Meet the: First XI Captains
A monthly chat with people involved with the club, on and off the pitch.
To kick things off in our 150th Anniversary year, we’re sitting in the clubhouse with our two First XI skippers. Fresh into their roles for the 2026 season, we’re talking to Fionn (Men’s First XI) and Lucy (Women’s First XI). So grab a coffee, settle into the armchair, and get to know our Club & First XI Captains.
DP: A month into the 2026 season, what are your initial thoughts on the performances so far and the potential for the rest of the summer?
Fionn: There’s a really positive buzz around the group right now. We’ve shown some fantastic glimpses of what we can do, both in our performances and our attitude. But honestly? The most exciting part is that we all know there’s plenty more gears to shift into. The squad has a great blend of experienced heads and really hungry younger lads. If we stay consistent, cut out the excuses, and keep improving week-on-week, it’s going to be a very solid season.
Lucy: Exactly, it’s all about building momentum! We’ve had a tough opening block—four games, one win, three losses—but we’ve already faced the heavy hitters like Pembroke and Merrion. Even in the defeats, I am so proud of the fight the girls showed. We have a young side, but the chemistry and energy at training and on match days has been brilliant. This tough start has just motivated us more. The talent is there, and we believe in each other right up to the last ball.
DP: What excites you the most about leading a First XI at Clontarf?
Lucy: Oh, it’s an incredible honour. What excites me most is bringing this group together and creating an environment that’s highly competitive but where everyone genuinely enjoys their cricket. Seeing the younger girls step up and grow in confidence during big match moments is just the best feeling. It’s a massive privilege to lead such a committed group every week.
Fionn: I couldn’t agree more on the environment piece. For me, it’s the challenge of uniting a talented group and setting up a space where everyone feels they can perform at their absolute best. Plus, let’s face it—doing this during the club’s 150th year makes it extra special. Leading Clontarf is a huge honour, and pushing this group to the next level is a challenge I’m completely fired up for.
DP: You’ve both played under plenty of captains. What’s the biggest lesson you’ve taken from them?
Fionn: I’ve noticed that the captains I respected most were always calm, consistent, and crystal clear in how they dealt with people. They built trust. That’s exactly what I’m trying to bring to my captaincy—being approachable, being honest, and setting the standards with my actions rather than just talking about them.
Lucy: It’s so true, the captain sets the tone! I’ve been lucky to learn from some amazing leaders, and the biggest takeaway for me is staying positive and calm when the pressure is on in the field. Your body language influences the whole team. I want everyone to look at me, know I have total faith in them, and feel the confidence to back themselves.
DP: What are the big goals for your teams for the rest of 2026 and beyond?
Lucy: For us, it’s about growing the whole women’s section—right through to the 2s and 3s. On the pitch, we want to keep bridging the gap with the top sides and turning those fighting performances into wins. Off the pitch, I want a supportive culture where everyone feels included and enjoys the group. What happens off the field matters just as much as what happens on it.
Fionn: Spot on. Results are great, and we absolutely want to give ourselves the best chance to compete for trophies, but the long-term goal is culture. I want a setup where the lads genuinely love playing for each other and for the crest. If we keep driving standards and developing the younger players, the long-term success of the club takes care of itself.
DP: Speaking of younger players, how do you foster team spirit and integrate the youth?
Fionn: It’s about making sure everyone feels valued, no matter their age. We’ve all been the young kid in the changing room before! I want the younger lads to feel completely comfortable speaking up, asking questions, and backing their skills.
Lucy: Absolutely, it can be intimidating! We have so much young talent coming through the youth system, which is amazing. My approach is to create a space where they can just be themselves and not fear making mistakes. I love chatting with them, getting to know them as people, and letting them know they are fully trusted. When they feel supported, they fly.
DP: Describe your captaincy style in just three words.
Lucy: Positive. Empowering. Supportive.
Fionn: Calm. Competitive. Accountable.
DP: Let’s go back in time. What advice would you give your 12-year-old self playing U13s cricket?
Fionn: I’d tell myself to stop trying to be a perfectionist! Get the basics right, trust your skills, be inventive, and just try to create magic moments out there. Take the game on and enjoy it more.
Lucy: Honestly, identical advice. I’d tell 12-year-old Lucy to just enjoy the process and have fun with her friends. Don’t stress about performance at that age—there is plenty of time for that later! Just ask questions and learn as you go.
DP: It’s brilliant to have Sam Morgan & Robyn Searle at Castle Avenue this summer. How have they settled in?
Lucy: Having Robyn back is fantastic! She was a huge miss last year. Because it’s her third season here, she already knows the girls, so she’s hit the ground running as our opening batter and a great spin option. As a young captain, having her experience to bounce ideas off is a massive confidence booster. Plus, she’s doing brilliant work coaching the youth section.
Fionn: Yeah, both of them have been top-class. Sam and Robyn have brought incredible energy and a real level of professionalism to the club. They’ve settled seamlessly on and off the pitch. They’re super approachable and engaged with the wider club membership, which is exactly what Clontarf is all about.
DP: To tie in with our 150th Anniversary, we’re running our #CCCMemories campaign. What’s your favorite Castle Avenue memory?
Fionn: For me, it’s not one single moment, it’s the collective feeling. It’s the shared memories in the clubhouse after a massive win, surrounded by teammates, members, and supporters. Castle Avenue has this unique way of making those moments feel even bigger because the people here care so deeply.
Lucy: I’ve been here since Friday Night Cricket in 2011, so choosing one is tough! But topping the list has to be winning Division 1 under Emma Butler in 2023. We won the final game at home against Leinster to pip Merrion to the title by less than a single point! Lifting the trophy at home on August 17th, and then celebrating at the Mansion House the following January… I’ll never forget it.
DP: Who is your ultimate cricketing hero?
Lucy: Nat Sciver-Brunt, without a doubt. Her all-round ability is incredible, but it’s her calmness under pressure that I admire most. Seeing her transition into a captaincy role is really inspiring for me as I develop my own leadership style.
Fionn: AB de Villiers. He just made elite cricket look entirely effortless. It felt like he could pick up a bat and do absolutely anything he wanted, completely naturally.
DP: Finally, what’s one cricketing skill you’d love to master or improve?
Fionn: I’d love to master bowling and batting left-handed. Just to add total versatility and become a completely unpredictable cricketer!
Lucy: Ambitious, Fionn! I have two—one as a leader and one as a player. As a captain, I want to speed up my decision-making and game-reading under pressure in tight finishes. As a player, I’m working on my bowling consistency so I can maintain my pace and impact throughout a whole spell. If I can nail those by the end of the season, I’ll be delighted.
Best of luck to both Fionn and Lucy for the rest of the 2026 season! Keep an eye out for our next Meet the: feature coming soon.
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