BUA U23 DISTRICT CUP 2024 – AN OVERVIEW

Following it’s successful first edition in 2023, the BUAKit U23 District Cup returns for 2024 in an expanded format which is set to give the next crop of players with ambitions of representing the Leinster Lightning & Bolts a platform to stake their claims.

The teams participating in the competition remain unchanged, with Fingal, Dublin City and South Dublin & Midlands representing their respective areas, whilst Dublin University represent the students and will be playing out of College Park.

The number of fixtures for this season’s edition has been doubled from three to six, with three T20 double-header days in College Park now also added into the mix, ultimately meaning more opportunities for players to showcase their skills, and for the respective coaches to look at players who may be suited to one format better than another.

Thanks to Cricket Leinster’s new strategic partnership with North County, each of the District sides has been able to avail of three indoor sessions, allowing each team to run a trial day and prepare adequately for the upcoming fixtures.

The make-up of the District sides is nearly unchanged compared with last season, with just one coaching change occurring across the three teams. Former Irish International, Jonathan Garth is coaching the South Dublin & Midlands team:

FINGAL
Coach: Andre Botha
Manager: Barry Grimes
Clubs: Balbriggan, Castleknock, Malahide, North County, Ongar, Ringcommons, Rush, Swords, The Hills, Tyrrelstown

DUBLIN CITY
Coach: Nicky Kenny
Manager: Kenny Carroll
Clubs: Civil Service, Clontarf, Finglas, Merrion, Pembroke, Phoenix, Railway Union

SOUTH DUBLIN & MIDLANDS
Coach: Johnny Garth
Manager: Andy Hirst
Clubs: Adamstown, Bagenalstown, Carlow, Cavan, Clondalkin, Halverstown, Kilkenny, Laois, Leinster, Longford, Lucan, Mullingar, Naas, North Kildare, Terenure

There were some big names on show in this tournament last season, with the likes of Chris De Freitas (Fingal) & Adam Rosslee (South Dublin & Midlands) going on to represent the Leinster Lightning having played in the competition, whilst numerous others progressed to play for the Bolts’ side which won the Future Series.

Leinster Lightning & Bolts Pathway Manager Andre Botha, hopes that this tournament can grow into a large event, and allow players to showcase their skills as a stepping stone to the next level, and offered some encouragement to players ahead of the competition beginning;

“To all eligible players, I encourage you to make yourself available for selection. This will put you in good stead for potential Bolts and Lightning selection. It’s also an opportunity to put your name forward and put current provincial players under pressure.

“Lastly there is no better way to get your season up and running by spending time in the middle in an competitive environment. You all know the saying, your best preparation is in the middle”

The first trial sessions for each of the squads was held over the past weekend, and as a result, playing squads are set to be announced by the Managerial team in each instance in due course.

Opening fixtures for the tournament see Dublin University hosting Dublin City in College Park, whilst South Dublin & Midlands travel to The Vineyard to take on Fingal.

Cricket Leinster would like to thank BUA for their continued sponsorship of this competition for the 2024 season, their support in helping this tournament to get off the ground last year and continue to grow this season is hugely appreciated.

BUA DISTRICT CUP 2024 – FIXTURE LIST

April 28^th – 50 overs
Dublin University vs Dublin City – College Park, 12:00
Fingal vs South Dublin & Midlands – The Vineyard, 12:00

May 6^th – 50 overs
Dublin University vs South Dublin & Midlands – College Park, 12:00
Fingal vs Dublin City – Jack Harper Ground, 12:00

May 17^th – T20
Dublin University vs Dublin City – College Park, 14:30
South Dublin & Midlands vs Fingal – College Park, 18:00

May 23^rd – T20
Dublin University vs Fingal – College Park, 14:30
Dublin City vs South Dublin & Midlands – College Park, 18:00

May 26^th – 50 overs
Dublin University vs Fingal – College Park, 12:00
South Dublin & Midlands vs Dublin City – Park Avenue, 12:00

May 30^th – T20
Dublin University vs South Dublin & Midlands – College Park, 14:30
Fingal vs Dublin City – College Park, 18:00