Irishman just scored a century for England

force eleven · 17-01-2014 09:47AM

Arise, Sir Eoin Morgan O.B.E

Fratton Fred · 17-01-2014 09:54AM

Omackeral wrote: »

What do you mean if your own country can't play? Ireland beat England not so long ago in Cricket (with a fastest century record from Kevin O Brien) and have only recently won the Intercontinental Cup. They also give a good account of themselves in World Cup competitions don't they?

Ireland don't play test cricket nor do they go on long first class tours like England, Australia, India etc would do

Irish cricket is improving though and Ireland are arguably the "best of the rest" in international terms. Cricket Ireland have the objective of being a test nation by 2020, which is very ambitious, but not unreasonable.

Mahogany Gaspipe · 17-01-2014 09:54AM

Cricket is surprisingly not too bad to watch, not test cricket but the 20/20 cricket.

Beats darts or snooker for me anyhow.

Gyalist · 17-01-2014 09:55AM

spank_inferno wrote: »

He can be a terrific batsman & is well liked but under the current management is not likely to be selected for the test team in the near future.

He could get back in if (when) KP is dropped.

The centrally contracted England players are on a basic of £700,000 annually plus match fees and performance bonuses.

Sir Digby Chicken Caesar · 17-01-2014 10:01AM

we're at a sad stage in human development if people are actually admitting publically to watching cricket

Gyalist · 17-01-2014 10:05AM

Fratton Fred wrote: »

Ireland don't play test cricket nor do they go on long first class tours like England, Australia, India etc would do

Irish cricket is improving though and Ireland are arguably the "best of the rest" in international terms. Cricket Ireland have the objective of being a test nation by 2020, which is very ambitious, but not unreasonable.

The Ireland A squad are in Sri Lanka at the moment, the full team will be in the Caribbean soon to play in the 50 overs competition there, the Irish Women are currently playing in Qatar, there's a group of players training in Australia for the winter, there's a group of 15/16 year-olds in South Africa for the Easter term, and Ireland U16s are making a tour to South Africa next month.

Fratton Fred · 17-01-2014 10:05AM

Sir Digby Chicken Caesar wrote: »

we're at a sad stage in human development if people are actually admitting publically to watching cricket

As a previous poster pointed out, it is far more interesting than a number of other "cool" sports.

Have you ever been to a game? The atmosphere at a one dayer, particularly a big game, is great. It is also a respectable form of knacker drinking.

stefan idiot jones · 17-01-2014 10:05AM

Sir Digby Chicken Caesar wrote: »

we're at a sad stage in human development if people are actually admitting publically to watching cricket

I was at the Gabba last week watching 20/20 and proud to admit it.

Royale with Cheese · 17-01-2014 10:08AM

Sir Digby Chicken Caesar wrote: »

we're at a sad stage in human development if people are actually admitting publically to watching cricket

Yeah look at those 95,000 morons filling the MCG to watch the Ashes. I've never understood the hate cricket gets, it's a very popular sport in certain countries. If you don't like it, don't watch it. Why a large percentage of this country feels the need to belittle other people's interest in it is beyond me. The looks people have given me when I tell them I play cricket, it's like I'm coming out to these people.

kidneyfan · 17-01-2014 10:10AM

Gyalist wrote: »

Alan Joyce, the CEO of QANTAS, is also Irish.

TRAAAAI HURRR

Fratton Fred · 17-01-2014 10:10AM

Gyalist wrote: »

The Ireland A squad are in Sri Lanka at the moment, the full team will be in the Caribbean soon to play in the 50 overs competition there, the Irish Women are currently playing in Qatar, there's a group of players training in Australia for the winter, there's a group of 15/16 year-olds in South Africa for the Easter term, and Ireland U16s are making a tour to South Africa next month.

I know, but there is no six test, five ODI type series. In the west Indies they are only playing one full ODI and two T20s, with the rest of the games at club level.

I'm not belittling it, but it isn't on the same level as an Ashes tour.

Fratton Fred · 17-01-2014 10:14AM

Rankin just took a wicket.

irishmover · 17-01-2014 10:16AM

BillyMitchel wrote: »

It's all good, the man is free to do as he pleases.

What I really can't get my head around is what the fock are you doing watching cricket before 7am?

Just because you don't enjoy something doesn't mean everyone else in the world shouldn't.

kneemos · 17-01-2014 10:16AM

Fratton Fred wrote: »

Rankin just took a wicket.

Well tell him to give it back.

irishmover · 17-01-2014 10:18AM

stefan idiot jones wrote: »

I was at the Gabba last week watching 20/20 and proud to admit it.

I was at the gabba for the Saturday of the first test in November. Wasn't one to watch a lot of cricket (apart from Ireland) before that but it's a good day out. Great banter and great atmosphere.

Gyalist · 17-01-2014 10:21AM

BillyMitchel wrote: »

It's all good, the man is free to do as he pleases.

What I really can't get my head around is what the fock are you doing watching cricket before 7am?

I've been up most of the night working on a Sports Capital Programme grant application for my cricket club.

Fratton Fred wrote: »

I know, but there is no six test, five ODI type series. In the west Indies they are only playing one full ODI and two T20s, with the rest of the games at club level.

I'm not belittling it, but it isn't on the same level as an Ashes tour.

True, but baby steps. The infrastructure has to be put in place first.

livEwirE · 17-01-2014 10:34AM

According to his wiki article he was born in Dublin.

Eoin Joseph Gerard Morgan (born 10 September 1986) is effectively English now, playing for the England national cricket team.

WTF?

Fratton Fred · 17-01-2014 10:35AM

Gyalist wrote: »

True, but baby steps. The infrastructure has to be put in place first.

Absolutely. Cricket Ireland has come a long way and seems to be doing everything right so far.

I'm hoping RSA's recent problems won't mean them withdrawing support, that seems to have helped enormously.

FTA69 · 17-01-2014 10:39AM

Royale with Cheese wrote: »

Yeah look at those 95,000 morons filling the MCG to watch the Ashes. I've never understood the hate cricket gets, it's a very popular sport in certain countries. If you don't like it, don't watch it. Why a large percentage of this country feels the need to belittle other people's interest in it is beyond me. The looks people have given me when I tell them I play cricket, it's like I'm coming out to these people.

If I'd a son I'd be more comfortable with him coming out than him playing cricket.

razorblunt · 17-01-2014 10:41AM

I thought Morgan had come back to play with Ireland, or were there rumours he was going to do this before getting recalled.

Tombo2001 · 17-01-2014 10:42AM

Argument for saying Eoin Morgan is one of the top Irish sportsmen playing in any sport.

Dont personally give a crap who he plays for; he is still representing Irish cricket and an advert for Irish cricket when he plays, and he is Irish.

Robbie Keane plays for LA Galaxy - so is he a bloody californian now!!!!!!!!

How about this girl, from Ratoath Co Meath who represents Poland in KickBoxing......so is she Polish now!!!!!

http://pztkdlive.pl/reprezentacja-polski-ms-13/item/301-lyndsey-conway

Now she's not, she's Irish.

And Eoin Morgan is Irish.

And there's a good case for saying he is the most famous Irish sportsman on the planet......

irishmover · 17-01-2014 10:42AM

FTA69 wrote: »

If I'd a son I'd be more comfortable with him coming out than him playing cricket.

Thank god you've no son then.

Yellow121 · 17-01-2014 10:42AM

I think this is why cricket will never take off in Ireland. It just aint right.

Gyalist · 17-01-2014 10:43AM

Fratton Fred wrote: »

Absolutely. Cricket Ireland has come a long way and seems to be doing everything right so far.

I'm hoping RSA's recent problems won't mean them withdrawing support, that seems to have helped enormously.

RSA's sponorship has helped and AFAIK is in place until the end of the 2015 season. The biggest investment however, is from the ICC. This is why it is important that Ireland remains as the leading Associate nation.

stefan idiot jones · 17-01-2014 10:43AM

irishmover wrote: »

Thank god you've no son then.

What about a gay cricketer?

razorblunt · 17-01-2014 10:45AM

Tombo2001 wrote: »

Argument for saying Eoin Morgan is one of the top Irish sportsmen playing in any sport.

And there's a good case for saying he is the most famous Irish sportsman on the planet......

Top point ... yes.
Second point ... no.

golfball37 · 17-01-2014 10:49AM

Eoin Morgan is one of our greatest Sportsmen. Unfortunately Ireland do not have Test status in Cricket so he has to declare for England if he wants to reach the top of his profession. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that nor should there be.

Typical Eire small mided attitude to anything English that prevails on here. I wouldn't mind Eoin Morgan is a big fan of Celtic and the same people giving out about him playing for England probably hate anyone who supports Celtic at the same time for completely different reasons.

You just can't win in Eire no matter what you do.

techdiver · 17-01-2014 10:51AM

Tombo2001 wrote: »

Robbie Keane plays for LA Galaxy - so is he a bloody californian now!!!!!!!!.

Not the same thing. Club v Country. Robbie still represent Ireland at international level.

I don't blame Morgan myself, I blame the structures of cricket.

International cricket is basically the same as any other professional club sport. Call me old fashioned, but you should play international sport for whatever country you are from.

Rugby has similar issues, with the likes of the South Sea Islands being pillaged by New Zealand for their best talent. Naturalising players should work the other way. Stronger countries should feed weaker countries with players are are deemed "surplus to requirement" in their own country, not the other way around.

Tombo2001 · 17-01-2014 10:52AM

razorblunt wrote: »

Top point ... yes.
Second point ... no.

India : One billion people.
Bangladesh : 160 million.
Pakistan : 180 million.

He would be well known in these countries. As well as Aus/ Eng/ South Africa.

Who would be more famous?

Rory McIlroy would possible be.

Otherwise.....Robbie Keane? Maybe?

Gyalist · 17-01-2014 10:55AM

Yellow121 wrote: »

I think this is why cricket will never take off in Ireland. It just aint right.

Again? 150 years ago it was the most popular sport.

LINK

If you read books like e.g. The History of Cricket in County Kilkenny you'd be amazed at how popular and ingrained the game was. In fact, an argument could be made that the most successful hurling counties are those with a deep cricketing tradition.

Irishman just scored a century for England

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