THOUGHTS FROM THE PRESIDENT’S DESK (Issue 1)

Introduction

Since becoming CL President, one of the questions I’ve had to field (appropriate verb here for one who has dropped many a catch!) about whether I would be doing a President’s Log! Not sure where the query was coming from, I hedged my bets and said I would be ‘communicating with the members throughout the summer’.

My effort will be talking about my meandering through the cricket grounds of Leinster which even if boring for the reader is at least different!

Pre-Season

The Cricket Leinster Awards Dinner on 20th January was a glittering affair at The Round Room in the Mansion House which looked stunning and was adorned with the best branding & decoration with a large and enthusiastic attendance. I was so delighted to present the ‘CL Fair Play Awards’ to Miranda Andrews and Fintan McAllister both of whom I knew through earlier coaching days and were very worthy winners.

If you have not already attended the CL Awards Night, you should book now for next year!

I had a further bonus in the preseason period as I was invited to attend a ‘Jersey’ launch at Ongar Cricket Club (our newest club). I was uncertain what was involved but it materialised in a new club kit launch - pullover, cap and practice shirt and of course I was delighted to attend. The club had done an extraordinary job in arranging the occasion and it was magnificent day with An Taoiseach also in attendance along with various local TDs. The signing of the specimen jersey & cap was conducted with fitting dignity and enthusiasm. The hospitality was unparalleled including a presentation to all guests-of-honour of a memento engraved with each guest’s name - what a wonderful gesture from the club.

Finally, I attended the funerals of Jim Kenny (Leinster CC) and Keith Lewis (Clontarf CC), both cricketers and gentlemen.

In-Season

Before club competitions got underway, I took advantage of the brief ‘weather’ related delay to attend the first Interprovincial and Super Series games (the men twice in Sydney Parade, the women in Malahide). I also had the pleasure of meeting our new Leinster Lightning sponsor, David O’Riordan of Sherwin O’Riordan Solicitors.

In the Super Series, the Scorchers beat the Dragons whilst the Lightning lost twice in two entertaining games.

In the new Under 23 District competition, I attended the rained off earlier round and the third place play-off, both in the beautiful setting of College Park. This competition produced some excellent cricket and featured some undoubted stars of the future.

In terms of club cricket, my initial focus included early season Alan Murray Cup (20/20) matches. The arrangement was for every team to play 2 games on each of the 4 Saturdays. I decided to go to Park Avenue where Railway Union were hosts to Pembroke and had a good win. Despite a seemingly easy victory, the match was a good contest. For my second match that day, I travelled back to Observatory Lane where the match between Leinster and Merrion was abandoned due to persistent rain.

The next match I attended was the Irish Senior Cup fixture between YMCA and Leinster at Claremont Road. Leinster prevailed in a low scoring contest with the relatively low scores possibly caused by late access to pitch for the YM grounds staff. Nevertheless, it was good to see Claremont and everyone wishes for continuance of cricket in this handsome & historic ground at least in the short term.

I luxuriated in being able to stay in one ground for the third round of the Alan Murray where I saw Leinster beat North Kildare with wickets to spare before going down to a much-fancied Merrion team in the second game.

The women’s game is always quick off the mark and I was delighted to receive an invitation to their Past versus Present players match on 28th April. Needless to say, I was in high demand for photographs!

I knew it was not me they wanted to see but rather my new CL Presidential Blazer! The verdict is that blazer is 100% but the mannequin is really only a disappointingly 15%!

With many of the early women’s fixtures also lost to the weather, I was delighted to attend Pembroke versus The Hills on 25th May in the Sprint Coatings Senior Cup. I also made a brief appearance in Merrion who were playing Leinster, who lost within a half an hour of my arrival!

But it still all goes into the ‘attendance’ statistics - Mine!

As this early stage, my viewing is broadly similar in terms of Men’s and Women’s cricket - lots more to come including the exciting youth programme.

And finally, just to say how privileged I was to preside over the after-match presentations at both the Senior Boys & Senior Girls Schools Finals which were won by CUS and Wesley College respectively.

I hope you have got something from this first set of Presidential ‘thoughts’.

Pat Banahan CL President (2023) 7th June 2023