Cricket Leinster Youth (@leinsteryouth) sat down with Durham and Ireland Player Barry McCarthy. One of the many talented Irish players to make a mark in the county set up, he talked today about the experience.
So Barry, how did this trip to Durham CC come about?
It is actually quite a strange story of how I made myself aware to the Durham coaches. Back in 2013 just before Ireland played England at Malahide I was asked to help the teams prepare for the game by bowling a few overs. A couple of decent balls to Ben Stokes surprised him as much as I and he recommended me to the Durham coaches. A couple of games on the Durham second X1 the following summer was a great opportunity in itself but to do so well and get offered a full time spot for this summer is something I never expected when asked to bowl a couple of overs in Malahide.
Was it beneficial to your cricket game?
This summer to date has been without doubt the most beneficial to my cricket career thus far - playing frequently and training in top class facilities is something very young cricketer wants to do. I must say however the Leinster set up at a young age (although not selected at under 13s) was the foundation to getting me where I am now and this is the next level to improving all aspects of my game.
What was different from the Irish set up over there?
As mentioned before, playing consistently is the key to any player gaining a better understanding of the game and improving. This summer I have played about 3 or 4 times more cricket then I would have back home which along with training on grass pitches has improved my game hugely. Although in saying that cricket Ireland are doing a great job in developing the interprovincial series as a steppingstone towards international cricket and installing an academy system which helps players who have left the underage bracket.
What did you learn over the course of the trip?
It has been a great experience to live away from home and have to take some personal responsibility and not rely on others to do things for me. On a cricketing level, this year was always going to be a year for me to really develop all aspects of my game. The most important thing I have learned is how to condition my body to adapt to the load that it is put through during an English summer. It is not easy as a bowler to play 5-6 days a week and stay fit without doing the right things. Constantly being around players like Paul Collingwood and Graham Onions who have achieved so much in their careers has had a massive effect on my understanding of the game. Learning from these guys is experience and knowledge that can't be thought hitting balls or bowling balls.
Did you have any personal highlights?
I can't say I have any personal highlights as I have really enjoyed every minute of my time here so far. It was nice however to play my first Durham match last summer at Brandon CC which was one of the venues for a number of Leinster development trips I spent here a number of years ago.
Finally, what's next for you? What are your hopes for the summer?
It's difficult to tell now what the future will hold for me. I would like to somehow break into the Irish set up at some stage in the near future but for now I am focused on cementing a future here at Durham.
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