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The Ireland squad for next month’s ICC Under 19 World Cup in New Zealand was announced this morning.

Head Coach Ryan Eagleson is urging the 15 man squad to make their mark on the global stage. “Many of today’s cricket stars have played in past under 19 World Cups and this is a huge opportunity for this group of Irish cricketers to make a name for themselves.”

Ireland will play their group matches in Whangarei and two squad members, Mark Donegan and Sam Murphy, as we know from their diaries, are playing locally over the winter. Eagleson feels this will be of great benefit not only to the pair, but “the entire squad with their accumulated knowledge”.

Mark has been coaching in local schools during his time in New Zealand and also been employed at the ground where Ireland’s group matches will be played during the Under 19 World Cup. “The schools coaching has come to an end as all the kids are on holiday. I’ve just been continuing my labour work at Cobham Oval.”

Last weekend was the last round of T20 action in the block of games for Mark’s club Kamo Cricket Club. “We had a T20 match on Saturday morning but it didn’t go too well. We were bowled out for 52 runs. City Cricket Club chased it down for the loss of two wickets in the eighth over.”

Mark is hoping a new format and a new style of play will bring about a better outcome for Kamo over the next two weekends. “We’ve got a two-day game this weekend. Well, it will be played out over consecutive Saturdays so it starts this weekend. It’ll be my first two-day game and I’m really looking forward to it.”

To be playing in different climates, in new circumstances, and in different conditions is one of the main reasons Mark and his housemate Sam Murphy are playing in New Zealand this winter. They will have plenty of information to pass on to their Under 19 teammates ahead of the World Cup.

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