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Pakistan and Ireland’s players were the only players on the pitch on Sunday’s match at Clontarf as 64 stars of the future took to the outfield for 40 minutes during the half-time interval of the match.
While the Ireland and Pakistan players ate their tea and got ready for the second innings on Sunday afternoon, 64 kids from North Kildare, Adamstown, Pembroke, Railway Union, Malahide, YMCA and Phoenix Cricket Clubs were busy playing on the Clontarf outfield in front of the sold-out crowd as part of RSA’s Get Into Cricket grassroots initiative. It was an experience none of them will forget in a hurry.

Pembroke Under-9 Coach Sean Smith said, “The Pembroke kids were bowled over by opportunity to play in front of such a big crowd and they are still buzzing now! Cricket Ireland certainly hit the sweet spot with this initiative.”

Adamstown Cricket Club’s Oleg Sivawantham agreed, saying, “The kids were over the moon when they found out they were going to play in front of their international heroes. The experience on the day was electric and will stay on in their memories forever.”

Brothers Kevin and Niall weren’t the only O’Briens to take to the Clontarf field on Sunday; their nephews Seán and Robert formed part of the Railway Union U9 team. The future certainly looks bright for the O’Brien household and who knows, we could see them emulating their uncles and donning the green shirt in the future.

Their father, Ger O’Brien, said Railway’s kids loved the experience. “It is something I’m sure they will remember for a long time and keep them playing, telling their friends about it and hopefully leading to an increase in youths playing the game.
“The boys were all playing in the hope that they will be the next Stirlo (Paul Stirling), Kev (Kevin O’Brien) or TJ (Trent Johnston).”

Cricket Ireland
[1074] Kwik Cricket during Ireland v Pakistan match – kwik-cricket-during-ireland-v-pakistan-match
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