Nine Leinster schoolboys are currently residing in South Africa taking advantage of their school Transition year to spend time in schools and playing cricket at a very high standard.
The Leinster Union has over the past ten years assisted young cricketers to find appropriate schooling arrangements at various venues around the country. The experience gained is invaluable with most returning as better cricketers and having experienced first-hand South African culture and their love of sport.
Ireland junior international Jack Tector made his debut for Muir College 1st X1 in their game against St Andrew's College in Grahamstown last weekend.
The other three Leinster boys played on the school 2nd X1 with Tom Stanton picking up four wickets in his first game. Fixtures in the coming weeks will involve games against other strong Eastern Cape cricket schools like Woodridge, Grey College, Union High, Brandwag, Queen's College, Daniel Pienaar and Sterling High School.
Capped players at senior level Andrew Balbirnie and George Dockrell, along with U'19's players Barry McCarthy, Jordan Coughlan and Hugh McDonnell have spent time at Muir College recently and it is hoped that the current crop of players spending time there can follow in their footsteps and gain higher honours in the years to come.
Below is a list of the players attending this year:
Nick Peters (Gonzaga & Merrion CC),Tom Stanton (Sandford Park & Merrion CC),Jack Tector (Sandford Park & YMCA) and Lorcan Tucker (Colaiste Eoin & Pembroke CC) at Muir College, Uitenhage, Eastern Cape.
David Byrne & Eric Ryan (CUS school programme) at St Alban’s College, Pretoria.
Scott McCreevey, Luke Oppermann & Eoghan Carolan (CUS school programme) at Kearsney College, Durban.