WITH the Cricket Leinster annual dinner coming up, you’ll be reading and hearing a lot about trophies such as the Marchant Cup and Solomons Cup. These coveted awards are given annually to the leading performer in many categories of club cricket. But just who were the people behind the trophies? In part one Ger Siggins takes a look at Division One.
The Marchant Cup was the first trophy awarded, in 1921, just two years after the LCU leagues began. Several more were added over the years and since the Open Competitions were re-structured in 2010, awards have been presented to the top performers in each of the three divisions. All the old awards are still made, although some have been re-assigned and some new trophies donated by clubs around the province. Only Irish qualified players are eligible for the Division 1 and 2 awards, while Overseas Players cannot win in Division 3 or below.
Division 1 Awards (Only Irish qualified players are eligible for this awards)
Marchant Cup (highest batting average)
Charles Stewart Marchant was born on 21 June 1895 to Thomas and Kathleen Marchant of 16 Castlewood Park, Rathmines, a couple of hundred yards from Leinster Cricket Club. Stewart played for High School and in 1914 joined Clontarf – and before his 19th birthday was opening the batting for the first team. In what would be his only season, he played in 14 games, scoring 237 runs at an average of 19.75 with a top score of 49. Stewart joined the Royal Dublin Fusiliers and rose to the rank of 2nd Lieutenant. He was killed in action on 4th June 1917, aged 21, and was buried in Loker Churchyard in Flanders.
The Marchant Cup was presented to the Leinster Cricket Union at their Annual General Meeting held in the Engineer’s Hall, Dawson Street in January 1922. John Aston of Clontarf presented the trophy on behalf of the Marchant family to the Union. Aston had proposed young Stewart Marchant as a member to the club. In a touching speech he spoke about the loss of a young man who had shown not just bravery in his military life but also of the loss of a talented sportsman.
The trophy was then presented by His Honour Judge Green, a vice president of the Union, to Bob Lambert for his amazing 1921 season when he had an incredible average of 217, aged 46 (he started the season with eight “not outs” and made 664 runs before he was out). It was also stipulated that should the Union ever be dissolved the Cup will be returned to the Marchant family.
O’Grady Cup (lowest bowling average)
The O'Grady Cup was first presented in 1937 for the best senior bowler by Mr J E O'Grady a Past President of the LCU and a member of Pembroke. O’Grady was a good club bowler in his day without ever scaling the heights. He played a few first XI games but by 1927 he was on the 3rds XI. By 1932, when he was described by the Irish Times as “a veteran”, he was presented with memento by Pembroke for taking 10-37 against St Gerard’s. Four years later he was still up to a long spell, taking 9-131 for Pembroke’s “A” team against Mr Guise-Brown’s XI.
Hopkins Cup (highest number of dismissals)
First presented in 1974 by former Merrion and Pembroke wicketkeeper Joe Hopkins in memory of his father, who was also a wicketkeeper. Joe made his debut at Sydney Parade as a schoolboy in 1950 but found his way blocked as a keeper by the long-serving Harry Hill. He moved to Merrion from 1956-64 before he returned to the ‘broke as a batsman. He won one Irish cap, against Benaud’s 1961 Australians, when Ossie Colhoun was rested. Joe died in 2007, aged 73.
Samuels Cup (leading all-rounder)
This was first awarded in 1963, and was probably presented by Carlisle CC, in recognition one of its greats, Willie Samuels, who played in pre-senior days. Carlisle made a handful of forays into the senior cup, and Willie took 7-39 on his debut against Civil Service in 1938, and 8-30 against Railway two years later. In six senior appearances he took 23 wickets at 11.13.
Solomons Cup (most catches in field)
Another Carlisle stalwart gave his name to the trophy for leading catcher in the province. Alf Solomons was a leading figure in Leinster cricket for many years, and his life spanned almost the entire 20th century. Besides playing for the club well into his 70s as a ‘square arm’ spin bowler, he attended more than 60 LCU agms and his progressive views made him a frequent antagonist of the old guard. He advocated overs cricket long before it was adopted, and pleaded for the league to be opened to foreign, professional players. He died in July 1998, just weeks before his beloved club closed its doors for the last time.
Next week: the Division 2 and 3 trophies.