As Ireland U19s prepare to face Canada in the World Cup Plate semi-final in New Zealand on Monday, spare a thought for those who didn't make the traveling squad.
One of those is Pembroke's 18-year-old Ryan Hopkins. The next two to three years are likely to be defining ones in terms of the young batsman's fledgling cricket career.
Ryan Hopkins (right) with Harry Balbirnie
A fine all-round sportsman he will have been disappointed to miss out on Ireland's under 19 World Cup squad. Perhaps Hopkins will need to prove to the Ireland selectors that he has the commitment and focus to match his undoubted talent.
His commitment is something which his Club captain at Pembroke CC, Emmett Whaley doesn't doubt.
'He is normally one of our best trainers but missed the first half of last season because of his leaving certificate and it took a while to get back into it. His attitude is always excellent and I would expect 2010 to be a big year for him'
'Ryan is a very talented prospect. Despite his leaving certificate commitments effectively ruling him out late June, he finished the 2009 season well with a good average of 22, which included two half centuries against the Hills and Railway Union. He also scored a century for Leinster under 19s vs. Scotland under 19s.'
'He is a stylish and aggressive stroke player with bags of ability and was perhaps unlucky not to be with the under 19 world cup team. In addition to his batting Ryan is an excellent fielder and a solid seam bowler.'
In 11 innings in Leinster Senior Cricket in 2009, Hopkins scored 199 runs at 22.11, scoring two 50's, with a highest score of 77.
On 23rd June 2009 in Sunderland, Leinster U19s beat Scotland U19s by 5 wickets in a 40 over match. Hopkins scored 106 out of Leinster's total of 194. Leinster won by 5 wickets. The ton, comfortably the highest score of the day, was scored off just 113 balls and included 17 fours and one six.
Cover Point is backing Hopkins to bounce back from his U19 World Cup disappointment and he is the second of our six from Leinster to watch for 2010 and beyond.
Profile and Interview
Full Name: Ryan Hopkins
Date of Birth: 18/4/91
Club: Pembroke CC
Bats: Right Hand Bat
Bowls: Right Arm Medium
CP: When did you start to play cricket?
RH: I started playing when I was six in CYM Cricket Club in Terenure.
CP: What sparked your interest in the game?
RH: My older cousin Rob played in CYM and also played for Leinster.
CP: Favourite cricketer and why?
RH: AB De Villiers because of the rate at which he scores.
CP: Biggest influence?
RH: My Dad
CP: Ambitions for 2010?
RH: To score runs and take wickets consistently for Pembroke.
CP: Ambitions beyond 2010?
RH: To make the most out of myself and maybe play for Ireland.
CP: Proudest achievement to date?
RH: Scoring a hundred against Scotland U19's for Leinster and winning the game.
CP: Biggest disappointment to date?
RH: Not making the Ireland U19s world cup squad.
CP: What else are you passionate about?
RH: Rugby.
CP: What other interests have you / what other sports do you play?
RH: Interests- Music. Playing the guitar. Other Sports- Rugby and Gaelic.
CP: What could Irish cricket be doing (if anything) that it is not doing already to make the sport more popular?
RH: Get more people into schools. There arn't enough people encouraging the game in schools.
Copyright: Cover Point
