News

We had a chat with The Hills and Dragons player Ciara Metcalfe, as we continue our build up to the Irish Women’s Team playing in the the ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifying 2017 in Sri Lanka next month.
We had a chat with The Hills and Dragons player Ciara Metcalfe, as we continue our build up to the Irish Women’s Team playing in the the ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifying 2017 in Sri Lanka next month.

She speaks about how she started cricket, along with how she feels the side will do in Sri Lanka.
How did you get into cricket?

“My dad had bought a garage in Rush and my family would have been big into football. But the partner of the person my dad bought the garage from was big into the cricket in Rush, so I started off there. I found cricket instead of football!”

How do you feel the 2016 season went for you?

“I felt it was the best year yet for me, as well as for the Irish team. I came back to playing for Ireland in 2015, and with being a bit older I am just taking all of the experience in. This is even though I have to work extra hard, especially for this tournament in Sri Lanka! I also feel that I am playing with no fear and not worrying about making mistakes. I am going out there and enjoying my cricket more than ever. It has been my favourite season to date.

“For the team the highlight was beating South Africa at home. It shows that we can compete against the best teams in the world, even though they didn’t have some of their players there. I think when we performed well in those games we won them, and if we play well against any of the best sides, it is not just that we will be competitive against them, but we will genuinely have a chance of winning against them.”

What do you think about Kim Garth & Isobel Joyce making their debuts in the WBBL?

“I am proud that they have done well over there. But I don’t think it has been a big shock for many of us in the Irish side that they are performing so well in one of the biggest tournaments in the world. This will have a knock on effect for hopefully more of our players to be in competitions like this going into the future. As well as that, I think if Ireland keep on performing, that it will continue to open doors for our players and show what they can do on the world stage.”

What has changed within the women’s game in Ireland since your debut?

“I think there have been good steps being taken by players to be more professional about their game, such as watching their fitness a lot better than when I first started playing, as well as giving more time to it, even though players are working or studying. They are being professional even though we are all amateurs.

“I feel with these players today that they have the drive to become the best player that they can, which is great to see. Cricket Ireland are also going in the right direction with the women’s team, such as S&C, physios and coaching. All of this is really the tip of the iceberg for the way women’s cricket is going to go in Ireland over the next few years.”

How has preparation been going in for the tournament? Working on anything specific?

“At the end of the season it was good to have a bit of a headspace with a break from the cricket. I have been working a lot on my S&C to keep the body going, as well as to be stronger, especially with the bat. On the bowling, I have been looking to be able to change my lines much easier than before.

“What I have been impressed about during the winter are the emerging players. They have been introduced to a more demanding level and they have been able to adjust to it. I really felt that on our trip to La Manga last month that they saw what needed to be done, and I hope that we can continue to bring these players along.”

What are you hoping for out of the World Cup Qualification in Sri Lanka?

“I think we need to qualify for the World Cup in England, and then go on and win the Qualifiers. We will need some top performances to do it, but I feel that this team has it in them to do something like that. There is a special vibe around the team. We are a close bunch and we are continuing to be more professional about everything that we do with our cricket. We don’t get up at 6am to go and do a morning gym session for nothing. We do it because we are passionate about cricket and doing well for our country. We are also not carrying any player into the tournament, which hasn’t happened a lot in my time. So everyone can contribute and to something big in Sri Lanka.”

What are you looking forward to in the 2017 season?

“I think that 2017 could be a massive year for women’s cricket in Ireland. We have a great chance to play against the top tier nations in the World Cup. Our performances could change people’s lives and if we play well it could open up more opportunities like in the WBBL and the Super League in England. I also feel that it could be the year for the next generation of players to really shine for Ireland, so I am very excited about that too.”

Anything else to add…

“Well, there is something else actually! You know the thigh pads that you wear? I was talking about this with the girls and they all wear the padded shorts, and it seems that I am the only one that has one that you strap around your leg. I am quite proud of that!”

No
Connaught