Stuart Cochrane was to find conditions to his liking as well however and the Glendermott seamer was on the mark early removing both openers with just 21 on the board.

Andrew Riddles and Decker Curry, so often the saving grace for Ardmore this summer then put together a half century stand before Charlie Elder bowled the former for 36.

Skipper Murphy came and went as his modest season with the bat ended with just 10 more to his name but an 80-run partnership between Curry and Peter Harrigan gave the Premiership side the edge.

A needless run-out brought about Harrigan's downfall for 31 but Curry was still going. The reintroduction of Cochrane finally got the wicket that Glendermott had craved but Curry's 84 had allowed Ardmore up and over the 200-barrier at that point.

The innings closed on 212 all out with Cochrane (4-26) easily the pick of the bowlers followed by Curtis Ross (3-46).

Glendermott needed to bat well to pull off a shock win but in truth it never looked likely after Gary Neely's excellent spell with the new ball.

A defiant 25 from Matthew Henderson, who had earlier taken five catches behind the stumps, was the best of the reply with only cameos from skipper Montgomery and Alan Lynch (both 16) to back that up.

Neely (4-20) led the way as the Glens lack of depth in the order was exposed and when Curry (3-8) and Lee Brolly (3-21) put the squeeze on, the Rectory side had no answer.

A final total of 91 meant a 121-run defeat for the Championship challengers as Ardmore finally breathed a sigh of relief.