Q & A with rising star Stephen Doheny

It has been quite a whirlwind winter of cricket for Stephen Doheny, the Rush Cricket Club member, whose six months have taken in Ireland, Australia, South Africa, and India.

One wonders with the spread of COVID-19 who will be the next cricketer from any country to gain such an exciting opportunity to develop their skills, just over three years since he was playing for Cricket Leinster Youth in various tournaments.

Stephen (SD) has kindly agreed to be interviewed by Cricket Leinster’s Brian O’Rourke (BO’R) over Skype, to discuss his experiences, his goals, and sadly, how he is adapting to the COVID-19 impact.

1. BO’R - For those reading who do not know you, can you just outline a little about yourself?

SD

I am Stephen Doheny, 21 years old from Dublin, right-hand batsmen, and passionate Liverpool Football fan.  I play for Rush Cricket Club in Leinster, represent Leinster Lightning in the Inter-Pro competition in Ireland and am a member of the Ireland Wolves team.

I have also been busy supporting the Leinster Youth programme.  It feels almost surreal to be back as one of the underage batting coaches, passing on my experiences to the young Leinster players, as at 21 I do not feel old!, but it was very kind to have me involved and allow me to give back for what the Leinster Youth programme did to help me experience the opportunities I currently have in the game.

• BO’R - You have just returned from an off-season in Sydney. Do you think the trip has benefitted your game and have you changed any aspects of your batting?

SD

I have. Yes, I feel the trip has greatly benefitted my game. The opportunity to play cricket in a different climate and conditions have challenged aspects of my game that previously haven’t been. This was my first time in Australia, so the playing conditions were foreign to me. Adapting was difficult in the beginning, but I think I found my feet as the season went on.

I think I have changed parts of my game, not too much thankfully. The wickets are obviously harder and bounce more so I had to make small changes to adapt to conditions. Patience is a skill that I overlooked in the past. Due to the longer formats played in grade cricket, that is an element of my game that I think has developed most.

Fortunately, I had plenty of time to pick up the gloves and develop my wicket-keeping while I was there. I feel it adds another string to my bow and hopefully will put me in good stead going forward.

• BO’R - Just picking up on that point, could you describe Sydney grade cricket a little more, and how the games are played?

SD

They’re played a little bit differently than how we play back in Dublin. So, in grade cricket, there are five grades who play two-day games along with their 50 over comp, which are played out over back-to-back Saturdays. It’s a two innings game, however, points are awarded (6 points) for first innings victories and then more points (10 points) for an outright win, which is a win over two innings. There are 20 teams in the competition and 15 rounds that are concluded with finals. A very competitive and challenging brand of cricket but it makes the victories so much sweeter.

The first-grade teams play a T20 competition in addition to the regular season which is comprised of the two-day and 50 over competitions.

• BO’R - Randwick Petersham was the club you played at, could you tell me a bit about their leading players and coaches?

SD

Randwick is a fantastic club with magnificent characters in the form of players and coaches. There is so much experience in the squads which makes them a strong unit in all playing formats.

On the players’ front, many players have respective honours in different squads throughout Australia and England. The most impressive thing about the club, and probably the biggest difference from club cricket back home was the structure and professionalism shown at training.

Twice a week there would be north of 70 people from all grades present at training, which allows the club to compete every week. Bowlers run in on grass wickets and challenge their teammates in the hope of getting selected in a higher grade. The whole selection committee is in attendance most weeks also, it is an extremely prosperous environment. I also enjoyed working with the club head coach Greg Small and ex Warwickshire player and 1^st team coach Nick Warren.

• BO’R - You took time out of your trip to Sydney to team up the Ireland Wolves squad who were based in South Africa. What are your best memories of that trip?

SD

That was a successful trip. Matched up against a strong Namibian side we played some great cricket. Taking the T20 series 4-1 against a full team has got to be the highlight of that trip. As always, it was great meeting up with all my friends, who I had not seen in five months. Getting the opportunity to keep wickets on the tour in the one-day series was fun. It was nice to add some value in the fielding half of the games as well as my batting.

In my opinion, the most impressive aspect of the Wolves team has been how the young players in the team have stepped up and contributed to some great victories in the recent past. It is a promising time to be involved in the Wolves team with such a busy period in international cricket coming up for Ireland.

• BO’R - Your winter then took an even more exciting turn with the opportunity to spend time with the Ireland T20 squad in India, what type of experience was that for you?

SD

Yes, that was an amazing experience for me, and one that I had dreamt about for a long time. The nature of my selection was unexpected with Gary Wilson becoming ill last minute, however, a proud moment for me and one I won’t forget.

A major eye-opening experience for me also, the pace of the game is so much quicker than what I have experienced in the past. Although, the little snippet of time I have spent in the squad has given me so much more motivation to be included whenever the squad gets back together.

• BO’R - What are your goals this season for Rush CC and Leinster Lightning?

SD

Whenever it starts, it would be great if Rush could take home some silverware this season. I’ve taken on the responsibility of captaincy and am excited to see the challenges that it brings. Again, we have a youthful look to our squad and that is exciting as well.

In terms of Leinster Lightning, there is no reason why we cannot bag all three trophies. We have a responsibility as Lightning players to keep setting the bar for provincial teams in Ireland. The other sides are just as capable of winning the titles as we are, so it’ll be a fascinating season once it gets underway.

On a personal note I am in pursuit of a consistent start to the season and see where that takes me, it is no secret that my performances for the Lightning in longer formats haven’t been what I am capable of. I am excited to get back on the field with the lads and show everyone what I can do in all formats.

• BO’R - Finally, can we turn to what is the challenging subject of COVID-19.  How has that impacted your plans?

SD

First, can I say how shocked I have been at the speed of the virus worldwide so quickly.  Whatever the consequences on my plans, Cricket Ireland, and cricket in general, those are no sacrifices compared to some of the hardworking doctors, nurses and volunteers on the frontline.

What is the impact on me? I have gone from looking into an important season with Rush, Leinster Lightning, and the Wolves to being very uncertain of the future. Let’s hope the virus cools down and we can get our season underway. It being an important season for all the Irish cricketers with the t20 world cup scheduled at the end of the year.

Now, it is not clear when any cricket or, even training can take place or if we will have a World Cup in Australia, all this coming about only weeks since my return to Ireland.

The positive change it has brought about in me is being more thankful for what we have, the winter that has just passed, having quality family time, and supporting others who have supported me.

BO’R - We will finish on that powerful message Stephen.  Thank you for your time and such a candid insight. Good luck with all your goals in cricket this year, and look forward, as do so many across Leinster, to watching you become the cricketer you can be.

Photo acknowledgments:

Joe Curtis, Peter Boyd & Peter Brannigan