Dave Hartin – Slugger O'Toole

Honours even in Intercontinental Cup as Under-19s prepare for plate QF

Dave Hartin on January 22, 2010, 3:17 am | Readers 1

Ireland’s senior and under-19 cricket sides are both in action in warmer climes at the moment: the 1st XI have resumed their ICC Intercontinental Cup schedule in Sri Lanka against a fast improving Afghanistan side while the juniors have been blooded against some of the best sides in the world in the Under-19 World Cup in New Zealand. The seniors have had a reasonable first day after winning the toss and electing to bat in Dambulla. Porterfield, Wilson and Niall …

Candystripes ejected from League of Ireland

Dave Hartin on November 8, 2009, 1:20 am | Readers 13

Bad news for fans of Derry City FC this evening as after a crisis meeting with the League of Ireland their contract to play Premier Division football has been terminated. The ongoing financial crisis which has led to the non-payment of players and other creditors for the past few weeks may soon lead to a winding-up application. Whatever your sporting allegiances, it’s very dissapointing to see a sporting institution with a proud history in our second city face going to …

World Cup Qualifiers – important games for North and South even though only ROI play…

Dave Hartin on October 11, 2009, 12:29 am | Readers 2

A vital game for the Republic this evening against Italy at Croker has become slightly less critical due to Cyprus beating Bulgaria this evening thus all but assuring the Irish a play off place from Group 8 at the very least. Too much to hope for automatic qualification surely? Whelan gave Ireland a deserved lead early on cancelled out by Camoranesi in the 26th minute – the game remains pretty even. Update St Ledger scores with 3 minutes left ! …

Kenya cling on for a draw; does Lee injury boost England’s chances?

Dave Hartin on July 7, 2009, 5:35 pm | Readers 0

Stumps Day 4 of 4, Eglinton. Match drawn. Ireland 9 pts, Kenya 3 pts. Ireland 404 & (overnight 139-4) 224-7 dec (65 ov) White 59*; Kamande 2-18 Kenya 331 & 245-8 (70 ov) C Obuya 84; White 2-6 Ireland’s cricketers were unable force a victory against Kenya on a rain delayed final day at Eglinton. Despite the loss of Cusack without addition, a fifty from Andrew White and a quickfire 39 from Gary Wilson set the Kenyan’s a sporting 298 …

Batting wobbles but Ireland favourites

Dave Hartin on July 6, 2009, 4:56 am | Readers 0

With 104 overs left to bowl, Ireland remain in control of the ICC Intercontinental Cup match against Kenya at Eglinton. Ireland bowlers were held up by the Kenyan tail who added a vital 92 runs to their overnight total to leave Ireland with a useful but not commanding 1st innings lead of 73. After being reduced to 47-3 and leaving the door open for the Kenyans, Alex Cusack steadied the ship with a patient half century to leave the Irish …

Ireland in control against Kenya

Dave Hartin on July 5, 2009, 3:32 am | Readers 0

Quick update for Slugger’s cricket fans (I’m working all weekend so it’s a little tardy). After Paul Stirling‘s maiden first class ton yesterday and a welcome return to form for Bray, Ireland pushed on this morning on day two of their opening ICC Intercontinental Cup match against Kenya in Eglinton with West and McCallen adding 43 for the 9th wicket as Ireland posted a competitive 404 in their first innings. West also picked up a couple of wickets as the …

Here we go again…

Dave Hartin on July 3, 2009, 6:23 am | Readers 2

Believe it or not it’s ICC Intercontinental Cup time again! Ireland’s cricketers must prove themselves against the best of the rest starting with Kenya at Eglinton this morning. No Rankin, Porterfield or Niall O’Brien (on county duty or injured) available so Gary Wilson keeps wicket plus a new cap for paceman Andrew Britton of Fox Lodge. Hero of Trent Bridge Keith O’Brien is available (cheers Notts) along with returnees Bray, Johnston, White et al. Ireland are the the three time …

Rankin returns as Irish face Sri Lanka

Dave Hartin on June 14, 2009, 5:36 pm | Readers 3

After two heavy defeats to world champions India and New Zealand, today Ireland face a Sri Lankan side who have already eliminated the Australians from the competition in comprehensive fashion and whipped the Pakistanis in their last game. Sanity appears to have returned to selection with Boyd Rankin replacing Peter Connell and Andrew White in for Gary Wilson. Kumar Sangakkara has won the toss and chosen to bat first – I would suggest he wants to give his batters a …

Ireland beaten in dead rubber

Dave Hartin on June 11, 2009, 1:44 am | Readers 0

Just a quickie. Ireland lost to India in their final group game in the World Twenty20 this evening. On a damp evening at Trent Bridge with Niall O’Brien and Trent Johnston missing the gulf between the sides was apparent as Zaheer Khan took 4 wickets and Ireland struggled to 112-8 from their 18 overs. India cruised home by 8 wickets with over 2 overs to spare. The big super eight games start tomorrow with New Zealand Ireland’s opponents, again in …

What a day…

Dave Hartin on June 10, 2009, 12:14 am | Readers 1

Many thanks to one P Baker for keeping my seat warm as I soaked up the atmosphere and (a little) sunshine at Trent Bridge yesterday. What a day it was as Ireland booked their place in the Super Eight phase of the ICC World Twenty20. It wasn’t a surprise – the Irish out fought and out thought the Bangladeshis in every discipline of the game. For those who are interested and in the Nottingham area, tickets are still available here …

Ireland prepare for Twenty20 clash

Dave Hartin on June 7, 2009, 9:23 pm | Readers 1

After an undeniably exciting start to the ICC World Twenty20 this weekend, Ireland prepare to enter the fray tomorrow in Nottingham with a crucial game against Bangladesh. Due to a rather strange format (what’s new?) the Irish side know that if they win the game, they take their place in the Super Eight phase of a world tournament once again after India’s comfortable win over the Tigers yesterday. Ireland start as more convincing underdogs than usual – Bangladesh have much …

Ireland thump Worcestershire

Dave Hartin on May 21, 2009, 1:13 am | Readers 1

Finally! Having gradually improved their performances throughout the Friends Provident campaign, the Irish signed off from the tournament by putting the full-timers from Worcester out of the competition in extraordinary fashion at New Road. Having been asked to bat first by Vikram Solanki, Ireland were deep in the mire at 75-6 and only a stand of 57 between Trent Johnston and skipper Kyle McCallen (last man out and top scorer with 40) gave some measure of respectability to the total. …

Ireland chasing 317 against the Hawks

Dave Hartin on May 18, 2009, 10:20 pm | Readers 0

Just a quickie – if you’re working late at your desk and t’internet police will let you, if you’re having withdrawl symptoms after the test ended early or if you’re just bored, you can listen to Ireland chasing a mammoth score against Hampshire at The Rose Bowl here. Seems like Kevin O’Brien (soon to be on extended trial at Notts who Ireland so very nearly defeated on Saturday) and the rest of the Irish attack got a bit of tap …

Chances not taken as Irish lose again

Dave Hartin on May 5, 2009, 12:50 am | Readers 0

A much improved performance from the Irish cricket team but the same end result against Leicestershire. After losing the toss and being asked to bat at a rain affected Grace Road, Ireland struggled early on and were reduced to 44-3 before a partnership of 110 between teenager Paul Stirling and Keith Kevin O’Brien lifted the total to a competitive 197 off their 31 overs. Leics managed to keep up with the rate fairly comfortably until the spin of Kyle McCallen …

Ireland crash to heavy defeat

Dave Hartin on May 4, 2009, 2:26 am | Readers 1

Harsh lessons continue for Ireland’s cricketers as Nottinghamshire gave the boys a bit of a pasting at Trent Bridge today. Having conceded 346 (a Notts record; the unfortunate Keith Kevin O’Brien responsible for 52 in just 4 overs) Ireland were never in the hunt and ended up losing by 134 runs. Ireland prop up the group A table but must try and recover quickly as they take on a winless Leicestershire side at Grace Road in the morning (text commentary …

Morgan selected by England for ODI and T20 squads

Dave Hartin on May 2, 2009, 4:58 pm | Readers 0

Congratulations to Middlesex and Ireland left hander Eoin Morgan who has been selected in the final 15 man England squad for the upcoming one-day series against the West Indies and the World Twenty20. The 22 year old Dubliner who played 23 ODIs for Ireland averaging a healthy 35 with the bat now moves into an England side in transition and already preparing for the next World Cup where he may of course end up playing against his old team mates. …

Ireland win CWC 2011 qualifier

Dave Hartin on April 19, 2009, 4:58 pm | Readers 9

Ireland have once again underlined their status as the best non-Test playing cricketing nation in the world after a comprehensive victory over Canada in Centurion. William Porterfield is developing a reputation as a lucky skipper at the toss and when he called correctly, it was no surprise that the Canadians were asked to bat first as the Irish side have appeared much more comfortable chasing than setting a total. Despite Scotland’s chagrin at the weakened Irish side selected for the …

Under strength Ireland lose to Kenya

Dave Hartin on April 18, 2009, 1:47 am | Readers 0

In the final round of matches in the Super Eights of the CWC qualifiers, an Irish side resting some key individuals has lost to Kenya in Pretoria. Having already sealed a World Cup place and a place in the final, Phil Simmons rested Trent Johnston, Alex Cusack and Boyd Rankin – Eoin Morgan will return home before the final after qualification was assured (presumably to turn out for Middlesex in the County Championship next week) and was left out of …

Ireland successfully qualify for Cricket World Cup 2011

Dave Hartin on April 16, 2009, 12:07 am | Readers 5

It’s been another unpredictable day in South Africa in the Super Eights of the CWC 2001 qualifiers. Shock results have been the norm since the end of the first round – thankfully Ireland were not involved in an upset today and qualified for their 2nd Cricket World Cup Finals after beating The Netherlands in Pretoria. Will Porterfield won the toss and invited the Dutch to have a bat. Rankin and Connell made early inroads with the new ball and despite …

Almost there…

Dave Hartin on April 13, 2009, 10:38 pm | Readers 0

The United Arab Emirates felt the full force of Irish cricketing wrath in Johannesburg today. After a loss to Afghanistan on Saturday described by coach Phil Simmons as “complacent” a reaction was likely and it arrived in the form of Ireland’s bowling attack. Boyd Rankin and Peter Connell tore into the UAE top order to leave them reeling at 3-3 and despite an effective rearguard from Fayyaz Ahmed the batting never recovered. Regan West took 3 wickets and Rankin, Connell …