looking for club

deepriver

I am in my early thirties and thinking about taking up cricket, played a bit in school in rathmines. Just giving up rugby and winding down the football a bit as well so cricket looks ideal.

I am based in D4 and so fortunate I guess to have so many local clubs Pembroke, Railway, Merrion and YMCA are on my doorstep.

Would you guys have any recommendations for a suitable club for a beginner... maybe a friendly, informal kind of place but after a while I would be looking to play competitively

I noticed CYM are running training sessions twice a week, would other clubs have that same structure or would it be a case of just training / playing at the weekend

cheers

TrueDub

Any of the clubs you mention would be more than happy to welcome you as a newcomer. Most run training twice a week, with matches on weekends. I'd suggest you pop down to whichever one you like the look of most around 7pm on a Tuesday or Thursday, and ask to speak with the coach or someone in charge. They should be able to fill you in on the requirements.

Each club has plenty of teams at different standards, and are always looking out for new members.

Good luck, and let us know how you get on!

deepriver

thanks for that....

surely the clubs have a different atmosphere etc.. any opinions on which one would be most suitable for a beginner?

TheDrog

Although it's a bit further away Sandyford is a good club for a beginner, the atmosphere is always very good when we've played them and I know they've taken on a few beginners in the last couple of years who are enjoying their time there. They have a forum on their website www.sandyfordcc.org where you can get some answers from them if you're interested.

TrueDub

deepriver wrote: »

thanks for that....

surely the clubs have a different atmosphere etc.. any opinions on which one would be most suitable for a beginner?

They do have different atmospheres, but there's no way for us to know which one you'd fit in best with - there's nothing to stop you attending a session in each, then picking the one you got on best in.

In the interests of not pissing off my many friends in each of the clubs mentioned, I'm not going to say which you should join. You really need to decide that for yourself.

deepriver

no of course I understand...

Sandyford would be a bit of a trek, but thanks for the recommendation...

schemingbohemia

Your best bet would probably to join a team in division 12 or 13 as these would be the lowest level really and perhaps most suitable for a beginner.

I wouldn't personally be a fan of Sandyford - but maybe that's cause I walked when I shouldn't have and they didn't call me back (when the ball hit their keepers hands in front of the wicket, square leg umpire should've called no ball).

Merrion, you're likely to be playing in Bird Avenue which is a fairly poxy ground and you could be hanging around for ages for your tea at the innings break as it has to come from their home ground.

Pembroke and Railway would be the options I would suggest, both seem to have nice set ups.

deepriver

cool thanks for that feedback.. they actually bring you tea, thats pretty sweet...

ipodrocker

i played at bird avenue lat year and the mini marathon was on the same day so we had to wait a while for the tea to be delivered!

blobbie

Railway are a decent enough crew in D4 and have a team in Div13.

djimi

Speaking as an outsider (ie not a member of any of the mentioned clubs) Pembroke has always been a club Ive enjoyed going to and playing against. Decent bunch of lads, great facilities, one of the best grounds in Dublin. I cant speak for their training or how they are for beginners, and this is in no way meant to disrespect Railway, YM or Merrion who are all decent clubs, but if it were me (with the value of having played in most places in my life) I would look at Pembroke first.