Greg Thompson admits Twenty20 Cup final has extra significance with Waringstown anniversary
Waringstown captain Greg Thompson admits reaching Sunday’s LVS Twenty20 Cup final on home turf has extra significance with 2026 marking the club’s 175th anniversary – and knows his side face a tough test against Lisburn.
The Villagers won the competition across three consecutive seasons between 2016 and 2018 before celebrating further success in 2023.
Waringstown have long been one of the most dominant forces in NCU cricket, lifting the prestigious Gallagher Challenge Cup for a 28th time last season, and currently sit top of the Premier League table this term – they face a crunch showdown with defending champions Instonians one day before their date with Lisburn at The Lawn.
After topping Group B, Thompson’s side defeated Inst by six wickets in a semi-final earlier this month while Lisburn won by the same margin at Belmont against North Down.
Both teams are stacked with Ireland internationals past and present – Lisburn’s Ross Adair sits top of the competition’s run charts with 252 and will likely be joined in Neil Whitworth’s line-up by younger brother Mark and Ben Calitz.
For Waringstown, skipper Thompson, James McCollum, Tom Mayes and Graham Hume are amongst those who have earned international caps.
With Waringstown playing host to T20 Finals Day – Carrickfergus will meet Armagh in the Trophy decider at 11am before the Cup final begins at 3pm – Thompson is hoping to give the home support something to cheer about.
"Finals are an exciting occasion at the best of times, but to be in a final at home in our 175th year, it's brilliant,” Thompson told the club’s social media platform. “The guys have all prepared well and it's all systems go for Sunday.
"Our squad is well suited to T20, there's a lot of power hitting, a lot of skilful bowlers, and we're dynamic in the field too. We're looking forward to showing our skills and know Lisburn will be a good team as well.
"There were big changes (at Lisburn) over the winter and they've match winners throughout their squad.
"They're probably best suited to T20 with the power hitting of Ross Adair, Mark Adair, Ben Calitz, who are all playing for Ireland in that format and all going well.
"It bodes well for a good occasion on Sunday and the best team will come out on top. Hopefully we can put in a good performance."
Lisburn also remain in Premier League title contention, sitting four points adrift of leaders Waringstown with four matches remaining, and will host CSNI, who reached the Irish Senior Cup final last weekend, at Wallace Park on Saturday.
Stuart Thompson’s side welcome Muckamore to Stormont as they build up to a showdown with star-studded Pembroke at Castle Avenue in Dublin on August 16.
In the Premier League’s bottom four section, Laurelvale’s bid for a maiden victory continues with a home clash against CI while Cliftonville Academy make the trip to Woodvale.