Cricket lovers of Swords recently formed Leinster’s newest club after a few years of flirting around the issue.
Initially, people from the area played with a soft ball. There is a strong Indian community in Swords and the passion these members have for the game has helped to push the forming of Swords Cricket Club forward.
Cricket has been played in the Rivervalley, Holywell and Malahide areas for the last four years. Last year Swords CC played in four tournaments and were runners up in one, and semi-finalists in all others. Gradually they decided to form a club and the work started finally started in September 2010.
Members of the new club held a general meeting on September 16th 2010 and elected Fr.Tony Pazhayakalam of St Cronan’s Church, Brackenstown as their first Chairman. Mr. Sajeev Thomas was elected secretary, Sibu Jose as treasurer and Mr George Purapanthanam as manager. A five-member Executive Committee was also voted in.
Swords Cricket Club would welcome any new members and wants to promote cricket in the Swords area. The club is supported by Fingal County Council and the Leinster Cricket Union and is expecting to enter into the Leinster leagues next year.
Fingal cricket development officer and former Ireland player Reinhardt Strydom is helping out with the club’s formation along with support from Cricket Ireland’s Leinster Development Manager Brian O’Rourke. Fingal sports officer Niall McGuirk along with Gerry Fitzgerald, Senior Executive Parks Superintendent, have also offered their valuable assistance.
Swords Cricket club has been provided with training ground at Newbridge Park and has started training with a soft ball. The club is looking to get a pitch prepared for use for the rest of the summer. For further details please visit the website: www.swordscricketclub.com.
Participation in the Swords St Patrick’s Day parade brought the new venture to the attention of everyone present. Swords are entering the one-day cricket carnival being held in Railway Union on May 15th but they are planning to play a few friendly matches with local clubs in the meantime.
Swords CC constantly endeavours to make cricket healthy, competitive and safe - a positive experience that everyone can enjoy.