Now I should start with an explanation. In my previous column I wrote that this “could be” my last article for cricketleinster and many of you took this to mean I was abandoning Leinster cricket and would also no longer be playing. I was heartened by the number of people who asked me to re-consider my ‘decision’ and even more delighted with the reaction that that column received. 11 comments were posted on the website and 10 of them were very positive. I have also had people come up to me at grounds and thank me for highlighting this issue. It does seem that a few players out there are now picking and choosing their availability based on the opposition. Not ideal at all, but again it shows that there is an issue and someone, somewhere, somehow is going to have to grasp the nettle.
However, I can now announce that although it was not explicit in the previous article, I am actually stopping my playing career with Pembroke C.C. at the end of July. I am taking up a new posting working in the Irish Embassy in Abuja, the capital of Nigeria, for three years. Amanda may join me in the future but at the moment she will be remaining in Dublin as my eyes and ears on Leinster cricket! Thanks to the wonders of modern technology it might not mean the end of my scribblings for the website and I shall be keeping a close eye on events at home. It may be the end of my playing, but I have yet to investigate Abuja C.C.!
To this end there is to be a farewell gathering in Pembroke cricket club on the evening of Saturday 30th July to which you are all invited. It is less a formal gathering and more a few pints to toast my departure (some with more vigour than others I suspect). So I hope to see as many people as possible turn up.
Recently, I spent Friday evening driving from the city out to Skerries/Margaretstown in order to umpire a game for Pembroke Women’s Third team versus The Hills Second XI. Pembroke unfortunately only had been able to assemble a team of 6 players and yet there was no thought of calling the game off and six players, one coach, one manager and a spectator all went out. The Hills offered Pembroke additional players and even one spectator joined the fielders. Played in exactly the spirit I have come to expect from Women’s cricket and a most enjoyable way to stay out of the pub on a Friday night.
The game was not in The Hills usual home ground but on a brand new field with a brand new mat (laid in conjunction with the LCU I am led to believe) in the back garden of the Clintons. It is fabulous and easily the best new field of play I have seen in years. A superb mat with even regular bounce, together with a cut outfield is joined by the new pavilion for teas. This self erected building has running water and a toilet and shower and is a venue ready for some wonderful teas. Free range eggs do make a difference to egg sandwiches, especially ones laid the day before. Hot tea was needed as the weather continued it’s up and down, sunny and rainy summer mix.
It shows what can be done by clubs opening new pitches and new facilities and will provide the extra capacity that The Hills Cricket Club needs. They are blooming with youth and women’s cricket really taking off in terms of membership and the Men’s team hooking up with the Danish cricket federation. Also this ground will be used by the LCU for underage and other games.
I would heartily recommend making the trip out to this ground and looking at the magnificent views over county Dublin as well as the ground itself. Many congratulations to The Hills and I look forward to the day I get a game out there.
So thank you to everyone who has helped me in my writings. Ger Siggins has always provided helpful advice and encouragement. Paul Reynolds has been most excellent in facilitating my writings here on the website and Niall Walsh has just taken over the statistical side of things. Eddie Lewis has always been on hand to help and Gerry Byrne has figures going back years and years. But mostly I’d like to thank those people who read these columns and provide feedback and material. Without them it would have been a very lonely chore, but instead it has been a delight. Thank you Leinster cricketers for many happy hours stood in a field playing this magnificent game we all love in our own special ways.