1989 - 1996

After the highs of 1989, there followed a somewhat fallow period for the Firsts in terms of team trophies, but between 1989 and 1994, Matt Dwyer won the O’ Grady Cup (best bowler in Leinster Senior Cricket) on four of the five years. The Thirds won a league and cup double in 1990, and the Seconds won the Senior 111 League in 1993. The Ladies section which had been formed in 1988 was now bringing honours to the club by winning promotion to Division 3 in 1990, to Division 2 in 1992, and they also won the Minor Cup in 1990. Marguerite Burke was the first Hills player to be made a Senior International when she represented Ireland at the Oval in 1993.  At underage International level, Mark Clinton, Brian Higgins, Barry Archer, Declan Moore, Joseph Clinton, Geraldine Thornton and Caroline Archer represented their country during this period.

During this period, in addition to playing cricket, the drive to build a new clubhouse gathered momentum. After a tremendous amount of voluntary effort by the club members, the new club house was opened officially on 6 August 1995 by Séan Gilbride, President of the Hills CC and Michael Dwyer. The infrastructure was now in place for another concerted drive for cricketing honours.  


1996 - 2004

The omens for a successful season were in place from the very start of 1996.  In recognition of the transformation in facilities which the club had affected, the Leinster Cricket Union chose the Vineyard (The Hills ground at Milverton, Skerries) for the 1996 Leinster Senior Cup Final. The Firsts made the winning of the final on their own ground one of its main objectives for the season. This team had a tremendous blend of youth and experience and a great fighting spirit. Matt Dwyer was captain and the club had acquired the services of Ray Daly, a very astute coach. On 30 June ‘96, the Firsts won the 50 overs league by beating Leinster. 


Saturday, 3 August 1996 will go down in the annals of the club as one of its finest hours. It was the Leinster Cup final. The sun was shining, the new clubhouse looked resplendent, there was a huge marquee for guests, the outfield resembled Lord’s and the wicket was perfect. In addition to all of this splendour, the Hills won the toss and scored 200. Pembroke never had a chance, and thus it transpired. The Hills had won a league and cup double, and Matt Dwyer won man of the match. He also won the O’ Grady Cup (for bowling) and the Samuels Cup for best all-rounder in Leinster.

During this period, the Seconds team comprising of some of the heroes of 1989 and some emerging talent, put together an incredibly successful run. They won the Senior 11 league in 1996 and 1997. They won the cup in 1997, 1998 and 1999. They also won the Tillain Cup, and the LCU bowling award for Senior 2 was won by Joseph Clinton in 1995, and in successive seasons by Luke Clinton, Martin Byrne and Pat Bennett.  Martin Byrne in addition to captaining the side during a number of these seasons has also been Club Chairman and he won the Seán Pender Fair Play award in 2001.

With success on the field came international recognition for some of the Club’s cricketers. Declan Moore became the first Senior International in 1996, and in 1998, one of the greatest injustices of all time was rectified eventually when Matt Dwyer was capped for Ireland. In this year also, Barry Archer and Paul Mooney were also capped by the Irish selectors.

Barry Archer. Photo courtesy of Joe Curtis

During the early part of this period, the playing strength at youth level was very strong. The Amoroso Cup (u-18) and the Seán Mc Grath (u-19) cups were won in 1995 and the Yates Hale Cup (u-15) was won in 1997. Joseph Clinton captained Ireland at the u-19 World Cup, and Robert Hoare was capped for Ireland in 1998 at u-15 level.  Between 1999 and 2002, James Bennett has been capped for Ireland at u-13 on successive seasons and u-15 on successive seasons. Tracey Fleming has played for Ireland at u-19 level and has been on the full international squad.

A number of other items are worthy of mention. Caroline Archer was appointed as Club Development Officer on a two year contract in 2001, and she coordinated the youth programme at both club and schools level. Ray Daly completed a second season as club coach and was succeeded by John Morgan.  The clubhouse was refurbished in 2002, and a major drive was launched on developing club identity. In this regard, a President’s blazer was purchased, and club ties, tracksuits, cricket shirts and polo shirts are available for purchase by the members.


2005 - 2008

The period starting with season 2005 marks the start of a period of unprecedented success for The Hills which as seen them emerge as one of the top sides on the island. In 2005 in the final of the Leinster Senior Cup played in North County’s ground in Balrothery, The Hills defeated Clontarf by 5 wickets to win their third Leinster Senior Cup. In 2006 The Hills retained the trophy this time defeating North County in the final by 4 wickets in a rain-affected match played in Merrion CC’s ground over two days.

 Irish international Jeremy Bray joined the club in 2007 and that year The Hills captured another major trophy in Leinster – this time the Alan Murray Twenty20 Cup by defeating Clontarf in the final. Jeremy Bray topped the batting averages for the competition and Luke Clinton the bowling averages.

Also in 2007 The Hills reached the final of the Irish Senior Cup for the first time. but were defeated by old rivals North County by 105 runs in the final at Clontarf. Albert van der Merwe joined the Club on a two year contract at the start of 2008 as the Club’s Development Officer. He is now a Leinster Development Officer as well.

In July 2008 The Hills’ home ground at Milverton became Ireland’s 27^th international venue when Ireland hosted Norway in the European Championships. To quote Ger Siggins writing in the Sunday Tribune at the time “it is a remarkable testament to Matt Dwyer who has served Ireland with distinction as player, selector, assistant coach and now as the coach of the Under 19s and curator of the best tracks in the province.” The Club also hosted two other internationals that week – Scotland v Holland and Holland v Denmark.

The Club installed three tunnel practice nets at a cost of €35,000 also in July 2008. Last but not least, in 2008, after 19 long years The Hills claimed only their second ever Leinster League title. Looking like possible relegation candidates at one point, The Hills went on a run of seven successive victories including away wins at Clontarf and Rush to claim the title.

Success in ’08 was not confined to the first team. The 4^ths and 5ths won their respective leagues and the 3rds won promotion. Only the 2nds had an average season.


The Future

The Hills had a protracted lease from the old owners of Milverton Demense. The current owners are Treasury Holdings who own the whole estate, all 455 acres of it. Plans to build two golf courses, an hotel and build 40 houses sitting on a quarter acre each selling at €1m plus each have been put on hold due to the down turn in the economy.  However it looks like the handing over of the part of the estate which has the cricket ground to The Hills CC will proceed. It has been good business for Treasury to the extent that it gives them great goodwill from the community. It is believed they are also giving an extra piece of land behind Milverton National School as a playground. However for The Hills it is still going to cost thousands of pounds in legal fees and gift tax.

“But at least you own the ground then and once you own the ground that means that cricket is there forever” explains Joe Clinton. 

The Club has a five year plan to develop the Clubhouse and ground and extend parking facilities. The economy may have taken a sharp detour south but it is unlikely to derail the plans of this most progressive of clubs for too long. While retention of the Leinster League will be a target in 2009, with four Leinster Senior Cups and two Leinster Leagues under their belts the one major trophy still missing from the honours list is an Irish Senior Cup.

Perhaps 2009 will be the year when captain Luke Clinton can turn the tables on North County and his cousin Paul Mooney to land the first All-Ireland for this friendly and progressive club.  



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