Local Irish cricket 2010

TrueDub

Hi,

I appreciate there isn't as much interest in local cricket here as there is in international cricket, but I thought it might be good to have a thread discussing this.

When I say local cricket, I mean cricket in all parts of Ireland, and at any level.

So the burning questions would be things like:

• Who's going to be the top team this year?
• Who are going to struggle?
• Are there going to be any major surprises?

For Leinster, I see Clontarf and The Hills being in the mix, with quite a few of the Division 1 teams being competitive. In Division 2 I'm tipping Phoenix to be promoted, with Belvo and Terenure to struggle.

d'Oracle

I wouldn't mind watching some local cricket this season.

Being that I probably won't ever take it up.

TrueDub

You'd be more than welcome, either watching or playing. Where's your nearest club?

Plates

TrueDub wrote: »

For Leinster, I see Clontarf and The Hills being in the mix, with quite a few of the Division 1 teams being competitive. In Division 2 I'm tipping Phoenix to be promoted, with Belvo and Terenure to struggle.

I think I've finally figured out who you are....

Beasty

I am very fortunate to live within a stone's throw (OK a throw and a half) of the Hills, and will try and get down there a bit more this summer. I'm not up to speed with the new League format this season can anyone shed any light on it (and what has changed from last season)?

Thanks

d'Oracle

TrueDub wrote: »

You'd be more than welcome, either watching or playing. Where's your nearest club?

Not sure.
I'm in Glenageary, I hear there is a club in Dalkey, but I'm not sure they are a proper club.

North Wicklow?
Sandyford?

TrueDub

Plates wrote: »

I think I've finally figured out who you are....

Good man. Who do you think I am?

TrueDub

Beasty wrote: »

I am very fortunate to live within a stone's throw (OK a throw and a half) of the Hills, and will try and get down there a bit more this summer. I'm not up to speed with the new League format this season can anyone shed any light on it (and what has changed from last season)?

Thanks

I'm there on Saturday - if you're around say Hi.

TrueDub

d'Oracle wrote: »

Not sure.
I'm in Glenageary, I hear there is a club in Dalkey, but I'm not sure they are a proper club.

North Wicklow?
Sandyford?

The lads in Dalkey are a taverners side, if I recall correctly. Either of those two clubs you mention would be close, or for senior cricket you could cruise in on the Dart to Sandymount, where you'd have your pick of Railway Union, YMCA or Pembroke.

Renno

Division 1 is going to be the tightest for years. North County have come back into the pack, and Greg Molins is a huge loss for Clontarf. The Hills may be slightly ahead of the pack, but there won't be much separating first from last. International call ups will have a big impact on virtually all clubs (apart from maybe Malahide and the Hills)

Division 2 is pretty tough to call. Phoenix do look the strongest, but it's impossible to work out how The Hills 2nds, Trinity and Cork County will compete. Throw in a McDonnell-less Pembroke and a Yogesh-less Belvo, and it makes it a pretty hard league to predict. Phoenix to win, Pembroke 2nd, and the rest could be in any order

Cremated

Sorry to go a bit OT, but over the years I have been thinking about getting to play Cricket, I have never played before and would be a complete beginner, is there anywhere Southside of Dublin that take on beginners?,

I'm in Loughlinstown, not far from d'Oracle...

Beasty

TrueDub wrote: »

I'm there on Saturday - if you're around say Hi.

Umpiring I presume?

I'll be ferrying the kids around most of Saturday, but will try and drop by for an hour or so if I can find time

TrueDub

Cremated wrote: »

Sorry to go a bit OT, but over the years I have been thinking about getting to play Cricket, I have never played before and would be a complete beginner, is there anywhere Southside of Dublin that take on beginners?,

I'm in Loughlinstown, not far from d'Oracle...

Most clubs will have teams that cater to beginners. Your best bet would be somewhere like Sandyford (based in Marlay Park) or maybe Merrion (in Ballsbridge).

Plates

Cremated wrote: »

Sorry to go a bit OT, but over the years I have been thinking about getting to play Cricket, I have never played before and would be a complete beginner, is there anywhere Southside of Dublin that take on beginners?,

I'm in Loughlinstown, not far from d'Oracle...

Terenure CC have a Social/Taverners side that play on Friday nights - let me know if you're interested...

Memnoch

Any regular cricket near D15?

I'm on public transport, no car.

d'Oracle

Memnoch wrote: »

Any regular cricket near D15?

I'm on public transport, no car.

Would Phoenix Park be too far?

Memnoch

d'Oracle wrote: »

Would Phoenix Park be too far?

Well, there's the Phoenix Park train station now, is that far from the ground?

TrueDub

Memnoch wrote: »

Well, there's the Phoenix Park train station now, is that far from the ground?

If that's the one off the Blanchardstown Road, it's not too far - probably 15 -20 mins walk to Phoenix or Civil Service from there. It would be a similar distance down to Old Belvedere on the Navan Rd also.

Are you anywhere near Adamstown? They've a club there, which they're trying to get off the ground.

Renno

Have we not strayed a bit here? Anyway, as someone with a lot of experience of travelling from D15 to cricket clubs, here is the definitive answer.

Bus to Old Belevedere - 37 and 39 both outside the ground.
Train to anywhere on the Dart, so Clontarf, Malahide, Railway Union, Pembroke, YMCA, and Merrion are all doable with a 30 minute train ride (changing once) and a 10 minute walk. Phoenix and Civil Service are 5 kms from the nearest station, but maybe a 20 miinute walk from Blackhorse Avenue if you get the 37 bus.

Of the Dublin clubs, Leinster, CYM, Sandyford Dundrum etc, and then The Hills, North County, Rush and Balbriggan are all a nightmare on public transport with cricket kit from D15. Adamstown is also pretty impossible to do.

Interseting player announcement from Terrenure yesterday. With the new league regs, is this the beginning of a move to a North West style free market, most money wins system?

Memnoch

Thanks Renno will check those out.

Bobo148

Renno wrote: »

Interseting player announcement from Terenure yesterday. With the new league regs, is this the beginning of a move to a North West style free market, most money wins system?

What do they mean by Irish qualifed when they mention the players they have?

What difference does it make?

Dasbo

It looks set to be a very close season in the Munster Division One.

Cork County have made a few decent signings in Shannon Madden and Andrew Saul and look like they have a strong side this year. Will definitely be hard to beat if Bruce Koch is fit for the season.

Cork Harlequins have Wilf Bracegirdle back from retirement, but have lost Kristin Makiyerie, with Morne Bauer moving to Phoenix could be tough for them to retain the title.

Midleton have signed Sri Lankan pace bowler Chris Gomesz from Cork County and David Sommerfield returns after a break from the game. New Zealander Dan Walker also joins the team along with Martin Finn from Lismore. On paper the strongest Midleton team in many years.

Limerick Raiders are a new club, but most players have many years experience with Limerick CC. Shani Alam has been taking wickets and scoring runs in Division One and Azeem Kahn is a quality opening bat. They could be a real surprise package this year.

WIT have a new look side and have found a real gem in Sunil Sherawat. He is a batting all rounder that could do damage to all attacks. The problem with WIT over the last few years has been their consitency. Again, they could cause an upset or two this year.

d'Oracle

Dasbo wrote: »

Wilf Bracegirdle

Best. Name. Ever.

deep1

I would like to play, My local would be Phoenix park.
Used to play long time ago, fitness level has dropped but will catch up.
anyone know what is the best way to go to join?

D3PO

deep1 wrote: »

I would like to play, My local would be Phoenix park.
Used to play long time ago, fitness level has dropped but will catch up.
anyone know what is the best way to go to join?

2 teams based out of Phoenix park. Of the 2 Ive only ever played Civil Service who seem to be a good bunch and have multiple teams. Id just give em a shout contact details should be easily available with a google search.

deep1

Thanks, do you have to be really good to join or you can join and Improve?
Or i might start practice and join in few weeks.

D3PO

deep1 wrote: »

Thanks, do you have to be really good to join or you can join and Improve?
Or i might start practice and join in few weeks.

you should just be able to go up to some training sessions and take it from there. you might be better than you think anyway.

Plates

Renno wrote: »

Interseting player announcement from Terrenure yesterday. With the new league regs, is this the beginning of a move to a North West style free market, most money wins system?

Did we make an announcement? If the team with the most money is going to win you can count us out! We've spent all our money on our new kit as a result of our name change :P

dom17

Renno wrote: »

Division 2 is pretty tough to call. Phoenix do look the strongest, but it's impossible to work out how The Hills 2nds, Trinity and Cork County will compete. Throw in a McDonnell-less Pembroke and a Yogesh-less Belvo, and it makes it a pretty hard league to predict. Phoenix to win, Pembroke 2nd, and the rest could be in any order

might have to re-evaluate your prediction ,the hills 2nds last mon were 45/8 chasing 160 against pheonix(i think) and won by 2 wickets, some comeback

rd_milltown

Late arriver in Dublin here for the cricket season - living in Milltown so would be looking for cricket close to the Green LUAS line (no car) - am assuming my best bet is Leinster CC not far from the Ranelagh stop?

Cheers
Richard

TrueDub

rd_milltown wrote: »

Late arriver in Dublin here for the cricket season - living in Milltown so would be looking for cricket close to the Green LUAS line (no car) - am assuming my best bet is Leinster CC not far from the Ranelagh stop?

Cheers
Richard

Leinster would be good - could be walking distance depending on what part of Milltown - they're right in the heart of Rathmines village.

Renno

Hi Richard,

Leinster should be pretty handy for you . If you become a member, we have a back entrance which makes the ground only 250 metres from the Ranelagh Luas stop.

All details for training are on our website, www.leinster.cc

Firehen

Railway look very strong this year, and with TJ and O'Brien back in the picture now, they may be the team to beat. An extremely convincing 9 wicket win against Clontarf today. Having said that, I wouldn't back against The Hills or North County. Could be close between these teams.

It doesn't look like Clontarf will be repeating their double heroics of last year. They've been understrength in pretty much every game, but they can't keep relying on two or three players to drag them through the entire season.

As for the rest of Division 1, it could be a long season for Malahide, and I think YMCA will be joining them back in Division 2. One unconvincing win over a weakened Clontarf team won't be enough for them. Merrion haven't really got going yet, but I expect they'll be well clear of these two.

Is there a normal promotion/relegation in place between Divisions 2 and 3? If that's the case, there could be a big scrap for survival between everyone but Rush, Pembroke and Phoenix. Though the Hills 2nds have started strong, I don't expect they'll keep it up. Old Belvo and Trinity are rubbish, but Terenure look like they've a few players that'll at least keep them in the division. I've no idea what Cork County are like.

So, at this early stage of the season, I'm gonna jump on the bandwagon and say Railway will win 1 and I'll go for Phoenix pipping Pembroke in 2.

Gyalist

I heard earlier today that Old Belvedere will be no more after the end of the seaspn.

Plates

Gyalist wrote: »

I heard earlier today that Old Belvedere will be no more after the end of the seaspn.

People have been speculating about the demise of Belvo for a few seasons now - and they've always proved their doubters wrong. I'd back them to still be around in 2011 and beyond.

TrueDub

Plates wrote: »

People have been speculating about the demise of Belvo for a few seasons now - and they've always proved their doubters wrong. I'd back them to still be around in 2011 and beyond.

Agree 100% - there's always rumours about specific clubs.