News

I write from the comfort of the Cork to Dublin train – surrounded by rugby supporters on their way to the game against Samoa that will start Ireland’s annual November internationals.

I write from the comfort of the Cork to Dublin train – surrounded by rugby supporters on their way to the game against Samoa that will start Ireland’s annual November internationals.
An excellent dinner with Union chairman and Cricket Ireland Board member, Peter Dineen, preceded the presentations at the Mardyke and left me with the view that there’s a spring in the step within the smallest of the four cricketing Unions.

The current preoccupation is the preparation of a strategic plan to achieve greater things, not least entry into the new inter-provincial series. No-one is putting a time frame on when the current three will become four and realism will dictate that Munster’s baptism will probably be found in the T20 format. If enthusiasm and a real commitment to advancement are any yardsticks, it will happen sooner rather than later.

There was much talk at the awards that youth cricket is headed in the direction necessary for ultimate success at senior level. The Munster Under 15 and 13 sides have had a fine year, the former beating Leinster; the latter giving both the NCU and the North -West a run for their money. And it’s worth noting that three Cork Harlequins have made the Cricket Ireland underage training squads – the Jones brothers Ruidhan (Under 19) and Seanan (U13) and Diamuid Carey, also at U 13 level. Not surprising that Jim Doran, Cricket Ireland’s Development Officer in Munster, was in such fine form, as well the old-stagers whose company I so enjoyed.

The previous weekend was a double header at the North-West “do” on Friday followed the next evening by the Malahide club’s annual dinner. Both were hugely enjoyable, not just for the friendship and generous hospitality but also for the excellence of the after dinner speakers.

First up at the North-West dinner was a rugby man, former Irish international Mick Quinn and the current President of Lansdowne RFC. It was the first time I’d heard him perform and I hope it won’t be the last. His humorous sporting recollections and unique brand of stand-up comedy added up to the most entertaining routine I’ve heard in an age.

Next up, a different form of laughter-making and highly entertaining. The former President of Pembroke Cricket Club, Jonathan Bell, displayed his huge talent for mimicry with his impersonations of Richie Benaud, John Arlott and one President Michael D Higgins. All good fun.

It was a delight to return to Malahide to thank the club for its marvellous hosting of the Big Match in September.

I was honoured to be asked to make two special presentations.

The first was an aerial photograph of Malahide taken on the day of the match and presented to GV Wright in memory of his late, legendry brother John whose dream it was to turn the ground into the spectacle it became against England.

The second was to that other fine son of Malahide, Dougie Goodwin, in recognition of his induction into the RSA Cricket Writers of Ireland Hall of Fame. His five wickets when Ireland humbled the West Indies to 25 all out at Sion Mills back in 1969 gave us much to talk about until late into the night.

For now it’s a break in the round of dinners and off to Abu Dhabi to cheer on Phil Simmons, William Porterfield and The Boys in the World T20 qualifiers. I sincerely hope my first diary from the desert after Friday’s first game against Namibia will be of a successful start to the campaign.

Robin Walsh
Yes