MCU Div 1 -County Ground!

May 29th 2004

Cork County Second lived up to its name last Saturday (29 May) when Limerick dished out a clinical drubbing to the home side at the Mardyke. The senior team, although below full strength, have recovered from their poor start and are likely to be a force to reckon with as the season unfolds.

 

County elected to bat first on a green wicket that looked likely to help the bowlers. Accurate, good length deliveries from Zubair and skipper Gay Lawlor made runs hard to come by and County?s frustration at the slow scoring rate led to injudicious shots and the fall of early wickets. When Furqan replaced Zubair twelve overs into the innings, his turn and variation beat the bat and rattled the woodwork to demolish the middle order. Gaybo (2 for 31) tied down one end for 13 overs, then handed over to Matthew Callaghan who ran through the tail with 5.1 overs, 3 for 23. Furqan led the side off (12 overs, 2 maidens 4 for 41), Limerick having restricted County to 122 off 38.1 overs.

 

In reply, Alan Lynch (l.b.w. for 33) and Furqan (76 n.o.) plundered runs with some big hitting that included three 6s and 15 4s. Matthew (9 n.o.) hit a lofted backward cut for four and at 126 for 1 the match was won. A famous victory indeed, against the old enemy.

They also serve who only stand and wait. Rizwan (d.n.b.,d.n.b.) made an unforgettable bend down, pick up, polish and return; while Jeremy Callaghan (d.n.b.,d.n.b.,d.n.b.d.p.u.p.and r.) looks to have made deep wide fine leg unassailably his own.

        

MCU Div 1 – Nine, Nine, Nein!

June 26th 2004

Victories don't come any more emphatic than this one. In a rescheduled fixture against Midleton last Saturday (26 June) the Limerick Senior team blew the visitors off the park and underlined their strength with the ball at home.

Stand-in captain Anthony Hartigan won the toss and invited Midleton to bat first on a warm, breezy Plassey afternoon. With the wind at his back, Tony extracted every bit of bounce from a lively wicket and tempted batsman who should have known better to flash at deliveries short of a length outside the off stump. Result: two catches in the first over, the first spooned high up to point, the second well-taken by Alan Lynch behind the stumps. Zubair (who finished with the remarkable figures of 6 overs, 4 maidens, 3 for 3) struck in his second over, another caught behind, to a very quick delivery. The ball of the day, though, came from the captain: a good length delivery which went clean through the defences of the Midleton professional and sent the bails half way to the boundary. When Melt Siebert replaced Hartigan (6 overs, 2 maidens 3 for 5) the only question was: would Midleton make double figures? Two clean-bowleds off the final two balls of the 13th over answered that question in the negative. The visitors closed their innings on 9. Furqan and Alan posted the winning run in the fifth over of the Limerick innings.

Midleton had difficulties in raising a full senior side and travelled with only nine players, and that has to be acknowledged. But Limerick, too, were without four of their first team regulars. You really wonder what they would be like with a full strength line-up.

MCU Div 1 - Out for the County! Alan Lynchpin as Seniors Underline their Superiority

 

July 3rd 2004

In a tense, exciting encounter last Saturday (3 July), Limerick underlined their superiority in Senior League Division 1 with a close and hard fought victory over Cork County 1. With the visitors all out on the second ball of their 50th over, the Plassey playing fields rang with the sound of celebrations from a Limerick side still ominously short of its full-strength.

Electing to bat first on an afternoon where showers never seemed far away, Anthony Hartigan opened with in-form batsmen Alan Lynch and Furqan. The openers frustrated the respected attack of Banks, Bracegirdle and Williamson with a steady start and when Furqan (14) went to a catch by Bracegirdle, off Williamson’s bowling, Dave Lynch joined his brother at the crease to keep the scoreboard ticking along. Dave went on 13 to another Bracegirdle/Williamson double act and Zubair replaced him to support Alan who had moved confidently beyond his 50. Zubair departed on 10 and the innings faltered as Anthony, Rob Edwards, Melt Siebert and Azeem went cheaply. A cameo innings by Chris Thomas, who contributed 18 with some hard, straight lofted drives ended with the inevitable catch, and Alan's patient, workmanlike knock finished, sadly, on 95 as Limerick went for the runs in the final overs. With extras chipping in 21 valuable runs, the home team had set the visitors a target of 185. It looked to be about 20 short of a real challenge, but the Limerick bowlers had other ideas.

Ryan and Anthony Hartigan opened the attack, but it was Tony and first-change bowler Melt Siebert who made the breakthroughs. Melt led the way capturing the key wickets of Williamson, Sonny and Banks, all off catches, that taken by Alan at gully being simply brilliant, to hostile pace bowling. Tony dismissed Duggan cheaply leg before, but saved his best ball to shatter Bracegirdle's stumps. Zubair was introduced into the attack and a spectacular backhanded catch on the fine leg boundary by Melt kept local hopes alive. Always needing some 5 or 6 an over, County dug in and Reid (who finished 52 n.o.) edged them closer to the target. A brilliant runout by keeper Morgan Callaghan from a Dave Lynch throw brought the last two batsmen together with a score of runs still needed, soon to be halved by some indiscreet bowling from Ryan. As the huddle of spectators lived every ball and field adjustment, Ryan made amends with a cool take at the bowlers end to run out an airborne Fogarty with County still 10 runs shy of the Limerick total. Bowling honours, though, went to Tony (13 overs, 2 maidens, 2 for 33) and Melt (13 overs, 2 maidens, 3 for 40) who ensured that County were never able to build the partnerships they needed.

This was an enthralling game and one which Limerick well deserved to win. As they establish themselves at the top of the league, they now have to repeat last week’s result in the Cup next Sunday. There’s everything to play for.

 

Cup Disaster

 

July 10th 2004

After the heady excitement of the previous weekend when they registered their first win over Cork County for many years in the Munster Senior League, Limerick crashed to earth when losing by 9 wickets to the same opposition in the Munster Senior Cup semi-final at the Mardyke last Sunday.

Limerick batted first and made a dreadful start. Furqan, David Lynch and Matthew Callaghan were all dismissed within the first four overs to leave Limerick at 5 for 3. Alan Lynch and skipper Anthony Hartigan battled bravely to bring Limerick back into contention until the latter was dismissed for 17 with the score in the low forties. Lynch followed soon afterwards for 16 and Mark Nestor followed him before the score reached 50.

Shah Alam and Zubeir steadied the innings with a partnership of 30, but when Zubeir was dismissed for 11 the remaining wickets tumbled quickly. Shah Alam remained unbeaten with 25 as Limerick were all out for 83. Wilf Bracegirdle took 4 wickets for 28, but he won no friends with his attitude which has no place on the cricket pitch. Keith Banks took 2 for 16, John Power 2 for 20and Ted Williamson 1 for 18.

Limerick set an aggressively attacking field as Cork County began their innings. Brothers Ryan and Anthony Hartigan opened the bowling and gave the opening batsmen plenty to think about. Ted Williamson was fortunate to top-edge a delivery from Ryan Hartigan over his head for four, while Keith Banks gave two sharp chances, which were put down by the fielders. Furqan enjoyed the only tangible reward of any Limerick bowler when he bowled Banks for 16, but Williamson (48 n.o.) and skipper Robert Duggan (14 n.o.) saw the home side through comfortably.

MCU Div 1 - Weather counters Swiss Tony’s Men

 

July 15th 2004

The weather cruelly denied Limerick 1 the spoils in their Div 1 match vs County 2 (15/08/04).

Graciously accomodated by Harlequins for this home fixture, Limerick demonstrated the team ethos and desire that has been evident all season.

Asked to bowl first, openers Melt and Ryan generated excellent pace to set the scene for the remainder of the innings. Gifted a run out opportunity by a woeful lack of communication between the County openers, Zulfikar and Swiss Tone duly obliged. This was to be the first of two run outs instigated by some sharp work by Zully - not a bad start after receiving his club cap for making his senior debut.

The next batsmen to perish fell thanks to some excellent tactical play by the Melt-man. Greeted to the crease by a swift blow to the ribs, an inability to deal with the short ball was identified. An over latter the batsman offered an ease catch to Swiss Tone at a very short mid off.

There followed a partnership that built the opposition total to the mid nineties before a sharp caught and bowled chance by Dave Lynch opened the door. Excellent bowling by Shani (4 for 14) and Dave (3 for 42) was backed by sharp fileding. The resultant pressure prompted a collapse from 90-odd for 3 to a very achievable 128 all out.

The rains descended just as the Limerick openers emerged from the pavillion and developed into a downpour that culminated in the abandonment of the fixture. A dissappointed Limerick team left Harlequins but Swiss Tone brightened the day with this advice for all those would be DIY enthusiasts - 'Well, hanging wallpaper is also very much like making love to a beautiful woman. Clean all the relevant surfaces, spread her out on the table, cover her with paste, and stick her up. Then you clean your brush, light your pipe, stand back and admire your handiwork.' - Nice.

MCU Div 1 - Seniors too strong for ‘quins and top Div 1

 

August 2nd 2004

 

An outstanding performance by the Limerick team against Cork Harlequins on Bank Holiday Monday (2 August) took them to the top of Division 1 of the Senior league. The result was all the more pleasing in that a number of first team regulars were unavailable and their stand-ins, who acquitted themselves particularly well in the fielding department, provided a cohesion to the side that was vital to the final result.

MCU Div 1 - Team ethic and hunger brings the Munster Division 1 title to Limerick

August 29th 2004

For the first time in over a decade, the Limerick Cricket Club are Division One champions of the Munster Cricket League. In a fine victory on Sunday the team wrested the trophy away from Cork County Cricket Club, holders for eight of the last nine years, playing on their home ground. Limerick thus completed a notable double, having already shocked Cork County some weeks ago at the University of Limerick ground. The win emphasises the current strength of the Limerick club who are this year able to field Senior, Junior and Minor teams in the various Munster competitions and underlines the superiority of the Seniors who have lost only one game on the way to the Division One title.

 

Because of the rain over the weekend, the Mardyke track was puddingy and it is greatly to the credit of the grounds staff that the pitch was playable at all. Captain Anthony Hartigan won the toss and, reasoning that strokes would be difficult on a wicket where the ball would keep low, invited the Cork team to bat. The wisdom of this decision was soon evident, with openers Ted Williamson (caught by wicket-keeper Morgan Callaghan from the bowling of Shah Alam) and Stephen Hickey (lbw to Melt Siebert) back in the Pavilion with only extras on the board. Siebert and Alam produced consistent, quick, accurate bowling to restrict the home side to little more than a run an over for the first 18 overs, and only skipper Robert Duggan offered real resistance. The opening bowlers each struck again, Alam bowling Keith Banks for 5 and Siebert forcing Mike Reid to sky a ball which was well caught by Azeem at mid-wicket. The introduction of Anthony Hartigan and Furqan produced quick results. The latter ended Duggan?s dogged innings on 19 to an outstanding diving catch by the skipper at mid-wicket; and Atkinson fell cheaply to a skied ball to Matthew Callaghan at point off Hartigan's bowling. David Lynch was introduced into the spin attack with Furqan, but it was the latter who broke through, trapping Fogarty lbw for 2. John Power (another Cork player with an international pedigree) played sensibly for ones and twos to keep the innings alive, but the return of Shah Alam (who finished with 13 overs, 3 maidens, 3 for 20) and Melt Siebert (13 overs, 5 maidens, 3 for 13), and an excellent run out, wound the Cork County innings up at 93 in the 40th over. Throughout, the ground fielding of the Limerick side provided all the support the bowlers could ask for, and David Lynch, Chris Thomas and Zulfikar, in particular, stood out.

 

Although not chasing a large total, the Limerick batsmen now had to deal with the difficult wicket their bowlers had so well exploited, but they started off carefully and well. After 8 overs, 25 runs had been collected and no wickets had fallen. Alan Lynch in particular had moved the ball patiently around and, when Furqan was ruled lbw in the ninth over for 4, there was nothing to suggest the mini collapse that was to follow. Anthony Hartigan was bowled by Banks for a duck and Matthew Callaghan fell lbw for 5 soon after. When David Lynch was bowled by Banks there was some concern in the Limerick camp, and when Shah Alam was dismissed by the same bowler (who finished with the commendable figures of 12 overs, 3 maidens, 5 for 29) Limerick were looking precarious at 50 for 5. Alan Lynch was joined by Azeem at this stage, and the score crept slowly to 59 for 5, when Mike Reid was brought in to the attack. Lynch hit a four and a six off consecutive deliveries and at the end of the over Limerick were 72 for 5 and totally in control.

 

It would have been fitting if Lynch had hit the winning runs with a four, but he finished on 46 not out (4 fours and 1 six) and it was Azeem (14 not out) with 2 twos and a cracking six over the long on boundary who took the team to victory in the 27th over.

 

The win and the title are just reward for a Limerick club which has real talent and commitment in its ranks. It was a bittersweet result too for Club Captain, Gay Lawlor, out of the side through injury, but present and supporting it every step of the way, and whose father, Ronnie, last held the Cup 12 years ago. The title also reflects contributions from half a dozen other players who have represented the Senior side over the summer months. More successes may yet follow in Division 2 and the Shield competitions, but for the moment this result is sweet indeed.

 

An interesting feature of the team that clinched the Senior League title is the cosmopolitan nature of its members. Four continents and seven countries were represented, with players born in England, Hong Kong, India, New Zealand, Pakistan and South Africa, as well as three Limerick born Irish men! If the United Nations needs guidance in achieving world harmony, perhaps they should visit Limerick Cricket Club!

Limerick Cricket Club: Munster Senior League Champions 2004.

Back Row (l to r): Chris Thomas, David Lynch, Morgan Callaghan, Robin Edwards, Shah Alam, Matthew Callaghan, Melt Siebert, Zulfikar. Middle Row (l to r): Anthony Hartigan, Gay Lawlor (Captain), Alan Lynch. Front Row (l to r): Azeem, Furqan

Senior Friendly - Unfriendly friendly - a difficult pill to swallow!

June 4th 2006

A Limerick XI successfully overcame the challenge of an Asian Doctors XI at Plassey on 05.06.04, claiming the victory on run rate following the abandonment of the match 27 overs into the visitors innings.

Batting first Limerick posted 240 off their 35 overs. Furkan maintained his form with a majestic 106*, dispatching all bowlers to the boundary with consumate ease. Excellent contributions were also made by Asim (48) and Extras (50+)!

Limerick continued their good form in the field, keeping the scoring rate well below that required by the visitors thanks to tight lines by Gaybo and Jeremy. Chris Thomas, replacing Jeremy, and in a 5 over spell took 5 for 5.

The visitors decision that adhoc drink breaks, a full change of umpires and all batsmen leaving the field at the fall of each wicket, refusal to walk, even when given out by the umpires did little to improve the rate at which the game was progressing.

Continued time wasting increased the frustration on the Limerick side. With the visitors reduced to 140 for 8 in the 27th over thanks to a couple of runnouts. With the second, effected by a lightning return by Shershar, the match was in the bag for Limerick. What followed can only be described as an episode of blatant cheating with one of the batting teams umpires - calling a wide to a ball that clearly caught the edge and was pouched by Morgan. This sparked an objection that ultimately resulted in the teams leaving the field and the match being abandoned.

A good performance all round by Limerick XI - but was cricket the winner?

MCU Div 2 – Quins binned

May 8th 2004

UL continued their run of form last Saturday (8 May) with a comprehensive victory over Harlequins 2 at their Cork headquarters.

On the principle that fielding first plays to the team's strength (and because neither heads nor tails appear on Euro coins), Matthew allowed the Harlequins first use of the wicket. Despite steady, accurate bowling from Jeremy, Zubeir (2 for 32), Zulfika (2 for 43), Furkan (2 for 48) and Aftab (2 for 32), the opposition accumulated 213 for 9 in their 45 overs. This week, several catches were spilled to mar otherwise good ground fielding.

The strength of the UL side was clearly seen with the bat. Furkan played some delightful straight and cover drives for a classy 76 and Abbasi added a pugnacious 45. Zubair (19) and Matthew 27 n.o. played responsibly to ensure that there was no classic UL collapse, and when the former touched one behind, Zulfika steadied the ship with 19 n.o. and the target was passed.

The lads enjoyed an impromptu bonding session in Jeremy's car on the way back to Limerick and agreed to include in the next away side a player with a big limo - whether or not he, she or it can bat, bowl or field (Gaybo can expect a call)

MCU Div 2 - Lismore of the same

May 16th 2004

Uni of Limerick registered their third win in a row on Sunday last (16 May), putting Lismore to the sword by seven wickets.

Stand-in skipper, Jeremy Callaghan, used his bowlers to good effect in restricting the visitors to a total of 166. Melt Siebert (9 overs, 2 for 29) and Zubeir (9 overs, 3 for 15) made vital breakthroughs and Abbasi (8 overs, 2 for 21) and Alan Lynch (6 overs, 1 for 8) kept things tight in between. Morgan Callaghan kept adroitly and took an important catch behind when it looked as if Lismore might be in line for 200.

The UL innings opened nervously with the openers going for five. However, Alan and Zubeir joined in a key partnership and when Alan went for 39 to an LBW decision that seemed designed to protect short square leg, the damage had been done. Zubeir completed the job with a magnificent century collected off his last shot.

This was an emphatic victory from a team that looks certain to be challenging for honours at the end of the season.

MCU Div 2 – Mother nature thwarts UL

July 4th 2004

A passing thunderstorm washed away UL's chances of a fourth successive victory in Division 2 last Sunday (4 July). The afternoon began and ended in bright, warm sunshine at University College Cork's Farm playing fields, but a 20 minute cloudburst just as UL began their innings rendered the pitch unplayable and the match had to be abandoned.

Fielding first in this inter-University clash, UL had done well to restrict the Cork men to 194 for 6 after 41 overs (reduced from 45 because of showers). Only in the last half a dozen or so overs did the home side hit out and add some 60 runs to their tally. Mostly they had struggled against tight bowling from Zulfikar (9 overs for 31), the mercurial Dave Lynch (9 overs, 1 for 42) and the ever parsimonious Jeremy (9 overs, 1 for 25); but Shershah's lollop, lob and leg approach only produced danger for the crows beyond the mid-wicket boundary; and Abbasi (9 overs, 1 for 52) was punished in his last two overs when he lost his earlier length and accuracy. Robin Edwards, bleached and buoyant, contributed two good overs to steady things and collected a hand injury from an excellent stop at mid-on for his pains.

Still, 195 seemed entirely gettable to a side that batted all the way down to number 3 and only Mother Nature's contrariness stopped the Limerick lads from taking home the points. Or so we will say, and who can know otherwise?

MCU Junior Cup - UL's sun goes down over Galway Bay

 

July 10th 2004

UL came to the end of their winning ways in the Junior Cup semi-final last Saturday (10 July) at the hands of a strong Galway side. In an enjoyable, and by no means one-sided, match the batting aggression of opener Aleem was the main difference between the two teams on an overcast afternoon at the Galway ground.

Matthew Callaghan, returning to captain the side from leaving certificate duty, lost the toss and donned his pads. Contributing a stylish 24 before being bowled, Matthew left Abbasi and Zulfikar at the crease to carve their usual high-scoring partnership. Zulfikar was caught on 27 as his partner passed the 50 mark with some unapologetic hitting to all corners and was unlucky to be stumped on 78, the first of Turton's three victims. Robin Edwards added a quick 17, which included a massive 6, and Morgan Callaghan played beautifully to hold together the tail end, before he was bowled for a valuable 15. UL finished on 198 and felt that they had achieved a defensible total, given their strength in recent games with the ball.

Aleem and Guilfoyle set out immediately to prove them wrong. The former posted 15 4's and 3 6's on his way to a hard hitting 107 and despite giving a number of chances he played an innings to be applauded. His partner was more circumspect in compiling an elegant 56, with help from some balletics in the field when simply stopping the ball would have done just fine. Even though they failed to get the needed breakthroughs, Jacko du Toit, Jeremy and Matthew Callaghan and Zulfikar all bowled with real determination before the Galway innings finished in the 36th over.

A loss, to be sure, but by no means a rout as UL bowed out of the Junior Cup. With no losses to their name so far, the side will now look to win Division 2 of the Senior League and bring back a trophy for the Limerick cabinet.

MCU Div 2 - Band-on the Runs

July 24th 2004

In an enthralling game last Saturday (24 July), UL gave their all with the bat and the ball, but came second in a match which saw over 560 runs scored. While nobody likes to lose, this was a result in doubt until the 44th over of the Rebels? innings and you can?t be too upset with a side which takes on a total of 280 in the spirited way that West Cork did.

On a ground with very short boundaries, it makes sense to bat first and set a large target and this is just what UL did. After a disappointing start with Sunil, Furqan and Azeem departing for less than a score of runs, Dave Lynch and Rizwan settled down to build a solid middle order partnership. Rizwan was bowled for a hard-hitting 46 and for several overs Chris Thomas supported Dave as he moved towards his century. Chris holed out on 16 to deep mid-wicket and Morgan, who was bowled for an elegant 33, accompanied Dave (132 not out) beyond his ton as UL posted a very respectable 280 for 8 off 45 overs. Dave?s innings included 10 sixes and 10 fours and Rizwan?s no-nonsense approach included 5 sixes and two fours. Morgan gets better with every game and his gem of an innings saw the ball despatched to every part of the ground. So things looked good for UL as they took the field to defend a more-than-decent score.

From the first ball, however, West Cork signalled their intention to go for the runs, with opener Nick taking full advantage of the short boundaries behind the stumps. Together with Kashif, who hit a quick 57, the early batsmen defied both seam and spin and when Jeremy (9 overs for 43) eventually bowled Nick for 102, an unlikely target still looked in sight. Although Shershah picked up four wickets (7 overs, 4 for 68) he proved expensive as did Azeem (7.3 overs, 2 for 43). Robin Edwards and John Lenehan kept the visitors? hopes alive with excellent high catches that left the home side with a dozen to get in the last two overs, but tail enders Dave and Charlie made no mistakes with straight sixes in the last but one, and the match was taken out of UL?s grasp.

Looking back, our fielding was disappointing at crucial times and bowler selection at the death may have cost us the match. But there was a lot of good cricket here, especially with the bat, and the positives far outnumbered the negatives. Well done UL!

MCU Div 2 - Galway edged out by UL in league thriller

August 8th 2004

In a thrilling match at Galway on 8 August, UL snatched the points in the final over of a high-scoring game. The victory was sweet revenge against the team that had bundled UL out of the Cup competition a couple of weeks earlier.

Galway batted first on an afternoon that threatened rain but never quite delivered it. After a good start which saw three wickets go down for a handful of runs, UL's bowlers struggled to break through the middle order and Green, Hallett and Watkins all compiled useful totals. Matthew Callaghan and Furqan both proved expensive, but Zulfikar (7 overs, 1 for 22) and Jeremy (9 overs, 2 for 27) slowed down the run rate as the innings drew to a close and a target of 205 was set for the 45 over response. UL looked ragged in the middle of the Galway innings, and fielding standards slipped as the heads went down. This was a long way from the team's best fielding performance and the writing looked to be on the wall.

Although Furqan made a steady start, eventually going to a simple catch on 21, his partners went cheaply and four wickets were down before the 50 came up. At this point, Andy Webster and Matthew came together and grafted away for 18 overs to provide the team with a little hope. Matthew was unlucky to be adjudged leg before on 25 but his departure brought Zulfikar to the crease. When Andy was caught for a patient and determined 52, only 10 overs remained to get more than 70 runs and Zulfikar was running out of partners. Assisted mainly by Shershah, who farmed him the strike, Zulfi hit out to all parts of the field, and belief grew in the Limerick camp as he kept the score ticking along at the required rate with a combination of hits to the boundary and measured singles. With 11 needed at the start of the 44th over, a 6 over mid-wicket made an unlikely win seem probable, and Zulfi delivered the goods on the second ball of the last over to finish on 56 not out.

MCU Div 2 - UL do the Double over Lismore in Reduced Over Match

 

August 14th 2004

In a tightly-controlled performance on 14 August, UL were as good with the ball as they had been inept with it in their previous match. This was a win that was all the more acceptable given the lengths the team had gone to to play the match at all. With only one car available, Jeremy had moved mountains to hire a minibus at ten o’clock on the Saturday morning and, despite having only 10 men, a very determined side arrived to take on Lismore, and the showers, on the dot of starting time.

Although the pitch was in good condition, overnight rain had left it damp and Jeremy decided to take the best of the wicket when he won the toss. Batting, though, was never easy with the low bounce and, as the innings progressed, dents in the wicket moved the ball unpredictably. For all that, openers Dave Lynch and Shershah moved the score along at 3 an over for the first third of the innings before a collapse in the middle overs saw Dave lbw on 24, Shershah bowled on 7 and Morgan, Melt, Asfi and Salman depart for next to nothing. But Zulfikar, so often the saviour of the innings, was at the crease, and his 72, with a lot of support from Felix, took the total close to 140. A defiant stand between Felix (bowled for 8) and Jeremy at the end added a few more runs and the innings closed in the 41st over on 146 which looked a very defensible target.

And so it was to prove when, after tea and a downpour, UL took the field defending a rain-reduced target of 138 in 38 overs. With Melt (9 overs, 2 for 11) and Asfi (7.2 overs, 3 for 17) taking a rapidly deteriorating new ball, Lismore scored at a rate hardly more than two an over. Change bowlers Zulfikar (8 overs for 19) and Jeremy (9 overs, 2 for 21) kept up the pressure and Dave Lynch (3 overs, 2 for 6) was almost unplayable as the overs came to an end. Only Paddy Byrne (31) provided real resistance and Lismore's innings closed on 95 in the last but one over, without ever really threatening the UL total.

Although the conditions were against a really good cricket match, UL deserve credit for the way they managed their bowling resources and their discipline in the field. As they tick off win after win in the Division 2 league, it seems that only the weather and mathematics may keep them away from the championship title this season.

 

MCU Div 2 - UL on the double - Munster League Div 2 title in the Bag

 

September 26th 2004

In a devastating performance on Sunday 26 September, UL Cricket Club added the Munster Senior League Division 2 title to the Division 1 title already won by the senior team. Seizing the opportunity provided by the first dry Sunday of recent weeks, the Limerick team travelled to Cork and subjected the Harlequins opposition to one of their strongest displays of the season. With a win and bonus points needed to clinch the championship, the team excelled with the bat and in the field to finish a long season on the best possible note.

Batting first, UL scored quickly but the wickets of Shershah, Abbasi and Dave Lynch went with only 31 on the board. When Zulfikar and Rizwan came together, the innings needed to be steadied without momentum being lost. Both batsmen scored freely and played some huge shots. Rizwan went to an excellent catch, but not before he had accumulated 62, including seven fours and three majestic sixes. Zulfikar played with measured power, alternately despatching the ball to and beyond the boundary (three 4s and eight 6s) and pushing quick singles. Caught on 80, he concluded an excellent season with the bat. Melt Siebert and Chris Thomas formed the next partnership, Melt playing with uncharacteristic elegance for his 36 and Chris employing the aerial route before falling lbw on 32. When Morgan and Jeremy Callaghan came together for the final six overs, both determined to bat through, the score was 292. A cameo innings by Morgan, picking off the fours and accepting the strike with carefully-placed singles, ended on the last ball of the innings with Jeremy running him out on 27. By then the result was almost beyond doubt: 337 off 45 overs would be too much for most teams and UL were on a high.

Their bowling and fielding clearly demonstrated this. Melt bowled with hostility, wrapping up the first four batsmen (he finished on 4 for 41 off nine overs) with a deceptive mix of length and bounce, all at real pace. A deliberate trap, a bouncer fended off to Dave Lynch at silly mid-on, came between two clean bowleds, about which the batsmen knew little. Only Richard Benson, eventually lbw on 35, found some answer to his penetrating deliveries. Zulfikar (2 for 37) and Chris Thomas shared the other end, providing little respite for a succession of new batsmen. Although John Frankham worked out the bowling in a defiant knock of 69, he was largely unsupported, and when Chris, who finished on 3 for 52, forced him into a lofted drive which Dave took brilliantly at short cover, the innings was over on 159. The fielding of UL had been excellent throughout: not a real chance put down and excellent catches taken by Lynch, Shershah, John Lenehan, Chris Thomas and Narinja. Active captaincy from Jeremy, who kept the fielders on their toes and moving to attacking positions, also motivated the team to a winning performance.

Club captain, Gay Lawlor, accepted the trophy in a ceremony at the Mardyke, as the players celebrated at Harlequins, and a long and successful season came to a close. UL lost only one game, and that having posted a score of 280. Two matches were abandoned through rain, with the side having placed themselves in a strong position; two were conceded; and five were won on strong performances. This was UL's best season for many a year and will stand the Club in good stead as it looks forward to 2005.

Limerick Cricket Club: Munster Division 2 Champions 2004.

 

Back Row (l to r): Shershar; Morgan Callaghan; Zullfikar; John Lenihan; Abbasi. Middle Row (l to r) Chris Thomas, Jeremy Callaghan (Captain); David Lynch, Melt Siebert; Front Row (l to r): Narinjan; Rizwan

Minor Cup Minor Cup Slips Away

June 13th 2004

A gallant effort in the Minor Cup last Sunday (13 June) against a strong Midleton team was not enough to keep UL in the competition. However, the match provided an opportunity for the Club to blood some of its youngsters who had not previously played adult cricket: well done and thanks to Conor, Liam and Suleiman.

Fielding first, UL kept Midleton at bay for 14 overs with Jeremy and Zulfika giving as little away as a robemaker at a nudist convention. With the score at just over 30 when the change bowlers came on, a good start had been made. However, with a weakened attack, it could not be sustained and the runs began to flow with only Azeem (5 overs, 2 for 39) proving dangerous. When the openers came back, the brakes were reapplied but the damage had been done and the home team had compiled 245 for 6 (Jeremy, 10 overs, 1 for 33; Zulfika, 10 overs for 41).

All was not lost, however. With Morgan (caught on 8) and Azeem providing a steady start, the latter cut loose from the 10th over onwards when he was joined by Zulfika. Azeem’s 74 included some huge sixes and Zulfika despatched the ball to all corners in his 53. Until these two batsmen were dismissed for soft catches, UL were on target for an unlikely win. With their departure, resistance collapsed and the innings closed on 168.

For three young cricketers, who performed well in the field, this was a memorable match whatever the result and we wish them well for their futures in cricket.

MCU Div 3 - Minors Triumph

June 27th 2004

Limerick completed a very satisfactory weekend for the club by beating County Kerry in the Munster Senior League Division 3 on Sunday.

On a day which bore scant resemblance to its predecessor, which resulted in several interruptions due to rain, Limerick confined their visitors to 125 for 7 from their 40 overs. Zulfikar made early inroads into the Kerry batsmen, having Denis Moylan and Sasid caught at the wicket by Morgan Callaghan. Zulfikar then took a superb catch at first slip to remove Gideon De Swartz to give Abbas the first of his two wickets. Veteran Dave Ramsay led a fight-back, scoring 30 runs in partnerships with Shakeel and skipper Mark Holland, both of whom made 16. Limerick's captain, Jeremy Callaghan, rowed in with a fine bowling spell of 10 overs, taking 3 wickets for only 11 runs. He also provided encouragement to the youthful Shershah who failed to take a wicket, but included some fine deliveries in his 10 over spell.

Limerick's response saw Sunil (8), Raj (10) and Shershah (19) all dismissed by Shakeel as the score reached 45 for 3 after 16 overs. Zulfikar gave an impetus to the innings with 44 runs, including 7 boundaries in a partnership of 65 with Abbas (26) in the next 11 overs. Both were dismissed with the target of 126 in sight, but Morgan Callaghan and John Lenihan saw Limerick home with 10 overs and 5 wickets to spare.

MCU Div 3 - Minors Triumph

July 17th 2004

The Limerick youngsters (and oldsters!) got in on the winning act last Saturday (17 July) with a well-managed victory over Harlequins in Division 3 of the Munster league. In the process, two fourteen year-olds passed personal milestones, one with the bat, the other with the ball.

The late arrival of the Limerick lads in Cork (as a result of a temperamental engine immobiliser!) caused no problems, the last shower of the day making its presence felt when the match was due to start. Having won the toss, the Limerick openers took the crease at 1.30pm and set about establishing a solid start. John Lenehan (24), Sanil (16) and Shershah (30) had brought 100 into view when Zulfikar and Abbasi came together for what was anticipated to be a high-scoring partnership, but Munster under-15 player Ryan Martin thought differently and sent them both back to the pavilion cheaply. By the time Morgan Callaghan and Jeremy Callaghan came together, Limerick were in trouble at a little over 100 for 7 and with more than half their overs left to go. Twenty overs later, the pair were still there, Morgan having played beautifully for 53 and Jeremy (33 n.o.) having farmed him most of the strike in a determined and patient partnership. When the innings closed in the 40th over on 214, a very competitive target had been set.

In reply, two other Munster junior representative Des O’Leary (45) and Robin Russell (31) made a brisk, but not chanceless, start and Harlequins moved past 100 with only three wickets down. Captain Niall Grainger looked to be the match winner with some strong hitting, despite tight line and length from first-change bowlers Zulfikar (6 overs, 2 for 25) and Jeremy (8 overs 1 for 24). The introduction of Felix Ross with his slow-medium pace proved the turning point. Felix (5.4 overs, 6 for 26) ran through the middle order and the tail, well supported by good catching and ground fielding. By keeping the ball up to the bat outside the off stump, he forced the batsmen to play their strokes, and to contrive their own downfalls, increasing the pressure wicket by wicket. The Harlequins innings closed 30 runs short, on another catch to Felix’s bowling.

A game that sees a maiden 50 and a maiden five-for (or six-for!), is one to remember. Well done, Limerick juniors, and in particular Morgan Callaghan and Felix Ross

 

Minors find UCC a handfull

 

July 25th 2004

Limerick lost their first game of the Minor League last Sunday (25 July 2004) to UCC after a devastating collapse in their middle order. A weakened Limerick team was let down by Azeem who decided sleeping was more important than playing in the match he promised he would. Also let down by anonymous (Jeremy) who forgot to ring Gerard in a communication mix-up. However, the team still travelled and many thanks to Amir and Danesh who filled in at the last moment.

The young Limerick side fielded first on a bright, sunny day opening with good, tight bowling from Zulfikar (8-1-28) and Abassi (8-1-18). First change bowlers Amir (8-0-43) and Shershah (8-0-33) kept up the strong bowling attack, both unlucky not to get any wickets. But it was Limerick’s final bowler, Asfy, who shone, his figures 8-1-39 not reflecting the brilliant, fast-paced and savagely swinging spell he bowled. Asfy, deserving several more wickets, was disappointed with the number of chances put down from his bowling and was found in the middle of the pitch towards the end of his spell, laughing at his own bad luck. With excellent bowling all round, Limerick pegged the opposition down to only 170-5 after their 40 overs.

After an average lunch (not as good as Midleton’s!), Limerick looked set for victory with openers Morgan and Amir scoring over the required rate per over, until Amir on 33 unluckily gloved the ball straight up after mis-timing a pull. Sunil came in next and set up a similar partnership: while he scored rapidly, Morgan held up his end (with a lot of luck). Taking the team past 100 for the loss of only one wicket and with 20 overs to come, it looked as if we would waltz to triumph. However, Morgan ended the partnership stupidly hooking the ball straight up in the air, and departed with only 29 runs. Next went Jeff who, with a flourishing start with two fours, was also caught on 8. At this stage the collapse began seeing the end of Sunil (38), Asfy, Abassi, Zulfikar, Shershah and Felix for only a little over 25 runs between them. Some good defensive batting from Salman was not enough to win the game, needing some 20 runs from 2 overs. The innings ended with youngster Danesh being out L.B.W. in the second last over for a duck, leaving Limerick all out for 151.

This disappointing loss was not all bad, however, with youngsters Danesh and Salman getting some good experience and Limerick finding some more promising players, Asfy and Amir who can both, actually, speak English!

Minors March on the Mardyke.

 

August 1st 2004

The Limerick minor team came away with the points last Sunday (1 August), after a convincing win against Cork County 3 at the Mardyke in Senior League Division 3. Playing on Munster’s largest and best kept ground, the Limerick men proved their abilities with both the bat and the ball, and welcomed a new high performing opening batsman in the process.

On a wicket that looked as if it would do something, Jeremy Callaghan was surprised to be invited to bowl first and didn’t hesitate to use the pace and swing of opening bowlers Asfi and Zulfikar. Their accuracy and length, and in Asfi’s case, swing, had the batsmen playing and missing for only a handful of runs in the first 10 overs, during which the openers each picked up a wicket. Change bowlers Jeremy (8 overs for 34) and Abbasi (6 overs for 40) kept the pressure on, although middle order batsmen Sonny C and B Lordan found some form, each making 50’s. Three sharp run outs by the Limerick fielders gutted the Cork innings, however, and the introduction of Amir into the attack brought about an lbw, a catch and a stumping. Some indifferent fielding in the middle of the innings, though, flattered the Cork batting and they closed on exactly 200, some 30 or so more than they really merited.

The strength of Limerick’s batting was soon in evidence. Openers Amir and Shershah featured in a stand of 69, keeping well above the run rate, and when Abbasi replaced Shershah (bowled for 14) the 100 had been passed. Abbasi was run out on 18 (the skipper had forgotten to tell the batsman never to be at the same end at the same time!) when Zulfikar came to the crease and set about the bowling. He finished on 49 not out in company with Morgan (15 not out), after the departure of Amir for a classy 83 to a spooned-up catch. Amir had sent the ball to the boundary 14 times and it seemed appropriate that the winning runs came off a sweep by Morgan that raced to the fine leg boundary, the longest on the field.

Amir was certainly man of the match with 83 runs and three wickets. In line with recent practice, the captain was pleased to award him a Limerick cap.