Twenty year old Leinster CC wicketkeeper / bat, Sinead Lyons, is Cover Point's second pick in this series, featuring some of Ireland's best emerging women players.
Profile: Sinead Lyons
Date of Birth: 5th March 1990
Birthplace: Dublin, Ireland
Club - Leinster CC
Role: Wicket-keeper
Bats - Right hand bat
Bowls - N/A
Representative honours to date: Leinster U15, Leinster U17, Ireland U21, Ireland A
Sinead was named in the Senior Women Winter Training Squad ahead of the 2010 season.
Sinead's captain at Leinster CC and current senior international, Eimear Richardson, has this to say about her:
"Sinead is a promising cricketer who is set to become a great wicket-keeping all rounder. Behind the stumps she displays great athleticism and skilled glove work. Coupled with this, her batting displays exciting power-hitting and ability to attack all bowlers but she also has the mentality to adapt her game to required situations.
She is a mature and dependable club player and is training hard towards gaining her first Cap for the senior Irish ladies, having already represented the Ireland A and Under 21 squads.
Sinéad is an exciting prospect and with hard work in 2010 I'm sure we'll see her impress in both club and representative cricket with gloves and the bat."
Interview
CP: When did you start to play cricket?
SL: When I was 10.
CP: What sparked your interest in the game?
SL: My older brothers use to play and every weekend I'd be down in Leinster watching them, so I decided to start playing.
CP: Favourite cricketer and why?
SL: Batting wise it has to be Claire Taylor because who doesn't want to have her power and skill with the bat. (Being ranked number one in ODI matches in the world wouldn't be too bad either!)
CP: Biggest influence and why?
SL: Sounds cheesy but it has to be my teammates and coaches. When you train with people that are so dedicated and talented it really encourages you to always try your best. Also it's a great opportunity to learn from more experienced players.
CP: Ambitions for 2010?
SL: To receive my first international Cap.
CP: Key goals for Ireland's Women in 2010?
SL: To climb a place in the World Rankings.
CP: Ambitions beyond 2010 - for you and for Ireland?
SL: For me - To get some captaincy experience under my belt and to be capped regularly for Ireland in the upper order with the bat.
For Ireland - To qualify for the 2013 World Cup in India.
CP: Proudest achievement to date?
SL: Playing for Ireland u21's against England, winning the Cup and the league last season. Also scoring a fifty in last year's 50 over final.
CP: Biggest disappointment to date?
SL: Missing a season when I dislocated my thumb.
CP: Area looking to improve in 2010?
SL: I would like to improve in all aspects of my game with a special emphasis on my wicket-keeping.
CP: What else are you passionate about?
SL: Hockey and working as a make-up artist.
CP: What other interests have you?
SL: Travelling, socialising, cinema and music.
CP: What are the key next steps for Women's cricket in Ireland?
SL: Play more international matches against a higher standard of opponent.
Copyright: Cover Point
