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PACKETS CARRY A GOVERNMENT HEALTH WARNING Irish THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE IRISH CRICKET SOCIETY Television Contents and Thoughts on looking into Morgan Dockrell 3 "Strange rs' Gallery" Mix ed Season for Galway Cricketers 5 Ulster League Championship 1974 Cor{ A"derson 7 Players No.6 Cup Championships 1974 M. N.A. Bre"na" 8 CRICKET Woolm3rk/ Peter Tait Trophy M.P. Ruddle 9 The Council of Cricket Societies LC Horron 10 1974 in the North-West O. W. Todd II The Irish Schools V TIle Welsh Schools Frank Morrisson ]J The Northern Senior Cup Carl Alldersoll 14 Since its inception the Irish Television Cork County Cricket Cub 100 Not Out D.II. Donovall IS Service (RTE) has done nothing for The Guinness Cup 1974 Seal! Pellder 17 cricket eithcrnationally or internationally. Alfie Well done Skipper IS Over :I number of years many requests Guinness Cup Statistics 1974 19 have been made for the inclusion of Personalities 2()"2 1 cricket in the sports programmes, but Old We11ingtonian Irish Tour.August 1974 23 with little success. nlere is no live- Answers to the Competition in Summer 24 coverage of Irish cri cket except when lssue of "Irish Cricket" Australia or West Indies have played in As One Englishman Sees It James D. Coldham 25 Dublin, and then considerable pressure had to be applied to get some limited 'Tween Innings Teasers 26 coverage. This must now change. During The New Wiggins Tea pe League Scorer 27 1975 the World Cup Cricket Competition Mullingar c.c. Open New Ground 28 is being staged in England - can Irish The Irish Schools XJ V Cork County Frallk Morrison 29 viewers who are unable to gel BBC I oc One Degree Under E. Murray Power 31 BBe 2 be allowed to see this spectacle? The Four Captains of the Year Major IIJ.E.P. Prolheroe.fJeynon 32 RTE gave blanket coverage 10 the World Cup Soccer Competition during 1974 - Return of M.C.C. Observer 33 can we hope for SOME coverage of the Gillette Type Cricket A Fall 34 greatest of aU games during the coming leprechauns English Tour 1974 11 .0 . Leoll 35 season. Cricket Reminiscences Dr. Alan Buchanan 37 The narrow minded attitude of the Vis it of Israeli Cricket Association J8 people controlling RTE must be changed, The Australian Murray Hedgcock and 1975 is the year when aU possible 39 pressure should be applied in order that letters to the Editor 40 will be included in the schedule of programmes. Published by Edilor Wake up RTE and get with il! The Irish Cricket Society, Michael Brennan " Margretla", 364, Tonlegee Road, Editorial Panel The Editor Raheny, H.M. DockreU Dublin 5. Telephone: 01·310545 Pi ctures by Greg Ledwidge Design by 37 Henley Park, McCaffrey Design Cons.ultants Ltd., OlUrchtown, 93 Lower Baggot Street, Dublin 14. Dublin 4. Telephone: 0 1·982406 Telephone: 01 ·785639 Typesetting by Printed by Typecast Umited Doran (D.P.S.) Ltd., 93 Lower 8agg6t Street St. Teresa's Road, Dublin 2. Kimmage, Telephone 01-682941 Cover pho tograph shows The Irish Dublin 12. Team coming out to field against Telephone 01·507333 the M.C.C. at College Park, Dublin, July 1.974. HUNTERS milled in Northern Ireland is the (Limavady) FLOUR Fanny Craddock prefers LTD.
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2 on looki,ng into
(Some Foreign Views of English Cricket J by Morgan Dockrell
"STRANGERS' GALLERY", edited by the ages of 6 and IS. 'le Cricket' was an Allen Synge, who was educated at Trinity instant success, so perhaps Skeffington CoUege Dublin, has as its sub-title "SOME stressed its similarities with the duel, and FOREIGN OF CRICKET". It is channell ed the skill which the boys would a book in which cricket is looked at otherwise have expended on the steel through the eyes of two Irishmen, Alec blade into the willow one. It is to be Reid and 'William Trevor', nineteen per- hoped that Skeffmgton was thus able to sons of different sexes born outside the partake in some of the success enjoyed British Isles, and one Englishwoman, by Hobbs, Hammond and Woolley across Caroline Hill , who is presumably included the Olarulel! One of the young boys because the game is supposed to be pressed into service as a fielder that foreign to the female temperament. summer is now the Mayor of Digeon, and Business Consultants are paid thous- it is a tribute to Skeffington's missionary ands of pounds per week by the Firms zeal that he still retains an interest in the they advise. A fresh approach is often game. For Skeffington cricket was really invaluable in that it forces one to fe-think a form of religion, and he was known to one's position on the familiar. Allen provoke the un-cpnverted at times by has gathered together an anything 17!e lAte Senoto, Eoin Shethy Skeffington' stating that "as a religion cricket has but silent cloud of witnesses who approach much in its favour, for at its centre is cricket without the sense of having been Grace". born to it. I found it a fascinating and character to comment at the end of his Perhaps the secret with foreigners is to valuable exercise to see the game through article, " I ga ther the Ponsonbys thought catch them while still young. I can vouch other eyes. Ha ving enjoyed two educa- that my intended game wi th her was not for the fact that some years ago in the tional establishments at which cricket was quite cricket". Black Forest i'had a most enjoyable few part of one's heritage, I was aware of it The five articles by Frenchmen led my hours of cricket with a tennis ball and from lhe age of 7. It was something I mind to wonder how the French would roughly fashioned bat in company with a could accept or reject, but at my prep- take to cricket if it were presented to collection of young Spaniards whose school life was infinitely more pleasant them in such a manner as to their parents were in a circus. The Spaniards for the acceptors. I therefore determined imaginations. In cricket at its best there had ",earnt excellent German within a few to make the mosl of it, since one had the is the strong element of the personal weeks of touring the country, and from occasional bonus of getting off gym for duel between a great batsman and great me they at least learnt the rudiments of nets, and in due course became hooked bowler. Critics have written of the duels the game in about 20 minutes. J have on both the game and the sub·culture of in the 19305 between Bradman and Verity. never seen such agile fielding! One of the statistics and literature associated A most inspiring teacher who had con- them told me thaf circus people are very with it. I am sure I benefitted greatly siderable success in arousing an interest adaptable. from the age of about II ' from reading in cricket on the part of a number of Most of Mr. Synge's foreigners became and re-reading the works of Cardus. French boys was Dr. Owen Sheehy acquainted with cricket wht:n already Inevi tably much of Mr. Synge's book SkeffIngton, who in his lectures on French well advanced into adulthood. Dr_ Ernst is of a humourous nature. "Oose of literature in TCD could always be relied Burgsch.m.idt of Erlangen University was Play", by Gaston Berlemont, who in on to make a faded rose bloom. Skeff- one of Ulese.. He became attracted by the 1895 was paying unwelcome attenlions ington spent the 1928 summer vacation graceful batting of Graveney while teach- to a Miss Ponsonby, deserves to be an in Digeon (picardy) and felt increasingly ing Itt a school in Worcestershire, and anthology piece. Cricket for this amorous frus trated to read of the run getting feasts later wrote a PhD. with .the title young Parisien was a device employed by of that summer, in which five batsmen srUDIEN ZUM VERBUM IN ENG US· the brothers of the girl to keep him scored over 3000 runs in the first class CHEN F ACHSPRACHEN, a work of over away long enough from Ce lia for her season. He therefore decided to try to 500 pages on the terminology of cricket. parents to despatch her off to the convert the native Digeonnais to the I once read an account by a German Hebrides to visit a sick relative. M. game , and rounded up as many able called Leonhardt in his book 77x ENG- Berlemont knew enough of the English bodied males as he could find between lAND in which he describes cricket in
3 terms of a represen tation of the protec- Marven Cohen sees cricket as an elab- 'William Trevor's' article should be tion of chastity_ The game is basically a orate metaphor; in fact he sees tife as a compulsory readi ng fo r all boys at Sand- symbolic rite of the dragon I seducer metaphor for cricket, and develops his ford Park and the owners of the Sandford (bowler) attacking St. George (the bats- tllesis most convincingly. " Both are a Cinema. It contains revealing confeSsions man) who is 'defending tile maiden (the sport, a contest, tussle, struggle, against about the activities of adolescent Casa- stumps). Perhaps the term 'bowling a adversary ._ .. both offer chances that are novas who su rreptitiously absented them- maiden over' has its origins here? No doubt sometimes put down and sometimes selves from watching cricket matches at Dr. Burgschmidt's thesis contains the accepted". In the same way that Denzil the school. answer but I fea r it is a work I shaU have Bachelor traced the continuity of tradition None of Mr. Synge's team appears to to postpone for my retirement, should I and sense of oneness from Felix to have become a foreign version of Geoffrey live to enjoy it. C.B. Fry, and wrote of Fry (in 1951) Copinger, who must surely have the From Dr. Burgschmidt's attraction to "it is as if we speak with one who kept largest collection of cricketana in the the aesthetic side of cricket it is an easy watch on deck on the night of Trafalgar", world. Foreigners who are attracted to step to conclude that it is the beauty of so Cohen sees his love for the game as the game do not on the evidence in harmonious movement which one 0ccas- linking him with "another man who died STRANGERS' GALLERY sink them- ionally fInds in some of cricket's most 100 years before my birth .... ye t through selves in the depths of WISDEN, but are notable performers - of current players cricket he's my brother for ever". compeUed to admire the aesthetic side of Cowdrey and Barry Richards stand ou t - Of particular interest to Irish readers the game. Not all the material in the appeals to people who have not been are probably the articles by Alec Reid and book is of a complimentary nature; as is brought up in a cricket envi ronment. It 'William Trevor'. Reid, for years one of eviden t from V. Osipov's "From Russia certainly se!ms logical that a race the most kindly and helpful members of with Disdain", Mr. Synge observes editor- contains so many admirers of Wagner's the staff of the English Department at ial impartiality. "RING OF THE NIBELUNG EN" has the TCD contributes an essay on cricket and STRANGERS' GALLERY is not one stamina and palience to endure county "The Irish Question", in which he sees of those books which I shall cast aside, cricket! the game in its social context and shows never to return to, like the ghosted From our European contributors I why it never had roots here as in England. 'autobiographles' which I was for a short shall skip to Marven Cohen of the USA, I cannot resist, some 17 years after his time foolish enougll to spend my pocket who is the most profound contributor. gently suggesting how I might render my money on in the early 19 50s. It has He is both philosopher and poet, and essays less repugnan t to a cultured reader, opened my mind and shown me thaI ,won my heart immediately by stating administering a reproof to him on his there is more to cricket than I had " the past is the cricket-lover's Mecca". opinion that Hampshire are "one of the thought. I shall the refore ret urn to it This is of 100% according to the ave rage English county Xis", while Ireland with pleasure in the future, for it is Gospel of St. Andrew Lang, who main- have ceased, at least on paper, to have com forling to be reminded that such men tained that "there is no talk so good as a been represented by 'Gentlemen' fo r at as Marven Cohen, Gaston Berlemont and cricket talk, when the burnt-out Junes least 20 years! Alec Reid are in a sense my brothers! revive".
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• MIXED SEASON FOR====il Galwar Cricketers
Rain finally closed the season for the offices of U.c.G. and Galway CorinUtians Co. Galway Cricket Oub who had their F.C. we might well have no cricket at all last two matches cancelled due to weather in Galway. Obviously the club is ve ry conditions. Looking back over the year it much aware of the debt owed to these was one of mixed [anunes. Perhaps it was people, but the time has come when they nOI as successful as others, but none- must secu re a pennanent home to prepare theless produced a reasonable resull shee t good playing areas. The prospects of for a young club. The results were 6 wins, getting a ground seem gloomy, but a I tie, 4 draws, and 11 losses giving a total further effort must be madc if the club is of 22 ma tches. with 3 cancelled. Their to continue, and their playing standard to most heralded success was in reaching the im prove. final of the Irish Junior Cup for the firs t time in 2 1 years. To gel there they General Improvement defeated Mullingar and Church of Ireland, While the teams results t.ell a story it was Cork. Their performance in the final was pleasing tonotea significant improvement ve ry creditable. As if to spite the critics in the performances of the individuals. and forecasters they rose to the occasion The transient population of the clu b magnificently. There is little doubt that Joe I.yster - Prcsldellf COl/lilY Gal .....ay Cricket resulted in no less than 29 people repres- Q(lb the victors, Donemana, were the be tier enting the side during the course of thc team on the day, but they had a close Summer months. Seven of them amassed .fight. Perhaps if luck had been a little representative pla yers, including fo rmer over 100 runs fo r the season, but fo r kinder to Galway the resull might have Irish International , and now Chairman of illness and exams Ian Meldrum (9 1) and been different. the Irish Selectors, Scott Huey, and Mohin Khan (98) would undoubtcdly For the third successive year, Co. others such as Irish Internationals, Ossie have passed this figure also. Galway went on tour to the picturesque Colhoun, Roy Torrens,and Aubery Finlay. Despite being available for only 6 Sluopshire region. As in the past they While the club also achieved convincing matches Gordon Black headed the batting acquitted themselves well. In each of their victories over Harlcquins and Rush there averages comfortably. producing a number five ga mes they put themselves in a were also a considerable number of lost of attractivc innings. Jim Langrell came winning position. Unfortunately their bat· games. Howevcr when onc considcrs the an easy second; though he too played int ting let them down on two occasions, but opposition in these cases it was not much less games than in previous years. in the remaining matches they finished altogether a disgrace. Losses were sus- Nonetheless his innings in the cup matches strongly, in particular against the local tained against such sides as Cork County, must rank among his best fo r the club. champions Ludlow who escaped wi th I Leinster. Phoenix and John Hunter's Cyril Cuffe, who captaincd the side this wicket standing to gain a draw. Galway's North West XJ. year, was once again the leading scorer, first vic tory abroad came against a com· In looking at ihe Galway side it all too with 382 runs to his credit, though often bined Whitchurch and Shrewsbury XI often appeared as if there was an over seemed to lack the nuency of the previous where they won by a convincing 86 run dependence on the batting of a fcw, with season. Relieved of the worries of captain- margin. little strength in depUt. Also while their cy Jeff Smith showed a return to fonn by The domestic season had its ups and bowling on the whole was adcquate their amassing 362 runs in one innings less than downs but it must have been pleasing for fie lding was often poor. There may be a his captain. Dermot Condon also produced the Wes terners to record wins over their variety of reasons for this, but the good form in ' his 8 matches to finiili "local" rivals Shannonsidc and Mullinga r. prinCipal one must be their playing area. with commendable aggregate. Others to There werc two historic moments during This does little for their gamc. The show good fo nn were John Cross and the Summer months whcn the cluh be- wicket is uncertain and the outfield Vinny Savino, willie Frank Coen and came involved in their first tied game, uneven, which tends to produce un- Bob Hackett showed signs of better things against Lcinstcr Senior II league side, orthodox methods of batting and poor to come. OOlllarf, and later when the President of fie lding. These defects were quickl y ex· Undoubtedly the Gal way bowlers de- lhe Irish Cricket Union, John Hunter, posed on good wicke ts and against Senior serve great credit in taking their 162 brought a side ccntaining no less than 10 sidcs. Undoubtably but fo r the good wickets at' a cost of 12.88. No less than 4
5 players. took more than 20 wickets with provided games for 3 1 players many of for the Munster Junior Interprovincial John Cross easily leading the averages. whom might not have had as many matches against Ulster and Leinster. The Off Spinner Cross was unquestionably the opportunities in previous seasons. The immediate playing future does not look fmd of the year. He became the first side was exceliently captained by Jge as bright. The club will be losing the player to take more than 50 wickets for Lyster who carefully ' blended the players services of 3 of the mainstays in the first the club, and in doing so replaced Jeff into a competent unit. Next season it is team, namely Cyril Cuffe, Jim langreJ[ Smith, after three years, as the clubs hoped that they win compete in the and Pat Barry. It is hoped that they may leading wicket taker for the season. Pat Midland League. be available for occasional matches. How- Barry again bowled economically to take Their leading playe rs, some of whom ever with the ever changing population in second place while Smith was third with later graduated to the first XI, relished Galway, it is hoped that the club will 42 wickets. Another valuable newcomer the chance to show their worth. Bob recruit some new talent. was opening bowler Mohin Khan who, Hackett, John Currid and John Cross, the. though taking 26 wickets, was unlucky latter being the first to reach 100 runs not to have a much greater haul. for the side , led the batting averages, In total the players held 48 catches each showing good form. Joe Lyster, with Jeff Smith heading the list· for the Stewart Baker and Michael O' Rj ordan fourth year and Mohin Khan being runner also did well. John Cross who started the up. Cyril Cuffe was the most successful season as the side's Vice·Captain had a I wicket keeper. All in all it was quite a unique double when he headed the seconds satisfactory year though the results could bowling avera ges and became their leading have been better. wicket taker. He was fo llowed by Joe Lyster, Michael O'Rjordan and Geoff BOOKSELLERS Second XI Success Samways also did well. Kevin Prendergast FOR The Co. Galway Second Xl in their fi rs t held the most catches. CRI CKETERS full season acquitted themselves more The strength of the Co. Galway teams, than adequately. In total they played 8 when the full compliment is available, 37 Dawson Street, Dublin 2, matches, winning 5 and losing 3, with can be seen by the fact that no less than tel 771323 three others caUed off. They also pe r- 6 players achieved represen tative honours 8/14 Callender Street, formed well in the Western 6-a·side in the Western XI match against Leinsler Belfast BTl 5DX, tel 23507 competition run by Shannonside. This Senior 11 Xl. Had Jeff Smith been .must have been more than satisfactory available this might have been seven. also in Cork, Colera ine and Derry for the club. The innovation of this team Smith and MohinKhan were also selected
o the man who enir.. .. cricket, The Irish Times is as necessary as a good pitch.
Every majc)r tournament is covered by The Irish Tim('.;!l tcam, led by Sean Pender.
Each game is reported in detail, criticised and analysed.
If you take cricket seriously, The Irish Times is the newspaper for you. Well infonned . _ • Well balanced Well worth reading.
The Irish TImes reports from both sides of the boundary. Read the Irish Times today. THE IRISH TIMES
6 lUJ LSTE Senior League Championship 9 by CARL ANDERSON Cricket Correspondent The Belfast Teiegraph
When Waringstown won the Ulster cri c- This summer was similar with Down- Some will say the weather decided the ket championship three years ago they patrick, who had led the race all the wa y, outcome of the championship and this is established a record by winning all 16 Warings town , Lurgan and N.I.C.C. going perhaps borne out by the fact that omy fIXtures. Last summer Waringslown again into September closely grouped. But the Downpatrick played all their fixtures, a took the title, but losl three times and anticipated climax was ruined by the vital factor in the end. the 1974 championship was won by weather and three successive wet Saturdays But there's little doubt that Ulster Downpatrick, despite the fact that they in which not a single result was obtained. cricket has now arrived at the .correct were beaten five times. Still, Downpatrick, Warings town and fo rmula for producing competitive games TItis may be seen as an indication Lurgan had an interest going into the and interest right through to the end of that cri cke t in Ulster over the past two final week,wi th Downpat ri ck and Warings· the summer. seasons has become much more com- town level on points at the top. But p w I Po petitive and that the gap in class between Downpatrick struck an important blow Downpatri ck I. 9 5 36 the learns has narrowed. when they re-arranged two matches, took Waringstown II 8 3 32 A case may be proved in favour of the lead again when they beat Lurgan in N.I .C.C. 12 7 5 28 each argument, but the rcal reason fo r mid-week and won the championship Lurgan I I 6 5 2. the number of defeats suffered by the when Warings town and Lurgan were un· Lisbum I' 6 8 2' champions in each of the past two seasons able to play because of ground conditions North Down 12 5 7 20 is to be found in a re-composition of the on the Saturday. Woodvale 12 5 7 20 Senior League. Downpatrick did manage to play .... Queen's University 12 3 9 12 When Waringstown won all their ga mes, and lost to N. I. C.C. there we re 16 teams in the top section and each played the others onl y once. The grea ter proportion of these teams had little or no chance of finishing in the top three places and, as a result, it was difficult to mairitain interest in the league throughout the summer. The No rthern Cricket Union then decided on a re·structuring which, in fact, "seeded" the 26 senior teams. Based on their league positions over a two·year period, they were divided into three smaller sections in which teams played each other twice. TIle overall result was togroup together teams of equal or similar strengths and the competitive attitudes were further hardened by making each play the others at home and away. Thls gave the oppor- tunity for flu ctuations of fortune which heightened in terest. It also produced very exciting finishes to the championship. Last summer Wa ri ngstown and N.I.C.C. went into their fina l fixture on the last Saturday of the season and both had a chance of winning the tit le. After a nail-biting game which "swung" at least three times, Waringstown Simi)1I Cor/eu. N./.CC. & /re/Qlld got home to clinch the League·Cup double.
7 CUP CHAMPIONSHIP 1974 Pembroke Since Player's No. 6 increased their sponsorship three years ago to coincide with the introduction of an overs format on the lines of the Gillette Cup, the competition hasleach season been eagerly looked forward to by cricketers and spectators alike. Even those who once doubted the wisdom.of overs cricket have had cause to change their minds, so exciting and event- ful has been the play not only in the fin al in the last three seasons, bul also in almost every tie leading up to' the deciders.' In any fixture of 120 overs, fielding and bowling play an important part. For Denzil Tippillg (Roi/t,wy Union) playing Bock ill the Cup FilIal agoillst Pembroke. The Fie/der is this rcason Pembroke were expected to Joe Byrne (Pcmbroktj. start favourites 1.0 regain the cup they had lost in 1973 to Phoenix. They commenced their campaign against Old Belvedere al Sydney Parade on June 1st. Old Belvedere batted first and made 151 runs. Pembro ke never in any real trouble passed this total for the loss of 8 wicke ts. Carlisle took on Pembroke in the 2nd round when the visitors to IGmmage had a very easy win. Pembroke made 270 for 9 off their allocation and in reply CarlisJ e could only muster 102. In the &mi-Final at Sydney Parade Pembroke took on the 1973 Cup winners Phoenix. Batting fi rst the home side made The Player's No. (\ team at the Leins/cr :SClllor Cup Filial. L to R Paddy Mololle. JeOIl MeDollold. the useful score of 182 for the loss of 8 Dermot Byrne, l.ucinda Barr and Fred Usht r. wickets. Replying Phoenix were always behind and in the end had only reached .10st their heads and their wickets and batting had been swept aside by some 166 for 7 wickets giving Pembroke a we re all out for 170 in reply to Ra ilway very useful bowling and fielding by the place in the 1974 final. Unions 174 for 9. home team. Many spectators were of the Railway Union had a bye in the first The final al Park Avenue on July 27th opinion that the total would be just 100 round and had a very close contest with was between the two Sandymounl clubs much for Railway Union and so it proved Merrion when they met at Anglesea Road who are also close neighbours. Railway . to be. A couple of very foolish run·outs on June 15th. Batting first Railway Union had ground advan tage and on this probably COSI R. U. litis fmal and in reply Union totalled 189 for 5. The Merrion they must be congratulated for the won· tOlalled 156 all out. Pembroke were reply was 183 with just 6 runs between de rful appearance of their ground for the worthy winnen and stuck to their task the two teams. R.U. moved into the Final. Wh y can't they have their ground veO-' well indeed. Se mi-Final at Park Avenue against in this condition each week throughout Without doubt.this competition is the L..einster. the season?' most outstanding played in Ireland and This Semi-Final proved to be a most Pembroke .batting firs t made the useful with sponsorship ass ured for the exciting flXture with L..einste r wanting 4 score of 17 1 fo r 9 Oil 60 overs. fhe much entertaining cricket seem certain runs fo r victory at the start of the fmal latter Pembroke batsmen came to the res· in the future. over with 3 wickets in I).and. L..einster cue of their team after the cream of their B /Peler Tail Under 19 Championship of Ireland 1974 by M.P Ruddle TItis competition had once again to be run on a regional basis. However, in the main , the cricket was of a higher standard than that of 1973, particularly in runs scored. The Northern Region was won by UJster Country. who won all their matches in the section. TIle Southern Region was much more closely contested. Mu nster were most unfortunate in that their two home matches had to be abandoned without a ball being due to vel)' heavy rain on both occasions. North Leinstcr and South Leinslcr played two high scoring draws, over 650 runs being scored in the two matches and as they had both beaten Munster at home, a play-off became necessary. This resulted in a win for South Leinsler by onc wicket with four balls remaining in the lasl over. Marcus Ruddle Gerry Delaney The final between Ulster Country and South Leinster produced some excellent cricket and resulted in a win for B. Gilmore had excellent seasons with the bat and received South leinster by 53 runs. Messrs. Peter Tait presented a some support from B. Bergin and R. Murray. The bowling, bat for the man of the match and this was adjudicated by however, depended too much on J. Murphy (Captain) and Mr. Derek Scott, Hon. Secy. of the Irish Cricket Union and J. McDevitt who bowled well in each match. Munster who was deservedly won by the South Leinster captain, Gerry due to weather conditions,only played the ir Dublin matches Delaney, who scored 73 runs and took 3 wickets for 37 and K. Browne, N. Salt , R. Wilson and G. Hayes were their runs. It is worthy of mention that this was the third best players. consecutive year that South Leinster contested the final. They are passing through a difficult period but I The Ulster Country team disappointed somewhat in the understand there are hopes of better things in the future. final, but as already mentioned, were omnipotent in their Once again, this competition plays a very important and region. TItey were ably captained by P. Orr who headed the vital part in Irish cricket and our very best thanks are due to bowling averages for the whole competition and he was ably the sponsors, Woolmark/Pete r Tail for their continued seconded in this de partment by T. Kirkpatrick and D. Napier. support in this connection. I must mention MIs. Douglas Their batting was somewhat brittle at times but S. Burrows Bain , Michael Duffy and Dan Martin who attended several and J. Kerstens hit hard and consistently with good effect. matches, thereby showing a personal interest in the Last year's winners, Ulster Town, were very disappointing competition. and onJy managed one draw in the competition. However, AVERAGES G. Fetherston scored more runs than any other player in the whole competition and R. Parkhill and N. McNeill had Baltina useful scores. TIle bowling was weak ·but M. Holmes had 8 1=. N.O. H.S. Runs Aver. wickets for 67 against Ulster Country. North West improved M. Sheridan (N.L) 4 2 166 83.00 I ", 193 64.33 win G. Fetherston (U.T.) 4 79 on 1973 and had one and a draw. D. Simpson was a B. Gilmore (N.L) I 73 188 62.66 good all rounder and G. McCarter and A. Devine made a J. Kerstens (U.C.) ,• 2 12' 41 .66 couple of useful scores. G. Delaney (S. L.) , I '"73 13. 33.50 The Southern Section was dominated by the Leinster P. Deering (S.I...) 59 116 29.00 S. Burrows (U.c.) •, • 66 127 25.40 teams and these were very closely matched. South Leinster • had an outstanding all rounder and captain in G. Delaney Bowling and he was ably assisted in particular by C. Woolfe , P. Orr (U.c.) 15 wickets for IS' 10.20 P. Deering, D. McDonnald and C. Davis (bats) and N. Smith N. Smith (S.L.) IS 173 t l .53 T. Kirkpatrict (U.C.) IS 11 .93 and P. Black (bowlers). Their success however, was a team 17' M. II olmc5 (U.T.) 10 12' t2.90 effort and was well deserved as a resu lt of this feature. O. Napier (U.C.) 12 16' t3.66 North Leinster were a much improved side this year but J. Murphy (N.L) I . 14' 14.90 were too dependant on individual players. M. Sheridan and • No t Qut 9 THE COUNCIL OF other cricket societies cricket societies by L.e lIorlon. Delegate /0 the Council o/Cricket Societies From Th e Northern Oickel Society Leeds SECRETARIES During the last year our meetings have been held in Southport Bolton : Mr. G. Stockton, 11 6 Tottington Road, Harwood, and Oxford with the local Societies making excellent arrange- Bolton, La ncs. ments fo r the comfort and enjoyment of delegates. · 80ston: Mr. L A. Brooks, 7 Tawney Street, Boston, Lines. It is now 5 years since a meeting was conve ned by Ron ·Cambridge University: Mr. P. Such, Conville & Ca ius College, Yeomans. in York, with the broad aim of form ing a body to Cambri dge, Cambridge. • represent the Cricket Society Movement. In this short time we ·Chesterfield: Mr. F.G. Robinson, 48 Malve rn Road, CheSler· now have 22 Socie ty members representing well nigh 100% fie ld. membership. Due to thjs expansion, the Council Chainnan · Ooncaster: Mr. KJ . Avis, 64 Harrowden Road, Wheatley, Ron Yeo mans, can justl y say in his rcport at the Annual Doncasler. General Meeting, "We remain as active a member of the "' East Riding: Mr. A.D. Sil ves ter, clo J.H. Fen.n er & Co. Lt d., N.C.A. as any other member of that ever strengthening MarOee l, Hull. organisation, playing our part to the full , and the views of the · FYlde Coast : Mr. S. Kennedy, 36 Torquay Avenue, Marton, Council of Cricket Societies are held in as great a respect as any Blackpool. other member" . and Cheshire: Mr. H.W. Pardoe, 117a Barlow Moor The Council has among its members, Societies from Road, Manchester, 20. Australia. Rhodesia, Ireland. and Scotland. Enthusiasm from Leicestershire: Mr. D. Wragg, 18 Northfo ld Road, Leicester. the Irish Society is substantial under their Honorary Secretary, · Lincolnshire: Mr. C. Kennedy, 26 Eastwood Avenue, Grimsby. Mike Brennan. His and other Societies glean from the well · L.o ndon: Mr. E.e. Rice, 61 Leithcote Gardens, london S.W.16. established members, advice and ideas and in return give new · North Berks: Mr. J.F. Hill , 3 South Drive, Harwell, Nr. thoughts and suggestio ns that will ensure progress fo r us all in Didcot, Berks. the years ahead. Thanks were expressed at the Southport Northern: Mr. e.R. Yeomans, 88 Church La ne, Cross Gates, meeting by the Irish Cricket Society for help give n by Leeds, J 5. Ron Yeomans in aiding their foundation. They then honoured Nottinghamshire: Mr. P.M. Wood, 2 Mosscroft Avenue, him by making him an Honorary Life Member fo r his services. Clifton, Nottingham. He said he felt humble at such an hono ur but I felt, great · Rotherham: Mr. T. Eckersley, 71 St. John's Road, Rotherham. pride that his enonnous efforts we re recognised yet again. ·Scotland: Mr. AJ . Robertson, 19 Borlac Avenue, Eaglesham, Our activities this year have , once more, included corres- Glasgow. pondence with the B.B.C. regarding coverage of Cricket both Sheffield: Mr. D. Drabble, I Ravensdale Road, Dronfield, on the radio and televisio n. Answen we re received from both Woodhouse, Sheffield. departments setting out their programmes and a pro mise to · Stafrordshire: Mr. J.D. Scholfield, 69 Victoria Park Road, publicise the cove rage as much as possible. Tunstall , Stoke-on-Tre nt. Vario us requests fo r monetary help in regard to coaching . Stourbridge: Mr. G.E. Gittins, 6 Foley Road, Pedmore, schemes run by Societies, were fo rwarded to the Wrigley Stourbri dge. Foundatio n with the Councils recommendations. All were · Sussex: Mr. A. Dumbrell , clo Sussex C.C.c., Ea ton Road, granted. Again the M.C.C. diary came in for criticism due to Hove, Sussex, and Mr. D. Bennett, Corner House, College its limitation of contents. It must be di ffi cult to cover all the Hill, Steyning, Sus·sex. (Joint) information members require but certain progress is being · West Lancashire: Mr. D.H. Stringfellow, 40 Pilkington Road, made. An idea that emanated solely from the Council was Southport. that an M.C.C. Desk Diary be considered. The M.C.C. have "'Wo mbwell : Mr. J. Sokell , 42 Woodstock Road, Barnsley. accepted this suggestion and in a year or so's time I anticipate OVERSEAS this being on sale. The Council Secretary, Mr. Da vi d Welch of Ro therham has · Australia : Mr. A.G. Moore, 7 Aint ree Avenue, East Doncaster, initiated a newsletter and members now have a much more Vi ctoria, 3 109. detailed account of each Socie ty's programme. The year's · Rhodesia: Mr. L.G. Morgenrood, 10 Elsworth Avenue, progress has been due in no small way to his energy and Salisbury, N.12, Rhodesia. approach. '" Members of the Council o[ O ickcI Societies. Should any members have any fresh ideas on cricket mailers, Officials put them to your Committee and, o n their direction, we will Chairman: Mr. C. R. Yeomans (Northern) 88 Church Lane, be only too pleased to take it further. Who knows what Cross Gates, Leeds 15. changes could come from ideas now dormant'! Membership of Ha n. Secretary: Mr. J .D. Welch (Doncaster) 12 Moorgate the Council of Cricket Societies gives us all tltis oppo rtunity. Olase, Rotherham. Ha n. Treas: Mr. E.C. Ri ce (London) 67 Leithcote Gardens, London, S.W.16. Minute Secretary: Miss SJ . Robinson (Northern), 5 Batcliffe Drive, Leeds, 6. 10 by D. W. Todd in theNorth·West TIle domi nating fo rce in North-West cricket in 1974 was, without doubt, the weather. How many cricket reports tltis 1 winter wiU probably be introduced with this statement! But this season was a brute. For example, out of a possible fourteen senior league games, Brigade, 1973 champions, managed to acltieve a result in only eight; in the last four ftxtures not a ball was bowled and the last game unaffected by weather was on 6th July against BallyspaUen. Nevertheless, Guinness Cup matches were played off on the set dates. The game against Munster at Strabane on 18th May, on a rain-affected wicket which was not entirely responsible fo r the quality of the cricket on that occasion, was completed before the new regional system was devised. TItis system may have been necessary to save ' the competition but, while we in the North-West appreciate the opportunity of playing Ulster Town and Uls ter Country, we have always fe lt that one of the principal attractions of the Guinness Cup was the meetings with the Leinster and teams especially Roy Torrens in Dublin and Cork. We hope that the organise rs will take steps to re vert to the proper form of the cOfT!-petiti.on for 1975. As fa r as the North West's performances expected of them and at least one win company, and with pronusmg striplings in the Ul ster section are concerned one might have been registered against U1st er like leslie Jack and Noel McMichael, the fee ls like tip-toeing quickly through the Town at Sion Mills if luck had been a North-West should be able to challenge fe w tuU ps that managed to withstand the little kinder, even with Ossie Colhoun, strongly for the Guinness Cup in 1975. blas ts. Four games played, four lost Roy Torrens and Thomas Harpur absent Competitions were dominated this suggests a disastrous season; and certain1y playing for Ireland . season by Donemana, although they the ftrst two ga mes in Ju ly; an4 the And here I must record that conoisseurs started the season indifferent1y. In the early game against Munster, displayed a in this area were delighted when 1110mas Senior Cup ftnal they beat Waterside by casualness which does not contribute to Harpur was selected against Wales fo r his an innings and plenty of runs, having success in competitions. TIle return games ftrst cap although they rmd it difficult to disposed of last years winners, Brigade , in August revealed a healthier approach understand why he had to wait so long in the semi-final at Donemana. The final , and , in spite of being put in to bat on for this honour. One would hope that he like those in 1972 and 1973, was such a damp wickets 6n both occaSions, the will be given proper opportunities in one-sided affair that some clubs are North West compiled fair ly respectable 1975 to display his all-round talents. considering recommending a seeding sys- totals, albeit just a little slowly, and With these three players on the Irish tem wltich would take the top half-dozen used up all 60 overs. Established players team, with men like those already men- teams on the previous season's perfonn- like Aubrey Finlay, Clarke NichoU and tioned and Eammon Mcloughlin and ances in league and cup and ensure that Ron Collins scored some of the runs Cyril Ward fuU of runs in any Irish three of them were placed in each half of 11 the draw. Donemana also won the Inter· in which they braved the weather to be Ivan Lapsley and Al an McClure, they mediate Cup but, as in their win over beaten by Downpatrick. Greysteel won should, with Coleraine, who have Gavin GaJway in the fmaJ of the Irish Junior the Junior Cup, Dullerton the Junior Craig, Robert Murray and John Cochrane Cup, victory was somewhat hollow as league, Nixons the Intermediate league at the core of their team, be the pace· they persisted in their policy of playing Section H, Raphoe the Mid-week Cup and setters in 19"15. the unstarred members of the 1st XI Limavady the Hallykelly Mid-week league. Competition has always been the life· wheneve r possible, and that included the There is also a mid-week knock-out blood of No rth-West cricket. Friendly two finaJ s. By persistence in the face of cup at Crindle wltich is sponsored by games arc rare though a few clubs ha ve impossible weather and by arranging games Guinness and one must record a batting in recent seasons gone on tour to England up to 12th October they also carried off performance by Roy Torrens in the final. and Scotland. Eglinton, under Scan the senior league. Other trophles which Guesting fo r Nixon's, he scored 177, Bradley, had a successful week in Kent adorn their very pleasant little clubhouse which included 14 sixes and 19 fours. this year and Donemana, Brigade and are the Intermediate league Section A. According to reports, he took singles only Ballyspallen were away in 1973. But it is the James E. Ferris Cup (Mid·Ulster to steal the bowling at the end of the the North West Cricke t Union tour to the Group trophy for 2nd Xis), the Carling over! West Indies in February, 1975 that will Cup (Strabane Knock-out), the Texaco The 1975 season will see Ballyspallen hold the attention of the cricketing Cup (Bready Knock-out), the London· back in Division II and Waterside pro- public over the next few months. This derry Mid-week league , and there may moted to Division I after their most tour has been made possible by Mr. John well be others. successful season for over 30 years. The Hunter's good relations with several West It might appear from tltis formidable two senior divisions arc played on a 50- Indian players, in particular Deryck collection that there was nothing left for overs basis but a game has been considered Mur ray, whose father has made arrange- anyone else , but Ardmore won the drawn if the team ba iting second is not ments for the ga mes in Trinidad. The Faughan Valley Cup, an excellent com- dismissed within the allotted overs; in selected players have been actively fund· petition which is played mid-week with these circumstances the team with first raiSing and expect to be able to cover the forty overs to each side and bowlers knock collects seven points, their oppon- cost of travel and hotel for three weeks limited to eight overs. In the finaJ they ents tluee. Fortunately this will be in Port of Spain. A brochure to mark the beat SI. Johnston who had accounted fo r changed next season so that if your side occasion was launched in September and Brigade in an exciting semi-fmaJ . Sion scores more than your opponents you copies are still available fro m the secretary, Mills, who had what was for them a will collect full points. In Division II Mr. J. McCarter, 29 Sheskin Gardens, miserable season in cup and league, S1. Johnston almost caught Waterside and Londonderry. reached the final of the Mid-Ulster Cup with young players like David Rankin, Therd:> a table for you atthe Royal Hibernian Hotel It's central, the atmosphere is quietly luxurious and three restaurants cater for all tastes from the Bianconi Grill to the Rotisserie and the Lafayette, the latter renowned for its French cuisine. Food at its finest ••• and yours to enjoy. Your table awaits youl Royal Hibernian Hotel, Dawson Street, Dublin 2. Telephone' 772991; Telex 5220. A member of the Royal Hibernian Group of Hotels 12 The The kish Schools Jfi!lsh Schools. AT RATHMINES, DUBUN Tuesday and Wednesday, 30th and 31st July, 1974. For their annual match against the Welsh Schools the selectors relied mainly on the tcam which had performed so creditably against Cork County. I. Burns and N. McAuley replaced D. Allen and D. Q'Gorman. ncither of whom had had a good match in Cork. Early morning rain delayed the start by an hour and on winning the toss, the Iri sh captain, D. Napier, not anxious to face the speed of K. Norkett on a rain- affected wicket, decided to put Wales in. The wicket, however, played very weU and Wales gO I away to a bri sk Slart, with P. Ford and D. Knight appearing to have little trouble in dealing with the Irish opl:ning attack of A.Ford and N.McAuley_ Runs came at the rate of one a minute but just before lunch Knight was bowled by McAuley for 31. Arter lunch, with the wicket drying out rapidly, the oIT-spinner K. Campbell was brought on. He had /tIr. E. V. Hosey. /tIaluzging DirectQl', NatiolUll O/flu I:."quipmem Ltd., presenting a cheque to Mr. D. success straight away, having Ford caught Scott, lri!h D icket Union sponsoring the School!lmernationaf game against Wafe$ at Leinner c.c. at mid-ofr. N. Browning and S. Lewis Rathmine!. Looldllgon is Mr. J.A. Kenny, National Offlu Equipment Ltd. batted attractively and seemed well set (Photograph by courtesy of Tile Irish Times) for a useful partnership, when both were bowled by Campbell, now operating from rather erratic. Law was caught down the at the close of play; Bingham with 60 not the other en·d. M. Knight , the captain, leg side by Knight with the score at nine, out and Napier, 21 not out. looked very impressive and hi t two superb but H. Bing.!lam and D. Simpson kept Unfortunately there the match ended. fours, but then, mistiming an off-drive, the score racing along at more than a It rained all night and continued spasmod· was brilliantly caught by N. Smith. D. run a minute until, with the score al 71, ically next morning. With little prospeci Samuel and H. Craig staged a recovery Bingham was hit on the head by a short- of play it was decided to call the game and brough t the score from 102 to 135 pitched ball from Jones. He left the field off at noon. How the match would have before Samuel was caught at the wicket in some distress and this unfortunate go ne is anybody's guess bUI the Irish off McAuley. Craig provided Campbell incident seemed to unsettle the Irish boys were well placed to press home their with his fifth wicket when he was bowled batsmen. Simpson left without adding to advantage. Since this series started in for 26, and McAuley bowled Jones before his score of 36, eaught and bowled by 1964 we have had very little interference the latter had time to se ttle down . Both Roache, J. Biscome was clean bowled for from the weather, so we can not complain J. Roach and K. Norkett fell to Campbell, nought and I. Burns followe d him to the 100 much. Of the eleven matches played who was keeping a good length and pavilion two ru ns laler. A scOre of 71 so far , lreland have won two and drawn flighting the ball cleverly. The innings for one , with both batsmen going splen· fo ur, but have lost only once in the last closed at 172, leaving Ireland two hours didly was transformed into 74 for four, five years. to bat thaI evening. K. Campbell took and our most prolific scorer off the field For the first time in Dublin this game seven for 55 in 26 overs, and McAuley injured. However things were not as bad was sponsored by a commercial firm - three for 40 in 18 overs. as they appeared; Bingham returned and National Office Equipment, Ltd., and it Ireland opened with D. Simpson and was joined by D. Napier, and these two is hoped to have this fixture sponsored R. Law to the bowling of Norkett and batted with determination and with grow· in future years when it is played in the Crai g. Norkett bowled very fast but was ing confiden ce. They were st ill together capital city. 13 Irish Schools Welsh Schools First InniRgs First Innings D. Simpson c and b Roache 36 P. Ford c Smith b Campbell 24 R. Law c Knight b Craig 8 D. Knight b McAuley 31 H. Bingham not out 60 N. Browning b Campbell 18 I. Bums c Jones b Roache 1 S. lewis b Campbell 16 J. BiscOmb b Roache 0 M. Knight c Smith b Campbell 11 D. Napier not out 21 D. Samuel c Connolly b McAuley 15 Extras 11 H. Craig b Campbell 26 Total for 4 wkts 137 B. Jones b McAuley 2 J. Roache c Smith b Campbell IS Bowling K. Norkett c Smith b Campbell 2 O. M. R. w. S. Gwyther not out 7 K.. Norkett 5 1 19 0 Extras 5 H. Craig 9 1 35 1 - B. Jones 3 0 18 0 Total 172 J. Roache 8 3 27 3 Bowling D. Knight 7 2 13 0 O. M. R. w. D. Samuel 4 0 14 0 A. Ford 8 2 25 0 N. McAuley 18 1 40 3 D. Napier 7 2 26 0 K. Campbell 26 9 55 7 Howard Bingham D. Simpson 11 5 21 0 by Carl Anderson Cricket Correspondent The Belfast Telegraph Although Ballymena can look back with claimed three quick wickets .... but it was pride on their achievements in the 1974 a gesture that came too late. It did , Ulster season by winning Section ·111 of however. show that, once over the initial the Senior League and becoming the psychological effect of meeting the big first team from that section to reach the occasion had been mastered , they were a two-day Senior Cup £inal, they will be team of some talent. the firs t to admit that their Jack of Waringstown, as usual , produced the experience robbed the fmal of much of star performers, many of them members its appeaL of the Harrison brotherhood. Off spinner The weather was fIne , the wicket a Ian was named "Man of the Match" by "beauty" and the crowds rolled up but, the sponsors, No rthern Bank, after claim· even in advance, one doubted 8alIymena's ing match figures of I I for 72. ability to match the expertise and experi- Ivan Anderson, fi rst winner of the ence ofWaringstown. who wereatterripting award the previous season, must have to win the trophy for the fourth time in again come close with a swashbuckling fIve years. first innings of 76 not out and a brief bu t And so it proved. From the moment exciting second visi t to the wicket that *eir captain, Jimmy Boyce, Jost the toss, included two sixes and other notable BaJlymena were up against it and, when performances came from Jim Harrison, they followed on l OS runs behind at the who scored 53 in the first innings and was end of the fmt day and then lost another dismissed first ball second time around; wicket, the writing was on the wall. Deryck Harrison (35) and Roy Harrison t True, Ballymena showed determination" (34). on the second day, achieved their goal of Scores: Waringstown 226 and 34 for L ___ making Waringstown bat again and then three. Ballymena 118 and 137. Iwm Anderso,,· Waringsrown & Ireland 14 Cricket Club 100 not out by 0 .11. DoIIOI'Qn, Honorary Secretary Mil/ISler Cricket Union The centenary year is now alas a memory but provided us with a fuU quota of good cricket and even though the great Sobers could not appear, we had the pleasure of welcoming the li kes of Tom Gravency, Roy MarshaU and other notables to the Mardyke. TI,e weather treated us morc than k.indly during the festival week of cricket in July but not so on other occasions. As me ntioned in earlier notes the mosl eagerl y awaited fix tures was that between the I.C.U. President's XI and Cork Co. on 8th September. Mr. John liunter brought a very strong side to Cork and it was on this occasion that we hoped to see Garfield Sobers. Circumstan ces deemed otherwise but Tom Gravency was quite an adequate 'substitute' and in very bad conditions showed his class. The batting was opened by Roy Marshall and Geoffrey Cook (Northam ptonshire) both of whom played excellen t innings before giving up their wicke ts so that we could enjoy the master. The exercise was terminated ab- ruptly by a heavy shower and there is little doubt but that a ga me. in which the participants were not so distinguished, Tony Leon bDlling for LeprechaulI' lIgainll Cork County during the CentefUU}' Wuk gllmf! would not have commenced. We did not, bf!tween the two clubs Ilt the Mardyke. Also jnc/uded are Paddy TyfIQn kupjng wicket and Ian Devine therefore. see Butch Wh ile. John Dye and David Graveney bowling but it was a pri vilege to have so many County cricket- The festival week was an outstanding spectator for much of the first day. He ers in our midst. success and blessed with that rare slice of was kind enough to open the week and There was. however, one major dis- luck - good weather. The only two-day spoke in most impressive fashion on the appointment. Cuinness Croup Sales had fixture of the season, a game against provision of sPorts facilities for young agreed to sponsor fix tures over the June Schools oflreland, opened the proceedings people. bank holiday week-end which would have and subsequent visitors from Finchley. FinchJey made a most unfortunate featured Denis Compton. Ted Dexter. Leprechal!ns, Oontarf and Edinburgh start to their two days with us in that Codfrey Evans. Peter Richardson and Academicals. Apart from a five-minute fo ur of their team were an hour late for others. As will be recall ed the time was stoppage late in the Clontarf game. the start of the first game owing to an immediately following the tragic bombings because of rain, playing cond it ions we re incredible series of mishaps en route from in Dublin and unde rstandably the dis- perfect and that most distinguished cen- Rosslare Harbour to Cork. Notwith- tinguished invitees just did not fee l in- tenarian of all. The Mardyke. was at its standing this ill-luck they participated in clined to come to Ireland. Apart from best. The Schools' game, as two-day two excellent drawn games which saw this disappointment our fix ture list did affairs are wont to do, petered out into a Cork Co. , especially in the person, of not really suffer and virtua lly all the draw, but we were honoured with the Bryan O'Donnell, the club turn re maining English and Scottish sides presence of the President of Ireland. on the style. He had two superb knocks travelled to Cork. the late Mr. Erskine Childers, who was a . of 74 and 7 1 - the rnst of which is still 15 being discussed. The Finchley c'aptain was london club side. From Northern Ireland, defeated Malahide in the frnal. Malahide David Hay who is well·known as one of Downpatrick, Lisburn, Dungannon and was the first Dublin club to participate the outstanding club cricketers in the Waringstown visited us. In one of the in the competition and one hopes that a london area but he did not have a Downpatrick games Pat Dineen scored headline has been set as participation by. successful visit apart from some efficient the fi rst century of the season and made Dublin sides would give the competition wicket·keeping. the club £50 richer - this' being the quite a gloss in the future although timing Leprechauns brought a most attractive practical sponsorship conferred by Beamish will be important. side which included Ian Lewis, Podge & Crawford, the local brewers, on our Our outstanding players? Jack Short Hughes and Tony Leon and won easily. centenary. Leo Durity's century against stole the show, firstly by his selection for The game wi th Clontarf ended in a draw Edinburgh Academicals and Jack Short's Ireland but, more importantly fo r his but our visitors rather outclassed us and against C.Y.M. Dublin were similarly achievemen ts when this recognition came would have won if they succeeded in rewarded. Dungannon were grossly mis· his way. However, the top batsm.an for dislodging Isaac Charniker in the last four matched against a Cork Co. 2nd XI which Cork Co. was, predictably, Pat Di neen balls. Both games agai nst Edinburgh they duly crushed . and indicated the who started the season in tremendous Academicals were won but the second tremendous depth of talent in Northern form bu t later a persistent foot com· was a wonderful game in which nearly Ireland as they play in section 'b' of the plaint severely hindered him. John Wills 500 runs were scored and Leo Durity qualifying league. Waringstown were prob· and Barclay Wilson we re best of the achieved a brilliant century. With a ably the strongest of OUT No rthern visitors bowlers and Jack Short won R.P. Guinness Cup fixture against North Leins· and were a little too good for ·us. Beamish's cup for the best fielder. ter thrown into the middle of the week Needless to remark the Dublin clubs 1974 also saw a revival of ladies cricket. one can readily appreciate that some of fully supported the celebrations. Perhaps A game against their male counterparts our players were thoroughly leg weary by the most significant fixture was thai with ended in a tie and aroused quite a degree the end of the proceedings. l.einster C.C. on 21st August exactly 100 of interest. Later in the season a match We did have many other attractive years after the sides played in Cork in was played against C.1. visitors at other times of the season, and Cork Co.'s first season. The game was Next season we return to more mun- immediately one thinks of Old Welling· sponsored by the Smith Group and a man dane matters. A top priority must be the tonians who, in the past year or two, of the match award in the shape of a set state of junior and schoolboy cricket and have made themselves one of the most of tyres presented to Gerry Duffy in indee.d, Mr. Pearse Wyse, lord Mayor of popular English clubs ever to visit Ireland. recognition of a typical piece of bowling. Cork, speJt out our obligations in these David Mordaunt, ex Sussex, was in their • The frn al event of the season was the directions at the annual club dinner. party and showed us why he was in the six·a·side competition fo r the Initial Ser· These are challenges we must face up to county cricketer class. Early in the season vices trophy. Bohemians were surpri sing as we settle down to completing our we welcomed Enfield Exiles another fine but very popular winners and narrowly double century. AN Are you a Member of IDEAL GIFT FOR ALL The Irish Cricket Society? CRICKET LOVERS For an Annual Subscription of only £5.00 you are offered: IRISH CRICKET The Official Journal of the Monthly meetings addressed by noted IRISH CRICKET SOCIETY. cricket personalities. Each issue will contain a wealth of News Views Features and Films on cricket. general information to stim- ulate all cricket lovers. Regular News Bulletins. Give a friend pleasure by The Magazine of The Irish Cricket making sure that he receives Society. his own copy of IRISH CRICKET. An Annual Dinner with famous guest ORDER FORM speakers. To: The Honorary Secretary, The Irish A Free Lending Library. Cricket Society, "Margretta" 364, Tonlegee Road, Raheny, Dublin 5, Ireland. Please send the n-ext four issues of " Irish WHY NOT JOIN NOW? Cricket" to the name and address below. I enclose a P.O. I Cheque for £1.50 in For details. brochure and application form payment for the magazine and to cover write to : the cost of postage and packing. Name ...... The Honorary Secretary. M.N.A. Brennan. Address ...... "Margretta", 364 Tonlegee Road, Dublin 5...... Tel ...... Tel. 01 ·310545 16 THE. 1974 by Sean Pender Cricket Correspondent The Irish Times The No rth's greater aptitude for limited overs cri cket, their keen appreciation of exactly what is wanted in any given SilU3tion , and their abilHy to bat, bowl and field themselves into a commanding position - these factors were devastatingly underlined iA Ulster Country's almost total eclipse of North Leinster at Castle Avenue, Dublin last September in the 1974 final of the Guinness Cup, the all·lreland competition last season for the first lime having to be staged on a regional system. For the first lime also it was played on an overs basis and the Southern players in Ihe decisive match simply did not measure up to the. requirements of the new formula. From sta rt to finish of a lopsided final there was no dispUl in g the com- bination bctter prepared to secure victory. North Leinster's defi ciencies in this type of cricket just could not be disguised. With their longe r and wider experi ence of ove rs competitions Ulster Country shaped like proven professionals performing against raw amateurs. Pictured ot tlte fillol iI/ OOll/orf Cricket Qub ore (from left) B.t.: KerlUln, presiden/-elect, Irish Cricket UniOIl; Alfie Lil/ehon, captoin, Ulster CoulI/ry; R.B. 1I0wick, Sales Director. Guillnl',u Even that most elegant and correct of Group SDles, who presented Ihe lrophy, ond Gerry Murphy. caploil/, North Lcil/Stcr. batsmen Jim Harrison uncharacteristicall y lifted the ball over Ihe inner circle of fieldsmen when it was obvious on a 155 total come off.the 55 overs. keeping ltis wicket intact in an innings of pudden of a wicke t - so heavy had been When Harrison was bowled for 37 by 34 was just what was needed while more the overnight ra in that there was much Fintan Synnott with thc total at 80, his adventurous batsmen at the other end doubt whether the match would be started stand with his brother Roy had been took risks in pushing the seore along. at all - and sluggish outfield that the worth 59. If North Leinster hoped for a For North Leinster Dougie Goodwin scoring of many runs would not be slowing down in the scorin g rate with the was the most impressive bowler. Even achieved by orthodox methods. The end departure of Harrison they were soon to under the considerable handicap of a creditably justified the means even if it be disappointed. Ivan Anderso n look over soapy ball he had in his opening speU meant for some forsaking natural instincts where his international coll eague had praiseworthy figures of 0 for 13 in 10 in an admirable team effort to pile up the left off and the scoreboard registered overs, wringing enough response from a runs. three fig ures wilh only two wickets down. lifeless pitch to beat on a few occasions Harrison, in particular, was a revelation. In such circumstances Ulster Coun lry's even the purely defensive bat. Fully With only 20 runs coming off the opening ultimate total of 155 all out may have deserved then were the three wickets for 15 ove rs fo r the loss of Con McCa ll he been somewhat below expectations, but 13 runs he claimed in his second spell of patently decided drastic action was needed after the dismissal of Roy l'larrison at four overs. and a straight drive fo r six off left ·arm 12 1, the remaining seven wickets fell Synnott with 2 for 32 in 12 overs also slow bowl er Stan Oakes was not onl y the cheaply in the quest for quick . runs, commanded careful watching, meriting shot of the match, bUI the signal for a despite valuable contributions from two analysis of more rewarding proportions significant increase in the scoring tempo others of the Harrison brothers, Deryck fo r maintaining a consistentJy good length lhat in the end saw a highly respectable and Ian. Roy Harrison's dependability in and line. Not so accurate were Podge 17 Hughes, orten too short of length, and and by six wicke ts (Anderson striking Alec O'Riordan. pitching both short and true form wit h 63 nOI out). too full , though the Old Belvedere seamer, North Leinster's path to the final was as conditions improved fo r him, took two not nearly as impressive. In a shock result b te wickets to finish up with 3 for 43 in they went unde r by 24 runs to Munster 14 overs. and in the decisive match against South At no time did North Leinster shape as leinster were forced to struggle all the if they might ge t the runs. Gerry Murphy way in a low·scoring encounter. David performed for his side the role of a sheet· Pigot, who missed the fi nal because of a anchor batsman as stubbornly as Roy holiday trip to Canada, was top scorer Harrison had done for the opposition, in thls match wi th 28, Goodwin, but whereas Ulster Country had batsmen O'Ri ordan and Oakes each taking three prepared to chase the runs at the opposite South leinsler wickets. end North Leinster had not. For one Most welcome is the news that next brief spell it seemed as if Enda McDermott season an effo rt is to be made to play might fulm this function, but after making the Gui nncss Cup once again on an all· some splendid blows, he was caught by Ireland basis with cross· Border competi· Deryck Harrison off the bowling of Dermot tion ri ght through the summer and not Monteith for II - only the second North solely, as in 1974, in the final. A region- Leinste r batsman to get into double alised format takes h om the status of the figures on a wicket that did take a bit of competition in that the two best teams turn towards the close but could ne ver be Jim Hurrison, Wuriligs/owI' & Ire/fwd may nol necessaril y fin ish in the top two described as really favo uring the bowlers. spots in the points table and also in the A rigid adherence to a correct tech- fact that a big score hit up by a southern nique with shots played beautifully along way to the rm al they defeated Ulster batsman might not be of equal merit 10 a the ground - but generally straight to a Town by 142 runs (Roy Harrison com· similar score by a northern counterpart, fi elder - was a major factor in North piling the top score of 84 and Mo nteith forwith in ternationals Monteith, Anderson Leinster's dismal failure to ge t even wi th- and Elde r each grabbing five wickets) and Elder, Roy Torrens and Simon Corlett all in reasonable striking distance of the by 111 ru ns (Jim Harrison hitting a belonging to Ul ster d ubs, the standard of targe t set them. Mention though must be century and Unehan 64 on this occasion) the bowling is much highe r in northern made of Alfie Linehan's astute fie ld and against North West by eight wickets cricket. placings and the tidiness of the bowling at r------c------The pacemen, john Elde r and Be rtie McGill did their job well of containing the batsmen. Elder, for good measure also took the wicket of Brian Bunworth, but • it was the spinners, Monteith and Anderson, who mopped up the leaden· footed Leinster batsmen. With no one prepared to use their feet and go down Ie the wicket, the Ireland team·mates had a field day. In the course of taking 5 for 24 in 17 overs Monteith became the fir st player to complete 100 ·wickets in the weD Guinness Cup competition. In the process, he created a second record in that his total of 21 wickets for the season beat the done skipper previous best of 20 set by Scot Huey (North West) in 1969 and equalled a year later by Bob McComb (Ulster Town), both also spinners. Monteith now has 103 Downpatrick farmer Alfi e Linehan will wickets under hls belt - his nearest rival remember the summer of 1974, but not being Dougie Goodwin with 79. onl y for the fact that an ext re mely we t Anderson's final figures were 4 for 27 September made the bringi ng in of the . in 15 overs. For him it was a memorable ha rves t one of the most difficult for match. During the Ulster CQ untry innings many years. Alfie !.intI/ali (Dowllpatrickj photographed the he became the second playe r - the first That factor gave Alfie many head- day he was appoillled O1ptaill of The Irish Teanl was Munster's Pat Dineen - to top June /974. aches, but he has happier memories of {Pllotograph by courtesy of The Belfast I , 18 UINNESS CUP STATISTICS 1974 GU1NNESS CRICKn CUP STATISllCS BAlTlI DE MAIN DEALER S EliNE allDD ,jrfCiTANEYILTD ALL MAKES OF NEW CARS SUPPLIED LARGE SELECTION O F Q UA LITY US ED C A RS GOATSTOWN . DUBLIN 14. PHONE 987166 Modern Service Department El ectronic Engine Tuni ng 19 Mr. G.A. Copinger (guest speaker) photographed with Mr.N.H.Lush durillg {he October meeting of The Irish D'icket Socie{y ill Dublin 1974. Jolm 10rsney recently elected {o {he Commiltee of {he Irim Cricket Society Dr. 11. Rish . lIeadl1l(fster The Masonic School All eyes on Brit/n Freer· Captain Phoenix C. C. during fhe Mid·Summer BavarulII evening. Dublin Left /0 right · Mrs. Joyce Lush. Mr. Jack Carroll (President Phoenix e.e.) alld Mrs. Margaret Brennan 20 PhOlOgr(lphed (lllhe Mid·Summer Evening gh'en by th e Phoenix Crieket Gub (Ire left to right - Tommy Keams (Honor:ary Treasurer) Kevin Fitzp(ltrick (General Mall(lger Merchalll &nking) sponsors Norman H. Lush (Presidel!l 17le Irish Cricket Society) and Brend(ln Carroll (Phoenix eej" A group Stephell All Taoise(lch (the Prime Minister) Mr. Li(lm T.D. , watching play from the Pavilion Jack BUller, HOIIOfary Tre(lsurer of The Iridl Balcony during the Jre/(lnd/M. cc. g(lme at College Park accom{XInied by Mrs. Cosgral't' (partly Cricket Society hiddell) his daughter Mary (lnd sOli Li(lm. 21 Get together witlia Guinness GO 00'" 22 oLn weLUngtonion When the Old Wel li ngtonians returned and Mordaunt followed in quick succes· thought we would add a touch of class. from Ire land ir, 1972 fo llowing a week of sian. Indeed Mordaunt who a few weeks and experi ence to the side by including a en tertaining cricket and unparalleled hos- before had hit top score for the M.C.C. past captain of the Rest of the World pitality they promised that another lour against Iretand survived the same number Taverners, unfortunately he was still re- wo uld be arranged for 1974 . An added of balls as the elder statesman although covering from his exertions in Cork the incent ive was the opportunity to lake the latter admitted grudgingl y that previous weekend and could not be pre- part in the Cork County Cen tenary Mordaunt had at least made contact with vailed upon to play. The O.W.'s having celebrations and also to meet again the his fi rst delivery. Lockett and Streatfeild won the toss again lost two quick wickets, two Dublin that we had entertained added 80, and Bawden and Fuller a but thanks to Lockett, Bawden and during OUf Cricket Weeks both this year fu rther 35 before Lynman's bowling and Streatfeild we re able to declare at 188-8, and last. Thus it was that fo ur cars set Ba wden's calling caused a collapse from despite ski lful bowling by Bernstein and off from variOIlS parts of England, at a 147·5 to 162 all out. Irwin , ever patient Duffy. Leinster neve r really got going, ridiculous hour in the morning, to catch and McDowell started solidly for Pem- and only a lively eight-wicket stand the midday ferry from Li verpool to broke, but after lea wickets began to fall between Kn ight and Kent took them to Dublin on Friday, August 16th. against the spin of Fuller and Thornton. 162-8. But then came a game v Y.M.C.A. The fi rst ga me on Sat urday was an all Defea t fo r Pembroke seemed certain with which proved even more exciting than nine wickets down and fifteen minutes day fix ture against Pembroke. The laller that against Carlisle. A stand of '138 left but Mor ia rty, it could have been were below strength with five of theiT between Mordaunt and Lockett enabled Bailey, and Lynman held for a draw. se nior players being involved in the O.W.'s to declare at 189-3, and Banks and Indeed, they came within 13 runs of Guinness Cup. However tltis gave Moriarty Mordaunt had five wickets down for less an opportunity to show us the first of the the match. than SO. McKenzie fresh from a successful three styles he was going to adopt during Nex t day we had a thrilling SO-over tour with Railway Union tried to sweep the course of the tour. Looking rather game v Carlisle . Wh en the seventh Carlisle his side to victory but fe ll predictably to like an Irish Cartwri ght he soon had the wicket fe ll fo r 73 on a plumb wicket, visi tors in trouble . His first ball was a mainly to accurate bowling by Mordaunt, the guile of Fuller. This contest was to be vi cious leg-cutter the type of which the the match seemed doomed to an early repeated the next day again st Phoenix elder statesman, who had been assured by fi nish. Then Stephen Molins played what and sadly Jim succumbed in the same all that his experience as opening batsman several O.W.'s described as the finest way. Then, fo r the fourth successive day, was vital to ge t the tour off to a sound attacking innings they had ever fielded a lower-order Irish batsman came to the sta rt, had not seen before. The ball to. In little ove r an hour he hi t 117, rescue to hit our bowling all over the struck him firmly on the pad and he was including four 6's. Thornton so successful fiel d. Davis, an 18-year-old, batted bril- just about to turn dejectedly towards the the day before had figures 2-0-28-0_ liantly for 73; and with Tipping playing pavilion when he realized that the bowler, Obernick played stubbornly fo r 3 1, and st,eadily these two added 105 to take a true gen tleman, had not appealed. (I together in this time they added 134_ Y.M.C.A. within 35 runs of victory with can think of at least one umpire who Carlisle declared at 208-9. With Fuller" four wickets still in hand. Then Davis was would not have needed the promptings Streatfeild and Mordaunt scoring quickly, bowled and Tipping was traitorously of an appeal!*). The second ball un· O.W.'s we re 175·4 and up with the clock; thrown ' out by Moriarty substituti ng as fortunately was deadlier than the fi rst, then wickets bega'n to fall and runs to wicketkeeper who having shown us bo;th swingi ng away innocentl y in the air before dry up. With two overs left 14 were Cartwright and Bailey now produced' a breaking back off the pitch, finding the needed, but Simon bowled Mordaunt and gap between bat and pad and hitting the finished three runs short. Still run out of which Alan Knott would have middle stump. The elder statesman looked if the elder statesman had hit the last ball been proud. But McCready banged a disconsolate, the bowler apologetic but for four the O.W.'s would have won. quick 20 and with last over called all was to be forgotten when eight days A. Woolfe, Simon and Davies bowled Y.M.C.A. needed 4 to win with two later this same player was chaired from particularl y we ll in the closing stages. wickets in hand. Banks's first ball bowled the Mardyke after completing the highest For the game against Leinster the McCready. This brought in the home side score of the Old WeUi ngtonian wi nnings. ground looke d an absolute picture with a captain who having struck a single was But back to Pembroke where the O;W.'s petfect batting wicket under a cloudless tragically run out next ball leaving the we re soon in deeper trouble when Flood sky. The O.W.'s were one short and we O.W.'s victors by two runs. 23 Uur linal match in Dublin, v Phoenix in which four were won, three drawn and 19 August v Leinster. O.W.'s 188·8 was scarcely less eventful. While O.W. one lost and no less than six results were declo (Lockett 58 , Streatfeild 53, Bawden wickets fe ll steadily to the six PhQenix in doubt at the start of what would in any 24, Duffy 3-47, Bernstein 2·25). Leinster bowlers, Flood hit an astonishing maiden case have had to be the last over. We 162-8 (c. Jones 4 1, Kent 37+, Knight century at a blistering rate, which perhaps would strongly 'recQmmend any club who 24, Banks 3·34, Mordaunt 2-41). Drawn. not surprisingly did not include a boun- want to play good cricket in extremely 20 August v Y.M.C.A. O.W.'s 189·3 dary in front of the wicket on the off hospitable surroundings to take a look decl. (Mordaunt 78+, Lockett 51+). Y.M . side. Out of 187-9 declared , he scored at the possibility of Ireland. The Old C.A. 187 (Davis 73, Tipping 53, McCready 105; he was twice badly dropped, once Wellingtonians certainly intend to re turn 20, Banks 5·47, Mo rdaunt 2·5 1). O.W.'s by gully greedy for a simple skier to in 1976. won by 2 runs. extra cover, and these mistakes were to cost Phoenix the match. Thornton helped • Answers on a postcard please to the 21 August v Phoenix. O.W.'s 187-9 10 add 43 for the seventh wicket, and Secretary, Old Wellingtonian Cricket Club. declo (Flood 105, Black 2·39, M. Brown Chris Potter and Meyer managed a cheer· 2·34, Halliday 2-52). Phoenix 140 (West ful 26 in the last three overs. Phoenix 49, Halliday 32, Potter 5·38, Fuller 3·27). reached 74·1 thanks to West and Condon, O.W.'s won by 47 runs. but then wickets tumbled to the spin of 23 August v Cork County (25 overs). Potter and Fuller. Halliday looked like Cork County I 52·3 (Bradley 59, J. Kiernan saving the game, but when he was caught 57, Ban ks 2·37). O.W.'s 153-6 (Lockett the 15·year-old Pigot and Peter Black had 51, Bawden 35+, Fuller 22+, O'Donnell to survive four overs. This they looked SCORES 2·39). O.W.'s won by 4 wickets. like doing until, with the last ball of the 17 August v Pembroke. O.W.'s 162 24 August v Cork County. O.W."s last over, Fuller hit Black's off·stump (Streatfeild 43, Locketl40, Lynman 4·44, 209-8 declo (H. Poller 62, Boycott 49, with a perfect googly for O.W.'s to win Moriarty 2·11). Pembroke 149·9 (Irwin Streatfeild 38, Flood 29, Wilson 3·44, by 47 runs. 36, Moriarty 29, Fuller 5·53, Thornton Wolridge 2·26, Fitzgerald 2·61). Cork In Cork 'we played three games against 4-25). Drawn. County 92 (Tynan 26, C. Potter 5·23, the County, all on the Mardyke ground. H. Potier 3-30). O.W.'s won by 117 runs. In the first, a 25-over match, Kiernan and 18 August v Carlisle (50 ove rs). Carlisle Bradley scored 120 for the first Cork 208-9 (S. Molins 11 7, Obernick 31, 25 August v Cork County. Cork County wicket, and when the ove rs run out had Mordaunt 5·91, C. Potier 3-38). O.W.'s 164 (Durity 57, Hickey 29, Wolridge 24, reached 152-3. Thanks to Lockett and 205·7 (Fuller 65, Streatfeild 44, Mordaunt Devine 22, Fuller 5·59, C. Potier 2-38). Bawden , we reached 105-2, but declined 38, A. Woolfe 3-67, Davies 2·37, Simon O.W.'s 103·8 (Meyer 21, D. Short 5·37, 10 122·6; then Fuller joined Bawden, and 2-50). Carlisle won by 3 runs. Wolridge 3·29). Drawn. with last over called they needed 7 to win, and made it. For the two final , ______games we were form idably reinforced by Robin Boycott and Hugh Potter. In the all·day game on 24th August these two, having arrived before breakfast by the night fe rry, added 89 for the first wicket, and with Flood and Sireatfeild scoring ANSWERS fast we declared at 209·8. Cork never mastered the off·spin of the Poller brothers, and were dismissed for 92. Usted below are the answers to the For our last match in Ireland, Cork Competition in the summer issue of produced their best performance. They "Irish Cricket". started badly and were 65·6; then, yet The only correct sel of answers was from again, an Irish tail wagged, Durity hit 57, Mr. C. Clear, The Studio, Ru_sh, Co. Hickey 29 and Wolridge 24. O.W. 'sslumped Dublin, who will be presented with his 10 40-5 against fine fast bowling by prize at the Society Dinner to be held in D. Short only recently returned from Dublin on January 10th 1975. sea. It was a great pity that his elder brother could not play but he was in the I . C.S. Chappell (Australia) v New middle of some important examinations. Zealand 380 [247 & 133] in 1974. Then amid general disbelief, the elder 2. W.R. Hammond, E. R.T. Holmes, D.B. statesman achieved a spirited 21, and Carr, and F.G. Mann. Lockett and Fuller saw O.W.'s to a rather 3. False! Their totals are equal. Boucher lucky draw at 103·8. Here , too, the 307 @ 15.25, Trueman 307 @ 21.57. result was in doubt when the final over 4. F.E. Wooley. was called; two wickets would have given 5. Century in First Test. Cork a deserved victory. 6. G.M. Turner. The Old Wellingtonian Cricket Club 7. Leinster 15 outright wins, once through the Irish Cricketer would like to shared. thank Leinster Cricket Union, Cork 8. Nine in 19720,0·,0·,0"' ,0·,0·,0·,0"', County Cricket Club and the five clubs O. we played in Dublin very m\-lch for 9. Beadman headed the Australian aver- Ciaral1 Clear, Rush C.C giving us such an enjoyable ten days. ages. 396 runs average 56.57. Remarkably we did nol lose a single 10. W.R. Hunter, J. McKelvey, J.R. Not ley, minute's play through eight days cricket ' K. Quinn or MJ . Dargan. 24 Ao ONE ENCLIotIMAN oEEo IT by James D. Coidltam - Editor The Journal of the Cricket Society - London. Member of M.C. C. 's Arts and Library Committee and author o!"Northamptollshire Cricket A HislOry" • • The editor has invited me, in his mag- nanimous way, to contribute 10 this issue, but I must confess that, although he honours me, I stand here in some trepidation as I am not an Irishman and have never scored a run, taken a wicket or held a catch on behalf o f any com· bination from the Emerald Isle. (Con' verseiy, I have never achieved anything so ., meritorious against any such combination either!). Before I bow myself out, how- ever, I must add that I am not here entirely under false pretences. Indeed, I am a firm admirer of this excellent publication (the fust of its kind 'in Ireland); have delighted in several broc- hures issued in recent years by va ri ous Irish cri cketing bodies; and have either met or corresponded with several notable Irish enthusiasts, including Patrick Hone, the historian of Irish cri cke t, sometime President of the Irish Cricket Union and captain of All Ireland at cricket. Since 1970, as editor of the Journal of The Cricket Society, truly an inter- national body. I have had few greater pleasures than the receipt of copies of Irish Oieket and brochures from Irish clubs, thoughtfully and wisely seot fo r review. They all reveal ' the other side of Irish life' and open up a dim ension that is far removed from the media and its jim Co/dham obsession with news of blood and strife. The cri cke t world may be small, but it is happy and convivial, and when the adver- tisers raUy round (in the pUblications) we cri cket ge nerally and contributions to- Hone (The Kerryman Ltd., Tralee) ap- can witness the association of cricket and wards a fuller understanding of Irish life. peared in 1955. its fe llowship with the acceptable face of These publications have reminded at least Twenty years ago, like many other good and constructive business projects one Englishman that. until modern times, cri cket lovers, I was aware, albeit rather and products. there was practicall y no Irish cricket vaguely, of the Meldons, Hones, Gwynns. Such publications as Irish Criekel, Tile literature worthy of the name. In the last Kellys, Lamberts and Macdonalds, of Creolesl Years in NOr/h· West Cricket, century, annual HOlldbooks were edited Shearer, Pollock, Ingram, Boucher. Bergin /919- J941 (published 1969), The Lepre- by J. Lawrence and monographs, Early and others; it was onl y the authoritative chau lls Handbook 1974, Old Belvedere Cricket ill Ireland and Irish Cricketers in Cricket iI/ Ire/and, with its sensitivity, Oickel Club Silver Jubi/ee, 1950-1974, the United Slates, /879, we re written by conviviality and nostalgia illuminating the Cork Counly O ickel Club Centenary, A.T. Samuels and H.W. Brougham res- facts of the case, which could place them /874-1974, and Cricket & pectively, all of which 3re now very rare in perspective fo r SQ many of us. lAwlI Tellnis Club, J874- 1914 are among and collectors' items, but there was little I found it a riveting book and, sub· the splendid trail-blazers for the cause of else until Oicke, ill Ireland by W. Patrick sequently, had t he great pleasure of 25 corresponding with Mr. Hone. He was ('Kit'); and Patrick himself who, as cap- Na thaniel, junior, earned his Blue at interested to know how the book had tain of Ireland, made 92 agai nst Scotland Cambridg.e as a wicket-keeper; he died come to my notice in the United Kingdom, at the Grange in 191 3. Practically all the tragically the same year (1881), through as, besides the shortage of newsprint and others represented Ireland at one time or the mistake of a chemist's assistant, who consequent pressure on review space in another. had fi lled a bottle labelled 'Senna' with the chief English papers, there was 'the William, se nior, one of the five names carbolic acid. A Rugbeian, Leland went lack of any organization among Irish mentioned in the paragraph on Ireland in as wicket-keeper with the team to Aus- publishers for distribution in England'. the article on cricke t in the 1911 edition tralia in 1878·79, captained by Lord I was able to advise him that I had learnt of Encyclopaedia Britannica, was a free- Ha rris. He performed creditably behind of his History through Leslie Gutteridge, scoring batsman, who could drive furious- the stumps, but was disappoin ting with then of Epworth Books; I am wondering ly; on the shoulder of his bat was cut in the bal. His eldest brother, Nathaniel, whether methods of distribution are any old English lettering JEHU. His youngest senior, captained the first overseas touring more effective these days for books of son, the impetuous Kit , tended to bat side from Ireland - to the 'United States quality and discernment. and bowl at full speed - in a minor match and Canada in 1879, when he was accom- What a remarkably talen ted and ver- he once scored 100 in twenty-eight panied by four other cricketing members satile family the Hones were - one of the minutes - but his youngest, Joseph, of the family! earliest of Ireland's great cricketing (and became a beautiful stroke- maker. In fact, I could continue wi th screeds on the sporting) fa milies. Leland Hone remains they were all attractive batsmen. William, prowess and versatility of the Hone one of the only two men, I believe, to junior, was generally considered the best family, but will resist the temptation to have played for both Ireland and England; of the family. When large scores were do so. It is only fair to remember notable the other, of course, is Sir Timothy not so common as they are today, he families and give them their due - 'Let us O'Brien: There was quite an overlap of exceeded a century four tinles in one praise all famous men'! - and the Hones generations and, at one time, the Hone season, and some years later (1881) have laid very Significant sporting fou n- family could field a first-rate cricket scored 225 for Na Shuler versus North of dations in Ireland. I understand from eleven. Ireland. His brother, Jeffrey, also reached the editor that Patrick Hone is, happily. The best-known players were Patrick's a double century in the same year, still wi th us at the age of 88, therefore, father, William, senior; uncles Nathaniel, against Dublin Garrison. may I conclude by saluting this major senior, Joseph and Leland; cousins William, of the elder members developed historian and senior Irish cricketer most junior, Jeffrey, Thomas and Nathaniel, their game at St. Columba'S; others at sincerely? junior; brothers Joseph and Christopher Rugby or Wellington or in the Army. 7. What is the highest 4th innings total of a side losing a Test match? 8. Name the two players who provide the only instance of a batsman on each side scoring two separate 100's in the same Test match? ; 9. a) Who won the Leinster Senior League in 1956? b) Who Wan the Northern Cricket Union Senior League in 1956? 10. How ma ny times did A.R. Morris claim the wicke t of TEASERS A.V. Bedser in Test cricket? QUESTIONS All readers of Irish Cricket are invited to submit entries for this competition. The senders of the first three co"ect 1. Which current English County Captain has scored 300 list of answers to be opened win the prizes. The Editor's runs in one day in a first class match? decision is final. 2. Who is the only player to score a century at Lord's on his Test debut? Closing date for entries - January 31st 19 75. 3. Which batsman had the misfortune to score 98 and 97 in the same Test Match? The first three co"ect replies opelled will each receive £4 Book Tokens - which it is hoped the willners will use to 4. In 1973 only one player achieved the ma tch double enhance their libraries. of 100 runs and 10 wickets in fi rst class cricket. Who ? 5. What is the last occasion where two brothers have Entries to: each scored centuries in the same first class match in Irish Cricket Competition, England? "Margretta" 6. Who scored a test cen tury in January, February and 364 Tonlegee Road, March of the same year against different opponents Raheny, Dublin 5. in each case? 26 THE NEW WIGGINS TEAPE L by Quick Scorer • • To Ireland's oldest cricket club, Phoenix, fell the distinction of becoming the first winners of the Wiggins Teape League. Such a result was to some observers slightly ironical in view of the same club's known opposition over the years to li mited overs cricket - the format of the new competition. That their victory was thoroughly deserved was recognised by each and every one of their rivals, even if the trophy did not become exclusively thei rs until the very last day of the season, September 2 1st. Afte r an ignominious exit from the L.einstcr Senior Cup - another overs competition - they entered into the spirit of the Wi ggins Teape League with such gusto that of the other clubs only Clontarf managed to keep up a challenge to the ve ry end and then even had the Cas tl e Avenue side won the fmal match of the season against Pembroke would only have been entitled to a share with Phoenix of the splendid trophy that went to the winners of the compe tition. As things turned out Clontarf fail ed unexpectedly in that encounter to take Mr. BrendQn McGrQ th (President n,e Leinster frickel Unionl presentillg Ihe new Wiggins Trope advantage of a situation that seemed to 'roplly to Mr. Brum Freer (CDptQin Plloenix frickel Club) whose leQm had won this troph)' in its play righ t into their hands. Against a initial year - 1974). Alro ineluded is Mr. Pat SIIeeh)' (Marketing Director· Wiggins TeQpe (Irellmd) much-weakened Pembroke XI they fa iled Lid., ....ho presented Q cheque for £.100 10 tile winnillg teQm. to grasp the initiative and we nt down inglo ri ously. The trophy was Phoenix's David Pigot, Stan Oakes, David Ensor, top in the Saturday match and Pembroke, oU lrigiu - adequate compensation for Eamonn Mullan , Gordon Black, Gerry though missing the services of Alan Parker, being pipped at the post by Old Belvedere Murphy, Brian Freer, Harte Cox, Michael who was 12th man in Wales, dismissed in the Leinster Senior" League played in J-lalliday , Dermot Condon, Stan Mitchell them for 96 the following day, Phoenix the opening half of the season. and others all rose to the occasion on at title aspirations djmmed almost to ex- Essentially, Phoenix's triumph was least one afternoon as valu able points tinction. Halliday and Oakes proved the charach:rised by unselfish team-work were ga rnere d at a rate in excess of that spark to set their hopes aglow again . rather than individual achievement. TIlere of any other club. Between them they mopped up,Pembroke were admittedly several crucial batting For Phoenix the vital period was fo r 62. .. and bowli ng performances in the course probably the weekend late in August the TIlere was much fine cricket and of the successful campaign , but each and Irish team travelled to Colwayn Bay to several other exciting matches during the eve ry Phoenix player who appeared in oppose Wales. The Phoeni x Park club, course of the campaign. In making no the competition, made some contribution notably without Pi go t on international changes at all in the format for 1975 the of varying degrees of merit somewhere duty and Mitchell, we re doubly engaged. legislators clearl y took account of the along the road to ultimate victory. Y.M.C.A. and Pembroke especially looked fa ct that the competition's rules as orWn- Players with the big re putations and like providing the kind of oppositjon that ally drawn up had not sca rcely got a those who have yet to make it on the could bring Phoenix's challenge to an square deal in a season adversely affected representative front all played a part. abrupt end. When V.M. e.A. came out on by the weather to a depressi ng degree. 27 Significantly it was a recommendation fair to blame such a state of affairs on to Phoenix on a splendid feat in adjusting from the senior club captains that the the players. their game and strategy to the require- Leinstcr Cricket Union's executive com- A system of awarding bonus points ments of a new competition which, most mittee acted on in reaching their status fo r batting lind bowling would preclude ge nerously sponsored by Wiggins Teape quo decision. The players, by inference: such a nega tive si tuation cropping up (Ireland) Ltd. to the tune of £' 1,000, were in the main Sa tisfied with the rules again next season, it was argued by some. gave a tremendous fillip to the game in as they were framed, or at least felt they Many knowledgeable judges of what's Leinster. were worthy of another examination best fo r the game in Ireland at club level Phoenix's share of those spoils was under more favourable conditions. While are opposed to bonus points for a variety £.300, with Clontarf pocketing £200 as some advocated change, the temptation of reasons, but there was support for a their reward for finishing second in the to take such a course was resisted. campaign that they should be given a paints table. Eve n the side which fini shed Yet whether the present format is chance of showing their value, even on an eighth of the ten competing clubs, in this ideal is open to doubt in some minds at experimental basis for one season. There case Carlisle, took £50 from the kitty. least. There were occasions last summer was no denying their merit in helping Wit h this money being ploughed back when the winning of the match points maintain interest to the very last delivery into the ga me primarily in the purchase had been irrevocably decided- by an earl y of every match. of new and better equipment for young stage of the afternoon so that the later No doubt the arguments for and players, cricket in Leinster, and indeed play was divested of urgency and real against will be debated anew next autumn. ultimately in the entire country, must competitiveness. It would be totally un- In the meantime congratulations yet aga in benefit to a significent degree. MULLINGAR C.C. OPEN NEW GROUND Many interested parties drove their cars to Mullingar on Wednesday 12th June for the official opening of the new cri cket ground at Mount Murray. All those invited assembled in the Greville Arms Hotel for a reception pri or to the lunch. Having enjoyed a splendid lunch speeches were made by Pat Fletcher (President - Mullingar C.c.), Norman H. Lush ( President . The Irish Cricket Socie ty), John Hunter (President - Irish Cricke t Union), Brendan McGrath (President - L..ein ster Cricket Union) and Mi chael Brennan (representing the President of Leprechauns). All in turn wished Mullingar every success in this most exciting enterprise , and offered all support to the new club. nle Muflingar Q-ickel Tea m Photographed wilh some of Ihe penonaliliel who were prelenl al IiiI' TIle game to offi cially open the ground Qpenillg of the I/e w groUlld al Mou/If Murray lUII/o' 12th 1974. F'roII I - L to R NOrT/lim 11. Lush (Praidellli. CS.), Barry /Jail" (11011. Treal. Mullingar C.c.), was between Mullingar C.C. and Lepre- Pot Fletcher (Pra idelll Mul/ingar CC). Dick O'Neill (OJptOill), 101m lIulller (Presidell( I.C. II.) ch'! uns. Wuming the toss Leprechauns • OIO,lie (})uper (P.R.O.) olld BreI/don McGrQlh (President C1I.) batted first , and it was soon apparent the wicket here was very good indeed. David said it was the most exciting and unusual wicket falling when the score stood at l1igot and Terry Leon got the vi sitors tea they ever had during a cricket match. 150. away to a good start! and it was nice to After the tea interval John Following the ga me aU went to the see David Pigot back in form. He made offi ciall y opened the ground and " local" for refreshments, and once again 51 - Tony Leon contributed 20 while presented a key to Pat Aetcher to mark some more excellent food. One prominent Jeff Smith hit 29 and Jan Cox 44 not out the occasion. cricke t official was heard to say he had when the declaration came with Mullingar made a very rm e reply to never had 3 meals supplied by the hosts Leprechauns 171 for 6 wickets. AJan the teprechauns total and were unlucky during over 25 years playing and tltis Murray was the most successful bowler to lose by 21 runs. Charlie .Couper made speaks for the outstanding hospitality for Mullingar taking 2 wickets for 12 a splendid 38 and was we U supported by extended to all who attended tills runs. Eddie Shaw (23) and Larry PickweU (28 wonderful day at Mount Murray which Tea was taken between winnings' and not out). The most successful bowlers was blessed with a lovely sunny day on a what a tea it was. Fresh Trout was lor Leprechauns were Niall McCOnneU most pictureSQ uc new gr()und. Congratu- served together with many other wonder- with 2 wickets for 12 runs while Jeff Smith lations and Best Wishes Mullingar for a ful dishes, and aU who were entertained had figures of2 for 14 . The last Mullingar long and prosperous future_ 28 THE IRISH SCHOOLS XI V CORK CO AT THE MARDYKE, CORK. • Saturday and Sunday. 20th and 21st July. by FrQnk Mo"ison • The I rish Schools were honoured in being invited by Cork County Cricket Oub to play them at the Mardyke. as part of their Centenary Year celebrations. It was also a privilege to meet the President of Ireland the latc Mr. Erskine Childers who graced the match with his presence. The Schools won the toss and elected to bat. They got off to a good start and had SO on the board fo r the loss of the openers, D. Simpson and R. Law. N. Smith and D. Allen went quickly and at 60 fo r fou r Cork County could feel reasonably happy with their morning's work. Then J. Biscomb joined H. Bingham, and these two put on 139 for the fifth wicket. Bingham. using his fee l 10 the slowe r bowl ers, scored freely all round the wicket and had 10 boundaries in his attractive 86. Biscomb. displaying a calm and authoritative touch, hi t seven boun- , • daries in his 51. Both departed with the score on 199, and with A. Ford striking a quick 21, the innings was declared closed at 231 for 8. I. Charniker was the mos t successful of the Cork County • bowlers with 2 for 30. 17le Lote PreSident of ireland Mr. Erskinc Childers speaking at the opellillg of the Cork Cou/Ily The home side got off to a bad start, Cricket Club's CCllleilory Week cefebrotiOlIS. P. Dineen being bowled fi rst ball by a (PholQ by courtesy of the Cork t.'xi1minerJ lively A. Ford, and T. West falling to the same bowler soon afterwards. D. Giltenan and J. Kiernan ba tted sensibly and saw M. Woolridge. They failed to accomplish had made 34, with two towering sixes and the 50 up, but then both were out. P. this and were all out for 130. M. Woolridge, three fours. With O'Donnell's departure Tynan and B. O'Donnell both failed, as fo ur for 18, and B. Wilson, four for 41, the Schools breathed sighs of relief, and did M. Woolridge, and at stumps that were the main wickeHakers. J. Whittaker, 46 not out, and M. Woolridge eve nin g, with the score at 99 for seven, When Cork County went in again, baited Qut time. The most succes$ful the question of a follow-on loomed large. needing 226 to win, and about three SchObls' bowler was D. Simpson, with This indignity was avoided next morning, hou rs to get the runs, P. Dineen batted three for 41. thanks to a patient innings of 22 by J.. with great circumspection, but had the All in all, a good match. with both Whittaker, and the innings closed at a misfortune to strain a ligament when he sides gaining some satisfaction from it. modest 136. A. Ford had three for 43, . appeared well set. D. Giltenan and P. The Schools had the valuable experi ence and off-spinner D. Simpson, five for 34. Tynan had only brief stays at the wicket, ' of playing a two-day match against fo r- The Schools fa red less well in their but J. Kiernan, 26, and T. West, 25, pulled midable opposition in preparation for second innings, although they were given the innings round. J. batted their subsequent encounter with Wales, a solid start by R. Law, 24, and D. cautiously but when 8. O'Donnell joined while Cork County rallied well from an Simpson, 15. H. Bingham was again in the h.irrt runs came free ly. O'Donnell's innings unpromising start. and at one stage. runs with 3 1, but after that it was a was a memorable one, full of bold strokes O'Donnell rampant, had victory in their procession as the tail-enders sought quick and a keen sense of urgency. When he fell, sights. runs off the bowling of 8. Wilson and caught and bowled by K. Campbell, he Many thanks to Cork County for a 29 splendid match, and fo r their superb hospitality . We congratulate them on their Centenary. 711e Late Presidem of Ireland. Mr. Erskine Chi/ders and Mrs. Childers greeting members of the . Cork County Cricket team during their visit to the Mardyke. The Late President is seen shaking mmds with Pat Dineen. IRISH SCHOOLS IRISH SCHOOLS CORK COUNTY First Innings Second Innings Second Innings D. Simpson b O'Donnell 24 D. Simpson c West b Gil tenan 15 P. Dineen c Napier b Simpson 16 .R. t.aw c Tynan b Giltenan 14 R. Law c Whittaker b Giltenan 24 D. Giltenan c Campbell b Sim pson 9 H. Bingham c West b Whittaker 86 H. Bingham b Wilson 31 T. West c Allen b Ford 25 N. Smith lbw Wilson 10 N. Smith b Wilson 8 J. Ki ernan Ib w Simpson 26 D. Allen b Woolridge 0 D. Allen b·Woolridge 2 P. Tynan b O'Gorman I J. Biscomb b Charniker 51 1. Biscomb st Tynan b Wilson 7 B. O'Donne.ll c & b Campbell 34 . D. Napier c Woolridge b Charniker 2 D. Napier st Tynan b Woolridge I I 1. Whittaker not out 46 A. Ford not out 21 A. Ford b Woolridge 0 M. Woolridge not out 9 D. O'Gorman run out 4 D. O'Gorman b Woolridge 0 N. Giltenan did not bat K. Campbell not out 3 K. Campbell b Wilson 12 1.8.1. Wilson did not bat I. Connolly did not bat I. Connolly not out 0 I. Charniker did not bat Extras 16 Extras 20 Extras 22 Total fo r 8 dec 23 1 Total 130 Total for 6 Wkts. 188 Bowling o. M. R. w. Bowling Bowling N. Giltenan 12 I 33 I o. M. R. w. o. M. R. w. 8. O'Donnell 15 I 53 I N. Gillenan 12 3 39 2 A. Ford 13 5 24 I LB. Wilson 16 4 46 I B. O'Donnell 4 I 12 0 D. Napier 9 I 24 0 M. Woolridge 12 3 30 I 1. 8. Wilson 13 2 41 4 D. O'Gorman 8 I 27 I I. Charniker 6 0 30 2 M. Woolridge 6 I 18 4 D. Simpson 17 4 41 3 J . Whittaker 5 0 23 I 1. Whittaker 5 0 18 I K. Campbell 16 I 51 I CORK COUNTY First Innings ••••• e •••• e .••••• P. Dineen b Ford 0 • The famous • D. Giltenan lbw Simpson 21 • T. West b Ford 3 CAMY Y5bflut'a..i- • • accurate • J. Kiernan c & b Napier 32 • • P. Tynan c Napier b Simpson 13 • • B. O'Donnell b Napier 10 • • J. Whittaker c & b Simpson 22 • • M. Woolridge b Ford 15 • • N. Giltenan not out 6 • • I.BJ. Wilson c Napier b Sim pson 7 • • I. Charniker b Simpson 0 •• Extras 7 Total 136 Bowling o. M. R. w. Sofe Agen ts in Ir eland: A. Ford 21 7 43 3 D. Napier 15 3 30 2 MOLINO WATCH CO. D.O'Gorman 8 I 20 0 30/ 31 SOUTH KING STREET, D. Simpson 14 6 34 5 D UBLI N 2 K. Campbell 2 2 0 30 degree by E.Murray Power The Irish lIlIiYel'sities ;111974 The Qlleeds lIlIiYersity Of Belfast • • In 1974 - the New University of Ulster became the first Irish Universi ties cricket cham- pions, Jack Short became the third Un iver- sities player to be selec ted for Ireland in three yean, the Irish Universities drew with the Leprechauns in a rain affected match, Queen's University finished bottom of Section I of the N.C.U. Senior League and seemed destined for re legation. These arc the university headlines after a season (one hesitates to the word summer) when conditions tended to assist the bowler$ and so expose the great dearth of batting talen.t at the three principal cri ckeling universities. The triangular tournament took place iri June at the Queen's University grounds, the opening match being a duel between the two No rthern universities. The New University were dismissed fo r 101, a total which owed much to fi ve dropped catches and a dogged innings of 45 by Brian Stirling. John Davey (five for 39) and Des Kane (four for 31) shared the wickets for Queen's. The home team made a good sta rt in pursuit of this modest total, the E. Murray Power, Belfast openers adding 3 1 before the advent of Robert Murray into the attack precipitated a dramatic collapse. After some very tense cri cke t Queen's were aU out for 84, staff·student side, and their victories were of Brian Stirling (N.V.V.) and Richard Murray finishing with seven for 24. largely built on the performances of Greene of Trinity. A further blow was the This ·was the closest match of the Stirling and Murray, two players who do late withdrawal of Alan Hickey following tournament and in the event determined not appear for the University in league an injury. His place was taken by Peter the destination of the championship , cricket.. Searle of Trinity. since both teams subsequentl y had com· After the .tournament the Irish Univer· The representative match was played fortable victories over a weakened Dublin sities side was picked to play against the at College Park on the II th and 12th of University side. The New University's win Leprechauns. It was J. deW. Shaw (D.U.) July. The Leprechauns had assembled the again featured Murray and··Stirling, while Captain, J. Brennan (N.U.U.), J.1. Davey usual strong side in opposition, although Queen's, chasing. a Trinity score of 108 (Q.U.B.), C. D 31 been better had not one particular fielder for six the Universities had made a FuUerton of Queen's came to the wicket. felt disposed to drop four catches. challenging reply in 110 minutes' batting; In spite of the situation he really set By the close on the first day the a happy contrast with the timidity of the about the bowJing, making 65 in less than Universities had been reduced to total fi rst innings. an hour. He was batting with a runner for disarray, with their first innings reply Another good game; dominated by the much of his innings, but saved him from standing at 58 for seven after no less than bowlers, although this was perhaps in- too much exercise by scoring aU but five 45 overs, Gerry Delany's patient 21 being evitable considering the damp weather of his runs in boundaries - nine fours and the only innings wOrlhy of the name. On and the shortage of batting talent at the four sixes! the second morning some brigh t batting Universities. However, Gerry Delany bat- The team may not have won a match, by John Davey (22) and Gordon MeUon in each innings with great maturity but a display like this together with the (19) gave the total of 99 some respect- and showed himself to be as promising a very fact that Northern Ireland were back ability and revived morale considerably. player as any to represent the Irish at the tournament did much good for the Some of the bowling figures indicate the Universities, who once again proved that region's flagging reputation with the dominance which that department en· they can combine to produce a keen and Federation. It is to be hoped that some joyed. Alan Parker took three for 23, effective representative si de, even in a day an Irish Universities side, at fuU conceding only twelve scoring strokes in lean year. A word of thanks must go to strength fo r a change, will be able to 18 overs, willie Gerry Duffy's three for the Leprechau ns for their continuing participate in this excellent toumantenL 12 came in thirteen overs. support, and to Sir Arthur Galsworthy Who knows, it might even win! When they went in again the lep- The British Ambassador who most ge n- On the domestic front, both Trinity rechauns were looking for quick runs and erously entertained the players and offi c· and the New University finished in the a declaration. Clayton Jones, Ken Hope ials at his residence after the match. middle of their leagues, in the fonner case and Stephen Molins each made a quick Happily the Northern Ireland univer- largely on the st rength of their bowling twenty but accu rate bowling and some sities were again represented at the British attack, and in the latter due more to the very sharp ground fie lding resulting in Universities Sports Federation tournament efforts of staff than students. Queen's three run-outs kept a grip on the innings, at Edgbaston tms year. A team drawn had a terrible season, with only two wruch closed at 110 for six shortly before from Queen's and the New University batsmen finding fonn and a good bowling three o'clock. The stage was now set for traveUed to Birmingham in July to do attac.k being regularly let down by poor an exciting finish, with the Universities battle with the other regions. The first C3tchlng. They on1y won three league chasing t 71 in three hours on a wicket match, against Oxford, was washed out matches, although their victory over North which seemed to be playing more easily (literally!), and a game against their of Ireland was their first for fifteen than on the first day. Sadly it began to second string the Oxford Authentics was years. With a ruthless relegation policy r,lln the interval and the prospect lost after a poor all-round display. The currently in vogue in the Northern Cricket of a result receded. When the Universities last match against London University was Union it seems that the University is innings started it did so in a much the only one on the hallowed turf of the destined for Section II , in spite of the better vein than before. Jack Short made County Ground, and it produced one benefit to cricket as a whole which the a {luent 26, adding nearly fifty at a run a noteable performance. The Northern ire- presence of a university side at the top minute with Gerry Delany who on land reply to a London total of 200 had level can bring. to make 37. A further interruption by beCQme badly bogged down, and all rain made a draw inevitable, but at 107 chance of victory had gone when Archie The writer of tltis article had the good matches, especially Club Captains and fortune in July to stand, on each occasion young cricketers, must have learned a The with Joe Caprani, in two matches wltich great deal about tactics, about the skills were a much needed reminder of how which can be displayed by Captains and Four cricket should be played - and enjoyed. most of all about the proper way to Both were fought out in the best spirit enjoy a ga me of cricket. While there was of the game. Thanks to the inspired never any relaxation of effort, the manner Captains leadership of the Captains, both matches in which the games were played, challenges were obviously enjoyed by players and offered and taken, and umpires decisions of spectators alike, and perhaps most of aU accepted without hesitation, was a shining by the two Umpires. example of how the great game of cricket It is now cricket history that at College at its best should be played. the Year Park on Sunday, 21st July, Ireland and the It is a great pleasure for an old umpire M.C.C. scored an equal number of runs in with many years of experience of good a match played under Gillette Cup rules, class cricket to pay tribute to those and that Pembroke won a splendidly Captains who, in his opinion, have done fough t gaml>' against Railway Union in much in 1974 to enrich the game in the Senior Cup Final on Saturday 27th Ireland, and I have no hesitat.ion in July. But perhaps the most vivid impress- naming Messrs. Millett (M.C.C.), Linehan ion left after both these matches had (Ireland), Moulton (pembroke) and ended was the wonderful spirit in which Tipping (Railway Union) as my four they were played from start to finish. Captains of the Year. by Major W.E. P. Protheroe - Beyrloll. Everyone who watched these two 32 RETURN OF M.e.c. by Observer All cricket lovers throughout I re land were delighted when M.e.c. came to Dublin in July to play Ireland in two fi xtures. M.e.C. were unable to ful fill their visit in 1972, and so it was 4 years since an M.e.C. learn had come to Ireland. With- out doubt their visit was most important, and was indeed the highlight of the of the season. TIle three day game was played al the leinster Cricket Club ground at Rath- mines on Saturday, Monday and Tuesday, 20th, 22nd and 23rd July 1974. The weather throughout the three days was /lis Royailliglllless The Prince Philip Duke of Edinburgh Presidelll of Ih e M.C. C 1974/ 75 ideal fo r cricket and on winning the toss the M.e.C. Captain Freddie Millett had no hesitation in laking first use of the wicket. M.e.c. declared a{ 289 (or 9 wickets, with Kerry Thompson' (from Australia) making a very fine 60, and on a return visit to Dublin, (where on his last visit wi th Hampshire, Roy Marshall ' had scored 98 to be brilliantly ca!-lght going fo r his century before lunch) scored another very well compiled 57, and just I when it appeared Ireland were getting on • top Freddie Millet! made a very useful 44. The declaration came when M.C.C. had made 289 fo r 9 wickets, TIle most successful Ireland bowlers were Simon , Corle tt with 4 for 6 1 and Roy Torrens 3 for 49. Ireland replied with 163 in' their first innings the main contributions coming from the Irish Captain Alfie Linehan with a very well made 45, and Stanley Mitchell made a useful 33. The rest of the batting was poor and John Matthews took 5 for 47 willie Roger de Ville had figures of 3 k erry nlOll/pSOn At. CC about to dri,'e Dougie Goodwin (/reumd) in the 60 ol'e,s game lit for 63 with his well flighted leg breaks College l'Il,k. Roy Torrens isat slip. Eddie Bushe Wicket·Keepe' David MordaulII (M.CC) and googlies while Adrian Naugh ten had backillg up and Joe CIlprrmi (Umpire) 2 for 15, In their second innings M.C.C. scored to show any degree of accuracy was Anderson and Harrison fail twice in the at a very brisk rale due mainly to some Dougie Goodwin who took 2 fo r 43. same match, It is true to say the wicket very loose Irish bowling and bad fielding The Irish second innings was more was tak.ing a lot of turn from the beginning wit h at least 4 catches being pul down. positive than their first effort. David of the third day, and Freddie Millett Once again Ray Marshall played a most Pigot made a wonderful 50 before being with figures of 6 for 38, and Roger de entertaining innings and had reached 85 bowled by Freddie Millett and Ol hers Ville with 3 for 93 were too good for the not OUI when the declaration came at In who played very well were Simon Corlett Irish batting." M.C,C, had a vic lOry by 49 for 4 wickets - David Mordaunt made a 38, Ossie Colhoun 36, and Dermot runs, and it was indeed a tonic to see the well compiled 33. The only Irish bowler Monteith 34. It was djsappoinling to see world's premier club play again in ireland. 33 Roy Marshall (M.C.C) Rogerde Ville (M.c.c.) Adriall Na!lghrclI (/II.CC) Mike Mel/ce (M,CC) GILLETTE TVPE CRICKET bya Fall On the Sunday of their visit M.C.C. equal as they had lost fewer wickets. The overs game, and it is to be hoped that played Ireland in a 60 over game under result did nol matter - it was a wonder- more of these flXtures will be arranged Gillette Cup Rules. This flxture was ful day's cri cket, and the occasion was in future seasons. This is the type of staged at College Park and attracted a graced by the presence of the Prime cricket the public wants, and now that good crowd. M.C.C. had fi rst use of the Minister Mr. Liam Cosgrave T O., who Ireland no longer have their fIXtures wicket, and lost wickets quickly to Co rl ett, was accompanied by his charming lady listed as first class, the I.C.U. should Goodwin and Torrens, but a complete. together with his son and daughter. arrange at least two and perhaps three collapse was prevented by Kerry Thompson .Ireland did . ve ry well in this limited such fi xtures each season . and Mike Mence. David Mordaunt made an excellent 53 before he was caught at . IRELAND v M.C.C. PLAYED AT COLLEGE PARK, DUBLIN - . the wicket by Eddie Bush (playing his July 21st 1974 first representative game for Ireland) off (Played under Gillette Cup Rules) Ivan Anderson. Further good contributions came fro m Freddie Millett the M.C.C. Captain with 35 not out and John M.C.C. IRELAND Matthews who made a useful 15 batting G. Dawson b Co rlett 4 D. R. Pigo! c Marshall b Matthews 21 at number 9. At the end of 60 overs A.T. Davis b Torrens 9 J . Short b Mence 35 M.C.C. had reached 185 fo r 8. K. Thompson b Goodwin 28 J . Harrison c Bell b Mordaunt 31 Ireland commeneed we ll in their quest R. Marshall c Bushe b Corlett I I. Anderson b Menee 3 to reach 186 in the allotted overs. David M. Me nee b Anderson 14 S. Mi tchell Ibw Mordaunt 22 Pigot and Jack Short gave the side a OJ. Mordaunt c Bushe b Anderson 53 A. U nehan b de Ville 43 useful start making 21 and 35 respectively. F.W. Millett not out 35 J.D. Monteith lbw Millett 9 Jim Harrison continued the good work J. Bell c & b Torrens 7 R. Torrens lbw Millett 0 with a fine 3 1. The trish skipper Alfie J . Matthews c Bushe b Corlett 15 D.E. Goodwin b Matthews 0 Unehan who was top scorer with 43 A. P.MJ. Naughten not out I S.c. Co rl el t not out 4 played an excellent attacki ng innings and R.T. de Ville (did nol bat) E. Bushe c Thompson b de Ville 2 was well supported by Stan Mi tchell who Extras 18 Ext ras 9 made a useful 12. The remainder of the Total (for 8 WkIS.) 185 Total (all out) 185 batting feU away, and with two baUs to go in the final over Ireland needed one Bowling O. M. R. W. Bowling O. M. R. W. run to win with the las t pair at the wicke t. R. Torrens 12 2 34 3 J. Matthews 12 I 25 2 It proved too much fo r young Eddie S. Co rl ett 12 2 39 3 A.P.MJ. Na ughten 8 0 34 0 Bush who in his anxiety to ge l the Winning J. Monteith 12 3 31 0 F. Millett 12 2 31 2 run was caught at the wicket by Kerry Anderson 12 I 34' I M. Mence 12 2 24 2 Thompson of Roger de Ville and so ended Goodwin 12 I 29 I R. de Ville 3.5 0 19 2 a most exciting game with M.C.C. claiming OJ . Mordaunt 12 3 43 2 victory and Ireland saying the result was Result: M.e.C. won tillS game, having a draw. However, it would appear M.C.C. lost fewer wickets than Ireland even we re the victors though the scores were though the scores were equal. 34 by A.D. Leon Honorary Secretary Leprechauns' A party of Leprechauns with the President Jack Sterry included embarked on their fourth English Tour. These tours were commenced in 1969 and were followed by a second in 1970, and then it was decided that tours to England should be every two years, and the third was in 1972. For the 1974 tour six fix tures had been arranged, and for the fi rst time matches had been arranged against the British Army (in England) and the famous Forty Club, together with Finchley C.C. As usual the tour commenced with the pa rt y attending the Gillette Cup Final at Lo rd's on Saturday 7th September, but as this game was cancelled due to bad weather Leprechauns were unable to see this game on the fo tlowing Monda y. The first game was agai nst the British Nial/McConnell, Leprechauns & R.U.CC. Army at Aldershot on Sunday 8th Sep· tember . Winning the toss Leprechauns took first use of the wicket and made 194 for 9 wickets before the declaration came. Raj Ra mseroop batted very we tl , and was unlucky to be dismissed when just 2 short of his century. Tony Leon cont ri buted an agressive 46 and Jan Lewis made a useful 21. The Army's most successful bowle r was Major Shore who claimed 6 wicke ts fo r 44 ru ns. Right from the start of their innings the Army were in trouble against the skillful Nia ll McConnell who troubled all the batsmen without exception. Capt. Morgan made a most useful 37 and lance/Bombadier Presland contributed 26. With 15 minutes to go the last pair came toge ther and despite every effort by Leprechauns held out for a draw . McCo nnell was the most successful bowler Th e close relalionship bet ....'f!e n Essex C C.C and Leprechaul!f is expressed in the picture with Tom with 5 for 66, and Selwyn Davies returned Pearce, President Essex CC C and Michael Bren/um, /Jonorary Treasurer, Leprechauns. figu res of 2 for 6. The hospitality ex- tended by the Army to its guests was most ge nerous and Le prechauns have Winning the toss Essex took fi rst use of not out and Ray East and John Lewis been invited back to Aldershot during the wicket and scored 316 for 3 wickets. 'made useful contributions to the score. the 1976 tou r. Robin Hobbs who captained the side In reply Leprechauns made 168 - Ian On Monday 9th September we travelled scored a magnificent century. Keith Lewis batted ve ry well making 43 and to Chelmsford for our game lIgainst the Fletcher the English Test batsman made Bernie Vaughan, Niall McConnell and Essex C.C.C. on the county ground. a very well compiled and controlled 73 Selwyn Davies all batted well. 35 The third match of the tour was Enfield made a fine reply having Leprechauns made 176 for 7 wickets off against Finchley c.e. who batted fi rst reached 183 when the last wicket fell. the allotted 40 overs. Bob Cooke made a and declared at 186 for 8. David Pouniah Keable made an attractive 50 and Higgs wonderful 74 befo re being caught by played a very agressive innings in making scored a quick 69 before falling to Ray skipper Billy Bennett off Freddie Millett. 7 1 and Ch ri s Law batting at number 5 East. Niall McConnell , Jack Sterry and His in nings contained 3 sixes and 6 fours. made 58. Robin Hobbs and Mel Buries Ray East all took 3 wickets. Tony Leon made 11 useful 36 while Johnny (bo th guesting for Leprechauns) took 3 For the last game in the London area Silverstone rowed in with 19. wickets each. In reply Leprechauns had Leprechauns went to Lord's for the ga me The Forty Club made a splendid reply made 167 for 9 when time ran out, and against Cross Arrows. Winning the toss reaching 60 before the first wicket fe ll the game so evenly contested ended in a Cross Arrows balled first and declared at with Tyler making 42, and Gi bson 36. draw. Robin Waters made a splendid 90 207 for 7 wickets. R. Jones opening the After this o nly Freddie Millett who made and received good support from To ny innings made a useful 5 1, and later in the 24 offered any real resistance against Bob Leon (14) Ian lewis (18) Mel Buries ( 12) innings Mike Brearley (Captain of Middle- Cooke who took 9 fo r 33 off 15 overs. and Bernie Vaughan (17). Maslell was the sex C.C.C.) made a most attractive 34 At the end of their 40 overs the Fo rty most successful Finchley bo wler taking while Harry Latchman (ex Middlesex and Club's total stood at 133 for 9 wickets 4 for 47 in 19 overs. now with Nom) was 37 not o ut when he and Leprechauns had won by 43 runs. Leprechauns played the fourth game declared the innings closed . Raj Ramsaroop Throughout the trip the hospitality of the tour against Enfiel d, and on was the most successful bowler taking 3 and friendship of o ur hosts was over- winning the toss took fi rs t use of a very for 25 in 12 overs. Replying Leprechauns powering and for their part Leprechauns good wicket. Ray East and Jolm lever made a very bad start losin g Leon and were excellent Ambassadors for Ireland guested fo r Leprechauns and the fonner Waters with the score al 5. Once again and Irish Cricket. The fo urth Leprechauns made 84 before being caught and bowled, Ian Lewis (50 not o ut) and Ma.r k tour was the most successful to da te but the innings which im pressed everyone Stretfield (20 not out) were baiting very both on and off the fie ld. Everyone gave was a magnificent not out 102 by Ian well when rain started to fall and play of his best, and the spirit of co·operation Lewis. He drove in front of the wicket was unable to continue. The match was was wonderful. with great power, and was never in any declared drawn with Leprechauns 79 fo r We all look forward to the 1976 tour trouble against a ve ry good attack. 2 in reply. in the knowledge that we shall strengthen Leprechauns declared at 200 for 5 wickets Leprechauns travell ed North to Liver' the existing strong ties with our British with Higgs the most success ful Enfield pool for the last match of the tour against friends. taking 3 for 38. the famous Forty Club. Batting first At Aldershot At Enfield Leprechauns 194 for 9 Wk ls. Dec. R. Ramsaroo p 98. A.D. Leprechauns 200 for 5 Wkts. Dec. W. 1. Lewis 102 n.o. R.E. Leon 46. W.1. Lewis 21. Major R.G. Sho re 6 for 44. East 84. G. Higgs 3 for 3.8. The British Army 13 1 for 9 Wkts. Capl. J .F. Morgan 37. Enfield 183. G. Hi ggs 69. P. Keable 50. R. Smi th 19. R.E. East L/Bd r PJ. Presland 26. N. F. McConnell 5 for 66. S.S. Davies 2 3 for 25. J.S. Sterry 3 for 36. N.F. McConnell 3 for 4 1. for 6. Result: Leprechauns won by 17 Runs. Result: Match Drawn. At Lord's AI Chelmsford The Cross Arrows 207 for 7 Wkts. Dec. R. Jones 5 1. H.C. Essex C.C.C. 3 16 for 3 Wkts. Dec. R.N.S. Hobbs 101. K.W.R. Lau:hman 37 n.O. J.M. Brearley 34 . U. Blades 20. R. Ramsaroop Fletcher 73 n.o. R. E. East 71. J.K. Lever 42. G. Delaney I for 3 for 25. S.S. Davies 2 for 58. G. Delaney I for 53. 70. R. Ramsaroop 1 for 99. Leprechauns 79 for 2. W.1. Lewis 50 n.O. M. Stretfie ld 20 n.o. Leprechauns 168. W.1. Lewis 43. BJ. Vaughan 37 n.o. N.F. R. Onto ng I for 6. S. Bu rrow I for 14. McConnell 24. S.S. Davies 23. R.H.C. Waters 13. Result: Match Drawn - Rain Stopped Play. Result: Essex C.c.c. won by 148 Runs. At Uverpool At Finchley 40 over Match - Leprechauns 176 fo r 7 Wk ts. R. Cook 74. A.D. Finchley C.C. 186 for 8 Wkts. Dec. D. Ponniah 7 1. C. Law 58. Leon 36. J. Silverstone 19. G. Delaney 12. N. H. Cook 3 for 50. J. Alldas 19. R.N .S. Hobbs 3 for 53. M. BurIes 3 fo r 59. G. F.W. Millett 2 for 54. R. Dignam 1 for 28. Delaney 2 for 23. The Fo rty Club 133 for 9 Wk ts. R. Tyler 42. R. Gibson 36. Leprechauns 167 fo r 9 Wkts. R.H.C. Waters 90. W.1. Lewis 18. F.W. Millett 24. R. Cook 9 for 33. BJ. Vaughan 17. A.D. Leon 14 . Result: Leprechauns won by 43 Runs. Result: Match Drawn. 36 In 1923 I was fortunate enough to make my best score - again at Leinsler, 85 not out. If I had not baited so slowly during a crisis the fust afternoon, I ought to have Cricket reached a century. No wond er Leinster holds such pleasant me mories. • • By 1925 I was coaching our Junior teams, who again reached the final. On reminiscences the opposing team was a small red· haired youth, who balled extremely we ll, by Dr. A /01/ Buchanan and helped to steer his team to victory. Patron - The Irish Cricket Society A week or two later he appeared in the senior fina l, and this time, although he was of'! the losing side, his bowling was even more successful than ruS batting. The amount of spin he imparted to the ball was prodigious. As a schoolboy he was a phenomenon. This was my first meeting with Jimmy Boucher. In 1930 I crossed from Dun Laoghaire It was my first day in white flannels. I had to london for a short holiday before been selected to play fOT the School Ordination. As soon as we reached Euston, Junior Team. For years, since as a small I had a hurried breakfast and by 8 a.m. boy of nine I had first lifted a cricket had joined the queue outside the Oval. It bat, I had looked forwa rd to such a was the fmal Test. I had never seen an moment, but more as a dream than a English match. On that lovely August reality. Now I was actually to play. I morning Hobbs and Sutcliffe came down went to the wicket under considerable the steps to open for England. In the field tenSion, but almost immediately turned a were Dradman, Ponsford and Grimmett. ball to leg. It was my firsl run. I can fee l I could hardly be li eve I was watching such it on the bat yet. The bowlers were cricketers. This was Hobbs' last test. I tired , and I received a few full lOsses saw a lovely fifty from Duleepsinghi, a whic h I managed to send to the fe nce. Dr. Alan 8uchQf1Iln figh ting century by Sutcliffe, some memo When I had reached the titirties, a yorker Leinsler Crickel Ground. [I was the first orable strokes by Hobbs, and a second well and truly knocked back the middle of several such visits, and a delight to inni ngs of powe r from Hammond. It was stump. 1 can still hear the click of the play on the ha rd true wickets. In June the last Test Ma tch in England I would bail s. 1922 we played the Senior Final the re see for years, but at least I had watched later that lovely summer of 192 1 our with bulle ts nying over our heads and some of the greatest ever. This Oval scene tea m contested the Junior Final on the heavy guns firin g li ttle over a mile away . is etched in my memory for life . Ireland 163. A. Unehan 45. S. Mitchell 33. Matthews 5 for 47. R. de Ville 3 fo r 63. A.P.MJ . Naughten 2 fo r 15. And 247. O.R. Pigot 50. S.C. Corlett 38. O. Colhoun 36. J.D. Monteith 34. F.W. Millett 6 fo r 38. R. de Ville 3 for 93. Result : M.C.C. won by 49 Runs. SCOTLAND v IRELA ND PLAYED AT A YR HOLLAND v IRELAND PLAYED AT AMSTERDAM August lOch , 12th & 13th, 1974. June 21st, 22nd & 23rd , 1974: Scotland 91. J.R. Laing 34. R. Torrens 4 for 70. J.D. Monteith Holland 194. G. Van Laer 50. A. Smits 44 n.o. D.E. Goodwin 2 for 4. , And 93 H.K. More 32. D.B.S. Brown 25. J .D. 4 for 43. S.C. Corlett 2 for 33. R. Torrens 2 for 44. And 253 Monteith 5 for 29. I. Anderson 5 for 21. for 9 Dec. P. Van Wei 85. G. Va n Laer 52. R. Onstein 28 n.O. Ireland 107. J.D. Monteith 30. J. Short 24. J. Clark 4 fo r 26. S.C. Co rlett 4 for 48. D. Goodwin 2 for 27. A. O' Ri ordan 2 for F. Thompson 3 for 20. And 129. J. Short 48. S. Mitchell 27. 54. F. Thompson 3 for 2 1. G. Goddard 3 fo r 28. Ireland 226. J. Shorl 7 1. A. O' Ri ordan 54. S. Mitchell 4 1. R. Result: Ireland won by 52 Runs. Torrens 26. J. Wijkhuizen 5 for 49. And 225 for 7. D.R. Pigot 56. J. Short 55. A. O' Riordan 38. R. Onstein 3 for 45. Result : Ireland won by 3 Mm. WALES v IRELAND PLAYE D AT COLWYN BAY August 25th, 26th & 27th 1974 IRELAN D v M.C.C. PLAYED AT LEINSTER C.c. Wales 166. J. Presdee 46. P. Crowther 45. R. Torrens 4 for 52. RATHMINES, DU BLIN - July 20th, 22nd & 23rd. J. Monteith 3 for 32. S.c. Corlett 3 fo r 45. And III for 6. M.C.C. 289 for 9 Dec. K. Thompson 60. R. Marshall 57. F.W. J. Bell 32. D. Goodwin 2 fo r 22. S.c. Corlett 2 for 33. Millett 44. S.C. Corlett 4 fo r 6 1. R. Torrens 3 for 49. And Ireland 107 for 3 Dec. B.A. O'Brien 6 1 n.o. J. Harrison 20. 172 fo r 4 Dec. R. Marshall 85 n.O. OJ . Mordaunt 33. O.E. N. Owen 2 fo r 23. Goodwin 2 for 43. Result: Match Drawn. 37 Visit of Cricket Association Union Brochure ------A ve ry fine 100 page brochure has been Leinster Presidents Xl V Israel p last wicket fell. Usual con tributions coming from R. Shelef 39 and B. Carlisle Greenberg 20. The most successful bowler for Ca rlisle was Andre w Wolfe who ashort history of claimed 5 wickets for 3 t runs. Carlisle passed the visitors total for the C.C.v the loss of 4 wickets with Denis Jacobson making a fine 41 whilst Spencer Wolfe Waringstown made 32 not out and Rodney Molins 26 Israel not out. Opening bat Seaton Menton also ce. made 26. Benjamin Rueben and Wiseman During July the Waringslown Cricket all took one wicket each for Israel and Club published a short history of the Carlisle we re easy vic tors by the margin Club. It is reall y in tended for new of 6 wickcts. res idents to this part of County Armagh. The second and final match of the Irish The Carlisle Club are to be congratu- Waringstown is to be retained as a part of the ir lour was against The Carlisle lated on bringing such a nice touring residen tial area under the plan of the Cricket Club and was played at the team to this counlry and although they New City of Craigavon. Copies of Ihjs Maccabi ground at Kimmage on Sunday did not win in Ireland the Israeli team booklet may be purchased from Mr. W.S. 26th August. The Israeli team baited made many friends. Holland, 39 Magherana Park,Wa ringstown, first. and had made t 31 runs when the M.B . Craigavon, Co. Armagh. 38 London staff correspondent for the Sydney based daily paper " by Murray Hedgcock When Thomas Patrick Horan was born in Go through the biographies of Aus- Dublin on" Ma rch 8, 1855, Australian tralian cricketers of yesterday and you cricket was feeling its way: it was to be find the Catholic colleges prominent. 22 years before the first England P.S. McDonnell, one of the great hitters Australia Test. of the early Australian teams, who visited But T.P. Horan, who was to play in England with the second Australian tour that first historic match in Melbourne a party of 1880, although born in London, week after rus 22nd birthday, became was educated at 'the Jesuits College of part of the growing and continuing Me lbourne', as Pardon describes it. tradition of Irish involvement in the game But the impact of the Irish-Catholic in Australia. cricketing population was typifie'd by The tradition continues a century T.P. Horan, the man from Dublin. later: you have only to look at the current The best bat in Victoria for many Australian Test squad and find someone years, he was an automatic selection in with the splendidly evocative name of that first test match of 1877. Horan made Kerry O'Keeffe, to realise that the Irish 12 in the first innings, top score of 20 in influence still runs strong. the second, and after Australia's 4S-run Nearly 30 percent of Australia's popul. victory, he went on to visit England with ation is (Roman) Catholic. Although an Murdoch's first Australian team the next Murray Jledgcock year. increasing proportion of this minority Horan, who went to Australia from his group consists of postwar migrants from secondary schools spread throughout Aus- Dublin birthplace as a ve ry small boy, was Catholic countries of Europe, the bulk tralia, whkh account for 9S percent of a fine bat who made 124 for Australia are desccndants of the Irish who flooded the independent school population. against England . in Melbourne in the to Australia in its early days - not to It was in many of these schools, 1881-82 season. mention that historians record a majority notably the colleges run by Irish teaching But he became probably better known of the early convicts and their soldie r brothers - the Christian Brothers' Colleges, for writing on the game under the name escorts we re Irish, too. the schools with names like St. Joseph's 'Felix' in the nationaJ weekly, the Aus- As a result, Irish-Catholic participation and Xavier and De La Salle - that boys tralasian. in public life in Australia is far greater with good Irish names have learned their Horan died in 1916 - and if you browse than in England. The ruling Labour Party cricket. through the 19 17 Wisden seeking his is traditionally seen as the Catholic party The brothers, who arrived in large obituary, you find another Dublin-born - unlike the UK Labour movement, numbers in the latter third of the 19th cricketer now totally unknown, but typical always seen as springing from the chapel century to staff the new colleges, may of the Irish influence of those early days. - and something like one-third of Aus- not always have been fully convinced that Dr. John Alexander Cairns Penny, who tralian MPs are Catholic. cricket was a proper game for good Irish- played for Leinster and Gentlemen of Irish descendants stud the pages of descended boys. Indeed, most probably Ireland before settling in Australia in Australia's political history: the best- arrived with little knowledge of the game. 1886, died in 1916 at the earl y age of loved of them all was the pipe-smoking But as the Gaelic Athletic Association 55. Prime Minister of the late forties, Joseph with its proscription of English games "He played against Shrewsbury's team Benedict Chifley, whose origins. are ob- was not founded until 1884, the cricket whilst in Australia, but did not take part vious. tradition had time to find root in Aus- in representative eleven·a-side games," And one of the more surprising statis- tralia's Catholic colleges, and in the finish reports Wisden. tics of Australian society is that a greater the brothers coached cricket and athletics Perhaps only one other proportion of children go to independent in summer, rugby league or union or Irish-born cricketer actually played for (non-Government) schools than in Britain, Australian Rules football in winter· and Australia. I am indebted to David Frith, despite the entrenched position of the contributed hugely to the growth and editor of The Cricketer, for the inform· public school in the UK. This is because ornamentation of Australia's international ation that this was Thomas Joseph Dart of the network of Catholic primary and sporting reputation. Kelly. 39 Playing his cricket in Victoria, he was on being shown over Stormont he asked leftarm spinner a decade back. brought into the Australian side for the the Ulster guide where de Valera sat? These were social but deadly serious: second Test on March 31, 1877. Born at in Australia the divide between Irish year after year we wou ld front up , Suir Vue House, County Waterford, on .and Northern Irish, between Catholic and eternaJly hopeful, and regularl y we were May 3, 1844, he left Ireland for Bristol as Protestant, has rarely been in any way hammered into the ground by a superbly a baby and migrated to Aust raJia at 19. apparent in cricket, despite the often drilled team of boys aged 15 to 18. Kelly played one other Test, in 1878, deep divisions between the communities We added 'guest stars': Sheffield Shield and was a member of Murdoch's team in in other spheres of life. players like Dansie, Shiell and Hank, all England in 1880. TIle writer Denzil Batchelor once current or recent South Australian re- But if Horan and Kelly were the only pointed out in an assessment of the two presentatives. We still got thrashed. direct Irish representatives in Australian Australian balling heroes of the thirties, We brought in Test men: the old test cricket, a glance down the list of Bradman and McCabe, that the difference AustraJian and Northants player Bruce AustraJia's representative cricketers over in style might be linked with the fact Dooland, retaining a smart legbreak and the years reveals Irish names in profusion that Bradman was a Prot estant and googly, and the current Australian cap, - plus of cou rse a strong smattering of McCabe a Catholic. Neil Hawke . Anglo-Irish. The implication was that Bradman's And still we were outclassed, with a At a quick and superficial check, an approach to his cricket had something of fine Irish lad by name Kevin McCarthy Iris h friend picked out for me Bonnor, the Protestant dourness, the puritan work picking up a lot of wickets with the new Boyle, CaJlaway , Colley, Collins, Burke, ethic, while McCabe reflected the more ball - he played his first game for the Coningham, Connolly, Donnan, Dooland, lighthearted, live for today and enjoy it college first XI against our side, and four Gleeson, Hartigan, Horan, Inverarity, while you can, attitude of his Irish years later was bowling for South Aus- Kelleway, Ke ll y, Macartney , Mackay, ancestry. tralia. McCabe, McCool, McCormick, McDonnell, Having played a deaJ of ord1nary club Sacred Heart hasn't produced any McShane , Moroney, O'Brien, O'Connor, cricket in Australia,1 don't feel Batchelor's first-class players for a few years. But it O'Keeffe, O'Neill, O'Reilly, Rorke , and argument can be extended to the general is typicaJ of the Catholic colleges, and SheaJ13n. (Experts on' names and genealogy pattern of the game as fa r as Irish and its cricketing boys are typicaJ of the will no doubt find more). non-Irish Australians arc concerned. Irish influence and contribution to the Patrick Hone in his 'Cricket in Ireland' The local Catholic Church ·fields a game of cricket througilOu t Australia. writes of some of the more obvious team in most country or middle-rank famous names of Australian cricket with suburban cricket competitions in Aus- , ______Irish links, and adds' Hassett and Ring tralia - and they arc indistinguishable in (or Ryan) as being common names in the style from the Methodist or Presybyteri ans LETTER Wes't of Ireland. up the road. TO Other Australian cricketers boast a Their only advantage in my memory THE EDITOR middle name de noting Irish-Catholic links, seemed to be that the local priest appeared like Blackham, prince of wicketkeepers, much more likely to turn up and barrack whose christian names were John for his boys than did the minister for ...... " ...... ".. McCarthy. your own chu rch team. __ .... _c_ ...· ··· . On the other hand there are Australians We Methodists were aJways a li ttle who sound Irish but whose Irish-Catholic uneasy about this: we knew naturall y 1 ,_at .r.>" connections are thin and muted, if they that God was a Me thodist, but we would ever existed. Paul Sheahan of today have appreciated some sign of support _ nO ...... __ roc ••"" . " _ • . r .ouc 0((1<'_ ' J OWTUO l. ''''vo sounds the genuine article, but his great- from His representative in our district, to c::".;"'1. !!'!.t"'i. .. :r:;;.. grandfather, another Australian test play- match up to the slightly in timidating if v.,.,. .." v" .... er, was the Kent-born William He nry relentlessly jolly presence of Father Your . ",.,e .. " Cooper, while Sheahan himself was school- McCarthy or Father O'Reilly or whoever ed at the Presbyte rian Geelong College he was. A.f--4'-.( and now teaches at the Anglican Geelong Ploughing back into my cricke t coUec- C. Grammar School. tion, I unearthed the country newspaper Then O'Neill is a good enough Irish clippings recording the first club match name, but that exciting batsman of a I played: exactly 26 years ago, and few years back can only be English- showing the very modest tally of one descended wi th christian names like not out, plus a bowli ng analysis of no 'Norman Clifford'. wicket for two runs. In any case , the impression remains The same clipping records the names that the Irish-Catholic influence on Aus- of the local Catholic team, St. Ma ry's - tralian .cricket is fa r greater than on cricket in England. andMcCulloch good "r, ishColoe names, Higgins the bulk, two were, Ke too.n s, Jack Fingleton, Test cricke ter and and a Kelly - and for good measure the sharply-sensitive writer on the game, has opposition included two McCarthys, a THE IRISH CRI CKET written engagingly of the warm welcome Duffy and a Ki lleen. SOCIETY ANNUAL DINNER members of Bradman's 1938 team received Another scoresheet records matches when they crossed the Irish sea - like played by my Adelaide newspaper team IN DUBLIN those of 1880, 1905, 1909 and 19 12. against Sacred Heart College at Brighton, ON Fingleton's mischievous sense of hum- the South Australian college which pro- FRIDAY 10th JANUA RY 1975 our could not be stilled in Belfast, when duced David Sincock, briefly a Test Now there's an airline that can fly you from Dublin, Cork or Shannon to 37 Common Market Cities. In between your next test series in the West Indies a nd your coaching trip to India, you may find you have some business to do a bit nearer home! British Airways (as well as flyi ng, you Down Under and across the Atlantic) can fly you from Dublin, Cork or Shannon to more Co mmon Market cilies than any other airline - thirty -seven in all. For business or pleasure, fly British Airways. 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