Late last week, an email was sent to a group of cricketers who are often forgotten about. Those players offer a massive amount to Cricket in Leinster, but yet nothing is offered to specifically cater for their needs.
Cricket (and indeed sport) for over 50s has massively increased in popularity over the past ten years, but within Ireland, there is no organised cricket for those born before 1966. An email from Cricket Wales to Cricket Ireland recently, asking for contact details of the Ireland over 60s team drew an obvious blank, and put in motion this attemnot to get "Masters Cricket" up and running in Leinster.
The cricket would be serious cricket, played under regulations, but would be played in a good spirit, on good grounds, and with players of a similar age, who you may have played with earlier in your career. The actual format of cricket will also need to be decided. It could be evening T20 cricket, longer cricket during the week, or maybe matches at weekends.
It looks as if a match against Wales (primarily an over 60s team, but we will see how numbers are looking on the Leinster side!), will be arranged for later in 2016, with possible matches against other the other provinces as well. If demand is high enough, there could be some form of Leinster league, either on a club level, or on a sub-regional level (such as Fingal, Midlands, South Dublin City, North Dublin City for example)
So far, the response has been nothing short of phenonemal, with many, many players already contacting Cricket Leinster to say they are interested. We are also keen to hear from all the players who are no longer playing league cricket. At this stage, nothing further is needed, apart from a mild willingness to get involved, and an indication of age. In England and Wales, the ECB has run an over 50s league for many years, but it soon became aparent that there was also a need for over 60s, and even over 70s cricket. That may also be an option in Leinster.
In short, if you want to get involved, please either leave a comment here, or email admin@cricketleinster.ie