On Monday afternoon June 19, 2017, we touched down at Dublin International Airport after our 21-hour journey from Johannesburg, South Africa via Abu Dhabi. At last, the day I had been waiting for had finally arrived and my cricket exchange to Merrion Cricket Club was about to begin.

Mr. Brían O’Rourke, the local Leinster Cricket Development Manager, met Tristan Brooks (a fellow St Stithians pupil who would be joining YMCA) and me at the airport. We were then taken to YMCA Cricket Club to meet up with our host families.I met Richard Bisgood and the Bisgood family who kindly offered to host me during my stay in Ireland. They welcomed me onto their home in Enniskerry, Co Wicklow and made me feel like part of the family immediately.

On our way home, we stopped in at Merrion CC to drop off my cricket kit. I met a few of the players and coaches and Richard showed me around the club. Everyone was very welcoming and I really enjoyed the atmosphere.

Richard and I didn't waste any time and we were back again at Merrion the very next day, and from then on, everyday for the next seven weeks! There were youth practice sessions held daily, an U17 training camp and men’s training twice a week.

I was able to play for the boys U17 and U19 teams and also Merrion's 4th, 3rd, 2nd and 1st’s.I played approx. 25 matches and took 26 wickets. I was inspired by the exceptional level of cricket being played and by the local players’ commitment and passion for the game!

I was very fortunate to be able to play for the various teams at Merrion and I grew and learnt so much as a cricketer. I got also to play an internal U17 Leinster provincial trial match, which was a good experience too. It was a good experience playing in different conditions, from the fast and bouncy wickets in South Africa to the low and slow wickets in Ireland. I had to adjust my length and bowl fuller.

There is a big and very dedicated cricketing community in and around Dublin and the season was very busy.I played a lot of cricket and enjoyed every minute! One of the many highlights of my exchange was when Richard and I played for the Merrion 4th team in the Middle Cup Final on August 6th. Playing for the 1st team was also a great honour and challenged me as a cricketer, which was a valuable experience. My time at Merrion was all that I had hoped for and so much more, and it was really good to be in the company of so many people who share the same love for the game that I do.

Taking the DART into Dublin was also a new experience for me and I enjoyed the independence that the public transport system offered. Off the field, Richard, JJ Walsh and I enjoyed playing table tennis at home; this was quite competitive at times and always enjoyable.

Finally I would like to take this opportunity to thank my school - St Stithians Boys' College, Cricket Leinster, and all the players and coaches at Merrion and finally the Bisgood family for what I will always look back on as "one of the most incredible experiences of my life". Seven great weeks of cricket and friendships, that will last a lifetime.

Matthew Liberman - St Stithians Boys' College, Johannesburg - August 2017

Note: Matthew and Tristan from St Stithians were two of seven overseas students who got to experience Leinster cricket this season. The others were Dominic Osbourne & Tom Hazell (Queen’s College, Taunton), Tiaan De Wett Lotter & Dylan De Villiers (Menlo Park school, Pretoria) and Keegan Cox (Glenwood High school, Durban).