This weekend Malahide host Clontarf in the semi-finals of the Lewis Hohn Williams Leinster Senior Cup. It's an important match for both clubs and a big occasion for one youngster who has cemented his place in the Malahide first team this year, Adam Coughlan.

Brían O'Rourke, of Cricket Ireland has this to say about the seventeen year old Coughlan.

"Adam Coughlan, a product of Malahide's development programme that continues to offer coaching visits to local National Schools, has firmly established himself as one of the leading cricketers at the club.

He has been part of the Leinster youth programme since the age of 12, and has been involved in tours to Wrexham, Wolverhampton and Newcastle. He has developed a very sound batting technique, bowls useful off spin and is slowly making a name for himself as a reliable and effective covers fielder.

Of late, he has worked a lot on his temperament and self belief within all aspects of his game. A call up to the National Underage programme cannot be far away".

Brían O'Rourke

An Adam Coughlan off drive


Profile: Adam Coughlan

Date of Birth 1/12/92
Place of Birth Dublin
Team play for: Malahide CC
Role in team - Middle order batsman
Bats - RHB 
Bowls - Off Spin

When did you start to play the game? When I was 11.

What sparked your interest in the game? Playing in school when I was a kid.

Biggest influence and why? My biggest influence so far would be Brían O Rourke. 

Brían has helped me a lot over the years with all the trips to Wales, Wolverhampton and Newcastle and all the coaching over the last couple of years. He's also someone you can ask for advice on anything in the game.

Highlight of your career to date? Scoring a senior 50 against North County this year.
 
And the biggest disappointment? Not being selected for Ireland in the last couple of years.

Area looking to improve in 2010? To improve my consistency in scoring runs.

What are your targets for the 2010 season ? To hopefully make 17s and 19s Ireland but it won't be easy because the ages have good players throughout the country. Also do all I can do to help Malahide stay in Division 1 this year.

What are your ambitions in the game beyond 2010? To hopefully play in the U19 world cup in 2012.

Who is your favourite cricketer and why? AB de Villiers.  He's an all round cricketer scores his runs, one of the best fielders in the world and he's a great keeper as well.

What else are you passionate about besides cricket? I play a lot of football during the winter.

What could Irish cricket be doing that it is not doing already to make the game more popular? To get more games televised and to get more indoor training facilities around the country.

Coughlan executes the pull shot