Photo Credit: Cricket Ireland
Following their successful qualification campaign for the ICC Under-19s Men’s World Cup 2022, the Ireland Under-19s Men’s squad has travelled to Desert Springs Resort in Spain for a preparation camp as part of their build-up to the global under-age event in early 2022.
Pete Johnston, National Academy and Performance Manager, is one of the three support staff who have travelled with the squad.
He gave an update on the camp so far:
“The squad has been training alongside a select number of emerging players aged 19-20 years of age – all of whom are all-rounders and are adding value to the prep camp, while also benefitting their own development. We have additionally brought Munster Reds’ Fionn Hand as part of the group – off the back of an outstanding domestic summer in white-ball cricket, Fionn has generously been passing on his experience to the young players.
“By bringing out this extended group of players, we have been able to practice and play challenging inter-squad fixtures, alongside instilling individualised fitness programmes for the players ahead of the Under-19s World Cup. The response from the squad has been excellent.
“We’ve played two inter-squad matches so far, and have seen some impressive performances considering the lack of cricket for the players over the last month or so. Luke Whelan and Jack Dickson batted well in Game One, while Robbie Millar claimed a 4-fer.
“In Game Two we saw a solid half-century by David Vincent and good late-overs hitting by Cameron Doak and Cian Robertson, with Daniel Forkin bowling an incredible spell of 3-9 off 8 overs. While in response, there were decent hit-outs for Dickson, Nathan McGuire, Hand and Whelan, with wickets for Mitchell Thompson, Robertson and Muzamil Sherzad. But definitely, the outstanding moment of that match was the diving catch at cow by Millar.
“The teams will have a fitness session and nets today, and finish with a T20 on Saturday morning before flying back home in the evening.”
The preparation camp squad
Nathan McGuire
Jack Dickson
Euan Wilson
Philippe le Roux
Gavin Hoey
Fionn Hand
Luke Whelan
Mathew Humphries
Theo Dempsey
Diarmuid Burke
Daniel Forkin
Mitchell Thompson
Ryan Hunter
David Vincent
Tim Tector
Scott Macbeth
Robbie Millar
Muzamil Sherzad
Mikey O’Reilly
Cameron Doak
Cian Robertson
Staff: Pete Johnston, Albert van der Merwe, Darren Nicol
Name of Author: Cricket Ireland
Cricket Ireland, officially known as The Irish Cricket Union Company Limited by Guarantee, is the governing body for cricket on the island of Ireland. It oversees the national men’s and women’s teams and organizes the Inter-Provincial Series, Super 3s, and All-Ireland club competitions. Ireland achieved Test status for women in 2000 and for men in 2017 when it became a Full Member of the ICC.
