No. 4
The Irish Times Saturday June 25th 1977…
Cricket Preview
YMCA all out to
break their duck
YMCA WILL be hoping to improve on a knockout record that is the envy of none when they oppose Old Belvedere in the semi-final of the John Player Cup at Claremont Road today. Of the other ten Leinster senior clubs only relative newcomers, Carlisle, have also failed to take the trophy at some time or other.
Folowing a great quarter-final victory over redoubtable cup fighters Pembroke, YMCA will be more than quietly confident of achieving the long-sought-after break-through. Under the inspiring captaincy of Ian Lewis they have the all-round talent to fulfil at last their ambition and bring the trophy to Claremont Road.
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BY
SEAN PENDER
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The return to cricket after a long absence of left-hand bat Norman Kilroy has made a spectacular difference to the side’s performances. This opening partnership of 88 with Richard Beamish was the solid rock on which Pembroke perished. And further down the order runs have also been coming regularly from Freddy Brady, Ian Burns and, of course, Lewis himself, though he is due a big score.
With John Ridgeway still on holidays, YMCA gamble in including in the first team for the first time Keith Spencer, a former North Lancashire pace bowler, now sports master at St.Andrew’s College. In fact, Spencer has played only once for the club – for the second team, last week! YMCA include a second Englishman in their side, medium pacer Jim Whalley.
If their bowling is a little thin for a 60 overs encounter, Stan McCready is still one of the best pacemen in the country and not only will very few runs be hit off him but with a devastating burst he could go a long way towards winning a match on his own.
FORMIDABLE FORCE
But Old Belvedere are a formidable force. With Alec O’Riordan topping both batting and bowling averages, in scintillating form and all of the others having already starred on several occasions this summer with bat or ball, they will be difficult to beat.
YMCA – I.Lewis, R.Beamish, F.Brady, I.Burns, N.Kilroy, P.Murphy, S.McCready, F.Sowman, K.Spencer, G.Verso, J.Whalley.
Old Belvedere – D.Tucker, F.Synnott, F.Daly, R.Daly, R.McDermott, J.McDevitt, C.McGrath, A.O’Riordan, K.O’Riordan, J.Prior, R.Waters
Umpires: R.Smith & E.Parsons.