Shauna Kavanagh, 18 years old today, (Happy Birthday Shauna!) an all rounder from Pembroke CC is Cover Point's third pick in this series, featuring some of Ireland's best emerging women players.
Profile: Shauna Kavanagh
Date of Birth: 21st April 1992
Birthplace: Dublin
Club - Pembroke CC
Role- All rounder
Bats - Right hand bat, middle order
Bowls - Right arm opening bowler
Representative honours to date: Ireland under 15s and 17s, Leinster under 15s and 17s, and Ireland A.
Ireland A Coach Nigel Pyne has this to say about Shauna:
"Shauna opened both the batting and bowling for Pembroke Women's 1st XI for the majority of last season, not an easy task for any player of any age never mind for one who is only 17 years old.
Shauna is determined to break onto the Senior squad in the near future and given her dedication I'm certain she will and I think in time will develop into a key all-rounder for them. Shauna attended the Global Cricket School in India this winter and the work she put in was exceptional. She learnt a huge amount not only about her game but herself too and that's been reflected in how she approaches her training.
Shauna bowl's with good pace and has the ability to swing the ball, she took 17 wickets at a respectable 30 each for her club in Div 1 last season.
Having proven she has the ability to take wickets consistency is now the main area for improvement but I think that will come this year with the better understanding she has of her technique.
She played key roles for the both the Irish U17 and 'A' Squads in 2009 and was a member of the squad that won the U17 European Championships in Holland. Even-though she didn't have the best of tournaments with the ball she did well with the bat when supporting her team mates Laura Delany and then Kim Garth in match winning partnerships of 90 and 93."
Interview
CP: When did you start to play cricket?
SK: I started training when I was about 6, and started playing with the boys when I was 7 or 8.
CP: What sparked your interest in the game?
SK: My dad had always played, and it was the only sport I knew when I was younger.
CP: Favourite cricketer and why?
SK: AB de Villiers because he is a superb positive attacking bat and a sensational fielder.
CP: Biggest influence and why?
SK: My parents because I wouldn't play cricket if not for my dad and I would have given up if not for my mum.
And Nigel -I wouldn't be where I am now if it weren't for him.
CP: Ambitions for 2010?
SK: To win the cup with Pembroke, and breakthrough to the senior squad for next season.
CP: Key goals for Ireland in 2010?
SK: To gain promotion in the county championships (Ireland A play in the ECB Women's County Championship Division 5).
CP: Ambitions beyond 2010 - for you and for Ireland?
SK: For Ireland A to gain promotion to the 1st division in the county championships by 2014, and for myself, to be part of the senior squad by the 2013 World Cup.
CP: Proudest achievement to date?
LK: Being called up to the Irish Development squad in 2006.
CP: Biggest disappointment to date?
SK: Losing the cup with Pembroke in 2008, losing the Boys U13s all Ireland final in 2005, and losing to Northumberland last season which denied us promotion in the County Championships.
CP: Area looking to improve in 2010?
SK: All areas of my game but particularly consistency in my bowling.
CP: What else are you passionate about?
SK: Hockey.
CP: What other interests have you?
SK: Hanging out with my friends. There's not much time for anything else with cricket, hockey and my leaving cert!
CP: What are the key next steps for Women's cricket in Ireland?
SK: To continue to raise standards by working harder, getting fitter, playing better opposition and gaining more experience, along with continued professional coaching inputs.
Copyright: Cover Point
