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Cricket Ireland President Robin Walsh writes again from the pen of the president as the domestic season comes to a close in the most thrilling of circumstances at Strabane Cricket Club to round off a super inaugural RSA Inter-Provincial Series.
This season’s introduction of the Inter-provincial series may have added an extra 26 days to the already crowded presidential diary but, hey, who’s complaining. The final game at Strabane last Saturday left me reflecting on three wonderful series, outstanding performances and warm hospitality at no fewer than 11 grounds.

Leinster Lightning had already won the three-day and T20 RSA competitions and now the 50-over variety was within touching distance: victory over the North- West Warriors would secure an exceptional hat trick.

Yet such are the ways of cricket that the applecart was well and truly upset as Leinster and its batch of internationals fell to a wholly unexpected 71-run defeat, thus opening the door for the NCU’s Northern Knights to take the cup.

When Knights’ coach, Eugene Moleon, set off from Belfast little did he think he would be stepping forward to receive the cup in his smart civvies. It was a result which gave something to everyone: a deserved title to the Knights, a win at last for the Warriors and, of course, those two titles to Leinster Lightning.

A totally one-sides series of competitions would have been the last thing in the minds of the far-sighted Cricket Ireland organisers as they sought to take the local game to an even higher level. As they take stock of a first class inauguration, they can look back with satisfaction and forward to even greater competition in the years ahead.

The whole enterprise put considerable strain on the three Unions involved, as well as the event organisers within Cricket Ireland – Niamh McGroder and Simon Dyke. It was a job well done and I am particularly grateful to all concerned for guiding me through a myriad of formal proceedings.

It was a pleasant surprise to see Eoin Morgan at the Strabane game. There were warm greetings all round as the former Ireland batsman now firmly ensconced within the England set-up renewed many friendships. It was a couple of days before the announcement of the Ashes squad for Australia this winter: “No, I won’t make it, but Boyd Rankin will.” How right he was.

The Strabane gathering carried with it another ingredient as the excellent clubhouse played host to the Cricket Writers of Ireland’s annual shindig in the evening.

As a former Chairman of the scribblers’ group, I am less than objective when it comes to the get together. It’s the warmest of occasions, not least because invitations are restricted to an intimate 50 or so, thus ensuring that everyone knows everyone else.

That fine writer and historian Ger Siggins guided us through a splendid evening which culminated in an absorbing question and answer session under the insightful chairmanship of David Townsend and involving Phil Simmons, Simon Corlett and his former Dutch adversary Ruud Onstein. A grand time was had by all.

Robin Walsh
I presented the RSA Inter-Provincial Cup to Eugene Moleon the Northern Knights Coach
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