Last week saw Malahide cricket ground transformed beyond recognition for the historic ODI between England and Ireland. The weather co-operated with Cricket Ireland and saw their best laid plans come to complete fruition. It was a shame about the final result on the pitch, but at least off-the-pitch everything was done to demonstrate to the ICC that Ireland are continuing to progress. The ground itself was picture perfect and the addition of the full stands showed that cricket in Ireland is now capable of producing 9,000 supporters on a Tuesday afternoon, even after the kids have returned to school. Congratulations to Warren, his team and all of Malahide C.C. on a fabulous day. However, can we now find a better name than “Fortress”? It’s not a football ground like the Theatre of Light/Dreams. “MCG” (Malahide Cricket Ground) is already taken, as is the “MCC”. The “RSA Oval/Bowl/Park” seems a little too commercial. “Talbot Park” would reflect the history of the ground, but doesn’t really run off the tongue. The “Wright Oval” would honour long-time servant of Irish cricket John Wright, but confuse Dublin taxi drivers. Any one got any better ideas?
At the other end of the scale, Longford CC sent out a Second XI last weekend and will be looking to enter this side in the Leinster leagues next season. It is teams like Longford and Dundalk and others like them throughout Leinster who are demonstrating the real growth of Irish cricket. Slieve Bloom captured the Junior Cup and new names are popping up all the time. Anyone who thought they might have played in all of the grounds around Leinster might have to delay their retirements a bit longer yet to fit in the new sides and new grounds.
Moving onto the principle reason for this column and the updated fantasy point table. Despite not being in the country, Pat Collins [R&SPU] has retained a share of first place, although this weekend’s games aned his absence does mean it is unlikely he will remain there. Eddie Richardson [North County] managed to score enough points to exactly match Pat’s total, although it has taken Eddie one game more than Pat. However, Eddie must now be overwhelming favourite to top the final table with Pat Collins finished for the season and the fact that these two players now have a 250 point lead over Diarmaid Tucker [Pembroke] in third place. Diarmaid has been plying his trade in Divisions 12 and 10 for Pembroke’s 5th and 6th XI’s and will no doubt be moving through the teams next season with the same rapidity as his brothers Lorcan and Fiachra have already achieved. However it is unlikely that Dairmaid will be able to catch and pass Eddie before the end of the season.
With the bat, L. Jansen [Rush] continues to lead, now with 1,079 runs and with Pat Collins being the only other to cross the 1,000 runs barrier. Eddie Richardson (974) and H. Tanveer [Civil Service] (929) are the only players to cross 900 runs, although Tom Fisher [Terenure Titans] (897) and K. Khan [R&SPU] (894) might also get to 1,000 with a good innings or two.
With bowl in hand Simon Rice [Greystones] (55 wickets) is still the only player in Leinster cricket to take over 50 wickets, but it is most likely he will be joined by any of thirteen players who have in excess of 40 wickets. Closest is Adam Ellison [Rush] who only requires one more wicket, but Diarmaid Tucker and M. Singh [Greystones] also only require two more wickets.
Here are the leaders in the major categories.
Overall points – top 10
Matches played – top 5
Runs scored – top 5
Wickets taken – top 5
Dismissals – top 5
Paul Reynolds has already stated that 32 promotion or relegation places are still to be decided with only 21 so far decided. There may not be much time or many games, but there is still a huge amount to be finalised. Don’t put that gear in the attic just yet. Whilst the final say on which teams do get promoted and relegated will be with the LCUOCC the following reflects the league tables. The list below only includes teams who have definitely secured leagues, promotions or can not avoid relegation.
Division 1
Division 2
Division 3 - nothing decided as yet.
Division 4 - Champions – North Kildare 1
Division 5 - Champions - YMCA 3
Division 6
Division 7
Division 8
Division 9
Division 10 - Relegated – Malahide 5
Division 11 - Relegated – Bagnalstown 2
Division 12 - Relegated – Dundalk 2
Division 13 - Nothing decided as yet.
Division 14 – Champions – Castleknock 3
It is planned that post-season we will be looking at the fantasy point leaders Division by Division, if Paul Reynolds is willing and able to provide the raw data. But until then we will continue to look at the bigger picture.
If you want to know your own figures or those of your Club, then please do send an email to craig@cricket.ie and the figures will be sent by return. Any requests received after 4:00pm on Friday will be put to one side until next Thursday when the more up to date figures are available.