Thirty years ago, Renny Cole was part of a St Johnston Cricket team that created history – and he had to call on some of the old magic at the weekend!
Cole is now playing with the St Johnston Second XI and was Man of the Match as they defeated title-chasing Coleraine.
St Johnston are battling for survival in Qualifying 2, but this win means they are almost assured of their Q2 spot for 2018.
In September 1987, Cole played for a St Johnston side that became the first North West team to win the All-Ireland Senior Cup.
St Johnston, with Davy Dunne and Ivan Lapsley starring, defeated Brigade by seven wickets at Beechgrove. Cole was part of the history-making line-up from the Railway Road outfit.
St Johnston after winning the Schweppes All-Ireland Senior Cup in 1987. Renny Cole is second from left on front row.
Cole, who is past the half-century himself, caught out young Coleraine star Marcus Poskitt on the boundary. Cole bowled a stormer in the last over, as he took three wickets and threw two dot balls to seal a valuable win.
St Johnston had batted first and, with Jack Macbeth and Cliff Malone standing firm, reached 177 for the fall of eight wickets.
Coleraine needed three runs from that last over but with Cole calling on the old never-say-die style the Saints held on.
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