LIGHTNING SQUAD FOR FIRST IP20 FESTIVAL (2/3 JUNE)

Leinster Lightning will begin their 2026 campaign when they take on the North West Warriors and the Northern Knights as part of the 3-team IP20 festival in Bready next week.

Leinster Lightning has dominated the IP competitions since they were reconstituted in 2013 and last year’s success was their ​10th time as IP50 Champions in the 1​3 years of the competition. It was also their ​6th double (IP20 & IP50) ​despite the continued reallocation of ​many CL players to the other PU teams.

The two IP20 fixtures for Leinster Lightning next week are as follows:

• Tuesday 2nd June: North West Warriors vs Leinster Lightning (3.30pm, Bready)
• Wednesday 3rd June: Leinster Lightning vs Northern Knights (10.45am, Bready).

Unfortunately there are quite a number of the Leinster Lightning squad unavailable for selection next week. The Pembroke trio of Barry McCarthy, Gavin Hoey and Josh Little alongside Clontarf’s David Delany are all out with various injuries whilst Curtis Campher will only be available as a batter.

As a result, Andre Botha and the selection group have called up Jeremy Martins from Malahide who has been in excellent early season form with both bat and ball at Premier League & Cup level – in the five games completed to-date, Martins is averaging 64.25 with the bat (including 3X50s) and has already taken 12 wickets at an average of 15.25 per wicket.

There is a recall for Clontarf captain Fionn Hand who made his T20 debut for Leinster Lightning as far back as 2018 and has previously represented Ireland in all forms of cricket. Hand will bring valuable experience to the squad with bat, ball and in the field.  

The Lightning is also pleased to welcome back Stephen Doheny following secondments with both the North West and Munster over recent years. Doheny last played in the Leinster Blue back in 2020 although he has continued to play his club cricket in Leinster, initially at Rush and more recently with Merrion. The squad is also strengthened by the repatriation of International spinner, Ben White of Phoenix, following spells with both the Northern Knights and Munster.

The squad selected for the trip to Bready is therefore as follows:

Lorcan Tucker, Pembroke (Capt, Wkt)
Tim Tector (Pembroke)
Chris DeFreitas (Balbriggan)
Harry Tector (Pembroke)
Curtis Campher (Clontarf)
George Dockrell (Phoenix)
Jeremy Martins (Malahide)
Fionn Hand (Clontarf)
Jai Moondra (Leinster)
Matthew Hollard (Balbriggan)
Ben White (Phoenix)
Stephen Doheny (Merrion)
Byron McDonough (Pembroke)

Head Coach: Andre Botha

Our thanks to James Sherwin and David O’Riordan (Sherwin O’Riordan Solicitors) for their ongoing sponsorship support of the Leinster Lightning and Leinster Bolts, it is very much appreciated.