Ireland Boys U15
Ireland have named their Under 15 squad which will play seven matches in ten days on a tour of Scotland and England next month.
The Irish take on traditional rivals Scotland in the Celtic Cup, a three 50-over match series plus a T20 starting on Monday August 7th before heading South to play Surrey, Hertfordshire and the West Indies at Merchant Taylor's School.
Former Ireland A international Brian Allen is Head Coach and he admitted squad selection was difficult given the number of talented youngsters at this particular age-group.
"This squad as ever wasn't easily selected with lots of competition for places, although we are very happy with this exciting group of players we've got," said Allen.
"We have a testing 12 days of touring this year which will really challenge the squad.
"I look forward to getting everyone together and seeing these promising players forge new friendships and enjoy performing together."
Luke Allison (Donaghcloney), Nathan Doak (Lisburn), Levi Dougherty (Donemana), Gavin Hoey (Pembroke), James Hunter (Instonians), Samuel Johannes de Klerk (Malahide), Archie Johnston (CSNI), Kyle Magee (Killyclooney), Reece Malone (Derriaghy), Nathan McGuire++ (Rush), Oliver Metcalfe (Instonians), Scott Ruttle (YMCA), Alex Stiles** (Railway Union), Tim Tector (YMCA). Mitchell Thompson (YMCA)
++Nathan McGuire will play in Merchants Taylor's tournament only.
** Alex Stiles will play in Scotland series only
Ireland Under 15 Fixtures
Monday 7th August, 50 overs, Ireland v Scotland at Ayr
Tuesday 8th August, 50 overs, Ireland v Scotland at Ayr
Thursday 10th August, 50 overs, Ireland v Scotland at Ayr
Friday 11th August, T20, Ireland v Scotland at Ayr
Monday 14th August, 50 overs, Ireland v Surrey, at Merchant Taylor’s School
Tuesday 15th August, 50 overs, Ireland v Hertfordshire, at Merchant Taylor’s School
Thursday 17th August, 50 overs, Ireland v West Indies, at Merchant Taylor’s School
Ireland have named both their Under 15 and 17 girls squads who will taking part in the Malvern Festival and Celtic Cup respectively.
Irish international Clare Shillington is Head Coach of the Under 17's and is pleased with the talented squad selected.
"It's a great time in Irish Cricket to be involved with this U17 age group," said Shillington. "Six out of the 15 have now had experience at senior level having travelled to both Abu Dhabi to play England and South Africa to take part in the quadrangular series there.
"There is huge depth within the squad in all departments and it will be exciting to see what they can do in the series at Oak Hill.
"Many of the girls have proven themselves within the Toyota Super 3's set-up this season and it will be great to see them bring their skills to the next level against what I'm sure will be a strong Scottish side.
"There are lots of new and old faces to watch within the squad so I'm hoping we'll get plenty of home support down in Oak Hill.
The teams will play in three 40 over games starting on Monday July 24, while the series concludes with a T20 on the Thursday - all games are at Oak Hill.
Ireland's Under 15 girls will play next month in the Malvern Festival, taking on Essex, Shropshire and Lancashire.
The squad is coached by Rob O'Connor, who has high hopes for his talented charges.
"I'm very excited to see how this squad performs in Malvern this year," said O'Connor. "As always, the standard will be very high and the girls will be challenged throughout, which is exactly what they need.
"Everyone has worked very hard over the winter and it was difficult having to choose a final squad of 13, however I am happy that the girls not selected will be travelling to Malvern with Cricket Leinster, and they will play a senior role with that side."
Pembroke's Orla Prendergast skippers the squad and O'Connor believes the talented all-rounder was the natural choice for the role.
"Orla has performed very well in the Toyota Super 3's for the Scorchers this season, with both bat and ball, and with her experience and knowledge of the game, I have no doubt she will be an excellent leader."
The Malvern Festival for the squad runs from August 7th to the 10th.
IRELAND U17 GIRLS SQUAD
Aoife Beggs (YMCA), Sadhbh Breslin (Merrion), Aisling Byrne (The Hills), Alana Dalzell (Bready), Anna Kirk (Clontarf), Hannah Little (Pembroke), Louise Little (Pembroke), Lara Maritz (Malahide), Cara Murray (Saintfield), Lucy O'Reilly (YMCA), Leah Paul (Merrion), Orla Prendergast (Pembroke), Ellen Ridgeway (Leinster), Rebecca Stokell (Leinster), Cliona Tucker (Pembroke)
Coach: Clare Shillington
Orla Prendergast (Pembroke) (Capt.), Aoife Brennan (Clontarf), Sarah Condron (Malahide), Zara Craig (Eglinton), Amy Hunter (Instonians), Ali Keenan (Phoenix), Maria Kerrison (Leinster), Louise Little (Pembroke), Isobel McCormack (Malahide), Eimear Mullen (Pembroke), Emma Paul (Merrion), Isabel Saeed Maguire (Leinster), Cliona Tucker (Pembroke)
Coach: Rob O' Connor, Manager: Julie Logue
Fixtures - All games at Malvern.
Fixtures
Mon 24 July - Ireland U17 G vs Scotland U17 G (Celtic Cup), 40 overs at Oak Hill (12pm)
Tue 25 July - Ireland U17 G vs Scotland U17 G (Celtic Cup), 40 overs at Oak Hill (12pm)
Thu 27 July - Ireland U17 G vs Scotland U17 G (Celtic Cup), 40 overs at Oak Hill (12pm)
Fri 28 July - Ireland U17 G vs Scotland U17 G (Celtic Cup), 20 overs at Oak Hill (12pm)