As the Cricket Leinster Development Officers continue to expand the reach of the sport into the hinterlands of rural Leinster, we are reminded that in this they but following in the footsteps of others who in a much earlier time brought coaching to the natives.
The following extract from John Lawrence’s Handbook of Cricket in Ireland for the year 1866 captures something of the spirit of the times [and of the social and political context in which cricket was played] and the challenges facing coaches in any era.
The references are to the Belmont Cricket Club, which was a King’s County [Offaly] club that was established around 1864 by James Perry Esq of Belmont House, Cloghan.
‘Cricket was entirely unknown in this district until the Spring of ’64 when, during a few months stay in the neighbourhood, we got a few of the country natives to practice every fine evening. It soon became evident that they liked the game extremely, and we found that there was plenty of the raw material amongst them for turning out credible cricketers. Their principle defect was absence of discipline, and the presence of a person in authority was at first quite necessary to ally the natural ardour for converting bats into the more genial shillelagh. However, as our noble game became better understood, they learned that to suffer defeat with equanimity was a cardinal rule, and that it was no part of the game to substitute a player’s head for the ball. We were of necessity absent from the district for some time, during which the game languished and died. However, in June ’66 we became permanently resident, and resumed cricket with increased vigour, again inducing the players – who are chiefly of the labouring class – to practice every evening. We endeavoured to excite emulation by choosing sides, keeping a regular scorebook etc. Almost immediately we had the natives coming in troops to practice and discovered there were some very promising players amongst them. We now thought we might venture to play a few matches ……’
Belmont CC continued in existence until 1875 after which there are no records and it is presumed the club ceased to exist. During its short existence it played on average about five matches per season. Runs were at a premium and batsmen rarely got into double figures. No records were kept of bowlers figures.
Such are the challenges in setting up and establishing clubs in Ireland.