Dundalk lived up to the pre-season predictions and not only emerged as Leinster Division 11 champions in their league season debut but did it in emphatic style by making a clean sweep and winning every league match played, something no other club in Leinster managed across the 14 Divisions.
Sundays win over Bagenalstown set the seal on what has been an extraordinary debut season for the club that plays it’s home games out on the Green Road in Dromiskin.
For a club that was only founded in 2009 and played it’s first matches in 2010 it says much about the impetus and organisation behind the club that it has been able to pull off such a marvellous cricketing performance.
There is a depth in the club that has allowed it to turn out a quality first XI on every occasion.
Credit has to go of course to the 1st XI Captain Phil Osborn who has made wise squad selections and proved to be a canny and decisive captain in the field frustrating all opposition that Dundalk have faced.
For a club that had such humble origins starting off with a few lads playing in the car park of the old shopping centre, Dundalk have now emerged as a real force in Leinster Cricket and one to be taken very seriously by many a long established club.
Along the way the club have unearthed much talent in the cricketers of Dundalk. Ahsan Shah all rounder powerful hitter of the ball and wicket taker, Sunil Kumar an elegant batsman who was selected for the Irish Universities Squad a sign perhaps of future internationals from Dundalk. Then there is Andrew Williams a fierce pace bowler few can stand up to and of course the Gower like master batsman Sajan Jeyaseelan.
Amongst the youth squad there is much promise for the future in the form of Kalkeran Kierans, Waleed Shahid, the Waterman brothers Rory and Kevin, Stephen Lines and Adam Waller.
The ground staff Bertie Mullholland , Ian McEvoy and Brendan Waters deserve much praise for their preparation and care of a pitch that is the envy of many a club and of course there is Dundalk’s indefatigable and tireless Secretary Derek Turner.
While the Division championship is the first major trophy to go into the cabinet it is by no means the only one as Dundalk took part in the annual charity Beach Cricket Competition in July at Laytown and manage to win the competition on that day.
The future looks bright for the club and to follow up on this year’s successes there are solid plans to enter a second league team next year, the core of which should be the young players mentioned earlier.
Although the season is now ended it is still not to late to get a taste what it is like to witness Cricket at it’s best, the club will be holding it’s Open Day on Saturday 24th September at their home ground in Dromiskin. Proceedings start at 12:00 with an invitational 20/20 Match featuring the players of Dundalk and members of Civil Service, Lurgan, Monaghan and Knockharley Cricket Clubs.
The Dundalk Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year prizes will be presented and a second 20/20 match will then take place at 3pm, there will be entertainment and refreshments available for all young and old, entrance on the day is €10 with children being admitted free.
Everyone is invited to come along and share in the success of this great sporting Dundalk club