Under 13 Interprovincial Championship 2014 Leinster Cricket Union 2-5 July

Although there is no longer an International Tournament at U13 level there will still be a lot to play for when this year’s Interprovincial Championships take place in the Leinster area next week.

A number of those taking part have spent the winter months as part of an Irish Training Squad, but all are aware that inclusion in the Winter Squad is no guarantee of being part of the Summer Programme and all will need to prove their worth in competitive action.

For the others there is, as ever, a chance to force their way into the selectors’ thinking and gain a place at a 3 Day Training Camp in mid July and some, if not all, will also have in mind the North v South series of U12 & U14 games in August.

Leinster has been the dominant force at this age-level for a few years and with a high proportion of their squad included in the winter programme will again be favourites to lift the title.

Neil Rock will captain their side which contains a few ‘sons of famous fathers’, a Garth, an Archer and an O’Reilly, as a new generation enters the Irish player production line.

Baby of the squad Tim Tector, who is still U11, is one for the future and Leinster are confident that he can make an impact even at this early stage in his career.

Munster, traditionally the weakest of the Unions, have a couple to look out for, both from the Cork Harlequins club.

Both played last year and both have been part of the winter squad, Seanan Jones is a left-arm seamer and hard hitting batsman while the spin of Diarmuid Carey may test a few batters during the week.

The North West has had a tradition of producing some match hardened players in their underage squads as many are already playing in ‘adult’ sides at their club, something which leaves them a little less naive than those brought up on a diet solely of underage games.

With 5 members of their squad included in the winter training they will be looking to Coleraine duo, Marcus Poskitt and Patrick Carson alongside Kyle Magee, Jacob Logan-Wilson and Gregory McFaul to lead the way.

The NCU squad has always included a number of underage players who would be available again in the following season and it is last year’s returnees who will form the backbone of this year’s side.

Dan Humphreys, Tom Millar, Max Burton and Jack Carson will all be expected to deliver the goods this time around.

Probably none more than Jack Carson whose talent has attracted the attention of Sussex CCC, where Jack is expected to spend some time again this summer.

No sign yet then that the well of Irish talent is running dry and those representing their Provinces next week will all be hoping that this is but their first step on the representative ladder .

Fixtures:

Wed 2 July

  • NWCU v NCU, Rush
  • LCU v MCU, Clontarf

Thur 3 July

  • LCU v NWCU, Rathmines
  • MCU v NCU, Park Avenue

Fri 4 July

  • MCU v NWCU, Balbriggan
  • LCU v NCU, Malahide

LEINSTER UNDER 13 SQUAD

Neil Rock (Capt) (Rush) Harry Archer (The Hills) Neil Currie (Clontarf) Theo Dempsey (Phoenix) JJ Garth (Pembroke) Stuart Jackson (YMCA) Justin Martin-Kavanagh (Balbriggan) Cian Nulty (Balbriggan) David O’Halloran (Malahide) Mikey O’Reilly (YMCA) Fionn O’Sullivan (Leinster) Tim Tector (YMCA) Mitchell Thompson (YMCA)

NORTH WEST U13 SQUAD

Adam Boyd (Fox Lodge) Aiden Logue (Fox Lodge) Alistair Doherty (Fox Lodge) Ben Mills (Glendermott) Gregory McFaul (Bready) Jacob Logan Wilson (Ballyspallen) Jason Dunn (Bready) Kyle Magee (Killyclooney) Levi Dougherty (Donemana) Marcus Poskitt (Coleraine) Patrick Carson (Coleraine) Rhys Logue (Strabane) William Finlay (Killyclooney).

NCU UNDER 13 SQUAD

Max Burton (Carrickfergus) Jack Carson (Waringstown) Adam Clarke (Templepatrick) Daniel Humphreys (Instonians) James Humphries (Waringstown) James Hunter (Instonians) Archie Johnston (CSNI) Harry Long (Lurgan) Reece Malone (Derriaghy) Peter McCreery (CIYMS) Bradley McNamera (Instonians) Tom Millar (CIYMS) Harry Warke (Templepatrick)

MUNSTER U13 - no squad released to media yet