News & Events

The Leinster Cricket Union management committee has granted Cork County Cricket Club a full 14 match schedule in Leinster Division 2 for the coming 2011 season. The 14 match schedule will comprise seven home fixtures at the Mardyke and seven away fixtures in Dublin. The development follows on from Cork County’s positive showing during their first season in Leinster League Division 2 by consolidating their position in the division with some notable performances including victories against Dublin University, Terenure and The Hills 2.

2011 Leinster League Division 2 will comprise:

1. Leinster (relegated from Division 1)
2. Malahide (relegated from Division 1)
3. Rush
4. Terenure
5. Cork County
6. Old Belvedere
7. The Hills 2
8. North County 2 (promoted from Division 3)

Changes for the coming 2011 season include only one promoted to Division 1 and only one relegated to Division 3 compared with a two up/ two down scenario this season.

The Annual General Meeting of Cork County Cricket Club will take place on Monday the 6th of December at the Mardyke Pavilion. All members are encouraged to attend as the Club looks forward to the 2011 season.

Agenda:

1. Apologies
2. Minutes of A.G.M. of 7th December, 2009.
3. Honorary Secretary’s Report for 2010
4. Honorary Treasurer’s Report for 2010
5. Election of Officers for 2011
6. Any Other Business

The annual Cork County end of season Awards Night was held last Saturday at the Mardyke to recognise the achievements of the players at all levels in the club throughout the 2010 season. 2010 proved to be a highly successful season for Cork County with the 1st XI claiming a clean sweep of the Senior League and Cup and also consolidating their position in Leinster League Division 2 for the 2011 season; the 2nd XI claiming the Division 2 title and the 4th XI reaching the Minor Cup final in only their first season in the competition.

The big award winner was Bruce Koch who claimed the Senior Player and Batsman of the Year after scoring 793 runs at an average of 66 and taking 38 wickets at an average of 15.4. Bruce had an exceptional season and led from the front as County challenged on all fronts inspiring the players around him with some outstanding performances. Matt Reed deservedly won the Bowler of the Year in recognition of some match winning performances with the ball at both Munster and Leinster league levels.

The award winners for the 2010 season were as follows:

• Senior Player of the Year: Bruce Koch (793 runs @ 66.1, 38 wickets @ 15.4)

  Senior Batsman of the Year: Bruce Koch (793 runs @ 66.1)

  Senior Bowler of the Year: Matt Reed (28 wickets @ 15.9)

  Young Player of the Year: Chris Banon (247 runs @ 16.5)

• Junior Player of the Year: Noelie Cronin

  Junior Batsman of the Year: Chris Banon

  Junior Bowler of the Year: Brian Scott

• 3rd XI Player of the Year: Kevin O’Sullivan

  3rd XI Batsman of the Year: Brian O’Leary

  3rd XI Bowler of the Year: Noelie Cronin

• 4th XI Player of the Year: Mort Kelleher

  4th XI Batsman of the Year: Scott McNamara

  4th XI Bowler of the Year: Saqib Khan

• Women’s Most Improved Player: Bridget Healy

  Women’s Batsmen of the Year: Emer Twomey

  Women’s Bowler of the Year: Mary Long

• Pres Past Pupil Award: Kevin Bray
• Clubman of the Month for August: Matt Reed

  Clubman of the Month for September: William J. Bradley

• Retiree of the Year: Des O’Leary

The averages for the Cork County senior squad for the 2010 season have been complied and can be accessed by clicking on the link below:

Cork County Averages 2010


The averages cover all Munster Senior League and Cup, Irish Senior Cup and Leinster League Division 2 fixtures for the 2010 season.

The annual Cork County Awards Night will be taking place this Saturday, 2nd of October, at the Mardyke from 8.00 p.m. onwards to celebrate the acheivements of the Club’s players at Senior, Junior and Minor levels. It has been a hugely successful season with the 1st XI winning the Munster Senior League and Cup convincingly and also consolidating their position in Leinster League Division 2. The 2nd XI, captained by Kevin Bray, claimed the Junior League title after a tighly fought race with Galway. The 4th XI reached the Minor Cup Final in only their first season in the competiton loosing out to Clonmel in the final.

All members are welcome to attend and support what should be a great night.

The Cork County squad which will travel to Dublin this weekend to take on promoted Pembroke at Oak Hill, Co. Wicklow, on Saturday and The Hills 2 at Milverton on Sunday in our final two fixtures in the 2010 Leinster League Division 2 is as follows:

1. R. Duggan*
2. R. Durity
3. B. Koch
4. S. Ridley
5. C. Banon
6. A. Saul
7. A. Wootton
8. M. Reed
9. J. Duggan
10. M.J. Wycherley
11. O. Creedon
12. C. Healy
13. D. O’Leary
14. T. Clifford

The squad will be travelling by coach (provided Vincent O’Brien Coaches) from the Rochestown Park Hotel at 7.00 p.m. on Friday and will be staying at Bewleys Hotel in Leopardstown on both Friday and Saturday night. If you wish to travel and stay with the team, please contact William Bradley at 0863610711.

Saturday 11th: Pembroke v Cork County @ Oak Hill
Sunday 12th: The Hills 2 v Cork County @ Milverton

ALL SUPPORT WELCOME!!!

Keeping up appearances. This, Cork County did with aplomb when virtually dismissing the challenge of Limerick Raiders in their eagerly awaited Munster Senior Cup final at the Mardyke. Aiming to secure the League and Cup double for a season that heralded so many good omens, County went about their expected mammoth clash against one of their bogey sides with an intent that was almost brutal in its execution.

On a day when rain always threatened to ruin the proceedings, Cork County captain, Robert Duggan, on winning the toss, had no hesitation in putting Limerick into bat. Thereafter, it was mostly down hill for a willing and brave side who either succumbed to the challenge offered by County or simply imploded in the atmosphere of the big occasion. Perhaps it was a combination of the two that resulted in this final terminating in mid afternoon, just before the rains came.

The search for new talent is a relentless pursuit at Cork County who have been the kingpins of cricket in Munster going back generations. On Sunday a new star was born or, the astute Mardyke mentors would suggest, Dessie O’Leary displayed his rich talent with the bat that they knew was always part of his armoury. Facing a meagre total of 99 for a win, O’Leary and his opening partner, vice captain Ross Durity knocked off the required runs with consummate ease.

Durity was known for his many regal displays, but, on this occasion, in the Blue Ribon clash for the Munster Cup, he was outshone by O’Leary whose commanding presence at the crease ensured that County’s pursuit of the ultimate honours would be but a stroll in the park.

His dexterity, his power and his treatment of the Limerick bowlers gave him an aura of invincibility which bode so much good for County and suggested so much grief for Limeriick. His innings started well and ended gloriously with the winning boundary of imperial majesty struck through the covers.

This was no docile Limerick side with captain Azeem Khan expecting his team to perform in a winning vein. Their troubles came early when the indestructible Bruce Koch rattled their cage, taking 4 for 14 in ten overs. Seamer James Duggan, who seems to have added a yard of pace to his deliveries, reinforced the gauntlet with his 3 for 29 and Andrew Saul(2 for 29) ensure there was no escape route.

Zakia at 27 was their highest scorer and Shraza, at 15, put some respectibility to the total when County threatened total annihilation.Compare these statistics to O’Leary’s 51 not out and Durity’s not out 42 and the gulf between the sides becomes quite evident.

Captain Robert Duggan and his team were able to celebrate the Double at an early stage of the afternoon,even before Tipperary in Croke Park, had their moment of glory.

Cup finals were never expected to be like this and umpires, Michael Hickey and Paddy Comerford saw their day so unexpectedly abbreviated by the size of the Cork County triumph. In presenting the trophy to captain Duggan, Munster Cricket Union President, Gerry Horan praised the excellence of the County team and stressed he was certain that Limerick Raiders would be back next season with renewed vigour and zest.

Man of the match adjudicator, Bertie Coleman had no hesitation in nominating Dessie O’Leary for this award, a decision which gained unanimous approval.

Madras Cup—- It was Ladies Day at the Mardyke on Saturday when the club’s female stars took on North Kildare for the Madras Cup. As holders, the Matt Reed trained Cork girls were defending the trophy they first won last year. They appreciated the difficulty of their assignment on a day when the sun suggested summer would stay with us forever.

But, the glow of heat was generated mostly by North Kildare who made 136 for their 25 overs, despite Emer Twomey and Mary Long each taking two wickets.In reply, Cork could only manage 122 which left them perilously short of their target.Captain Laura Peters made a redoubtable 25; Valerie Barry chipped in with 20 and Tamsin Cunniffe(18) made brave and valiant efforts to chase down the North Kildare score. All, however, to no avail but, as captain Peters proclaimed, next season we will turn the scales.

********
Rugby Players in Action—The Mardyke played host to the inaugural Shay Livingstone’s Cork County selection against a team drawn from Cork Constitution.There were a lot of bragging rights on offer to the winners so there was a keenness about the proceedings. All the participants have been major winners on the rugby union scene and some, like Brian Walsh, would have made the international side had he opted for the cricket code.

Livingstone’s marauders had to eat humble pie in the end, losing by a scant nine runs.The 149 Con accumulated, thanks to Dara Lyons and, Kenny Murphy, who was awarded the Rochestown Park Hotel trophy as man of the match.

Brian Walsh, as expected, top scored with 24 and the others to make their mark for Livingstone’s eleven were Packy Durham and Noel Walsh.

More to come next season. .

Cork County showed why they are Munster champions by the calibre of their play against Terenure in a vital Leinster League match in Dublin last Saturday. Their stunning display against one of the league’s top sides saw them victorious in a titanic finale.

This was Cork County at their best. In a nail biting final over, Andrew Saul hit a two off the last ball to take the Mardyke side past the winning post by one run, a win they richly deserved on the run of play. For all that, it was very hard earned. They faced a total of 240 and because of the way the pitch played, it looked an insurmountable target.

Cork County’s attack this season has been spearheaded by some remarkable returns from Bruce Koch, Matt Reed, Andrew Wootton and James Duggan, which gave the Dyke side a considerable edge in their domestic league. However, it was an ominous sign that, despite line and length bowling, Terenure were quite up to the task of scoring enough runs in their innings to set the visitors a very daunting task.

Robert Duggan’s warriors were not to be fazed and in newcomer Simon Ridley and Bruce Koch they possessed the nucleus of batting talent to save the day. And they accomplished with reassuring skill and technique. It was a joy to see these two in action. In the end, Ridley was but one run short of his century and Koch, the most impressive player of the entire season, was out for 60.

Though nearing the magic total of 240, County, as always, provided a heart-thumping climax as Andrew Wootton was forced into an all-out offensive mode, as the overs ran down, and his huge six and clever boundary in the penultimate over put the onus on Saul to clinch the match. Two off the last ball of the match, in mounting tension and anxiety, gave the Cork team their one run win.

“Yes we can” was their slogan, to which the obvious riposte should certainly be “yes we did!” “This was a mighty performance and a very significant win” said Captain Robert Duggan, who will lead his side against Limerick Raiders in the Provincial Cup decider at the Mardyke this coming Sunday, September 5th. In this kind of form, and having a full panel to pick from, it is difficult to see County playing second fiddle to any team in the Province. Yet, Limerick are quite capable of surprises but it would take a major upheaval to knock the league champions off their lofty pedestal. But, by their unpredictable nature, cup encounters have a habit of burying certainties and elevating challengers to high pinnacles of success. This final will provide all the answers.

It is a big ask to require a Cork team to play two vital Leinster League matches in Dublin on successive days. Cork County knew this, as a condition of gaining entry, and have undertaken the onerous programme of travel and matches without demur. For all that, it is quite exhausting and County showed this characteristic in their game against Old Belvedere at Cabra on Sunday.

Emotionally drained, they capitulated rather tamely and Belvedere’s 220 was a bridge too far for the visitors. Des O’Leary, with a well crafted 60, tried to restore equilibrium with the bat and James Duggan, with the ball, but to no great avail. Cork County’s 150 fell appreciably short by 70 runs. It dampened, somewhat, the exhilaration of the result against Terenure the previous day but it underlined their determination to continue to compete at the highest levels.

Now, the end is near. Two more Leinster League games, the first against Pembroke at Oak Hill, Wicklow on September 11th followed by the previously postponed match against The Hills at Milverton, the following day will finally determine the status of the team and the Club for the 2010 season. All to play for ,and all to look forward to.

Sean Power
Evening Echo, Thursday, September 2nd, 2010.

The Cork County squad which has been selected for the Munster Senior Cup Final against Limerick Raiders on Sunday, the 5th of September, is as follows:

1. R. Duggan *
2. R. Durity
3. B. Koch
4. A. Saul
5. C. Banon
6. D. O’Leary +
7. J. Duggan
8. A. Wootton
9. M.J. Wycherley
10. M. Reed
11. C. Healy
12. T. Clifford
13. O. Creedon

Players are to meet at the Mardyke at 10.30 a.m..

2010 Munster Senior Cup Final:

Cork County V Limerick Raiders

Sunday 5th September at the Mardyke

The Cork County squad which will travel to Dublin this weekend to take on Terenure on Saturday and Old Belvedere on Sunday in two very important fixtures in the Leinster League Division 2 is as follows:

1. R. Duggan*
2. R. Durity
3. B. Koch
4. S. Ridley
5. C. Banon
6. A. Saul
7. A. Wootton
8. M. Reed
9. J. Duggan
10. S. Girija
11. D. O’Leary
12. T. Clifford

The squad will be travelling by coach (provided Vincent O’Brien coaches) from the Rochestown Park Hotel at 7.00 p.m. on Friday and will be staying at Bewleys Hotel in Leopardstown on both Friday and Saturday night. If you wish to travel and stay with the team, please contact William Bradley at 0863610711.

Saturday 28th: Terenure v Cork County @ Terenure
Sunday 29th: Old Belvedere v Cork County @ Cabra

ALL SUPPORT WELCOME!!!

The VOX SWAP!

Featuring the Franks, The Freds and Slow Motion Heroes

Cork County Cricket Club, The Mardyke, Cork
Date: 28-08-2010 Time: 18:00
24/08/10. Application for tickets is now closed – you will be notified by email this morning if you won.

MURPHY’S is always celebrating and supporting the very best of Cork music, and we are now bringing together some of Cork’s best loved acts The Frank and Walters, Fred and Slow Motion Heroes.

And for one night only you will get the chance to witness the front-men of each band taking on the others songs! Who’s version will you prefer!! You can sing along to After All, Skyscrapers, Papers Over Cracks and hear all the hits like you have never heard them before. There will be some tasty treats from The Gourmet Offensive available to purchase and of course all washed down with a cool, creamy pint of MURPHY’S.

This exclusive and free night is brought to you by MURPHY’S – The Official Pint of Us!

Tell your mates to register now as tickets are limited to this event. Hit the request button below to enter you name. Only one ticket per person, ticket admits two. Application does not guarantee a ticket.

Vox Swap webite