The Odran Flynn Column

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The Odran Flynn Column

Odran Flynn

Saving the best until last Saving the best until last ( )

Back on 10th of January last when Ireland played their first came of the year against Afghanistan in an ODI in Dubai they had a number of objectives for the year.

Back on 10th of January last when Ireland played their first came of the year against Afghanistan in an ODI in Dubai they had a number of objectives for the year.

Hogan's Heroes Hogan's Heroes ( )

It may well transpire that the most important event in Irish cricket in recent years was not the victory over England or the three wins earlier this year at the World Cup. Rather it may turn out to be an event in the historic pavilion in Trinity College on the 17th September 2014.

It may well transpire that the most important event in Irish cricket in recent years was not the victory over England or the three wins earlier this year at the World Cup. Rather it may turn out to be an event in the historic pavilion in Trinity College on the 17th September 2014.

Ireland face Zimbabwean test Ireland face Zimbabwean test ( )

Ireland begins a three match ODI series against a Full Member for only the third time. It is five years since the previous time which was also against Zimbabwe and you have to go back to March 2008 when the men in green lost 3-0 in Bangladesh.

Ireland begins a three match ODI series against a Full Member for only the third time. It is five years since the previous time which was also against Zimbabwe and you have to go back to March 2008 when the men in green lost 3-0 in Bangladesh.

Lack of depth and quality major concern for Ireland Lack of depth and quality major concern for Ireland ( )

Back in January we eagerly anticipated what promised to be the most exciting and crucial year in the history of international cricket on this island. First up was the World Cup in Australasia followed by a dessert of home ODI’s against England and Australia.

Back in January we eagerly anticipated what promised to be the most exciting and crucial year in the history of international cricket on this island. First up was the World Cup in Australasia followed by a dessert of home ODI’s against England and Australia.

Qualification, commentators and quality Qualification, commentators and quality ( )

In my previous column I said that it would be a breeze for Ireland to qualify for the final qualifying World T20 Cup in India next year.

In my previous column I said that it would be a breeze for Ireland to qualify for the final qualifying World T20 Cup in India next year.

Ireland in limbo Ireland in limbo ( )

First things first! Ireland will qualify for the T20 World Cup final Qualifier in India next year.

First things first! Ireland will qualify for the T20 World Cup final Qualifier in India next year.

Re-Joyce Re-Joyce ( )

Timing is critical to most things in life. Being in the right place at the right time can beneficially alter the entire course of one’s life while of course bad timing can have a disastrous impact.

Timing is critical to most things in life. Being in the right place at the right time can beneficially alter the entire course of one’s life while of course bad timing can have a disastrous impact.

Can Ireland rain on England's parade? Can Ireland rain on England's parade? ( )

As the rain cascades down outside my window, turning my garden into an Olympic sized swimming pool, the prospect of an uninterrupted match twenty miles away in Malahide is becoming increasingly more doubtful.

As the rain cascades down outside my window, turning my garden into an Olympic sized swimming pool, the prospect of an uninterrupted match twenty miles away in Malahide is becoming increasingly more doubtful.

More questions than answers More questions than answers ( )

Odran Flynn reflects on the Simmons reign and Ireland's World Cup campaign.

Odran Flynn reflects on the Simmons reign and Ireland's World Cup campaign.

Ireland deserve better Ireland deserve better ( )

At some stage over the next few weeks ICC is going to break its silence over the furore about the 2019 ten team World Cup.

At some stage over the next few weeks ICC is going to break its silence over the furore about the 2019 ten team World Cup.

Richardson eating humble pie Richardson eating humble pie ( )

I don’t know where ICC CEO Dave Richardson was as John Mooney top edged the winning boundary last Monday morning but I suspect that he wasn’t clapping enthusiastically.

I don’t know where ICC CEO Dave Richardson was as John Mooney top edged the winning boundary last Monday morning but I suspect that he wasn’t clapping enthusiastically.

Ireland World Cup profile Ireland World Cup profile ( )

On the 16th of February Ireland’s third successive 50 over World Cup campaign will get under way against West Indies in the New Zealand South Island city of Nelson.

On the 16th of February Ireland’s third successive 50 over World Cup campaign will get under way against West Indies in the New Zealand South Island city of Nelson.

Selectors gambling on Thompson Selectors gambling on Thompson ( )

When the Ireland squad was announced eight years ago for the 2007 World Cup in the West Indies it was inconceivable that eight years later the 2015 squad could afford to exclude players who are plying their trade with English counties.

When the Ireland squad was announced eight years ago for the 2007 World Cup in the West Indies it was inconceivable that eight years later the 2015 squad could afford to exclude players who are plying their trade with English counties.

Ireland praying it'll be all right on the night Ireland praying it'll be all right on the night ( )

There is a saying in the theatre that a bad dress rehearsal foretells a good opening night. If there is any validity in this, then the West Indies are in for one hell of a hammering in Nelson on the 16th of February.

There is a saying in the theatre that a bad dress rehearsal foretells a good opening night. If there is any validity in this, then the West Indies are in for one hell of a hammering in Nelson on the 16th of February.

Players on trial ahead of World Cup Players on trial ahead of World Cup ( )

18 players set off for Australia and New Zealand with the intent of proving to the selectors that they are worthy of being named in the 15 man squad for the World Cup.

18 players set off for Australia and New Zealand with the intent of proving to the selectors that they are worthy of being named in the 15 man squad for the World Cup.

High drama in Dublin High drama in Dublin ( )

A look at the capitulation of India and a day of high drama in Dublin.

A look at the capitulation of India and a day of high drama in Dublin.

Winners and losers Winners and losers ( )

Who passed and failed the World Cup audition, Trent Johnston returning home and lack of fixtures against Full Members.

Who passed and failed the World Cup audition, Trent Johnston returning home and lack of fixtures against Full Members.

Ireland players on trial Ireland players on trial ( )

Ireland begin a series against Sri Lanka A which for many in the squad will be pivotal in determining their chance of heading to Australasia next February.

Ireland begin a series against Sri Lanka A which for many in the squad will be pivotal in determining their chance of heading to Australasia next February.

Trinity deserved better Trinity deserved better ( )

While the wicket was on the slow side it certainly did not warrant some of the adverse comments made about it particularly those of a vitriolic nature.

While the wicket was on the slow side it certainly did not warrant some of the adverse comments made about it particularly those of a vitriolic nature.

It's about money and power, stupid It's about money and power, stupid ( )

A look at the power grab by BCCI in their own words and deeds, plus Ed Joyce continues to score freely in England.

A look at the power grab by BCCI in their own words and deeds, plus Ed Joyce continues to score freely in England.

Lack of fixtures damaging Associate cricket Lack of fixtures damaging Associate cricket ( )

Not one of the four World Cup qualifiers have a match against a Full Member before their first matches in Australasia.

Not one of the four World Cup qualifiers have a match against a Full Member before their first matches in Australasia.

High fives for Associates High fives for Associates ( )

In the space of just forty days from the 19th February, Associate teams defeated five Full Member nations.

In the space of just forty days from the 19th February, Associate teams defeated five Full Member nations.

On the Road to Bangladesh On the Road to Bangladesh ( )

On St Patricks Day Ireland will begin their sixth successive campaign at an ICC World Cup final tournament.

On St Patricks Day Ireland will begin their sixth successive campaign at an ICC World Cup final tournament.

Cheap words and lazy minds Cheap words and lazy minds ( )

It is difficult enough for Ireland to reach the top level without being confronted by ill-considered nonsense passed off as in depth analysis.

It is difficult enough for Ireland to reach the top level without being confronted by ill-considered nonsense passed off as in depth analysis.

Door opening for Test cricket in Ireland? Door opening for Test cricket in Ireland? ( )

Odran Flynn on a draft report which could have a potentially a serious impact on cricket in Ireland

Odran Flynn on a draft report which could have a potentially a serious impact on cricket in Ireland

Back To The Future Back To The Future ( )

A glimpse into a possible future where Ireland are finally admitted to Test cricket.

A glimpse into a possible future where Ireland are finally admitted to Test cricket.

Raising the bar yet again Raising the bar yet again ( )

A look back at 2013 as Ireland continued their relentless pursuit of Full Member status.

A look back at 2013 as Ireland continued their relentless pursuit of Full Member status.

In praise of men from lands down under In praise of men from lands down under ( )

Between them, Trent Johnston, Andre Botha, Jeremy Bray and Dave Langford-Smith played 465 matches for their adopted country.

Between them, Trent Johnston, Andre Botha, Jeremy Bray and Dave Langford-Smith played 465 matches for their adopted country.

To the victors the spoils. To the vanquished the spoils. To the victors the spoils. To the vanquished the spoils. ( )

Only the ICC could come up with a format that turns losers into winners and other than a trophy, treats first and fourth place teams as equals.

Only the ICC could come up with a format that turns losers into winners and other than a trophy, treats first and fourth place teams as equals.

Only the strong survive Only the strong survive ( )

Our newest columnist on some of the sights and sounds at the Twenty20 Qualifier in the UAE.

Our newest columnist on some of the sights and sounds at the Twenty20 Qualifier in the UAE.

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