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Cork Harlequins begin the defence of their senior title with a home tie against Co. Kerry. While beaten finalists Galway welcome Cork County in a repeat of last year’s round one fixture.

In the junior competition Cork County are faced with the prospect of a preliminary clash with a much fancied Co. Clare team as they set out to retain the cup. Waterford District take their junior cup bow and await the winner of the preliminary tie between Lismore and Limerick.

UCC, last year’s Minor Cup winners, take on the young Presentation side in the preliminary round and will consider themselves lucky to have avoided the strong Cork County and Cork Harlequins side of the draw.

To see the draw in full see the cup page here.

The biggest project being undertaken by the club is the construction of a much needed new practice net facility.

The net area before construction started. Pic: Ian Magee

Ground work on the new net has been completed while the accompanying cages are currently in the construction stage and will be up and running for the start of the new season which is fast approaching. Another development on the

picturesque ground is the installation of proper parking facilities which have been lacking in the past.

The club are now in a position to carry out long standing plans to refurbish their clubhouse to improve facilities for both visiting and home teams. The clubhouse in its current guise has been in existence since the mid 1970’s and has received little attention since.

Unfortunately during the winter the Lismore clubhouse became the victim of minor, yet inconvenient, acts of vandalism. The club have liaised with the local Gardaí and it is hoped that the mindless damage will come to an end as the club looks to grow and provide an active sporting outlet for those members of the community who wish to play cricket

The completed groundwork on the new net at Lismore. Pic: Ian Magee

This season Lismore will again enter two teams into the Munster League with one in the Junior section and the other in the Minor section. Lismore will also enter a u-11 and u-13 side into the Munster youth leagues as the underage section continues to go from strength to strength. It also hoped that they will be in a position to enter a u-15 side into the youth league for the first time in a number of years. The youth section has already started their preparations for the new season under the watchful eye of ECB certified head coach, David Campion.

Anyone looking for further information on playing cricket in Lismore should contact 086-1017636 for Youth membership enquiries and 085-7217668 for senior membership enquiries.

Cricket Ireland Munster Development Officer, Jim Doran, and Director of Youth and Coaching to the Munster Cricket Union, Ted Williamson will become the only two active Level Two coaches in the province on completion of the course.

The course will be conducted by newly appointed Coach Education Officer, Stephen Moreton and development officer Ryan Eagleson among others and will be attended by twelve candidates from around the country.

This is a huge step for Munster cricket as the newly qualified coaches will be in a position to provide a new level of comprehensive coaching to elite players but also provide new methods one to one and group coaching for all standards and ages of players. Attaining the Level Two award also means that Jim and Ted will be eligible to apply to become coach tutors. This means that in the not too distant future Munster will be able to run Level One courses within the province without being dependent on tutors from outside.

Recognising the importance of courses such as this for the development of Munster cricket, Ted Williamson had the following to say, “While we have to recognise the time and efforts from all the tutors who have travelled south in the past to increase our coach numbers we have to be able to stand on our own two feet and dramatically increase coach numbers within the clubs who have an interest in doing so. Each club has to recognise the fact that at some stage the young players get to a stage where they need qualified coaches to help them continuously develop their skills. Without the knowledge that these qualifications offer, the kid’s development may be slower or may even stagnate altogether.”

In order to complete their qualification, on top of the two weekend sessions, the candidates will have to complete a minimum of six hours coaching alongside a current Level Two (or higher) qualified coach who will evaluate their performance. The candidates will then complete an assessment and hope to be fully qualified by June.

It is hoped that Level One and Two courses will be run in Cork in September of this year.

Born in Hong Kong and raised in New Zealand, Matthew was a cricket fanatic from an early age. So much so, he went on to play representative underage cricket for Hamilton district in New Zealand and for York district during a brief stint in England in 1998.

The Callaghan family moved to Ireland in 2002 and immediately became immersed in Limerick Cricket Club. The family became the custodians of the Limerick club’s kit and Jeremy’s (Matthew’s father) shed was literally the club’s base. During his time studying for his first class honours degree in English and Spanish in UCD, Matthew captained the University’s cricket club and went on to represent the Irish Universities during his second year.

Matthew’s studies took him to Santiago, Chile, during his final year to where he returned upon completion of his degree.

Matthew speaks to The Munster Cricket Blog from Buenos Aires, where he is currently stuck with the Chilean under-19 team, unable to return home in light of the recent earthquake that hit Chile leaving Santiago airport out of operation.

How did find out about the job as CEO of the ACC and what was the process involved in getting the job?

I saw the CEO job advertised through the ACC mailing list, and given that I was not enjoying my english teaching job in the place I was working, I thought I´d apply and see if I could use my cricket expertise and passion for the game in a professional sense. I applied and was called for an interview which went well. We talked about the strategic plan, where I saw Cricket Chile now, and where I saw it in a few years, and how I intended to find a home for Chilean cricket, a problem which we had also faced in Limerick and UCD. I guess they liked my answers because here I am.

What is your role as CEO of the ACC?

My job is basically to manage the ACC on a daily basis – administration. I have to administer the strategic plan, and manage the finances as they have been allocated in the budget. There are a lot of relations with the ICC Americas, and it is my job to ensure they receive all the paperwork that they require, and that we are doing all that we need to at our end.

On top of that, the strategic plan aims to manage and improve top level cricket, and develop the game at grass roots

Matthew (centre) with his former Limerick team-mates.

level, and these are tasks that I am faced with on a daily basis. Finding spaces and facilities, and producing coaches and players of a high standard.

I recently had to organise 2 international tours in Argentina. This involved booking of flights, arranging insurance, uniforms, communication with parents, accommodation for regional players, establishing and monitoring a budget, and literally accompanying the teams on tour, amongst many other things.

Will you be based permanently in Chile?

I am based in Santiago where I have been living since I moved here in August. I was working in an English institute for 6 months before I started at the ACC, and so the change was a smooth as it could have been. I know many of the guys through playing in the Metro Cup competition here this summer, and I have been in a relationship with a Chilean girl for nearly 2 years now, and so Santiago is pretty much my home for now.

Did you learn anything from your experience of cricket in Munster and Dublin that you will bring to your job as CEO?

Having worked in, and been frustrated by cricket in Munster and UCD, I definitely came to this job with experience of the difficulties and challenges that face small amateur cricket associations. The lack of a permanent ground, adequate training facilities, and the support of the general population were factors that I was expecting, but I was also well briefed in some of the ways around these problems, especially in the short term. I also brought a determination to overcome them in the long term where I had been frustrated at both UCD and the MCU.

Having worked (although voluntarily) in cricket administration, I was ready for the personalities and the hurdles that only cricket can produce and equipped to negotiate them.

What are your plans for taking cricket in Chile forward?

I have three main goals: 1. Become a Federation of three Associations in Chile (at the moment there are just two, in Santiago and Viña-Valparaíso respectively) 2. Find a permanent home for Chilean Cricket and 3. Achieve ICC Associate status (we are currently an affiliate member). In order to achieve this final goal we need to develop more grounds, more coaches and more players, as well as demonstrate success at the top levels. We are already well along the way with many of these goals, having recently competed at U15 and U19 levels in regional ICC competitions, and with U13 and women’s events before the end of the year. We have a good development base and a fantastic cricketing community who has managed to achieve so much working voluntarily in their spare time, and I can only imagine how much more we can do with a full time administrator (me) and 2 part time regional development officers and a High Performance Manager working beneath him. 

Do you think Chile could one day become a force in Associate cricket?

The future is bright. I definitely think Chile could become a force in Associate cricket. As I said, I have recently

The Chilean Cricket Team in action. Pic: ICC

managed the U15 and U19 tours to Argentina, and have seen firsthand the talent and the improvement that Chile has demonstrated at these two tournaments. We came out second best, and in the case of the U19s, fourth best, but we have improved immensely, and done ourselves proud, given the disadvantages that we face. We have 2 grounds which schools let us use out of good will, and one net in the whole of Chile, and yet we are able to turn out teams, constituted nearly 100% by home grown Chileans, and we have not been humiliated. When we see the grounds and facilities that countries like Argentina have at their disposal, our eyes glow green with envy, and one cannot help but imagine “what we could do if we had these facilities”, and yet they are not so far ahead. Yes they are much better, but we have done so much with just 2 schools and one net. I see us rising very quickly and even faster once we achieve associate status.

What is your view on Munster cricket from your experience? What could be done to improve?

I think Munster cricket is a growing force in the Irish cricket community. It is funny to think that it has more grounds at its disposal than the whole of Chile, and yet it is the runt of the Irish litter. It saw big improvements in standard, organisation and development in the 7 years I was in Ireland (although no thanks to me), and it can only grow further still as Ireland´s profile as a cricketing nation grows. I think it´s good to see new faces and new ideas coming to the MCU as I feel it has at times been held back by some of the older voices. Greater involvement by some of the satelite clubs can only be a positive thing, and a greater integration of all the clubs can help to overcome some of the resentment that is felt by some towards the central larger clubs. Ways of doing this would be MCU committee meetings held on a rotating basis in different parts of Munster, and less concentration on the Mardyke, which was a problem for Limerick members always travelling to Cork when I was there. This may well have changed of course, but the theme of integration continues to be an important one.

What do you think of the news Limerick CC may have a new permanent home?

In terms of Limerick Cricket´s new home, what fantastic news. As a member for years and someone who campaigned to get a satisfactory ground for Limerick Cricket, I am over the moon to hear that this might become a reality. We have so many people who have worked so hard to maintain men´s cricket and develop the kids and I´m sure that if it does go ahead the lads will make the most of it, and Limerick Cricket club will once again be a dominant force in the MCU, both at adult and underage levels.

If only Chilean cricket could be so lucky.

Cork County Cricket Club are holding a Season Opening Ball to mark the reopening of the Mardyke clubhouse after the damage caused by the severe flooding in Cork City last December and also to mark Cork County’s reintroduction into Leinster League Cricket for the first time in just over 10 years.

The season ahead is both a very exciting and challenging one for the Club and we would hope that you can join us on the 27th to celebrate the start of the 2010 cricket season.

Dermot Giltinan, Ross Durity and Leo Durity enjoying last year's Cork County Ball. Pic: Robert Duggan

Time: 8.00 p.m.
Date: 27th of March 2010
Location: Rochestown Park Hotel

A complimentary drinks reception will be held at 8.00 p.m. and the remainder of the night’s activities will commence at 8.30 p.m. Special guest on the night will be the current Irish cricket coach, Phil Simmons, who will be taking time out from Ireland’s Twenty20 World Cup preparations to be present at the Season Opening Ball.

Tickets for the event can be purchased from our event co-ordinators:
William J. Bradley (Social Committee): 086 3610711 or wb84zer@gmail.com; and
Robert Duggan (Club Captain): 087 6544728 or rduggan2000@yahoo.com.

Tickets are €35 per person and the dress code is strictly formal however we must stress that it is not black-tie.

We would be obliged if you could RSVP your attendance or non attendance to either William or Robert, respectively, and they will make further arrangements with you regarding your tickets.

If you require any further information regarding the Ball, please don’t hesitate to contact William or Robert.

In glorious sunshine, the children took part in a series of mini-matches on the artificial pitch at the Farmers Cross venue giving them an early taste of competitive cricket.

The event was the brain child of Director of Youth and Coaching for the Munster Cricket Union, Ted Williamson.

The group that took part in the Cork Primary Schools Cricket Blitz. Pic: David Gash

Williamson has set out on a mission to bring the sport to the wider Cork community and has been conducting coaching sessions in primary schools around the city, introducing the sport to 65 children.

In all ten schools were represented on the day, were most of which have never played cricket before Williamson’s coaching sessions. These included: St. Columbus Boys NS, St. Columbus Girls NS, Gael Scol Duglaise, Scoil Chríost Rí, Crab Lane, Scoil Mhuire Lourdes Carrigaline, St. Josephs Glanmire, Gurraneasig NS, Christians and St. Lukes Douglas.

The cricketers were divided into two groups on the day; first to third class and fourth to sixth. The younger group took part in a coaching session before playing a hard fought match. The older group were divided into four teams and played a series of matches against each other.

The event gave each competitor a chance to experience every aspect of a real cricket match, with everyone getting a chance to bat, bowl and field. At the end of the day each cricketer was presented with a medal for competing in blitz.

Speaking after the event, Williamson said, “I was delighted with the support shown from the parents, first of all for making the effort to come but also to participate and create a fantastic atmosphere for the kids to play the games in. It was the first time that 99% of these kids have played in proper cricket matches and it was great to see how quickly the adapted. Even though the teams were mixed from the different schools there was definitely an air of competitiveness around which again added to the occasion.”

He highlighted how cricket has since overcome the social stigma that has accompanied the sport in the past: “For me what was great to see was that there were a lot of kids arrived with GAA tracksuits and hurleys having just come from hurling practise. Cricket certainly did have this stigma attached to it that it was an upper class game but that has long disappeared. I attended the all Irish section of the North Mon and I remember asking Brother Beausang (as

A team discusses tactics at the Cork Primary Schools Cricket Blitz. Pic: David Gash

gaeilge) for a half day to play cricket and he nearly falling off the seat. I don’t think that barrier is there anymore but we have to be proactive right now in introducing as many kids to the game and as young as possible.”

Williamson also mentioned the need for action to secure the future of the game in Cork. “It something that needs to be grown as quickly as possible so we can get to the stage where we have inter-schools competition on a regular basis. In Dublin now they have the Leprechaun Cup which has 38 primary schools competing but I know for a fact that when this originally started there were three schools involved.

“We had Cricket Ireland down recently and the main area identified which needs our complete focus is qualified coaches. We don’t have enough and there needs to be a system where clubs coaches target specific schools in their areas to build a strong school/club link that will maintain a constant flow of kids into the clubs youth set up.”

For pictures from the Cork Primary Schools Cricket Blitz click here.

The following is a press release from Cricket Ireland:

Cricket Ireland this morning announced details of two One Day International fixtures against Bangladesh which are to take place later this summer.

The games will take place at Stormont on Thursday July 15 and Friday July 16, following Bangladesh’s tour ofEngland. After the games in Belfast, Bangladesh will travel to Scotland, where they will play the hosts in Glasgow on July 19, before taking on The Netherlands at the same venue the following day.

Cricket Ireland CEO Warren Deutrom sees the games as an important benchmark for the side saying: “For the last three years or so, we have targetted matches against the lower-ranked full members as the most important means of measuring our progress and determining our readiness to step up to the elite level. All our players will be aware of the perception that strong results against test-playing countries creates, and will be keen to maximise home advantage to good effect in the year that we are applying to move higher in the international firmament.”

ICC Europe Regional Development Manager Richard Holdsworth welcomed the fixtures saying, “Bangladesh agreeing to play Ireland, Scotland and the Netherlands in one day internationals this summer is a great news for Europe and these countries. Now that all three high performance countries have a number of professional contracted players and two of them are preparing for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, it is a hugely important they have regular competition with the full member countries.”

“ICC High Performance Manager Richard Done has worked hard with the Bangladesh Cricket Board and the three high performance countries to get these fixtures agreed and we are thankful to the Bangladesh cricket team for supporting the three European ODI countries on the back of their tour to England this summer. To have such full members playing in our countries is great for the promotion of the game, and gives spectators and supporters another opportunity to watch top level cricket in their countries.”

For Ireland coach Phil Simmons it’s a chance to test his side ahead of the World Cup final in 2011 when the sides will meet: “It’s great that we have a chance to play them on home soil. We lost to them badly in 2008 in Bangladesh but on our home turf I’d be confident of doing well. We have beaten them in both the 2007 World Cup, and in the ICC World Twenty20 last year, so I don’t think there’s much to choose between the two teams. It’s a great opportunity for us to gain valuable ranking points.”

The last time the sides met on Irish soil was back in 2004 when Bangladesh won a last ball thriller at Stormont by two wickets, before completing a 2-0 series win by 54 runs at Limavady.

The fixtures in full are as follows:

• Thursday July 15: Ireland v Bangladesh (Belfast)
• Friday July 16: Ireland v Bangladesh (Belfast)
• Monday July 19: Scotland v Bangladesh (Glasgow)
• Tuesday July 20: Netherlands v Bangladesh (Glasgow)

Once upon a time Waterford was one of the main cricketing strongholds in the Munster region. During the 80s and 90s the sport was thriving in the Déise county, with several clubs in operation. However, towards the end of the 90s, cricket in the county began to decline with only one competitive side, Lismore Cricket Club, surviving while Dunmore East continued to play the occasional friendly match.

In 2006 a group of Asian students in Waterford Institute of Technology formed a club which now competes in the Munster Senior League. But since the club is affiliated to WIT it has membership restrictions which meant cricket could not reach the greater Waterford public, particularly around the city area. This is where Tom O’Regan and other members of Dunmore East cricket club saw an opening.

Seeing that there was once again a desire for the people of Waterford to play competitive cricket, O’Regan and the other members of Dunmore East Cricket Club decided to take the step towards forming a cricket club to take part in competitive competition. At a meeting of Dunmore members and players from former Waterford clubs in July of last year Waterford District Cricket Club was born.

Commenting on the idea behind the club, O’Regan said, “Seeing that sufficient interest was still in the locality to form a ‘District’ team we decided to pool our resources and set up a proper club.” He continued, “It was recognised that a formal structure was the only way to move the sport forward locally. As a group we were aware that there could not really be a next generation of players without a proper club structure locally. Therefore it was decided to form the club and hopefully set some roots out from which to grow. “

Such has been the success of the venture so far that, although the club has yet to play a competitive match, membership numbers are already beginning to grow. “Currently we have 30 players on the books from complete novices to some experienced players. This has in fact doubled our playing base over one year. Also we have absorbed some schoolboy players from De la Salle who had been introduced to the game by Jim Doran and are aware of more new players coming from the younger enthusiasts.”

Given the nature of the sport, an obstacle which always stands in the way of new clubs is the sourcing of training and playing facilities. O’Regan highlighted how the club is working to overcome this obstacle, “Late last summer we received permission from the City Council to erect a net on their ground in Williamstown. This we now have in place but it requires some immediate attention as the wet weather last season proved that the bowling area was poorly drained. We have had indoor training each Wednesday throughout the winter and will resume net practice over the next few weeks.”

“Michael Evans of the W.I.T has allowed us use of its new all weather crease in Carriaganore. We finished the season there last year with our first “home” fixture and hope to continue there this season. We are currently in discussion with the City Council and hope to secure a playing facility from them in the near future.”

O’Regan stressed that the coming season will be about laying a strong foundation for the club to build on while remaining optimistic about what the future holds, “We are aware of the disadvantages imposed on any club that begins without suitable playing facilities. This season we hope to establish a functioning club structure, begin what we hope is an enjoyable foray in to the Munster competitions, and establish the name of WDCC as active cricketers in Waterford. For the moment new players are welcome however our focus will be toward the junior ranks as we feel that our limited resources will only allow moderate expansion… there is a lot of interest from younger players and we hope to provide them with a quality outlet to hone their skills.”

“In the long term we would hope to have several teams engaged in provincial competitions and hopefully re-establish the sport in Waterford. I am sure at some stage that WDCC will be represented in the ladies competitions also.”

O’Regan paid tribute to the help of the MCU is assisting the club getting off the ground with special mention for Cricket Ireland’s Munster Development Officer, Jim Doran, “We have been in regular contact with Cricket Ireland via Jim Doran since last season. He has been most helpful with all aspects of our set up and we appreciate that.”

“We have had messages of good wishes from quite a few clubs. Our former set up would have played Clonmel and Lismore in friendlies over the past few years and now look forward to meeting in a competitive environment.”

The establishment of WDCC is a clear indication of how the game is undergoing unprecedented growth in the Munster region. With more new clubs in Clare and Limerick in the pipeline these are very exciting times for Munster cricket.

©The Munster Cricket Blog