FROM PRIMARY SCHOOL TO A SENIOR HUNDRED IN JUST 6 YEARS!

As Cricket Leinster restarts the coordination of it’s Primary Schools Coaching Programme throughout the province later this month, a wonderful reminder from John McNally, who batted at 8 for Clontarf 1st XI last weekend and scored a BUAKIT Premier League century just six years after starting the game at Primary School.

John (who is 16 years old) attends Mount Temple Comprehensive School and is a talented all-rounder who starts in his Transition Year this week with the hope that he can be part of Cricket Leinster’s South Africa School Placement Programme as a logical next step on his ‘cricket’ journey.

It all started back in 2015 with Primary School coaching visits supported by Dublin City Council & Clontarf CC. John then progressed to a 2018 Leprechaun Cup victory with Howth Road NS, and in 2021, as a talented Under 16, he is now playing the highest level of club cricket in Ireland, such is the pathway of opportunity currently in place for young Leinster cricketers.

When joining up with Clontarf CC when he was 10, many were quick to observe his natural talent as a cricketer. Clontarf CC Cricket Chairperson (Conor D’Arcy commented) - “We’re all delighted with the progress John has made given the effort he’s put into his game. From the day he walked into Clontarf as a youngster, many could see that he was a special talent and we are excited about what the future holds.”

Indeed, despite pandemic, Cricket Leinster is just a few days away from restarting its School's Cricket programme such has been the interest from local schools. 

There is still time for any school which has not registered its interest in school visits to contact your local Leinster Youth Development coach to do so:

Fingal - Brían O’Rourke  brian.orourke@cricketleinster.ie

South Dublin - Naomi Scott-Hayward  naomi.scotthayward@cricketleinster.ie

Dublin City - Fintan McAllister –fintan.mcallister@cricketleinster.ie

Meath - Anne O’Meara – anne.omeara@cricketleinster.ie

Wicklow & DLR - Jim Stewart –mjjstewart@gmail.com

Wexford & South East - Herbie Honahan – development@cricketleinster.ie

Midlands – Bernard O’Mara – bernard.omara@cricketleinster.ie