I arrived to Bristol airport on April 25th where I met Simon Copeland (Queen’s College - Director of Sport) and we drove about 40kms to Queen's College in Taunton. I met the first team captain and head coaches Angus Hamilton and Arul Suppiah, the later being a very successful county and international player. An hour after I arrived I had my first training session with the first team squad of 15/16. We have quite a young side with the youngest being 15. We have quite a strong side this year as we have two players who have played for the Somerset 2nd XI, one of who is fellow Leinsterman, Fionn Hand of North County CC as well as three Somerset under-age players.
On the academic side, I joined up with 'Year 12' where I had to select three subjects. Since I arrived very late at the school I do not have to complete full internal exams, but everyone else in the school is preparing for exams.
Our first five games we came out victorious including a dramatic win off the last ball against the world renowned MCC of Lords, where I was happy to contribute in my first ever 'time game' with 3 wickets and 61 not out. After those five games, we came up against two very well drilled schools (Huish & Exeter) who had many county players within their side where we lost narrowly without two of our strongest players who were playing for Somerset. The facilities at Queens are nothing short of exceptional with three hockey pitches, 12 tennis courts and four full-sized cricket pitches. It is an incredible experience and opportunity to be playing and developing my game here against different opponents every week. I would like to thank everyone at Cricket Leinster and Queen’s College who made it possible.
Fionn O'Sullivan
Leinster Cricket Club and St Mary’s College, Rathmines, Dublin 6.
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