Cork County Cricket Club, founded in 1874 and based in Cork’s city centre at the Mardyke have traditionally dominated cricket in Munster. Not so any more. Cork Harlequins, founded approximately 100 years later, won the Munster Senior League and Cup Double in 2007 and did it again in 2009.

Cork County Club Captain, Keith Banks talks to Cover Point about his career, the 2009 season and the changing face of Munster cricket…     

Keith (blue top) giving his post match speech after Cork County narrowly beat Cork Harlequins in the 2008 Munster Cup Final played on 30th May of this year at the Mardyke 

Profile

Name: Keith Banks

Age: 36 

Place of Birth: Coventry, England   

Height: 5'11 

Weight: 13st

Occupation: Sales Manager Nestle

Bowl: Left arm medium fast

Bat: I got better when I got into my thirties! 

Previous Clubs: a couple of mini stints in Dublin - Old Belvedere in ‘92 and Carlisle in ‘96

Playing with Cork County since: 1988 (21 years) 


CP: Not County's best season with Harlequins doing the double - what are your thoughts on the season?

KB:  Rain was a huge issue really. League tables are irrelevant as we simply played no matches in July -September in the League competition. 


CP: Though County did win the 2008 Munster Senior Cup at the start of the '09 season! 

KB: And a good game it was too! H'quins should have played us 5 times in the season. If they had have done it would have brought both teams into a proper competitive environment.  


CP: What has been the highlight of your cricket career?

KB: Great friends from the game really and probably having the respect of all batsman and vice versa.


CP: And the worst moment?

KB: No cap! But no regrets - it’s a game after all. I felt I was close to getting a senior Irish cap in ‘96 but got injured. In 1997 I got 5-30 against NWCU in an interpro and I got all their super stars either bowled or leg before. It was probably my best ever spell but it wasn’t to be.


CP: What are your remaining ambitions in the game?

KB: To introduce it to my son  


CP: What are your views on how Munster cricket is developing? Is it in a healthy state?

KB: Dermot Giltinan at our Club has given his life to developing people in the game and has gone way beyond the call of duty – a really good man. Also H‘Quins are doing same now which bodes well for competition.

Jim Doran (recently appointed Munster Development Officer) is also a very talented man and has made a huge contribution to Cork Cricket in recent years.


CP: What’s next for Munster cricket?

KB: Cork County will play in Dublin next year. We need to maintain our under 15 local competitions to keep the youth structure vibrant.


CP: What is needed to really take Munster cricket to the next level?

KB: Quality coaching and commitment from clubs to fulfil fixtures.


CP: Favourite cricketer and why?

KB: I liked Thorpe and Stewart in their pomp. Would pay to watch them. I thought Strauss did well during the summer.


CP: What are you looking forward to doing during the close season instead of playing cricket?

KB: Spending time with my 6 month old son (seems to be right handed - mummy and I are left handed!) 


CP: What else are you passionate about besides cricket?

KB: Cycling ......helps keep me focused day to day. Hockey. I also like watching Arsenal and  ATP Tennis.


CP: Are you thinking ahead already to the 2010 season?

KB: Only in a general sense. Looking forward to Cork County playing in Leinster ..great league very competitve and some nice grounds too!



Keith Banks in conversation with Liam Rooney



Copyright: Cover Point