When asked to pick one of my favourite matches I have photographed, I instantly thought of one game. This game had everything. There was always something to photograph.

From the first ball to the last, on every corner of the ground, my eyes were being pulled in different directions. By the time the trophy presentation came around, I was almost out of batteries and memory. Every time I took a photo I was surprised the camera had let me.

It was 2009, and my own club, Leinster CC, had made it to the Bob Kerr Irish Senior Cup final, versus a strong Donemana team, who had beaten a good Pembroke side in the semi final. The Hills were the designated hosts, and didn’t disappoint, as always. The ground was immaculate and their members were on hand to help with everything and anything throughout the day.

It had been billed as the battle of the professionals, and you can understand why. Donemana’s Azhar Shaffique had scored 209 runs in the previous rounds and taken 7 wickets. Leinster’s Carlos Braithwaite had made a name for himself that season also, scoring 123 runs and also taking 7 wickets in the competition.

I almost always miss the first ball of a game, for a handful of reasons, but not this time as Stephen Dunn clean bowled Braithwaite!

Testing times for Leinster, but with the help of Anton Scholtz, JP O’Dwyer and Mark Jones, they got up to a respectable 265-8.

One photograph that stood out in the first innings was that of Ian O’Herlihy’s bat snapping. I’ve never got a shot like it and probably never will again.

The second innings was a bit more lively. At 134 for 1, Donemana should have coasted to victory, but with Shaffique’s wicket the game was opened back up.

There was always a loud and tense atmosphere throughout the day, but as the day went on and the cans started to pile up, tensions started to spill over.

The game had to be stopped a few times, and The Hills members soon became stewards along the rope. The drama both on and off the pitch led to some interesting photos.

One moment that stood out, was also one I’d rather not have seen. Braithwaite hitting Richard Dougherty (sen) in the side of the head, with a quick bouncer.

Dougherty bleeding, and still not wearing a helmet, somehow carried on. He got hit by another bouncer a few balls later but continued on again. He was thankfully bowled a few overs later.

Leinster ended up winning the game, thanks to some excellent tight bowling, with Rob Miley the pick of the bowlers, taking four wickets.

An impressive feat, considering they were missing both George Dockrell and Jason Molins for the game. It was the first time Leinster had lifted the trophy, after reaching the final four times previously.

It was a joy to watch, and to photograph. I didn’t want it to end, but I’m sure Cricket Ireland and The Hills were relieved when it was all over.

Great drama!