The 2012 Leprechaun Cup started last week and the tournament, which is now in its sixth year, continues to grow with a record 40 National Schools entered this year.
The 2012 Leprechaun Cup started last week and the tournament, which is now in its sixth year, continues to grow with a record 40 National Schools entered this year. This is yet another sign of the significant growth that Cricket is experiencing throughout the country.
Further schools have been recently introduced to the game over the winter and many have now been entered this year’s Leprechaun Cup. A substantial amount of these new schools are in areas of the province where there is little or no history of cricket being played. The employment of a further development officer with South Dublin County Council this year, has helped greatly here and the next six weeks will see games played at new grounds including – Newbridge Park, Corkagh Park, St Catherine’s Park, Kilgobbett Park, Dr Hickey Park (Greystones CC).
Running alongside the Leprechaun Cup is the new Primary Schools ‘Super League’ which has seen the stronger six schools competing against each other on a weekly basis. Games have been excellent so far with many close finishes giving our better players more competitive fixtures on a weekly basis. With last year’s winner Balrothery NS being entered into the ‘Super League’, it is quite likely that 2012 will see a new winner, it is not definite however! Why? Well, Balrothery NS Girls are entered into the Leprechaun Cup for the first time this year and they will be trying to repeat the heroics of the Balrothery NS boy’s side.
Thanks must go to Fingal County Council & South Dublin County Council as well as the Leprechauns CC for their continued support of grass-roots cricket. Let’s hope the weather starts to improve and we’ll see some great cricket being played over the course of the next six weeks.
Photo – Balrothery NS winners in 2011 raise the Leprechaun Cup in June last year
