CUS will take on Blackrock College in the Leinster Senior Boy’s Final at Merrion CC, Anglesea Road this afternoon (Wednesday 22nd May).
CUS are no strangers to this show-piece event in the Schools cricket calendar having had their name on the trophy with some regularity over recent years under the dedicated management of Sports Master (Stephen Tonge) and Director of Cricket (Kevin O’Herlihy).
The CUS team is a strong line-up, captained by Neil ‘Pebbles’ Rock who also leads his club at Rush CC and is a regular for the Northern Knights Senior Interprovincial team as part of a loan arrangement with Leinster Lightning.
He is supported by his promising Rush team-mate, Nathan McGuire, David O’Halloran from Malahide CC and of course, the Tonge brothers who play at Leinster CC.
CUS eased to the Final with a comprehensive win over Wesley College which included three 50s for O’Halloran, Andrew Tonge and Rock and an impressive 5-23 from McGuire.
Blackrock have progressed to the Final following a relatively straight-forward win over King’s Hospital in the Semi-Final and are led by Gavin Hoey (who played a key role in the semi-final win over KH) and who is already a very accomplished Underage Irish and Leinster cricketer.
Gavin is supported by a strong team which includes his Pembroke CC team-mate, the highly talented JJ Garth, who will add real strength to the Blackrock team with both bat and ball.
Other club cricketers of note in the Blackrock ranks include Cillian McDonnell of YMCA (who took 3-18 in the semi-final), Conor Austin of Merrion and Philippe Le Roux who plays his cricket at Railway Union.
Play begins at 2.00pm in Anglesea Road.
Blackrock College from:
Gavin Hoey (Captain), Philippe Le Roux, David Cosgrave, Jack Davy, JJ Garth, Cillian McDonnell, Conor Austin, Patrick Morris, Richard Ainsworth, Jack Gunn, Alex Cowdrey, Aidan Quigley
CUS
Neil Rock (Captain), David O’Halloran, Nathan McGuire, Matthew Tonge, Andrew Tonge, Mark Tonge, Jack Barry, James Byrne, Zak Woods Oliver, Cormac Dunne, Aaron Naughton, 12th Elliot Manks