North County, Leinster and Ireland prospect, Cormac McLoughlin, 16 at the end of the month, is Cover Point's latest pick in its 10:20 Vision Series.
Leinster Development Officer, Brian O'Rourke says this about the young North County player:
"Cormac McLoughlin is another bright prospect coming through the Leinster junior ranks at present. He has benefited greatly from the Leinster tours programme which has seen him visit North Wales with the Leinster U'13's, Wolverhampton on several occasions with the U'15's and this year he will be part of the Leinster Development squad who will travel to Newcastle in June.
Last year he represented Ireland U'15's and he has been part of the Ireland U'17 panel who have been training over the winter.
His fitness levels have improved (recent bleep test score of 13.5) while his improved batting and bowling should shortly see him become a regular member of the North County 1st XI."
Profile: Cormac McLoughlin
Date of Birth - 30/04/1994
Club - North County CC
Bats - Right Hand Bat
Bowls - Right Arm Medium
Role - Batting All Rounder
Ireland Representative honours to date: Under 15, 2009
Cormac McLoughlin
Interview
CP: When did you start to play cricket?
CML: I started to play cricket when I was seven years old.
CP: What sparked your interest in the game?
CML: Two of my uncles played cricket and there was a big interest in my local area. My mates played in school and out on the green.
CP: Favourite cricketer and why?
CML: Probably Shiv Chanderpaul. I just love watching the way he bats and the way he can slowly take games away from other teams.
CP: Biggest influence and why?
CML: I have two big influences.
Andre Botha helped me out a great deal when I was younger with my batting. Before I got coaching from him I was primarily a bowler but then I gradually became a batting all-rounder.
Brían O'Rourke has been a big influence on my fielding. Fielding can sometimes be neglected as part of cricket but Brían has always been big on it and has really improved my fielding skills. He's also helped out with areas of my batting and bowling.
CP: How was 2009 for you?
CML: I had a good year with the bat but my bowling was poor at times. It was a bit frustrating because I felt I was playing too low a grade of senior cricket but hopefully this year it will be different.
CP: Cricket ambitions for remainder of 2010?
CML: To get picked for the Ireland Under 17's and play for my country against Jersey in front of my club. Hopefully get a chance to play some first team cricket this year as well.
CP: Cricket ambitions beyond 2010?
CML: To be a key member of North County's firsts and win an All-Ireland.
CP: Proudest cricket achievement to date?
CML: Playing for the Ireland Under 15's and scoring 53 not out against Holland.
CP: Biggest cricket disappointment to date?
CML: Losing to CYM in the Under 15 League last year was a big disappointment because we had worked so hard as a team last year and fell at the final hurdle.
CP: Area looking to improve your cricket in 2010?
CML: My fielding and general fitness because I could be playing a lot of cricket this year and will need to be in good shape.
CP: What other sports do you play or interests do you have?
CML: I play some Gaelic in school which is good fun and I try to get out to play some golf whenever I have an opportunity.
CP: What else are you passionate about?
CML: I'm very passionate about music and American Football. I'm a die-hard Washington Redskins fan.
CP: What could Irish cricket be doing (if anything) that it is not doing already
to make the sport more popular?
CML: Maybe try to get some of the Ireland's smaller scale games outside of the World Cups televised. When people knew how good a team we were the whole country went cricket mad so I think television would be a great way to spark interest once more.
Liam Rooney in collaboration with Cormac McLoughlin and Brian O'Rourke
Copyright: Cover Point
