Downpatrick Cricket Club are celebrating after the 1st XI reached the final of the Ulster Shield. The Strangford Road men recorded an emphatic 146-run victory over local rivals Saintfield in the semi-final showdown at the Demesne on Sunday afternoon. The club also recorded an important league victory on Saturday afternoon, as James Magowan's team won by 3 wickets at Donaghcloney.

The Factory Ground was the venue for Downpatrick's league fixture against Donaghcloney on Saturday afternoon. Downpatrick, who lost the toss, were sent in to bowl on a wicket that tended to favour the batsmen. This was evident as Donaghcloney's openers set about establishing themselves at the crease. Both Bruce Topping (64) and Mani Nadire (61) reached half-centuries before Justin Rea took the wicket of Topping in the 33rd over.

Colin Magowan struck soon after, claiming the wicket of Steven Hanna for just 4 runs. Rea took his second wicket of the day in the 37th over, dismissing Nadire thanks to a superb catch from Michael Carson.

Donaghcloney's middle order rallied, with David Marshall (22) scoring vital runs before being run out. Hylands scored a quick-fire 39 before being trapped LBW off the bowling of Daniel Carson.

In what proved to be a highly frustrating day in the field, Downpatrick were set a total of 241 by their Donaghcloney counterparts, with just 5 wickets being lost in the process. Justin Rea produced the best bowling performance for Downpatrick, finishing with figures of 2-43 from his 10-over spell.

In response, Downpatrick's innings started solidly, with openers Ben McIlroy and Jeremy McCready scoring early runs. Downpatrick reached a total of 41 before McIlroy (17) was clean bowled by Steven Hanna. Soon after, Downpatrick's club professional, Muhammad Farrukh, was back in the pavilion, departing for just 8 runs.

A solid partnership between McCready and James Magowan sparked Downpatrick's run chase into life, before McCready was dismissed just two runs short of his half-century. Dale Mullan (4) was bowled by McClure soon after. Paul Tate joined Magowan at the crease, and the two saw Downpatrick past the 150 mark before Donaghcloney's professional Mani Nadire bowled Magowan.

Crucial runs from Tate (13) and Gavin Ringland (27) pushed Downpatrick toward the elusive total of 241. Both were dismissed in quick succession, however, bringing Michael Carson and Justin Rea to the crease. Pressure was on the youngsters to deliver, as Downpatrick required 41 runs from the last 4 overs.

Some excellent work from both batsmen saw Downpatrick over the line with one over to spare. Carson finished with an excellet 32 not out. Rea, who scored a 6 to win the match for the Strangford Road men, finished unbeaten on 20.

The following day, Downpatrick traveled the short distance to the Demesne in Saintfield for the semi-final of the Ulster Shield. Magowan's men were looking to follow in the footsteps of the 2nd XI, who had defeated Saintfield's 2nd XI in the Intermediate Cup semi-final the previous week.

Downpatrick won the toss and chose to bat. Openers McIlroy (33) and McCready (46) scored freely before Ryan Smyth accounted for the wicket of McIlroy. Muhammad Farrukh came to the middle, and it was he and McCready who pushed Downpatrick past the 100-mark. Soon after, Smyth struck again, this time dismissing McCready.

James Magowan joined the professional at the crease, and he and Farrukh put on a sterling 206-run partnership, before Magowan was run out for a brilliant 85 in the penultimate over.

Paul Tate joined Farrukh for the final over, as Downpatrick finished their batting innings with a monumental total of 320 for 3 wickets. Farrukh finished with 127 runs; his fourth century of the season.

Saintfield's response stared poorly, losing openers Gareth Harrison (14) and Richard Owens (1) early on; Downpatrick's opening bowling partnership of Magowan and Rea accounting for a wicket apiece. Conor Patterson was soon in the pavilion, dismissed by Rea for 16.

Ian McGowan and Ryan Smyth steadied the ship for Saintfield momentarily, before Dale Mullan took the wicket of Smyth for 21. Wickets fell regularly thereafter, with Alistair Graham (4), Matthew Greer (4) and Philip Murray (3) all falling cheaply.

Ian McGowan provided some resistance to the Downpatrick bowling attack, scoring a classy 51 before being caught and bowled by Gavin Ringland. Al Glover (15) and John Wheeler (16) were soon dismissed, leaving Downpatrick with an emphatic 146 run victory.

Sunday's victory means Downpatrick will face Derriaghy in the Ulster Shield Final on the 14th August. The match is to be played at Queensway, Derriaghy.