The next Cover Point selection of young players to look out for in 2010 and beyond is already an Irish Senior Cup winner. He is Leinster Cricket Club's 17 year old starlet Hugh MacDonnell.
In 19 matches in Leinster Senior cricket (excluding Twenty20) and in the Irish Cup in 2009, MacDonnell from 100.3 overs took 20 wickets at just below 25 with a best of 5-30.
His captain at Leinster CC, Anton Scholtz, possibly the classiest player playing in Irish cricket over the last few years has this to say about the young Dubliner.
"Hugh MacDonnell is a very talented all rounder. He emerged into the 1st IX last year predominantly as a bowler and produced some very good performances.
He will be another year older and stronger and with a commitment to training I would expect improvements in all aspects of his game."
Profile:
Name: Hugh Patrick MacDonnell
Date of Birth: 02/12/1992
Club: Leinster Cricket Club
Bat: RHB
Bowls: Left-arm medium
Interview
CP: When did you start playing the game?
HMD: I starting playing for the U9's when I was six.
CP: How were you introduced to the game?
HMD: Both my parents had played cricket at a decent level so I guess I grew into it.
CP: Favourite cricketer?
HMD: Michael Clarke for the way he's so good at playing spin and his exceptional fielding.
CP: Biggest influence?
HMD: Both my parents have a good knowledge of cricket so they do help me a lot through the good and bad times.
CP: Ambition for 2010?
HMD: Hopefully play some representative cricket at some stage during the summer.
CP: Ambitions beyond 2010?
HMD: To strive to be better in all aspects of my game.
CP: Proudest achievement to date?
HMD: Captaining the Irish U16's to the Clico world tournament in the West Indies in April 2008 and winning the All-Ireland last year.
CP: Biggest disappointment to date?
HMD: Not winning either of the games in Test Match venues in the West Indies.
CP: Area looking to improve in 2010?
HMD: I will looking to improve my batting in all aspects and obviously my bowling and fielding as well.
CP: What else are you passionate about?
HMD: Well I play number 10 in rugby for my school, St. Mary's College.
CP: What other interests do you have outside of cricket?
HMD: Obviously rugby would take up a lot of my time during the winter but I also like hanging out with friends.
CP: What could Irish cricket be doing to make the sport more popular that it is not doing already?
HMD: I would like to see more of the Irish matches televised but that would only come with increased sponsorship.
Copyright: Cover Point
