July 2017

Let’s get right down to it. The Really Big game this weekend is the Senor 2 Cup Final. We’ve had plenty of success in recent years in this cup but this year it’s in Clontarf, and we’re in it!!!

Sunday at 1pm we take on North County 2’s over 40 overs. We’ve had a good run to the final.

https://www.facebook.com/clontarfcricket/videos/1913148665613663/

Round one we Drew Dundrum at home. Dundrum are a league lower and the step up against a strong Clontarf proved too much for the visitors. Dundrum were all out for 126 in the 32^nd over with Dec being the pick of the bowlers picking up 3 for 13 off 5. Everyone who bowled got in on the act and all returned pretty decent figures. There was no let-up in the second half. Dec (again) and Robbie were playing my bat, my ball. The target was reached for the loss of no wicket in the 18^th with dec on 69 off 48 and Robbie 37 off 57.

The second round saw us drawn away to Merrion whom many consider to be amongst the best 2^nd teams in the country. Winning the toss and batting on a dry wicket got the game off to a good start. A lot of the hard work was done in the first innings with 50’s for VJ and Dec and a quick 44 not out of 29 balls for Nibbler setting an imposing (it is 40 overs) target of 244.

The 2^nd half saw Kirky get the openers early and 2 quick wickets for Sameer had Merrion 77 for 4. Despite a good mid innings partnership Merrion never really got going as we know they can and were all out for 172 just shy of 35 overs. Ali bowled well for 2 for 19 off 6.4 but Nibbler bowling like the ginger Warney returned 3 for 38 in the best spell I’ve seen him bowl.

The Semi Final could have been a tricky one, drawn against Knockharley and away. Luckily a few of the 2nds had spent some time in #FrankiesArmy and are no strangers to Knockharley. That was certainly a factor on what was to follow, there were no surprises. Knockharley won the toss and batted (they always do) but in Rory Krik we had a bowler who has known success on this ground and picked up 3 of the top 6 with Naveed accounting for both the openers. At 6 for 31 Nibbler got a run picking up 2 in tandem with the returning Naveed to take his tally to 4. The odd wicket was a run out by Luke Prior. All out for 70. Again, there was no let-up for the second half. This time it was Juno and Nibbler making sure of a home final. Juno with 40 and Nibbler 25.

With a good number of the above mentioned players turning up for Sunday we will be in for a good game.

The Final is not the only reason to come down on Sunday.

We invite you to support fundraiser in aid of MatthewHayesTrust.org.

There will be a BBQ run in the afternoon/evening and opportunity to sponsor Synno and Dunner on their coast to coast cycle, please see below words from Iain.

“Myself and Andy Dunne are participating in a 320km fundraising cycle from Clontarf to Sligo on August 18th & 19th with a group of 75 Clontarf lads and lassies. It is a fundraising initiative (started in 2015) for an amazing young local boy, Matthew Hayes, who has severe autism with many additional complex and challenging behaviours.

As Matthew has now turned 18, a significant proportion of State provision of care and support for Matthew’s complex needs will stop.

The objective of the Matthew Hayes Trust is to provide resources to keep Matthew living at home with his family, bridging the gap in carer support for Matthew and to provide some respite for his Mum, Dad & siblings. I couldn’t do justice describing what the Hayes family deal with every day. Please click on the website to learn more about Matthew and the daily challenges in caring for him –www.matthewhayestrust.org”

That’s not all we have for you this weekend

On Saturday the 6^ths are in Castle Avenue in the Minor Cup Semi-Final hoping to make it a hat trick of final appearances when they host Bagenalstown 2’s at 1pm I hope you have also lend your support. The 6ths have been on a great run of late and have a good mix of new players and youth players taking their first steps in Men’s cricket.

Also on Saturday the 3rds travel to table topping Longford for a 1 pm kick off. Despite going out of the cup to an excellent performance by YMCA 3rds last Saturday they are one of the form teams in the League. But in order to continue the fight for the title they will have to do what no other team has managed and beat Longford at home. A big ask, but if this team knows anything, its how to win. Huge Game

Back to Sunday and lets have another Cup Semi-Final!! The 5ths travel to North County for the semi of the Junior Cup. The 5ths of late have been well documented and even though they are away, their form over the past 2 months makes the the bookies favourites here. Scroll down the page if you need a refresher

Finally the 6ths are on again, this time in the League and in Mount Temple. They host Adamstown in a crucial league encounter.

All games start at 1pm. A note for next week, Division 1 and 2 (1^st & 2nds) games will start at 12.30 next weekend for the bank holiday

https://www.facebook.com/clontarfcricket/videos/1909499529311910/

After last weekend’s Cricket Palozza where some went our way and some didn’t we have another big one coming up.

First the 3rds, last Friday they went to Leinster and came back with a 2 wicket win thanks to a tour de force from Cormac Devilly. Going in at 24 for 4 he batted through for 34 not out with Ian Smilie (30) and Aido Mc (20 odd not) scoring quickly and keeping us on tract. The 3rds remain 2nd in the league and have opened the gap to 3rd and closed the gap to 1st (Longford). They have a huge away to unbeaten Longford which will either settle the league or really open it up.

But this Saturday, it’s the Cup. The Cup Semi-final at that! YMCA 3rds travel across the bridge for a 1pm start. YM are also in the same league and have been going well. They are a young team with plenty of talent. This (for me) is the game of the weekend. The forecast is good and your support would be appreciated.

Also on Saturday are the AMC 20-20 Bash Final Day. After a good win in the ¼’s last night against North County we’ll be the second semi-final against YMCA. The day starts in Pembroke at about 10.30am. Take a look at the video for an idea of what might be instore. 

Sunday is somewhat busier with 3 teams togging out and the Presidents Lunch (contact Stella to book).

First up are the 2nds with what feels like their first league match since Surf was a boy!! Our 2nds have not been without cricket though. They are through to the Leinster Senior 2 Cup final on July 30th and in Clontarf!! So chalk that date into your calendar. They also made it to the T20 final played last Sunday which saw them unfortunately come second to a clinical display from Leinster 2nds. Congratulations to Leinster on their dissevered win.

The start to the league campaign (according to historical documents) has been mixed, but now its business time. Pembroke are paying the bridge toll this time. Clontarf 2nds V Pembroke 2nds are always good games and next to impossible to call. You’ll have to come down at 1pm to find out.

Our League leading 4ths will be paying their toll as they travel to Pembroke to take on their 4ths. The 4ths are playing some great cricket at the moment. They travelled to the Hills last week and returned with 25 point and Peppers also brought home no less than 6 for 11 off 4!! They’ll be staring at 1pm.

Now to the peoples team, the 5ths! The 5ths as we know have been on fire. Last Sunday them hosted league leaders Merrion 6th’s who showed why they are league leaders. After Merrion posted 230 in 40 overs Clontarf set about the chase, but despite 50 from Shaf and 85 from Jack McNiece they fell just short, losing by 11 runs. This Sunday sees the return fixture. Judging by last week this one has to be in the mix for game of the day.

Finally on Wednesday the 6ths host new club Gorey in the Bull Ring at 1pm. There’s been no let-up from these guys as they aim for another promotion.