Jan

Cork County joins Leinster to play Percentages Game

Irish rugby and soccer fans know that if Irish cricket is to fulfill its true potential it will surely need a thriving Munster region.

And with the emergence of Cork Harlequins CC, with the influx of new young players into the game on the back of the '07 World Cup campaign and the appointment of its first Development Officer (Jim Doran) in '09 there are signs that the sleeping giant is starting to awaken.

In addition to these developments, Cork County CC applied for and have been accepted into the restructured Leinster League for the 2010 season.

In the eight team Division 2, County will play only 7 fixtures (not 14), all away from home. Trinity will also play only 7 fixtures. All other teams will play each other twice, on a home and away basis.

The points that Cork and Trinity achieve from their 7 matches will be recalculated on a percentage basis to establish their true position in the League.

County will face some stiff opposition. In addition to Trinity, the other six teams are Pembroke, Rush, Phoenix, Old Belvedere, CYM and The Hills 2.

With all fixtures being played in Leinster, County will be relying on the likes of former captain and opening bowler Keith Banks, all-rounder Bruce Koch, captain for 2010 Robert Duggan (batting all-rounder) and young starlet Chris Banon to deliver, if County are to survive in Division 2.

According to Committee Member Peter Dineen, County are ready for the challenge:

'We need the challenge if we want to hold onto our young players. They want to see progression.'

'It has been a difficult winter because we had planned a few fund-raising events at the Club to finance the Leinster trips but we had to cancel those due to the flood which ruined the Clubhouse. However, we'll work around that.'

In addition to having a newly refurbished Clubhouse (expected to be open in March), County have upgraded their website - www.corkcountycricketclub.com. Well worth a visit.

It promises to be an interesting year for the grand old lady of Munster cricket.

Cork County's Irish Cup and Leinster League Schedule 2010

Irish Senior Cup

Saturday 8th May v Civil Service North (CSNI) at Stormont

Leinster League Division 2 (all fixtures away from home):

Saturday 15th of May versus Phoenix

Sunday 16th of May versus Dublin University

Saturday 10th of July versus Pembroke

Sunday 11th of July versus Rush

Saturday 17th of July versus The Hills

Saturday 28th of August versus CYM

Sunday 29th August versus Old Belvedere