Lightning Begin IP50 Defence Against the Warriors

The Leinster Lightning kick-off the Inter-Provincial Cup series with a match against the North West Warriors in La Manga, Spain, on Tuesday April 23rd.

Originally slated for Monday, the match was pushed back a day due to torrential rain at the Spanish venue.

Lightning skipper George Dockrell is looking forward to getting the Inter-Provincial season underway. “We’re very excited to get going here in La Manga. The lads took advantage of the weather delay to get a good run out together today. Most of us played on Saturday and travelled yesterday, so it was great to get a feel for the ground ahead of the first match against the Warriors tomorrow."

“They’re always competitive games but the lads are raring to go to defend our title,” added Dockrell.

A returning face in the Lightning squad is Pembroke’s Barry McCarthy, who took 2-19 for his club in a victory over Leinster on the opening day of the Leinster Senior League Cup.

McCarthy is glad to be finished with pre-season and getting on with the competitive cricket. “The pre-season hasn’t been too different,” he says. “It’s maybe been pushed back a week or two compared to the English season but preparation wise it’s all fairly similar. We’re obviously focusing more on white ball cricket, whereas in England, I’d probably be more focused on red-ball getting ready for the County Championships.”

At the end of the day though, it’s the same game acknowledges McCarthy who is ready to get the Lightning season underway. “I feel as fit as I have been at the start of any other season and I’m ready and raring to go."

This opening match is a repeat of the effective final between the sides at Leinster Cricket Club in September when the Lightning triumphed by 58 runs. Both sides will be looking to get some momentum behind them early in the season, while the Lightning have appreciated the extra day of preparation granted by the postponement.

Cricket Leinster General Manager Philip Smith acknowledged the ongoing and crucial
support of Cairn Homes in the Leinster Lightning programme. “Cairn Homes’ continued sponsorship of the Lightning and Bolts is a vital part of cricket in Leinster.”

All the action gets underway at 10.45am (local time) on Tuesday April 23rd.

Leinster Lightning Squad to face North West Warriors, La Manga, Spain

George Dockrell © - Leinster
Andrew Balbirnie – Pembroke
Peter Chase – Malahide
Stephen Doheny – Rush
Gareth Delany – Leinster
Fionn Hand – YMCA
Tyrone Kane – Merrion
Josh Little – Pembroke
Barry McCarthy – Pembroke
Kevin O’Brien – Railway Union
Simi Singh – Phoenix
Jack Tector – YMCA
Lorcan Tucker – Trinity/Pembroke