News

We’ve heard how Mark Donegan has settled into life in New Zealand and this week is the turn of his housemate Sam Murphy. We’ll also find out how their first two league matches have gone.
“I start my week off quite early, when I get up at 4am to get out to the dairy farm I work on. I have to round up a herd of cattle alongside the owner David, there are 330 cows on his farm. So far I’m really enjoying the work. I have learnt a great amount about a range of things and how differently things are done on a dairy farm.

Usually I get home after 12:30pm and then Mark and I will go to the gym. On Tuesday and Thursday I help coach the Maungakaramea junior B grade and A grade players.

I’m really enjoying playing for these boys, they’re a real good bunch of lads that stick together. We made the final of the Dargaville Shield where we played down at Kaipro Flats. Unfortunately we lost on the day but the road trip was good all the same.

We usually train in Cobham Oval whoever we can, either with our squads or by ourselves. The guys around are really good, they are keen for a chat and are very helpful with the coaching.

We have played 2 league games so far this season but unfortunately we lost both. I got a few runs in the first match but last week I managed to score 98 against City CC.

This weekend I’m travelling down to Hamilton to play for Northland 2nd XI, the regional team. Hopefully all goes well with them and we will come away with a win.

Mark is also “raring to go for today’s matches”. We only had two training sessions this week as one was cancelled, he told me today.

During the week I continued coaching cricket in primary schools and was also water blasting footpaths and pickets at Cobham Oval.

Last weekend we played our second league game against OC. We won the toss and chose to field on a wicket which had a lot to offer the bowlers early on. Their top order never got going as they were 90-7 at one stage but managed to make it to 190 before being bowled out in the 47th over.

The chase was slow at the start but it gradually became a lot easier throughout the innings. We chased down the total for just three wickets in the 40th over. My opening partner Reece scored 60 and I finished up on 73 but was caught behind with just 20 runs needed.

It was a great all round performance as everyone in the team chipped in with bat or ball and we now have two wins from two. We move on to the T20 games now for the next few weeks.

A couple of big scores for Sam and Mark last weekend for their clubs and we wish them the best this weekend as they continue their time in the Northland region of New Zealand.

Meanwhile in Ireland, the Under 19 squad had another important training weekend last week. Plenty of fitness testing and conditioning work was done and some strong progress shown by the squad.


Cricket Ireland
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Connaught