CRICKET | Dundalk Cricket Club on the lookout for new players
League season begins on April 30th
Summer is synonymous with Gaelic games in Ireland — and these days the League of Ireland as well — but the cricket season is also about to begin and since 2009 a group of interested locals, along with many of the new Irish around the town, have run Dundalk Cricket Club.
The club is small and is on the lookout for new players for 2017 — Dundalk CC have one team in the Leinster leagues and a team playing friendly matches throughout the summer.
Although only a new club, there has been plenty of success to cheer. In the six years that the first XI has been playing in the Leinster league, they have won their division three times and this year they are placed in Division 10 of the 16 leagues.
The team is based on the grounds of the Dundalk & Dowdallshill Coursing Club out in Dromiskin and the season begins with two friendly matches on the next two Saturdays — April 15 and 22 — with Monaghan and Civil Service providing the opposition.
Both matches are at home and the club would love to hear from anyone interested in trying out for the team.
“We always say that we will take players from eight to 80,” says club treasurer Michael Hughes.
“We have some experienced players at the club so even if you are an absolute beginner you will learn quickly and we have all the gear as well so there is no need to even think of buying expensive bats or anything like that. Enthusiasm and a pair of white trousers is all you need.”
The first league game is also in Dromiskin on April 30th and interested spectators as well as players are always welcome — and there will be someone on hand to explain the rules.
All levels of ability and experience are welcomed and anyone interested in joining the club can find out more about membership and training sessions by emailing club secretary Derek Turner — [email protected] — and lifts to the ground and away matches are easily arranged for those without transport.
“We have been getting the ground ready for a couple of weeks now and everyone is excited to get going. Hopefully 2017 will be another successful one,” added Michael.