Mark Collier

First up a huge congratulations to the First’s on winning to All Ireland 20/20 cup on Sunday. This was the first time the AI 20/20 has been played and it was a fantastic effort by all concerned. First up was Cork County in the semi-final in Lisburn which we won by 47 runs. Then it was back in the car for a 17 mile drive to Waringstown to play the final against Waringstown. To Drive up, play, win, drive again, play, win and win against one of the best sides in the country on their own patch makes this all the more impressive. So knowing this a very special mention has to go to the travelling supporters. It was a long day, but I’m sure you’ll agree worth every bit of it.

We would also like to extend our thanks to both Waringstown and Lisburn for hosting the Semi-final and the Final. Both clubs were brilliant and deserve great credit for how they ran the day. Thank you both so much.  And finally to Cricket Ireland for organizing the competition. It is a great day to be part of and fine motivation for the provincial competitions.

The other big Cup news from the weekend was of course the 5ths V Lucan. Tenerue got rained on, a lot!! So this has been re-fixed for September 10^th in a venue yet to be decided. We’ll let you know as soon as we hear.

So to this week. And we have games all week.

Tuesday sees the 2nds travel to YMCA for a 20/20 league re-fix. This will be a 4.30 start and crucial as we head in to the season run in. The game in Malahide was rained off last Sunday so the climb up the ladder has to start here. Judging on the reverse fixture, this will be a tight affair.

Wednesday the 6ths take on AIB at home at 1.30pm. This will be a challenge. AIB have just been confirmed as Division 14 champions and sofar, they have swept all before them in this division dropping just a handful of points along the way. But this is our field and if we know anything about captain Aido’s team, they don’t roll over for anyone.

Friday the 3rds travel to Merrion for a 20/20 league game at 5.30. They are still top of Division 5 and had a great weekend last week. They chased 170 in a 20/20 in Adamstown (not many win there) with a super 70 from Juno and a match winning 31, including 18 off one over at the end for Jack McNiece to win by 4 wickets. They backed that up on Saturday with their now normal run of the mill, edge of your seat cricket. Set a better than par 195 by Pembroke they got over the line in exactly the same way as the week before and won by 2 wickets. New 3 time daddy Dan with 48 setup a great platform but we lost wickets at regular intervals. Until Luke and Denty saw us over the line to win by two wickets. One point of note, Matt Buttler must be nearing the record for pad rash. If he hasn’t passed Deller’s record from a few years ago, he must be getting close J.

Saturday is a Big Big day and YMCA will play a big big part. The firsts host YMCA in the Bull Ring needing a win. After a disappointing trip to Pembroke last week, losing by 7 wickets, we need to put together a match winning performance this day. Will still hold a good lead in Division 1 and are favourites. What Sunday showed us is the fight this team has. We should be in no doubt that they’ll come at this match head on with no backward step.

The 3rds go the other way to YMCA. YMCA are 2^nd in this league and beat us in the cup last month. There’s not much between these sides (other than age) and this is a big game in this league. There is no substitute for experience and this will be tight. The winner will be the one who copes best with that.

So that’s not all, the Race Night. The clubs biggest fund raiser and one of the best nights of the year, and an absolute highlight of the Clontarf Social Calendar. This is one night not to be missed. Again the shy and retiring Del will be on the Mic bringing his own brand of entertainment to the night and give you the tips you need to go home empty handed. I really hope you can get down to support and have some fun

On Sunday the 2nds are back in action in the Bull Ring this time against Phoenix at 12 o’clock. The reverse fixture at the start of the season was a great game and they will be looking to reverse that result.

Finally we have the 5ths travelling to Rush for a division 11 match. We all know about these guys.

So a big weekend for the whole club. Best of luck to all playing and to all the Saturday night punters.

Saddle rup.

On August 26th the Race Night returns. After the Firsts home game V YMCA, MC Del-Boy will take the mic and bring us out of the traps. So saddle up, take off the blinkers and get ready fpor the off. Its going to be a cracker.

The big weekends have been coming thick and fast and this weekend is no different.

We’ll go Team by Team

The 1^st‘s have a massive weekend coming up. The League has certainly tightened up of the past couple of weeks with both Leinster and The Hills coming up behind us, this makes Saturdays game away to Pembroke HUGE. Couple this with Pembroke needing wins to secure their division 1 status it is all to play for. We are now into early starts so this kicks off at 12pm

On Sunday it is the All Ireland 20/20 Finals Day. This is the first incarnation of the AI 20/20 and we qualified via winning the Leinster 20/20. First up we take on Munster Champions Cork County at 11am in Lisburn. If we make it through that, there a 15/16 mile trip back down the road to Waringstown take on either Waringstown or Bready at about 4pm. All support is welcome, it’s going to be a busy day

Now the 2nds on Sunday. They had a very good game mid-week falling just short against a Lewis (2 of them) inspired YMCA and picked up 5 points in the battle to avoid relegation. So it’s off to Malahide with them. The Villagers are down the wrong end with us and this game is simply a double pointer.

The 3rds are bringing the crowds back. Their brand of edge of the seat cricket is putting years on me, and years I don’t need!! Last weekend they chased down 210 in 45 overs to win by 2 wickets and keep setting the pace at the top of Div 5. A good 50 from Rana as wickets fell all around him saw us about 70 odd for 6 enter the UN!! Luke 77 not out, Smiles 14 and Denty 31 not out, between them they dragged this one back kicking a screaming. Special mention to Luke who proved the pressure makes diamonds. This week they’re on Friday in Adamstown at 6 in a 20/20 league re-fix and on Saturday they host Pembroke at 12.30 in the Bull Ring. A couple of wins will go a long way.

On Sunday the 4ths are in the Bull Ring hosting Knockharley 2nds at 12.30. The 4ths have had a great year but suffered a couple of blips of late. They still sit top of the league but Swords are not far behind and a win this weekend will be crucial in maintaining a crack at the title especially with a game against Swords still to come.

On Thursday the 5ths host the Hills 3rds in Castle Avenue at 1pm. The 5ths sit mid table at the moment and their league campaign has so far been a great learning curve for some of our young players with the likes of David, Jack, Sully and Yousf all making big and consistent contributions. This will just be a taster of what’s to come. On Sunday in Terenure it’s the big one. The 5ths take on Lucan in the Cup Final. These 2 have history and both have deservedly made the final. If you are able please head southside to lend your support. It will be epic

The 6ths are playing on Tuesday evening at home V Castleknock and also on Saturday with a first trip to Gory. They had a great win over the weekend the highlight of which by popular vote was the debut of Ireland under 17 international Anna Kirk. After a good showing with the bat Anna came out to open the bowling and walked off with a 3 for in her pocket

So that’s 9 games (maybe 10) over 5 days with 6 teams. Can I take this opportunity to thank all the captains and everybody involved in making this and every other match happen. It takes a tremendous off the field effort to pull this all together, from the boardroom to the tearoom, from the mower to the score book and that volunteering should not be underestimated, it shows the great Clontarf sprit. #BleedredandBlue

Let’s hope the weather plays ball