Leinster claim first Staffordshire festival victory

Leinster Under 15Following six years of participation and several narrow defeats the Leinster U’15’s squad claimed their first tournament victory at this year’s Staffordshire youth cricket festival.

The hard work put in by the squad members over the winter and summer months clearly paid off when beating a strong Cheshire side in Friday’s final held at Wolverhampton cricket club.

The week’s tournament offers competitive games for young Leinster players and plays a big part in their development as cricketers. Current members of the Ireland U’19’s squad who have successfully participated in previous Staffordshire festivals include Shane Getkate, Ben Ackland, George Dockrell, Andrew Balbirnie, Adrian D’Arcy and Graham McDonnell.

Merrion’s Alex O’Brien enjoyed an excellent week with the ball, capturing the Peter Jones ‘Bowler of the Festival’ award, taking 9 wickets in four games with his ever-improving leg breaks.

Staffordshire Youth Cricket Festival – Wolverhampton Cricket Club – Aug 4-8th 2008

Match Results

  • Monday 4th Aug Leinster 193 all out, 44.3 overs (Adam Coughlan 70, Hugo Mays 60, Philip Blackley 21) Cumbria 115 all out, 36.1 overs (A Grainger 25, Alex O’Brien 4-36, Adam Coughlan 2-31, James Bowlby 2-11) Leinster won by 78 runs.
  • Tuesday 5th Aug Leinster v’s Derbyshire – No play. Rain.
  • Wed 6th Aug Lincolnshire 150-7, 40 0vers (H Warwick 34, Alex O’Brien 2-42, Adam Coughlan 2-21, Rhys Pope 1-10, Tyrone Kane 1-29. Leinster 151-6, 37.1 overs (Wian Verwoerd 34*, Thomas Murphy 28, Hugo Mays 27) Leinster won by 4 wickets
  • Thur 7th Aug Leinster 222-8, 45 overs (Wian Verwoerd 64, Tyrone Kane 42, Hugo Mays 36) Staffordshire 198 all out, 42.4 overs (W Nield 49, James Bowlby 3-9, Tyrone Kane 1-17, Kirk Shimmons 1-42) Leinster won by 24 runs
  • Fri 8th Aug Leinster 220-9, 45 overs (Wian Verwoerd 89, Adam Coughlan 59, Cormac McLoughlin 19) Cheshire 175 all out 40.3 overs (L Camden 85, Alex O’Brien 2-39, Rhys Pope 2-13) Leinster won by 45 runs

Squad and Management

  • Wian Verwoerd (Merrion) Capt.
  • Philip Blackley (Pembroke)
  • James Bowlby (Pembroke)
  • Adam Coghlan (Malahide)
  • Robert Forrest (Clontarf)
  • Mark Ingram (Railway Union)
  • Tyrone Kane (Merrion)
  • Hugo Mays (Railway Union)
  • Thomas Murphy (Balbriggan)
  • Cormac McLoughlin (North County)
  • Alex O’Brien (Merrion)
  • Rhys Pope (The Hills)
  • Kirk Shimmons (Merrion)
  • David Watkins (Merrion)
  • Coach: Brían O’Rourke
  • Manager: Dick Forrest

The following players were unavailable for selection due to their participation with the Ireland U’15’s at Jersey. Barry McCarthy, Hugh McDonnell, Ryan Sheady, Jordan Coghlan, Jonathan Andrews