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CCR: Leading the Next Chapter for Clontarf Women’s Cricket

Clontarf Cricket Club’s Women’s First Team has a new captain! We sat down with Christina Coulter Reilly to chat about her journey with the club and her excitement about leading the team.

DP: Tina, how long have you been a member of Clontarf Cricket Club, and from what age? Also, in what year and at what age did you play your first match for the First XI?

CCR: “It’s been a really good ten years now, which is kind of wild to think about! I joined when I was just eleven years old. And I remember the buzz of playing my first game for the First XI back in 2017 – I was fourteen at the time, a real step up!”

DP: Can you share a bit about your cricketing journey—teams you’ve played for and key highlights in your career?

CCR: “It all started thanks to the great school’s program at Springdale NS. I vividly remember Andrew Poynter and other pros showing us the ropes. Then, Deryck Vincent really kept me interested and got me involved with Clontarf.

Clontarf has given me so many opportunities. Winning Leinster youth titles was a highlight, creating fantastic memories with my teammates. It’s not just about the wins, but those moments together.

I’ve played at every age group here, represented Leinster, played with the Scorchers for a few years, and joining the Irish squad last year was a real honour.

Playing for Ireland and winning an International against England in Clontarf was amazing – a proper home game! Winning the Pilkington Plate and Leinster Division 1 League Title with the club also stands out as a very proud moment, showing how much women’s cricket has grown here.”

DP: What inspired you to start playing cricket, and how did you join the club?

CCR: “I loved all sports as a kid. Being in a school with Stella Downes and Deryck Vincent, cricket was almost inevitable! Andrew Poynter and Clontarf pros coached us. I loved it, tried a summer camp, and joined Clontarf pretty much straight away.”

DP: What are some of your proudest moments while representing Clontarf Cricket Club?

CCR: “Definitely winning those Leinster youth titles – great battles and celebrations! And then winning the Senior Cup, Pilkington Plate, and Leinster Division 1 League with such an amazing group. Also, seeing the next generation of Clontarf cricketers achieve their own successes is really rewarding.”

DP: Have you held any other leadership or mentoring roles within the club before this?

CCR: “I’ve been vice-captain of the 1s for the last couple of years, stepping in when needed. I’ve learned so much from previous captains and coaches. Through youth coaching, I’d like to think I’ve been a bit of a mentor to younger players too.”

DP: How has the club played a role in your growth as a cricketer and a person?

CCR: “The club has been huge. It’s given me chances to learn and develop skills, and it’s where I’ve made my closest friends. Clontarf has supported my love for the game and given me opportunities to coach. I’ve gained confidence and assurance here. The shared experiences, highs and lows, have really shaped me.”

DP: What excites you most about leading the Women’s First XI next year?

CCR: “I’m really excited to build on the great work already done and help create opportunities for the incredible talent we have coming through the club.” 

DP: What are your goals for the team in the upcoming season?

CCR: “To build on recent successes of all three Women’s teams, help players understand their game better, and most importantly, have fun!  My focus isn’t solely on winning, enjoyment is key and I think this needs to come first. We’ve all hopefully got long cricketing careers ahead of us”

DP: How do you plan to foster team spirit and encourage young players?

CCR: “I want a team culture built on opportunity, empowerment, and enjoyment. We’re people first, players second. I’ll be genuine and open, encouraging open communication, especially with younger players. That will help us work well together and the culture of working hard with and for each other will filter through.”

DP: What’s your favorite memory on or off the pitch with Clontarf?

CCR: “Seeing more younger girls supporting the women’s and men’s games. Like the night the Women’s First XI won the league and all these young girls were there. Seeing the next generation’s love for the game and their success is inspiring.”

DP: Who’s your cricketing hero, and why?

CCR: “I don’t really have one specific hero. I take inspiration from everyone I encounter in cricket – club level, International, even the young kids I coach.”

DP: If you had to describe your captaincy style in three words, what would they be?Tina: “Open, collaborative, dedicated.”

Women’s First Team fixtures for the 2025 season can be found here

“What do they know of cricket, who only cricket know?”

C.L.R. James

A new chapter begins for Clontarf Cricket Club as David Delany steps into the role of Men’s First Team & Club Captain, following in the footsteps of his brother, Eoghan. We sat down with David to discuss his time with the club, his cricketing journey, and his aspirations as captain.

DP: David, how long have you been a member of Clontarf Cricket Club, and from what age? Also, in what year and at what age did you play your first match for the First XI?

DD: “It feels like I’ve been part of it forever, to be honest! I mean, I can remember way back, just a little kid, watching my brothers, Eoghan and Niall, playing. I’d be there with my Dad and Andrew, practicing in the nets, you know? My very first game was when I was 7, for the Under 11 B team in Phoenix Park. And my first time out for the 1st XI… that was a bit later, a ‘bowl out’ against Old Belvedere in the 2012 Leinster Senior Cup.” 

DP: Can you share a bit about your cricketing journey in senior cricket – teams you’ve played for and key highlights in your career?

DD: “Well, my senior cricketing journey really kicked off with Clontarf Men’s teams back in 2010. I worked my way up through the grades, and I learned a huge amount playing in the 2nd XI under Mark Collier and Gerry Murphy from 2012 onwards. Getting a regular spot in the 1st team at the start of 2017 was a big moment, and then representing Ireland in 2019 – that was just incredible!    

I’ve also been really lucky with the international side of things. I’ve had the chance to travel and play as an overseas player, which has been amazing. I played for Ringwood Rams CC in Melbourne – those guys were something else, the most professional, well-drilled, and cricket-mad people I’ve ever come across! The training under Head Coach Sean Flynn was intense. Then there was Mount Lawley District CC in Perth. That was just… pure joy. Playing with mates, just loving the game.”

DP: How has the club played a role in your growth as a cricketer and a person?

DD: “Clontarf’s had a massive impact on me, no doubt. There have been some really important people who’ve shaped me along the way. Deryck Vincent, my first coach, was huge, and so were my Dad and Rod Hokin – they taught me all the fundamentals, the skills, everything. And I also have to give a shout-out to Brían O’Rourke, Nigel Pyne, and Barra MacNicholl from the Leinster Youth Branch, for their guidance and support.”   

DP: What are some of your proudest moments while representing Clontarf Cricket Club?

DD: “You know, I’m not one to dwell on personal stuff too much. But looking back, representing Ireland in 2019, that definitely stands out. And those times playing in Australia – those were seriously rewarding and memorable experiences.”

DP: What excites you most about leading the Men’s First XI this year?

DD: “Taking over the captaincy from Eoghan, my brother… yeah, that’s a big challenge! I mean, you’ve got to recognise the incredible success that he and Andrew Poynter built up – a real dynasty. But it’s a challenge I’m up for, definitely. I really want to keep that successful Clontarf ‘brand, style and spirit’ going strong.”   

DP: What are your goals for the team in the upcoming season?

DD: “For me, it’s about keeping those high standards that we’ve set, but also really focusing on bringing through the younger players. We’re lucky to have so much talent coming through the club.”   

DP: How do you plan to foster team spirit and encourage young players?

DD: “I’m looking forward to working closely with the 2nd XI Captains, Robert Forrest and Shane O’Brien, on this. It’s about creating a really positive environment for everyone, both the experienced guys and the young lads coming through. The 2nd XI is so important for developing players, and we’ve got a great squad to work with.”

DP: Who’s your cricketing hero, and why?

DD: “I don’t really have one single ‘hero’ as such. But I really admire certain qualities in people I’ve learned from. Matt Fotia’s work ethic, for example, is something else. And Stewart Walters’ coaching methods – so innovative.”   

DP: If you had to describe your captaincy style in three words, what would they be?

DD: “Back. The. Team.”

Men’s First Team fixtures for the 2025 season can be found here

Celebrating our players’ standout performances ⭐️

May

Date	Name	Team	Opponent	Stats
5th May	Joe Morrissey Jnr	Open 4	Laois 2	81 runs
5th May	Patrick Xie	Open 1	Railway 1	115 runs
5th May	Mitchell Thompson	Open 1	Railway 1	55 runs
3rd May	Mitchell Thompson	Open 1	The Hills 1	56 runs

April

Date	Name	Team	Opponent	Stats
27th April	Christopher Barry	Open 4	Tyrrelstown 3	5/20
27th April	Daire Vickers	Open 2	Railway 2	5/31
26th April	Patrick Xie	Open 1	Balbriggan 1	56 runs
26th April	Eoghan Delany	Open 1	Balbriggan 1	60 runs
26th April	Séamus Lynch	Open 1	Balbriggan 1	94 runs
21st April	Karthik Subbiah	Open 3	Merrion 4	69 runs
20th April	Henry Thompson	Open 2	Balbriggan 2	79 runs
20th April	Eoghan Delany	Open 2	Balbriggan 2	57 runs
13th April	Joe Morrissey Jnr	Open 4	Malahide 5	55 runs
12th April	Vaibhav Sharma	Open 4	Naas 1	169 runs
12th April	Joe Morrissey Jnr	Open 4	Naas 1	54 runs