Ireland claim Twenty20 title

Ireland followed up their victory in the 50 over Senior Women's European Championships by winning the inaugural Twenty20 event at Rathmines.

They defeated The Netherlands in the title decider, chasing down what could have been a challenging Dutch total of 115 for 6, to win by nine wickets with 6.3 overs to spare.

Clare Shillington hit an unbeaten 58 from 49 balls, striking eight fours and a six. The Netherlands were made to pay for dropping her of the very first ball of the Irish innings, which could have changed the complexion of the tie completely.

Shillington played some lovely strokes, being particularly strong through the covers and square of the wicket initially, before favouring the square leg and midwicket regions later in her innings.

Isobel Joyce and Shillington put on a rapid 56 in six overs, with Joyce making a rapid 35 from just 18 balls. She hit three fours and two consecutive sixes over deep midwicket off Annemarie Tanke, who finished with 0 for 30 from her two overs, suffering from that missed opportunity.

Once Joyce went, caught at short midwicket pulling Mandy Kornet, Shillington grasped the mantle and dominated a stand of 60 in seven overs with Cecelia Joyce whose share was just an unbeaten seven.

Kornet (1-17 off 4), was the only Dutch bowler to escape the carnage, bowling with great accuracy and determination, albeit in a losing cause.

In the Netherlands total of 115 for 6, the main partnerships was 60 between Marijn Nijman (29*), and Miranda Veringmeier (27), for the fifth wicket, taking their side from a precarious 53 for 4 to 113 for 5.

The pair played some powerful strokes, particularly down the ground, and both ran very well putting the Irish fielders under pressure.

They were given good support by Annemarie Tanke (20), and Violet Wattenberg (15). The pick of the Irish bowlers were Amy Kenealy (2-19), and Eimear Richardson (2-20).