiece, while the CSNI pair of James West (26) and Adam Lecky (21) also chipped in. Zainullah Ihsan took three wickets and also top-scored with 35 for the hosts, but they never threaten to chase down their target, as two wickets apiece for Cameron Nawn, Charlie Downey and Ryan Nolan sealed the victory.

A fourth wicket stand of 137 between Ethan Ramsay and Finlay Carter propelled Scotland U17's to an emphatic 124-run win over Ireland in the opening game of their Celtic Cup series at Forfar. Ramsay top-scored with 98 (8 fours), while Carter's 63 included 6 boundaries. Bruce Weatherhead chipped in with 24 as the hosts amassed 273 for 8 in their 50 overs - three wickets for Srihan Karpe and two for Ryan Nolan. Ireland openers Adam Heasley (20) and Lealand McElwee (13) put on an opening stand of 43, but the innings was soon in tatters as they slumped to 46 for 4. James West made a battling 33, but four wickets for Tom Wylie (4-28), plus two apiece for Louis Bennet and Manu Sarasawat saw the Irish bowled out for 149. The teams are back in action on Tuesday at the same venue.

Skipper Rob O'Brien top-scored with 41 as Ireland Under 15's continued their winning streak with a 32-run win over Scotland in the first of two T20s at Templepatrick. Brian Dunphy chipped in with 38 and Ethan Marshall made 28 as the young Irish racked up 154 for 6 despite four wickets for Srikar Boggala. Fergus Foley (27) and Rory Grant (20) got starts, but Ireland were always in command as the Scots finished on 122 for 7 - two wickets for Aadi Wankhade.

A third wicket stand of 67 between Pembroke's Bruce Whaley and skipper Rob O'Brien helped Ireland take the Celtic Cup Series 4-0 with their second T20 win of the day at Templepatrick. Whaley top-scored with a run-a-ball 45, while O'Brien cleared the fence twice in a hard-hit 29 as the Irish made 144 for 4. Scotland threatened briefly as Rory Grant hit 57 from just 40 balls (3 fours, 2 sixes), while John Imray also hit two maximums in a whirlwind unbeaten 33, but the Irish held on to win by seven runs and complete the clean sweep.

A sixth wicket stand of 123 between Sam Haslett and Dan Murray helped Ireland U15s to a thumping 202-run win over Scotland at Bangor to take a 2-0 series lead in the Celtic Cup. Bonds Glen all-rounder Haslett top-scored with 92 (5 fours, 2 sixes), while Pembroke's Murray made a fluent 70 from only 60 balls (9 fours, 1 six). There were runs too for skipper Rob O'Brien (39), Seb Yeates (27) and Lucas McKeown - who hit 3 sixes in an 8-ball unbeaten 25 - as the Irish finished on an imposing 326. Clontarf's Ethan Marshall then took five wickets as Scotland were whittled out for just 124 - two scalps also for Luca Bates. The teams are off on Wednesday, before playing two T20s at Templepatrick on Thursday.

Ireland Under 15's got off to a winning start beating Scotland by 6 wickets in the opening match of their Celtic Cup Series at Bangor. There was a frustrating delay which saw the game reduced to 35 overs, and batting first the Scots made 140 fo 9 with Rory Grant top-scoring with 37. Ethan Marshall picked up three wickets, with the spinning triumvirate of Bobby Brolly, Sam Haslett and Ben Walsh all took two. Scotland struck two early blows in the chase, but a third wicket stand of 64 between skipper Rob O'Brien (46) and Seb Yeates (38) brought Ireland back on top, with Sam Haslett's unbeaten 25 clinching the win in the 31st over. The teams meet again at the same venue on Tuesday.

Ireland defended their Under 15 crown with an excellent four wickets win over Northamptonshire at the Durham Festival. Northants posted 179 with William Wears top-scoring with 56. James West took 3 for 34 to take his tally for the week to 13 - winning the leading wicket taker award for the second time at the prestigious competition. The Irish reply started disastrously as they lost their top three with just 8 on the board - their target of 180 looking very distant. They rallied thanks to a counter-attacking 58 from just 41 deliveries by skipper Rob O'Brien, who cleared the ropes 5 times as well as striking 4 furs. He added 78 with James West (26) as the Irish reply got back on track. Further runs from the middle-order pair of Sam Haslett (34) and Ethan Marshall (23*) sealed victory in the 34th over. Nigel Jones side are back in action next week as they face Scotland in the Celtic Cup series with two 50 over games at Bangor on Monday and Tuesday, followed by two T20's at Templepatrick on Thursday.

Ireland Under 15s made it four wins from four at the Durham Festival with a dominant 8 wickets win over previously unbeaten Suffolk. The Irish spinners have been in tremendous form all week and it was more of the same as James West of CSNI and Ardmore's Bobby Brolly took four wickets apiece to bowl out Suffolk for just 75. The modest target proved little trouble for Nigel Jones side, who reached it for the loss of just two in 14 overs - Skipper Robert O'Brien making an unbeaten 31.

Ireland's U15 squad share top spot in the Festival with Suffolk after a 13 run victory over previously unbeaten Cleveland. Ireland were bowled out leaving six overs unused and that nearly fact came back to haunt them as a late surge by Cleveland took them close. Ireland had posted what looked like enough with 244 thanks to half century partnerships between Ethan Clarke, firstly with Robert O'Brien and then with Luka Bates. In the Cleveland reply there were two wickets each for the North West pair of Bobby Brolly and Samuel Haslett before Aadi Wankhade took the wicket of top scorer Carter with the first ball of the final over, conceding only four runs to seal the win. Ireland face fellow table-toppers Suffolk on Thursday.

An unbeaten 70 from Dan Murray rescued Ireland, who at one stage Ireland were 36 for 6 chasing 163. He found willing partners in Ethan Marshall, who added 65 for the 7th wicket, and an unbroken 62 for the 8th with Lukas McKeown (21*). James West (4-22) and Sam Haslett (3-34) were once again among the wickets as the Western Rhinos were bowled out for 162 - two wickets also for Luka Bates. Ireland are back in action on Wednesday when they play Cleveland Schools.

Ireland Under 15s kicked off their tournament at Barnard Castle with a four wickets win over The Netherlands. It was yet again a case of 'spin to win' with Bonds Glen's Sam Haslett Haslett taking three wickets, while there were two apiece for Ardmore's Bobby Brolly and CSNI's James West. Shirshak Banerjee's 31 was the best of the Oranje's 123 all out in the 50th over. Balbriggan opener Brian Dunphy hit a 50 from 67 balls (6 fours, 1 six) to ensure the Irish won despite an excellent spell from Sam van Giezen (3-17). Bruce Whaley (16), Ethan Marshall (14) and Ethan Clarke (14*) made double figures as the Irish made it more difficult for themselves than it might have been. Next up for them on Tuesday is a clash with Western Rhinos.