CLUB CALL
GOREYCRICKET
2018 will be regarded as a memorable season for Gorey Cricket Club, with the club collecting their first pieces of silverware in only their second season of competitive cricket fare.
Expectations were high going into the season following an impressive debut season in Division 14. Following on from a tough opening match defeat to Tyrrelstown seconds in mid-April, the team quickly rebounded and built up momentum to which most opposition was powerless to halt.
In Division 14 the club produced one great performance after another with contributions coming from all players involved. These performances included (but not limited to) great top order batting during the season from captain Anslem Diaz (405 runs @ 57.86), Umar Khan (385 runs @ 42.78), and Philip Leonard (165 runs @ 55.00), with contributions from Roger Spengler, Brian Willoughby, Reiner Garz, Naleem Ibrahim, Khan Khalid Ambroze and Ross Norman.
Gorey’s strength was their bowling unit, arguably the league’s strongest, comprising Khan Khalid Ambroze (22 wickets @ 10.05), Pradeep Hewanalagamage (18 wickets @ 9.22), Umar Farooq (18 wickets @ 12.28), and Anslem Diaz (12 wickets @15.33), supported by Philip Leonard, Umar Khan and Brady Archer.
The Gorey bowlers were also backed up by a fielding unit that had greatly improved from the previous season, led by wicketkeeper Ross Norman (22 dismissals – two stumpings, 20 catches), a Division 14 season record).
Following from that opening match defeat to Tyrrelstown seconds, Gorey went on to win all of the remaining 13 league games, clinching the title at home against the same opposition with two games to play. The club ended the season as champions on 301 points ahead of Castleknock thirds in second on 216 points.
The club was also proud of the performances of its juniors who played for Gorey’s senior teams during the season, especially to Razwan Ahmed and Brady Archer who ended the season as regular fixtures in the firsts.
During that winning run in June/ July, the club played an exciting brand of T20 cricket, progressing to the Russell Court Trophy final, where they met Tyrrelstown seconds.
A good start by Gorey’s opening pair of Umar Khan (27) and Khan Khalid Ambroze (34) looked to set the club up for posting a good total, but a middle-order batting collapse led to Gorey only posting 118 without batting the full 20 overs. However, with Gorey’s bowling attack, they were still confident of defending the total posted.
Tyrrelstown held their nerve and won the game in the final over. It was an entertaining game played in good spirits, and for Gorey it was a tough defeat but one from which the club would learn.
The club also saw their second team enter the Minor 2 Cup. Gorey seconds’ opening match ended in an agonising defeat to Railway Union fifths, losing by seven runs. With numerous good performances, the seconds proved the club, despite being young, was building great strength and depth.
With a growing youth cricket section, Gorey also entered their Under-15 side into the ‘B’ league, looking to provide its promising youngsters with a platform to play competitive youth cricket. Unfortunately, due to player unavailabilit,y Gorey withdrew from the competition before its completion.
During the season the club also participated in the Dick O’Neill Cup, a 40-over competition with each team required to play a minimum of three Under-18 players, run by the Midlands & South East Cricket Association helping to promote youth cricket.
After playing Athlone, Ashbourne and Carlow, it culminated in the final, in which Gorey was provided with the honour of hosting at their home ground (Courtown Hibs A.F.C.), where they played against North Kildare. The club’s pre-game confident demeanour quickly changed when North Kildare’s David Foster took four wickets in four balls, leaving Gorey on 25 for seven.
But Ross Norman (36 runs) along with juniors David Walsh (8) and Razwan Ahmed (29), and tailender Umar Farooq (6*), pulled Gorey back to end on 119 all out.
North Kildare seemed to be on course for victory but they collapsed from 94 for four to 115 for eight, with five runs required off the final over of the innings. Gorey’s junior player and man of the match, Brady Archer, seemingly unfazed by the pressure of the situation, stepped up to bowl the final over.
Two runs and a wicket later, he forced North Kildare’s David Foster, the architect of Gorey’s earlier collapse, to sky the ball high on the offside to which wicketkeeper Ross Norman caught, providing Brady with his third wicket and ending with figures of three for 27.
That wicket sparked wild celebrations, in sharp contrast to the club’s Russell Court final appearance earlier in the season. It also provided the club with their first piece of silverware in their short three-year existence.
This season has brought many highs and lows, but it has provided the club with a strong foundation on which to help propel itself up the Cricket Leinster leagues over the coming years.
Players who represented Gorey C.C. in open competitions (player name with the number of matches played in brackets) were: Ross Norman (vice-capt., 20), Umar Khan (19), Umar Farooq (18), Khan Khalid Ambroze (16), Naleem Ibrahim (16), Philip Leonard (16), Anslem Diaz (capt., 15), Reiner Garz (15), Roger Spengler (15), Razwan Ahmed (14), Pradeep Hewanalagamage (9), Attila Stahlut (8), Brady Archer (7), Brian Willoughby (7), Waheed Babar (5), Rashid Owais (5), Allen Holman (4), Gary Murphy (4), Brendan Archer (3), Pavitter Rathaur (2), Shamara Sirimanne (2), Sarath De Silva Haljothi (1), Adnan Ibrahim (1), Robert Leonard (1), Gareth Roberts (1), Ewan Stephens (1), Nigel Stephens (1), Hassan Tariq (1), Ahmad Tariq (1), Steven Wood (1), Idrees Younas (1).
The club’s A.G.M. was held recently in the Loch Garman Arms Hotel, with all officers and committee members re-elected, apart from Naomi Walsh who has stepped down after three years of dedicated service. Imelda Trankner will assist Haley Squire in the Welfare Officer role.
Other committee members are: Chairman, Al FitzGerald; Secretary, Reiner Garz; Treasurer, Mark Leonard; Chris Sheeran, Ross Norman and Rashid Owias.
The Chairman thanked all members involved in Gorey Cricket Club, the coaches, parents and players, noting how substantial progress was made from the under-age right up to senior level.
Gratitude was expressed also to Courtown Hibs for the use of their grounds, Ron Breen on maintaining the pitch, our sponsors and those who donated to Gorey cricket.
Recognising the importance of school involvement, Herbie Honohan, S.E. co-ordinator, Cricket Leinster, Sports Active and the many School principals as over 2000 primary pupils in Co. Wexford have facilitated this growing sport of cricket, with nine schools in the Gorey region alone. All support has been very much appreciated.
It was agreed that next season an Under-13 team will compete in the Leinster League, as well as a second Senior team (comprised mainly of Juniors) to compete in the cup competitions only, with a view of entering a team in 2020 in C.L.
The Senior team had a phenomenal season, as outlined above, and are seeking to be placed in C.L. Division 10. No doubt Gorey will try to emulate this season’s success.
As champions, Gorey will be attending an award ceremony in the Guinness Storehouse, Dublin, on Friday, November 23. All details are on our new web page: goreycricketclub.ie
Christmas raffle tickets are currently on sale, costing just €5 a book, offering many wonderful prizes. Now that matches have long concluded, the G.C.C. committee is actively preparing the groundwork for next year, in the hope that more ambitions are realised. Roll on 2019.
GOREYHOCKEY
Gorey ladies’ hockey team travelled the familiar road to Dublin to take on Loreto Beaufort on Saturday, kicking off this year’s cup competition.
Loreto took push back and made a number of runs towards Gorey’s defence. Gorey held firm, forcing Loreto to lose posession at the halfway line.
Using the wings, Gorey sent the ball into Loreto’s circle where they won their first penalty corner.
Gorey took the lead with a direct shot from the top of the circle by Ailbhe Booth which deflected over Loreto’s goalkeeper.
Loreto re-started the match and advanced towards the visitors’ goal. Loreto entered Gorey’s circle and took a shot on goal but it was never on target and went wide.
From the hit-out, Gorey worked the ball upfield, winning another penalty corner. Gorey doubled their lead by sending the ball to the near post, a textbook corner direct from the training ground, with Robyn Swords taking the honours.
Loreto re-started the game once more but quickly found themselves back in their own circle defending.
Loreto conceded a penalty corner on the stoke of half-time, and Gorey’s third goal was a carbon copy of Robyn Swords’ first.
Throughout the second-half Gorey and Loreto traded blows, but Loreto couldn’t record a score despite their added pressure.
Gorey ran out comfortable 3-0 winners and progress to the second round where they meet Muckross 5 on December 8.
Gorey travel to Belfield to play U.C.D. 7s next Saturday, November 10, in their next league match.
Team: Fiona Mythen (capt.), Vicky Hughes, Bridget Kenny, Corrina Bailey, Ruth Evans, Nicola Ryan, Robyn Swords (two), Zoe Kenny, Ailbhe Booth (one), Rachael McSweeney.
S.B.R. A.C.
Paul Lynch showed very little hangover from the Dublin Marathon as he cruised to a Parkrun win on Saturday in Gorey in 17:21. Claire Gibbons was a strong third in the women’s race in 25:21.
Tomás Kavanagh continued a strong finish to the year following his runs at the Novice and Senior cross-country with a win at the Tullow Parkrun in 18:21.
Athletics Ireland released their official age category results from the Dublin Marathon, and we are proud to say our very own Billy Harpur won a national Over-70 bronze medal in the Irish championships with his run. That marks 39 consecutive Dublin Marathons for Billy.
And also a special mention for Eugene Doherty who was a brilliant fourth in the very competitive men’s Over-60 category.
Paul Lynch led the S.B.R. men home at the Dublin Marathon with a top 100 finish in 2:39:20, with Myles Gibbons right behind in 2:39:52. They finished tenth and eleventh respectively in the men’s Over-40 category.
Noel Kennedy was strong in 2:54:20, with David Leonard close behind in 2:55:10 near his P.B. Jim O’Malley (2:56:44) and Paul Gibbons (2:57:57) rounded out six S.B.R. runners under the three-hour barrier.
Patrick Curley had a strong run in 3:05:22, and Niall O’Connor had an eleven-minute P.B. to cap his year of P.B’s in 3:05:40. Adrian Doyle, despite a lingering injury, managed a P.B. as well in 3:08:13, and Shane Gregan had a P.B. in 3:19:13.
Tim O’Neill dipped under the fourhour barrier in 3:58:21, as did Paul Deegan in 3:56:35. Ryan Gleeson, Shea O’Neill, Michael Sweeney and Des O’Neill all ran really well too.
Belinda Kehoe had a 14-minute P.B. to finish as S.B.R’s top women’s runner in a very strong 3:37. Orla Furlong had a magical day as well, utilising perfect splits to break four hours for the first time in 3:59:41.
Orla Hobbs had a very good day, finishing in 4:27:17, and Mairéad O’Neill battled through injury to finish in 4:36:52.
Likewise, Ciara Nolan had to overcome injury to finish in 5:05:24 and was followed home by Sharon Murphy (5:20:44), Cathy Donovan (5:30:41) and Linda Avbarra (6:45:51).
Complete S.B.R. Dublin Marathon finisher list: Paul Lynch 2.39.20, Myles Gibbons 2.39.52, Noel Kennedy 2.54.23, David Leonard 2.55.10, Jim O’Malley 2.56.44, Paul Gibbons 2.57.56, Patrick Curley 3.05.22, Niall O’Connor 3.05.40, Adrian Doyle 3.08.13, Shane Gregan 3.19.13, Eugene Doherty 3.22.50, Belinda Kehoe 3.37.42, Tim O’Neill 3.58.21, Orla Furlong 3.59.41, Paul Deegan 3.56.35, Shea O’Neill 4.07.48, Ryan Gleeson 4.11.06, Michael Sweeney 4.25.52, Orla Hobbs 4.27.17, Mairéad O’Neill 4.36.52, Ciara Nolan 5.05.24, Sharon Murphy 5.20.44, Cathy Donovan 5.30.41, Billy Harpur 5.45.09, Des O’Neill 5.45.35, Linda Abvara 6.45.51.
All club results, fixtures and information are available at www.sbrclub. com
E’CORTHYHOCKEY
Enniscorthy Hockey Club had three adult sides in action over the weekend, resulting in three defeats.
At a miserable, rainy Astro Active Centre on Saturday, the ladies’ second XI hosted U.C.D. 7 in the first round of the Division 12 Cup.
Even though the weather wasn’t the best, Enniscorthy still showed they were a force to be reckoned with from the get go and U.C.D’s early breaks ended with nothing.
There was super movement on the wings by Megan Dempsey, Orla Sinnott and Martha Dunne, who made great runs and just barely missed a couple of chances. However, U.C.D. scored just before half-time due to a miscommunication in the Enniscorthy defence.
As the second half pushed off, Enniscorthy started off full of enthusiasm, fighting for every opportunity. The backs defended brilliantly as none of the goals came from the many short corners that U.C.D. got the chance to take.
Enniscorthy were a bit more intelligent with their play in the second-half but were unable to capitalise on it. Despite a hard-working defensive effort, the hosts leaked two further goals in the second 35 minutes, giving the students a 3-0 win.
Squad: Aine O’Brien, Alice Kelly, Alice Medcalf, Amy D’Alton, Eleanore Bolger, Ellen Rogan, Laura Redmond, Martha Dunne, Megan Dempsey, Muireann Nic Corcráin, Orla Sinnott, Saoirse Power.
The on pitch misery continued on Sunday. The ladies’ third XI travelled to Kilkenny to play reigning Sunday League champions Carlow.
A weakened squad were weakened still further when Muireann Nic Corcráin was injured inside the first ten minutes.
The hosts took full advantage, leading by three goals to nil at half-time, and extended by a further goal in the second-half.
Squad: Alice Medcalf, Amy Murphy, Hayley Squire, Irene Doyle, Linda Durnan, Lisa Frayne, Mairéad Murphy, Mairéad Neville, Melanie Ní Dhuinn, Muireann Nic Corcráin, Catherine Lakes.
Meanwhile, the men’s first eleven made their way to county Kildare and a cup encounter with Naas.
In a close encounter, Enniscorthy were level with 15 minutes to go, courtesy of goals from Ivan Rothwell (penalty flick) and Roy Chapman after some strong running by William Durnan.
However, the hosts found another gear and scored three times, knocking the Slaneysiders out on a 5-2 scoreline.
Squad: Graham Hill, David Simmons, Glenn Chapman, Andrew Rothwell, Ivan Rothwell, Roy Chapman, Aodhán O’Leary, William Durnan, Charlie Dunne, Jake English, Edmundas Liuikimas, Niall Maguire.
The Under-14 boys played Y.M.C.A. at the weekend, losing 2-1. Jack Tully scored for Enniscorthy.
The blitz events for the first/second class and third/fourth class girls’ groups fell victim to the inclement weather.
The girls’ Under-16 Intermediate yellow side were unfortunate to narrowly lose away to Weston on Sunday, with the west Dublin outfit scoring from a penalty corner midway through the first-half.
Enniscorthy had good opportunities from Tara Somers, Emer Bowe and Sadhbh Ryan, while Rebecca Leech was desperately unlucky to hit the post with ten minutes remaining.
Squad: Kate Freeman, Eva Rothwell, Ailbhe Harrington, Emma-Louise Doran, Alexi Gillot, Aoife Browne, Dervla Walsh, Emer Bowe, Rebecca Leech, Tara Somers, Sadhbh Ryan, Katie Ward.