CSNI star admits lifting first Challenge Cup crown 'would mean a lot'

The New Zealand-born star has been one of the standout performers in local cricket across recent years and produced one of the finest innings in Challenge Cup final history when he scored 139* in the 2018 showpiece decider against Waringstown.

However, Adam Dennison (145*) led the Villagers to victory by a margin of six wickets while CSNI also lost out to CIYMS in 2022 when Ireland’s Ross Adair blasted a century at The Green.

CSNI last won the Challenge Cup in 2016 and a new generation of young Stormont stars are looking to get their hands on the famous trophy for a first time on home turf.

Only three players have picked up more Premier League wickets this season than 18-year-old James West (26) while 19-year-old Adam Leckey has chipped in with 20 and 20-year-old Harry Dyer has scored the most league runs for CSNI.

Friday will mark Ellison’s fourth competition final – his first was back in 2011 – with the 39-year-old scoring 60 in CSNI’s quarter-final triumph at Muckamore.

"It would mean a lot,” Ellison told the NCU’s social media channels. “I think I’ve played 160-odd games for the club now and haven’t been part of a trophy-winning side, which has been a frustration.

"In previous clubs I’ve been at back home in New Zealand and experience in Australia, I’ve been part of winning teams and it's obviously a great feeling, but I think the fact it has been so long for us since we’ve won a trophy and the fact that we have put a real focus into developing youth within the club, it would mean a lot to me, but also for the club as well.

"It’s been great being involved in the last four to five years where we’ve given young guys a really good opportunity to play a lot of matches at a really young age.

“What’s been great is some of them have been able to go overseas – Finn (Lutton), Harry and Adam in Australia, Ryan (Hunter) has spent some time at university in England.

"Them getting those other experiences outside of the NCU, then coming back more confident and in a better general state to be able to contribute match-winning performances has been awesome to watch.”

Alongside reaching the Challenge Cup final, CSNI will also fly the flag for the NCU in next week’s Irish Senior Cup decider, where they’ll face a star-studded Pembroke side.

"It’s a couple of big weeks for the club,” added Ellison. “It has been a long time coming, four years since our last one (Challenge Cup final).

"Those of us who have been around for a while know how special they are and we want to put in a good performance and give ourselves the best chance of lifting a trophy.”