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Cork County’s Quest for Historic Treble

Wednesday, September 20th, 2023

As Cork County Cricket Club gears up for the Munster Senior Cup final against County Kerry Cricket Club, they have their sights set on achieving a remarkable treble this season. Already crowned champions in the Senior T20 Blast and Premier Division, Cork County now aims to add the Senior Cup to these.

The prospect of securing the treble is a testament to the talent and hard work of the Cork County squad who juggle both Munster and Leinster commitments. Their performances in the Senior T20 Blast and Premier Division have been consistent throughout, earning them well-deserved titles and recognition in the Munster cricket scene.

Now, with the Senior Cup final on the horizon, Cork County has the opportunity to cap off an extraordinary season with another significant achievement. Winning the Senior Cup would not only solidify a dominant season in Munster but also add a historic chapter to their storied legacy in the competition.

Since the inception of the Senior T20 Blast in 2016, the Munster Senior treble has been a rare and coveted feat, and achieving it would be a source of immense pride for Cork County Cricket Club who has achieved the accolade on two previous occasions in 2017 and 2019. It’s a testament to their commitment and determination, and it reflects the strong cricketing culture and tradition within the club.

If the weather permits, the Senior Cup final promises to be a thrilling encounter, with County facing a Kerry side buoyed by the addition of Monil Patel to their ranks and following victories at the Quarter and Semi-Final stages against Harlequins and Limerick, respectively. The Mardyke will be buzzing with excitement, and spectators can expect a fiercely competitive match as these two talented sides take the field.

A victory would mean a first Senior Cup title for the club in the 2020s following the two gap due to Covid and since their last victory in 2019. The club has won 20 Senior Cup titles since 1987 and won six in a row during the 2001 to 2006 period.

2023 Munster Senior Cup Final

Sunday, 24th September, at the Mardyke (11.30am)

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Remembering Jim Fitzgerald RIP

Tuesday, July 25th, 2023

Cork County Cricket Club mourns the loss of former player & club captain, James “Jim” Fitzgerald, who passed away recently. Jim’s contributions to the club have left an indelible mark on its history and the hearts of its members.

Jim Fitzgerald captaining the Bohemians Cricket Club at the Mardyke in Cork
Jim Fitzgerald captaining the Bohemians side at the Mardyke in Cork

A stalwart of the Cork County family, Jim served as Club President in both 1982 and 1983, guiding the club through important milestones during the early 80s. His leadership and passion for the game inspired countless players and supporters alike.

However, Jim’s legacy stretches back even further. In 1965, he proudly captained the club, displaying exceptional skills on the field and nurturing a sense of camaraderie among his teammates. He was a true embodiment of the club’s values, and his dedication to the game and its community was evident in every match.

Jim Fitzgerald and Jim Kiernan pictured at a recent annual awards dinner

Throughout the years, Jim remained a familiar face on matchdays at the Mardyke grounds. As we bid farewell to this remarkable individual, we remember the countless memories he created, the friendships he forged, and the passion he instilled in generations of players. Jim Fitzgerald’s legacy will live on in the heart of Cork County Cricket Club.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

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2023 1st XI Season Preview

Friday, April 21st, 2023

As the 2023 cricket season approaches, Cork County prepares for an exciting and challenging campaign under the leadership of its new club captain, Abubakar Saddique, who takes the reins from Ross Durity. With a wealth of experience gained at both club and interprovincial levels, Saddique will look to lead from the front with bat and ball, having taken 142 wickets at 19.7 in Leinster competition.

Abubakar Saddique - Cork County Cricket Club

Joining the squad as the club’s overseas player is South African Stefano di Bartolomeo, a seam bowling all-rounder from Benoni Northerns CC in the Easterns Premier League. Di Bartolomeo, who is also eligible for the Italian national side, will aim to play his way into their squad for the WT20 Qualifiers later in the summer while also aiming to put in some strong performances with bat and ball for the club in all competitions.

The 1st XI will face a tough start to their Premier Division campaign with an uncompromising schedule of three successive away fixtures in Munster competitions, followed by a trip to Ardmore in the Irish Senior Cup. However, the squad is strengthened with a few new faces who will inject some freshness and necessary depth into the team. Saddique will also be able to rely on the experience and talent of the likes of  Ross Durity, Byron McDonough, Nabeel Anjum among others who will all have key roles to play to ensure the club has a successful season.

Saddique is optimistic about the upcoming season and his role as club captain, stating, “It’s a new season, and as the new captain, I want to instil an aggressive mindset in the squad and look to win back some silverware in Munster and become a tough opponent in a very competitive-looking Leinster Championship.” It promises to be an exciting season for Cork County, and their supporters can’t wait to see what unfolds on the pitch.

Groundsman Matt Reed is also hard at work preparing the Mardyke for what promises to be another action-packed season on the ground, with fixtures at all levels scheduled throughout the summer. In addition, the first T20 Interpro festival is set to take place in early June, adding to the already exciting lineup of matches. Matt’s expertise and attention to detail ensure that the ground is always in top condition, ready for play at all times.

Looking north across the the Mardyke Cricket grounds towards Sunday's Well.

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The Best of 2022 Countdown

Sunday, January 1st, 2023

Welcome to our ‘Best of 2022’ countdown! Each year, we reflect on the amazing moments and achievements of the past season. As we count down from number 10 to the top spot, relive the most memorable moments of 2022.

  • #10 – To kick off our look back on 2022, the completion of the net bay construction is certainly a big highlight from the year and has proved to be a huge asset to the club and our members.
  • #9 – A colourful return to the St. Patrick’s Day Parade after a two year gap with a large and energised turnout from the youth section. It was great to see cricket on the streets of #Cork with the Lord Mayor also joining in!
  • #8 – Acknowledging some of the wonderful individual and team performances throughout the season. Too many to choose from — nail-biting match winners, 5 wicket hauls, 50s, 100s… Well done to everyone!
  • #7 – A wonderful finale to the season for the youth section with recognition of achievements at all levels with the U13s and U15s collecting their Munster trophies and medals. A fitting way to celebrate a successful season!
  • #6 – A first Division 3 title for Bilal Ahsan and his 4th XI squad was just reward following a challenging league campaign. Congrats to Bilal and the whole squad on a terrific effort throughout the highs & lows of the season!
  • #5 – The club competed in two All- Ireland Youth Semi-Finals, a first for any Munster club side. Though both results didn’t go our way, the boys and girls on both sides can be proud of their achievements. Well done to all involved!
  • #4 – Once again the Mardyke was looking pristine with some excellent wickets produced throughout the summer. Matt, Francois and the team helped maintain the very high standards that are often taken for granted at the Mardyke.
  • #3 – A first Division 1 title since 2010 ended a long wait for the club with 10 wins, 2 defeats and 2 No results ensuring the 2nd XI finished top of the pile. Well done to Rob Duggan and the squad for their efforts throughout the campaign.
  • #2 – A huge shout out to all of the hard work and organisation of the volunteers and coaches who helped make each of the youth levels function so well from the beginners at ‘Give It A Bash’ and the Softball Academy right up to the U17s.
  • #1 – Number 1 in our countdown has to be the wonderful memorial match in honour of the late, great Dermot Giltinan. For many, it was a chance to remember the great man and pay tribute to his legacy in the game of cricket in Cork and beyond.

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Exceptional youth success celebrated at the Mardyke

Monday, September 26th, 2022

On an autumnal Friday evening at the Mardyke, more than 80 excited kids celebrated an exceptional season representing Cork County Cricket Club at various youth levels in Munster competitions.

After a full season of cricket, teams at U11, U13 and U15 gathered to receive their trophies and medals, and enjoy their end-of-season party, organised by Sukhi Byrne and the youth committee.

Cork County Chairman, Peter Dineen, presented U11 medals to delighted players and commented “This is a great evening for the club, and thoroughly deserved by all the players and parents. The founding father of our youth section, Dermot Giltinan, passed away just over a year ago, and he would be so proud of the youth section today.

John Buss, Operations Manager at Munster Cricket, was on hand to present the U13 and U15 trophies in the Munster Super Leagues and T20 competitions.

Cork County made a clean-sweep at U13 and U15 this year, a testament to the hard work of coaches Steve Ross, Mick Hull and Bruce Newton. Both teams went on to represent Munster at All-Ireland level, where anomalies in regulations saw them face older teams in away fixtures.  Cricket Ireland has promised to iron these out for next year.

The U13 T20 was won by the Cork County Sharks, captained by Cillian Ross, and the U13 Super League was won by the Cork County U13s captained by Mark Donnelly.

At the U15 level, Cork County won both competitions and was captained by Cronan Healy-Browne.

John Buss from Munster Cricket praised the players for their hard work in training and the great spirit they showed in the competitions. He praised the club and youth committee for their efforts in coaching, training and supporting their players.

The youth section at Cork County continues to thrive and a full programme of winter training will commence in the coming weeks. Older youth players continue to develop. Exposure at the adult level, as well as youth interprovincials, saw the likes of Niall Donnelly (16) make his first team debut during the final round of competitive fixtures, and there’s plenty more talent waiting to prove themselves.

The cricket season comes to an end this weekend and Matt Reed, the club Grounds Manager, will get to work preparing for next season when Cork County hope to build on a very successful season.








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Cork County reach two All-Ireland Youth Semi-finals

Thursday, September 1st, 2022

On a balmy August evening last year, the Cork County Colts team, 4th year schools and below, were presented with their trophy and medals, having won the Leinster Colts league. It’s all about developing youth cricket. Given that cricket has been played in The Mardyke since the 1850’s, you might ask what more needs to be developed, and such are the travails of sport.

Dermot Giltinan, ‘The Galt’, championed cricket for decades, and his recent star-studded Memorial match testified to the esteem in which he was held. But like the Olympics, the torch needs to be carried by many. Brenda Kennedy, Veena O’Sullivan, John Simon and others have all championed the cause for several years, and on that evening last August, the current Senior Youth Coach, Steve Ross, looked at the trophy and the happy smiling faces and vowed to replicate that success.

Cork County U15 team

True to his steely word, the U13s and U15s won the Munster Super League campaigns at their age grade.

On Sunday 4th, and Saturday 10th September the U13s and U15s, respectively, will travel to Dublin to play Pembroke and Phoenix in the All-Ireland semi-final of their competitions.

Over the past four years, Steve Ross with his trademark quiet, direct style has coached, mentored and developed a squad of novices into committed and dedicated players. His coaching style is unrelenting and determined. Tough training, high standards and total commitment are his watchwords – and you reap what you sow. As with all good teams, the leader is only as good as the team around them, and Mick Hull (U15 Coach), Bruce Newton and former Munster U15 Coach, Abdul Jabbar Younus, have been instrumental in developing the U15 squad of players. 1st team captain Ross Durity and 2nd team captain Rob Duggan have also been generous with their time to support coaches when needed.

Cork_County_CC_U13_Team

Qualification came via wins against Limerick City, Limerick Blasters, Cork Harlequins and Galway CC in both leagues. All of which were tough games but an All-Ireland semi-final is another level again. Cricket in Dublin is so good that it has produced Eoin Morgan, Kevin and Niall O’Brien and Ed Joyce – world-class cricket players. Harry Terctor leads the charge for the next generation.

It’s a tough ask to travel to Dublin to play away fixtures against the strong Leinster champions, but to borrow a phrase from Declan Kidney, “pressure is a privilege”.

Regardless of results in Dublin, the Cork County U13s and U15s are Munster Champions in their respective Munster Super Leagues.

A possible Schools League, played in September, is further testament to the growth of cricket in Cork – and it’s no surprise that there’s lots of cricket on The Mardyke, after all, “its’ where we sported and played…!”

Fixtures:

Sunday 04 September, U13 All-Ireland Semi-final
Pembroke CC v Cork County CC

Saturday 10 September, U15 All-Ireland Semi-final
Phoenix CC v Cork County CC








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Dermot J. Gilitinan Memorial Match

Monday, July 11th, 2022

As President of Cork County Cricket Club for the 2022 season, I would like to take this opportunity to cordially invite you to the Memorial Match for our late esteemed member Dermot J. Giltinan between a Cork County XI and an Ed Joyce XI on Wednesday, 27th July, starting at 2 p.m.

However, it is not merely another match. It will be a further celebration of Dermot’s life and his immense contribution to Cork, Munster and Irish cricket over the years. It will counterpoint the Memorial Service held for Dermot at the club on Saturday afternoon, 9th April, which was so wonderfully organised by our very own Ali Khan.

It will be an opportunity for you to renew acquaintances with old friends and meet new ones. The match will be augmented by a Q & A session conducted by our old friend Alan Lewis and the man answering the questions will, of course, be Ed Joyce, another old friend of Dermot and the club.

In conclusion, I look forwards to seeing you and your family on the day if you can make it.

With warmest personal regards.

Yours sincerely,

Mortimer Kelleher
President

 

Dermot Giltinan Memorial Match








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Memorial Service for Dermot Giltinan

Saturday, March 26th, 2022

The club will be hosting a memorial service for the late, great Dermot Giltinan which will take place at the cricket grounds at Mardyke on Saturday, 9th April 2022.

The service, which will be led by Brother Martin of the Presentation Brothers, will allow many of his cricketing friends and clubmates to remember the great man and pay tribute to his lasting legacy at the Mardyke which was his second home.

Proceedings will commence at 2.30 p.m. on Saturday, 9th April, so we very much look forward to seeing you from 2 p.m. on the day.

There will be a video conferencing link available for anyone who wishes to dial in and say a few words so please contact info@corkcountycricketclub.com to indicate if you wish to do so.

Dermot Giltinan Memorial Service

Please confirm your attendance by email to either:

 
 
 








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Hassett to return for 2022 season

Sunday, February 13th, 2022

It’s the Return of the Mak(ka) with the news that Cormac Hassett will be returning to the Mardyke for the 2022 season. The club is delighted to have the extremely popular Victorian and Irish passport holder back on Leeside after a two year break due to Covid.

Cormac first represented the club with the 4th XI at 15 years of age back in 2011 while his family were spending a few months in Ireland. He later returned in 2015 for the first of a 5 season spell during which time he won a Leinster Championship title in 2016, five Munster Premier Division titles, three Senior Cups and four Senior T20 titles. He succeeded Stephan Grobler as Club Captain in 2018.

Cormac Hassett representing Cork County against Malahide in the 2019 All-Ireland T20 Semi-Final

Hassett has also been capped by the Munster Reds on six occasions making his debut against the Knights at Carrickfergus in 2017 in the Inter-Provincial Twenty20 Trophy. A fantastic innings of 49 against the Leinster Lightning at Sydney Parade in 2019 was certainly the highlight and he has scored 102 runs at a Strike Rate of 99.02 for the provincial franchise. 

Since leaving The Mardyke, Cormac has coached the Stratford Cricket Club to a premiership title and have also played a season in the Northern Territory for Pints Cricket Club. He is currently playing sub-district cricket in Melbourne for Ormond Cricket Club.

With the confirmation of the news, Hassett expressed his excitement at the planned return:

“The time has finally come! I can’t wait to get back down to the Mardyke for the season. I feel like I’m coming home after two long years away.”

“Leah and I are really looking forward to our summer in Cork and we can’t wait to see all of our friends in the Cork County community.”

“Good luck with the pre-season lads and I’ll see you all in April.”

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Former Cork County and Munster player Tom Kiernan passes away

Thursday, February 3rd, 2022

The club was saddened to learn of the passing of former Cork County, Bohemians and Munster batsman and all-round Cork sporting great Tom Kiernan. Brother of Jim, Tom represented both club and Munster with distinction and also was a product of Presentation Brothers College alongside another club legend Dermot Giltinan.

In his book ‘Long Shadows By De Banks’, Colm Murphy noted that “Tom Kiernan was highly regarded and was of international standard. However, it was rugby that he truly excelled. He was a regular at the Mardyke and on one occasion, immediately on returning back to Cork from a Lions’ Tour, he was to be seen at the nets giving advice to aspiring cricketers.”

“Besides cricket, there was always the refreshing swim at the weir!”

Bohemians Cricket Club at the Mardyke in Cork

Tom Kiernan is pictured above in the Bohemians side (far left back row) that graced the Mardyke for many years.

 

As a Life Member of the club, Tom continued to be a familiar face at the Mardyke down through the years and was often spotted at key fixtures and the clubs annual end of season dinners.

tom_kiernan_cor-county-dinner

Jim Fitzgerald and Tom Kiernan pictured at the 2014 Annual Awards Dinner at the River Lee Hotel.

 
Kiernan was also a legendary figure in Irish rugby and kicked the winning score the first time Ireland beat South Africa, in 1965, and captained the first Irish team to win a Test in Australia two years later.

He was capped 59 times for Ireland at full-back; 5 times for the Lions and captained the Lions in South Africa 1968.

At club level, he represented Cork Constitution, Munster and University College Cork with distinction.

Tom Kiernan in 1983. Picture: SPORTSFILE

Tom Kiernan in 1983. Picture: SPORTSFILE

 
After hanging up his boots, he was in charge of the Munster team which recorded a victory over New Zealand in 1978 and went on to coach Ireland between 1980 and 1983, including winning the Five Nations title in 1982.

Munster representative matches:

  • 1959: Munster Cricket Union XI v Australian Old Collegians at the Mardyke

Guinness Cup

  • 7th August 1966: Munster v South Leinster at the Mardyke
  • 13th August 1966: North West v Munster at Holm Field, Sion Mills
  • 19th August 1967: Munster v North West at the Mardyke
  • 31st May 1969: Munster v North West at the Mardyke
  • 5th July 1969: Munster v North Leinster at the Mardyke

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Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h’anam dílis.
 
 
 








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