In a historic commemoration of the club’s rich legacy, Cork County Cricket Club recently marked the 150th anniversary since its inception. The journey began in 1874 when the inaugural meeting was convened under the chairmanship of Sir Thomas Tobin on the 4th of April 1874 at the Imperial Hotel in Cork.
Led by President Mortimer Kelleher and Chairman Peter Dineen, the current committee gathered at the very location where it all began to pay homage to this significant milestone. Among the distinguished attendees were former Club President Kieran Aherne and esteemed club stalwart David Griffin, who served as both President of Cricket Ireland and a long-standing officer of the club.
Accompanied by current committee members Robert Duggan, Talha Kayani, Diarmuid Carey, Sid Joshi, Kevin O’Sullivan, Pat Donnelly, Susan O’Connell, and Rahul Sethi, the group convened at the Imperial Hotel. Together, they captured a commemorative photograph on the grand staircase of the hotel foyer, mirroring a similar effort by the club committee during the centenary celebrations in 1974.
Photo recreating the 1974 centenary celebration photo, featuring the current Cork County Cricket Club committee (including President Mortimor Kelleher, Chairman Peter Dineen, Robert Duggan, Talha Kayani, Diarmuid Carey, Sid Joshi, Kevin O’Sullivan, Pat Donnelly, Susan O’Connell, and Rahul Sethi) on the steps of the grand staircase at the Imperial Hotel in Cork, commemorating the club’s 150th anniversary.
The event served as a poignant reminder of the club’s enduring legacy and the profound impact it has had on the cricketing community in Cork and beyond over the past century and a half. As Cork County Cricket Club embarks on its 150th year, the spirit of camaraderie and dedication to the sport continues to thrive, ensuring a bright future for generations of cricket enthusiasts to come.
This special gathering marks the official kick-off of a year-long celebration planned by the club. We look forward to sharing more details about upcoming events as we commemorate 150 years of cricketing excellence and camaraderie at Cork County Cricket Club.
The hallowed turf of Cork County Cricket Club’s Mardyke grounds has always been a delight to play on, but now it’s officially award-winning! Matt Reed, the club’s dedicated groundsman, has been crowned the Lord’s Taverners Groundskeeping Team of the Year at the recent Business Plus Irish Cricket Awards, a well-deserved recognition for his meticulous work and passion.
For years, Matt has been the silent maestro behind the scenes, coaxing the Mardyke’s pitches into playing surfaces renowned for their consistency and bounce at both club and Interprovincial level – the dream for any cricketer. His dedication hasn’t gone unnoticed, and finally, the wider Irish cricketing community has acknowledged his immense contribution to the sport.
“The award is richly deserved,” says Club President Mort Kelleher, echoing the sentiments of many.
“On behalf of everyone at Cork County Cricket Club, I would like to congratulate our groundsman Matt Reed on winning the title of Cricket Ireland Groundsperson of the Year.”
“Matt’s wickets at our beloved Mardyke home have been consistently good over the years but this has only been due to Matt’s hard work and diligence. The award is richly deserved. Credit also goes to those who assisted Matt in any way.”
But Matt isn’t one to take all the credit. “I’m incredibly grateful for this award,” he says humbly, “but it wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the club and the fantastic team who help me keep the Mardyke looking and playing its best.”
The award isn’t just a personal accolade for Matt; it’s a testament to the dedication and passion that runs deep within Cork County Cricket Club. From the tireless efforts of the groundskeeping team to the unwavering support of the club community, the Mardyke’s magic is truly a collective effort.
So, the next time you witness a thrilling match unfold on the Mardyke’s pristine turf, remember the silent hero behind it all – Matt Reed, the award-winning groundsman who ensures every ball bounces true and every player experiences the joy of playing on a pitch fit for champions. Congratulations, Matt!
With the momentous 150th anniversary of the club fast approaching, the recent AGM saw the election of officers, committee members and team captains for the 2024 season.
Mortimer Kelleher and Peter Dineen continue in their roles as President and Chairman, respectively, while there was also no change in personnel in the roles of Secretary and Treasurer with Pat Donnelly and Talha Kayani remaining in situ.
Ross Durity takes on the reins as Club Captain after Abubakar Saddique’s successful season in the role. There was no change at 2nd XI level but two new faces at 3rd and 4th XI with Ishaan Singh Seehra and Talha Mannan, respectively, stepping up to the role of captain.
The elected Ordinary members of the committee are as follows:
Kevin Bray
Diarmuid Carey
Robert Duggan
Sid Joshi
Kevin O’Sullivan
Rahul Sethi
Best of luck to all those involved as we mark the historic milestone for the club in 2024!
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Cork County Cricket Club is thrilled to announce that the Annual Awards Night will take place on Friday, 19th January 2024, at the exquisite 4-Star River Lee Hotel.
While it is an opportunity to bask in the many achievements of 2023, this night is more than just an awards ceremony. It marks the prelude to our grand 150th-anniversary celebrations for one of the oldest clubs in the city. Consider this event the kickoff to a year of festivities, reflections, and anticipation for the remarkable journey ahead.
Event Highlights:
🥂 Prosecco/Orange Juice Reception on Arrival
🍽️ Sumptuous 3-course Meal:
2 Starter Options
2 Main Course Options
2 Dessert Options
Tea/Coffee
Exciting Details:
🎙️ Former Irish international John Mooney will be joining us as a guest speaker on the night and brings with him a wealth of experience with 64 ODIs, 27 T20 internationals as well as 17 First Class appearances to his name. John also took on the role of specialist fielding coach for the Danish and Afghanistan national sides.
All-rounder John Mooney representing Ireland
🎉 Speeches and Awards
Running Order:
18:00: Guests arrive for a lively drinks reception
19:00: Seating arrangements commence
19:15: Guests comfortably seated
19:30: Dinner service begins with orders taken and wines poured
21:00: Unveiling of speeches and awards during dessert
Join us as we celebrate the accomplishments of 2023 and set the stage for an extraordinary 150th anniversary season. Let the festivities begin! 🌟 #AnnualAwardsNight #CCCC150
Cork County Cricket Club emerged with an impressive haul of 20 awards across various divisions and age groups at the prestigious 2023 Munster Cricket Awards. The club’s unparalleled success was celebrated at the ceremony which took place at the Charleville Park Hotel, highlighting both team and individual achievements.
Team Awards
Premier Division Champions – Cork County 1
Premier T20 Champions – Cork County 1
Division 1 Champions – Cork County 2
Division 2 T20 Champions – Cork County 3
Division 3 T20 Champions – Cork County 4
U13 T20 League Champions – Cork County U13 Sharks
U13 Super League Champions – Cork County U13
U17 T20 League Champions – Cork County U17
Munster Team of 2023 – Cork County 1
Individual Awards
Premier T20 Batter of 2023 – Stefano Di Bartolomeo
Premier T20 Bowler of 2023 – Hamdullah Safi
Division 2 Batter of 2023 – Ishaan Singh Seehra
Division 2 T20 Batter of 2023 – Ishaan Singh Seehra
Division 3 Batter of 2023 – Rahul Sethi
Division 3 T20 Batter of 2023 – Prateek Chappanda
U17 Leagues Batter of 2023 – Niall Donnelly
U15 Female Player of 2023 – Ciara Spalding
U13 Leagues Batter of 2023 – Hashim Bilal Ahsan
U13 Leagues Bowler of 2023 – Elmond Momand
U13 Player of 2023 – Eddie Ross
The club’s dedication to fostering a vibrant cricketing community, where individuals of all ages and abilities can excel, has once again been recognised, with 11 individual and team award recipients across both adult and youth levels.
Congratulations to all the winners for their outstanding contributions to Cork County Cricket Club’s phenomenal success in 2023. Here’s to more triumphs and cricketing excellence during our 150th anniversary season in 2024!
Cork County Cricket Club at the 2023 Munster Cricket Awards
All members are invited to attend the 2023 Annual General Meeting of Cork County Cricket Club which will take place at the Mardyke at 7.30pm on Thursday 14th December 2023.
The proposed agenda is set out below for your information.
Apologies
Approval of the Minutes of the 2022 Annual General Meeting
Hon. Secretary’s Report
Hon. Treasurer’s Report
Election of Captains, Officers and Committee Members for 2024
Ratification of Child Safeguarding personnel for 2024
Membership Subscriptions 2024
150th Anniversary Celebrations in 2024
Any Other Business
The Committee wishes to encourage all members to attend the AGM, which is a vital part of the Club’s calendar and is crucial to the successful operation of the Club. The AGM allows all members the opportunity to express their views on the future direction of the Club as we look forward to the momentous 150th celebrations.
Congratulations to three of our club members Sid, Sunil and Rob who qualified as Level 2 Core Coaches following the completion of the recent course run by Cricket Ireland at Kings Hospital School in Dublin.
It was an intensive but superbly delivered course which included six online modules, four face-to-face modules in Dublin and was delivered by four excellent tutors.
Sid, Rob & Sunil are pictured following their final assessment.
The addition of three more Level 2 coaches adds to the wealth of experience within the club to benefit all levels from U9s up to the 1st XI squad.
Youth cricket in Cork County has never been more vibrant, and the recent awards ceremony was a testament to the talent and dedication of our young cricketers. Under the warm embrace of the sun, Cork County Cricket Club celebrated the remarkable achievements of its U13 and U17 squads in the 2023 Munster Cricket competitions. The event not only marked a glorious moment for the players but also highlighted the club’s commitment to nurturing young cricketing talent.
Behind every successful youth program, there is a dedicated team that works tirelessly to ensure the players have the best possible experience. The Youth Committee of Cork County Cricket Club played a pivotal role in organizing the awards ceremony and supporting the young cricketers throughout their journey. Their commitment to fostering talent and providing a nurturing environment deserves special recognition.
The U13 and U17 squads of Cork County Cricket Club have been on an outstanding journey throughout the season, showcasing their skills, determination, and passion for the game. Their hard work resulted in more silverware:
U13 T20 Cup
U13 Super League
U17 T20 Cup
The awards ceremony was graced by the presence of Jack Filen, the President of Munster Cricket. His attendance not only added prestige to the event but also showed Munster Cricket’s unwavering support for youth cricket development. Mr. Filen’s words of encouragement and praise motivated the young cricketers and instilled a sense of pride in their accomplishments.
No celebration is complete without delicious treats, and the young cricketers were in for a delightful surprise thanks to Lavish Foods. The generous contribution of Lavish Foods added flavour to the event, and their tasty treats were enjoyed by everyone in attendance.
Cork County Cricket Club looks forward to continued success and growth in youth cricket, driven by the enthusiasm and passion of these remarkable young players.
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.
The club wishes to extend its deepest condolences following the passing of Paddy Comerford. A much-respected umpire, Paddy’s unwavering commitment and genial demeanour enriched the Munster and the wider cricketing community.
Paddy is pictured in the front row on the far right having umpired an Irish XI vs. Overseas XI friendly at the Mardyke in September 2022.
“On behalf of everybody at County and on my own personal behalf I would like to take this opportunity to extend our sincere sympathy to Paddy’s wife Rita and the Comerford Family on their sad loss. Paddy’s beloved parents were neighbours of mine at Alverna. Not only was Paddy an excellent umpire and singer he was part of a famous Sunday’s Well front row of Attridge, Comerford and O’Callaghan, more than a match for the Pontypool front row!” — Mortimer Kelleher, President Cork County Cricket Club
