News

In a further boost for the development of cricket in Leinster, YMCA Cricket Club has secured the services of former Ireland international and current Ireland women’s coach Jeremy Bray as a player/coach.
Bray’s focus will be on the development of YMCA’s burgeoning youth section with more than 200 boys and girls currently registered at the Claremont Road club. He will also take a leadership role in developing a resurrected women’s section, with the club set to field a women’s team again for the first time in several seasons.

“YMCA is a great club with a proud history,” said the 39-year-old, who played 15 One Day Internationals for Ireland.

“But more importantly I believe it has a bright future and the key to that future success will be how we develop the youth academy within the club. I am excited about this new challenge and I look forward to the start of the 2013 season,” he added.

“Within my remit as Ireland women’s coach, it will also be beneficial for all concerned if we can return that side of YMCA to its former glory, when it was the strongest club in the country.”

YMCA CC President Heatley Tector said: “This is another big step forward for us. It underlines how serious we are in bringing the next generation of young cricketers through the ranks. Jeremy is an experienced player and coach, who we believe will inspire the young people in the club to maximise their potential for the good of the club and, by extension, for the good of cricket in Leinster.

“Jeremy will play for the first team when available to do so but his primary role is as a coach and we know that his enthusiasm and expertise will help inspire YM cricketers of all ages to push themselves while also enjoying the fun club environment that we have developed at Claremont Road.”

Background:

Jeremy Bray

In all, Bray played 83 times for Ireland between 2002 and 2009. In that time, the left-hander scored 2812 runs at an average of 31.95, a career that included 12 fifties and seven centuries and a top score of 190 against the United Arab Emirates in 2005.

He was part of the Ireland team that reached the Super Eight stage of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 and his unbeaten century against Zimbabwe in Sabina Park, Jamaica, was the main contribution to that crucial tie in the group stage of the competition.

In Leinster club cricket, Bray’s record is truly outstanding. In 198 matches at senior level he scored 9,660 runs at an average of 62.32, including 23 centuries and 61 fifties. He was not out 39 times out of his 194 innings, which as an attacking opening batsman, was a significant achievement in itself.

YMCA CC
Bray at the 2007 Cricket World Cup © INPHO/Morgan Treacy
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