ED Joyce was back on his home turf on Wednesday – turning a sod of finest Wicklow loam as work got under way on the new artificial pitch at his old school.
The Presentation College in Bray has opened its gates to one of its most distinguished past pupils and in time we could see another crop of cricketers from the north Wicklow town.
"My brothers and I never played cricket at school, so it's great that a new generation of boys here will be able to do so," he said.
Three of the Joyce brothers – Ed, Dom and Gus – played for Ireland and a fourth, Damien, was there too yesterday as one of the representatives of Wicklow County, who will also use the ground.
The pitch was being installed by a team led by Gavin Morgan of Morgan Sport Solutions – and brother of Ed’s former Middlesex and Ireland team mate Eoin.
Joyce was accompanied on the visit by his team-mate Niall O'Brien and his sister Isobel, captain of the Ireland Women. They were welcomed by headmaster Gerry Duffy and other members of staff.
Nicky Fusco of Wicklow CCC was delighted at Ed’s support and that the artificial pitch would be ready for use as early as next week when Dundrum visit for a YMCA Salver tie. This is the club’s seventh home in eight years of existence and the members look forward to a long and successful stay at the school.