GOREYCRICKET
The Summer Solstice of 2017 will forever be remembered as a momentous era in Ireland’s cricket history, being accepted as a Test Nation in joining the world’s elite nations.
Significantly at a local level, Gorey Cricket Club also commenced work on installing their artificial crease. Credit must go to Ron Breen and his crew for their expertise in delivering a surface to be proud of, creating the foundation for Matt Dwyer who laid the mat.
Notable mention also to Vincent Murphy, whose patience and diligence brought this critical juncture to fruition, hopefully for many years to come.
Gorey C.C., in conjunction with Cricket Leinster co-ordinator Herbie Honohan, held their second Primary School Cup competition contested between inaugural holders Gorey Central, Ballaghkeen, Kilanerin and Kilnamanagh N.S.
Parading behind bagpiper John Cullen, prior to the competition, each school proudly sang Amhrán na bhFiann before contesting the semi-finals.
Kilnamanagh were pitted against Ballaghkeen. who batted strongly but conceded too many wickets, thus failing to catch an impressive Kilnamanagh by 20 runs.
In the other semi-final, Kilanerin exacted revenge for last year’s final in defeating a very young Gorey Central, superbly marshalled by Stephen Hendy.
There was a novel finalist pairing of Kilanerin versus Kilnamanagh, with the former valiantly losing by just eleven runs.
Vanessa Johnston, briefly home from Australia, presented the Trent Johnston Perpetual Cup to Jake Walsh, worthy captain of Kilnamanagh, who had some excellent cricketers and were deserving winners, a significant milestone since they’re probably one of the smallest schools in Wexford, with just 29 pupils in total.
Special thanks to Vanessa, on giving of her time, the teachers who accompanied the pupils, the mentors, Mark, Chris, Naomi, Ross and Anslem, who assisted the pupils, and to Ross Norman for marking out the wickets prior to the games.
It is expected that this competition may grow, as many schools were disappointed in not competing but logistically this tournament may have to be scheduled over three days as opposed to one, such is the interest in playing cricket.
Onlookers were indeed impressed and it was a great testament to Herbie and Mark Leonard in particular, along with Chris Sheeran and Vincent Murphy, in instructing the children on the basics of cricket, so that it may prosper in the near future.
Our Senior team competed recently in the Minor Cup against Dublin side Adamstown 4, in the wonderful grounds of Rathdrum Rugby Club. Gorey won the toss and chose to bowl first.
Having done did well in the first ten overs, restricting Adamstown to 29 for 1, sloppiness crept in, resulting in misfields in the outfield and numerous dropped catches.
Adamstown put on 153 runs for their third wicket, producing good batting, but greatly assisted by Gorey’s poor fielding.
In the end, Adamstown kept accelerating their run rate, resulting in 122 runs scored in the last ten overs of the innings, a stark contrast to the opening ten overs. Adamstown had set Gorey a target of 264 to win, and now it was up to Gorey to take advantage of the short boundaries at Rathdrum. Gorey started steadily, scoring the same rate as their opponents did in their innings but then began to lose wickets.
A major stand-out between the teams began to emerge and it became evident that the fielding aspect of the two sides was significant. Adamstown bowled according to their field placings, competently fielding when catches were bowled.
A few of Gorey’s batsmen got starts but then frustratingly lost their wickets. After the 20-over mark, Gorey’s required run rate started to increase, not a good sign when over 160 runs were still needed.
In the end, Gorey was bowled out in the 35th over for 163 runs, resulting in Adamstown winning by 100 runs. In our defence, Gorey hadn’t played competitively for a few months and also had a number of debutants who hadn’t played cricket for quite a long time.
Though chastened, Gorey can consider themselves unlucky and the experience gained should remain steadfast in avenging this defeat.
Team: Anslem Diaz (capt.), Attia Stahlut, Ross Norman, Roger Spengler, Reiner Garz, Rashid Owias, Umar Khan, David Pepper, Adrian Back, Pradeep H. Gamage, Idris Younas.
Gorey’s next match in the Leinster League is against table-toppers AIB, at St. Andrew’s College, Dublin.
A special note of thanks to Rathdrum President Pat Walsh on allowing us the use of the rugby grounds and their premises, a credit to that progressive community in such wonderful facilities.
Upcoming Senior matches for July are against Railway Union, both home and away, Adamstown 5 and Wexford Wanderers to be confirmed.
Our Junior teams of Under-15s and Under-11s are down to play Bagenalstown and possibly Waterford, on Saturdays, July 8 and July 15, respectively.
Training is on Mondays and Thursdays from 6.30 p.m. in the grounds of Courtown Hibs.
Follow us on Facebook, or alternatively contact Al (086-1599074). All experience and none are welcome.
As the Solstice sun cast its long shadows over the Irish landscape, heralding the dawning of our immense potential, that is truly unfathomable. Exciting times indeed.