LEINSTER SCHOOLS VS MCC – THURSDAY 28TH MAY (CIVIL SERVICE)

This week sees the traditional MCC Ireland tour taking place around a number of Leinster and Munster venues. Whilst some of these games are relatively new within the tour, one game which has been a staple over many years is Thursday’s game between the Leinster Schools and MCC.

The fixture rewards the best of the players from the Cricket Leinster Schools Senior Boys competition from this season with the opportunity to take part, with it being as close to a warm-up fixture for the other traditional Leinster Schools fixture in the calendar, against Ulster Schools, as the side would be faced with.

Leaving Certificate students are traditionally not selected for this fixture due to the examinations commencing next week, and that is reflected in the team selection once again this year.

The Leinster Schools team is captained by Bruce Whaley from Sandford Park School who now plays his club cricket at Railway Union CC.

In all, there are nine secondary schools represented reflecting the breadth of club cricket across the province. Eli Clarke (The High School) and Jack Delany (Wesley College) also both featured in the recent Senior Schools Cup Final which was won by The High School for the first time in 47 years.

Bruce Whaley (Sandford Park) will captain Leinster Schools versus MCC

Ryan Keenan from Ardgillan Community College will be a key player for Leinster Schools

The MCC side meanwhile is predominantly made up of members/players from Leinster-based clubs, with the balance coming generally from the UK. Their tour is managed by a member, and this year’s edition is managed by Pembroke’s Jack Tector.

There are several well-known and familiar faces in the touring squad for 2026, including MCC captain, the veteran Ehtesham Ahmed who now plays his club cricket at Knockharley CC in the CL First Team League.

Ehtesham Ahmed will captain MCC against Leinster Schools at Civil Service.

This is a white-clothing (red ball) 50-over game and is scheduled to start at 11.00am at Civil Service CC (in the Phoenix Park).

LEINSTER SCHOOLS XI

Bruce Whaley (Sandford Park School & Railway Union CC), Captain

Connor Walden (Sandford Park School & Railway Union CC)

Ryan Keenan (Ardgillan Community College & Balbriggan CC)

Charlie Carolan (St Mary’s College & Leinster CC)

Sam McKee (St Mary’s College & Merrion CC)

Jack Delany (Wesley College & Leinster CC)

Vihaan Puri (Catholic University School & Pembroke CC)

Ollie Mulins (Blackrock College & Merrion CC)

Eli Clarke (The High School & Pembroke CC)

Brandon Lorenzo (Skerries Community College & The Hills CC)

Arthur Morphew – St Columba’s College

Coach/Manager: Rob Delaney

MCC XI

Ehtesham Ahmed (Knockharley), Captain

Rory Betley (Dublin University)

Swapnil Modgill (Merrion)

Mikey O’Reilly (Dublin University & Merrion)

James McCollum (Waringstown)

Diarmaid Tucker (Pembroke)

Mohit Sane (Malahide)

Reece Malone (Derriaghy)

Joe Prendergast (Pembroke)

Barry Jarman

CL Fernandes

HWD Colburn

Tour Manager: Jack Tector

There will be periodic updates on Cricket Leinster’s social media channels throughout the afternoon.

And a reminder that the traditional schools interprovincial fixture is scheduled to take place over two days in June (Tuesday 23rd & Wednesday 24th) when Leinster Schools travel to Osborne Park in Balfast to play Ulster Schools.