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John Mooney has finished his trial with Sussex and returned home to Ireland where he continued his good form with 70 for North County yesterday.
Irish international John Mooney has ended his trial with Sussex a week early and returned to Ireland.
Speaking after scoring 70 as North County lost to a Railway Union side including Kevin O’Brien, the 30 year old Cricket Ireland contracted player explained the reasons behind the curtailed trial; “I sat down with Carl Hopkinson, the Sussex 2nd XI coach, at the end of last week and discussed how the first two weeks had gone. I wasn’t really gettting a look in in the T20 games as Sussex wanted to get a look at their contracted players first, which is only right. Carl was happy with my attitude and playing style, but I felt I wasn’t doing myself justice. I’ve been easing myself back into bowling following my hamstring tear (sustained against Scotland in the ICC World Twenty20 qualifiers) and was short of full match fitness having been out of competitive action for seven weeks.

“I’ve a young family to support and the trial was putting a strain on that. Although it hasn’t worked out this time, Sussex have given me an option to try again at a later date, when I’ll hopefully be at 100% fitness and show them just what I’m capable of as a cricketer. I’m grateful to Sussex and Cricket Ireland for the opportunity – it’s disappointing that it hasn’t worked out this time, but that’s cricket.”

Mooney has to date won 128 caps with Ireland and is expected to be named in the Ireland squad for the forthcoming RSA Challenge ODI against Australia on June 23.