With The Irish Cup Final now just a matter of days away, Cover Point begins its build up with an interview with Leinster's middle order batsman Ian O'Herlihy and discovers he already has had All-Ireland success against Donemana....
CP: The O'Herlihy's are quite a cricketing dynasty, stretching from Fingal to Rathmines to Thailand! Can you tell us a little about your cricketing family members and where your love of the game came from?
IOH: Both of my parents played interprovincial cricket. My dad captained Munster and my mum played for South Leinster. I have uncles on both sides of my family who also played 1st team cricket for Merrion. My mum supports me at most of my matches and my dad, now living in Thailand, still gives me advise and loves hearing how we are getting on. In a family of four boys I was raised with a bat or ball in my hand. My eldest brother Patrick opened the bowling for Merrion and South Leinster and took 70 wickets in a season which was a record at the time. My brother Kevin played some first team cricket for Merrion but moved to Balbriggan and has helped them as they strive to become a senior club. My other brother Michael plays with the Hills 1sts and we have enjoyed a couple of good battles this year.
CP: What is the mood in the camp as the Final of the Irish Cup draws closer - a competition that Leinster have never won?
IOH: The mood in the Leinster camp is always good. We have some great characters and a great team spirit. We are having our best season for a long time having reached two finals already and winning the 4FM Twenty20 cup so we are all really looking forward to the big day. We were so close twice in the late nineties so it would be great to get our first win in Ireland’s premier competition.
CP: You actually have a history of Irish Cup success, against Donemana funnily enough. Can you tell us a little about that?
IOH: A long time ago, back in 1998 when I was playing for Merrion, I captained our under 15’s against Donemana in the All Ireland final. It was an amazing experience. Donemana arrived with two bus loads of support and the atmosphere was electric. I managed to pick up three wickets and help get us over the line, so fingers crossed I can help get the same result this time around.
CP: How is the bowling these days?
IOH: It’s as good as ever, and although I picked up my first senior wicket a few years ago, I have been restricted to net bowling, as Scholtzy thinks I give the side an unfair advantage!
CP: How much do you know about the current Donemana side?
IOH: Not a lot to be honest, most of the Donemana lads I’ve played with or against have moved on. Porty is over in Gloucestershire, Aggy Riddles is down in Limavady and Johnny Thompson has gone to Glendermott. I’ve played with and against Richard Kee and Jordy many times, and I obviously know of the McBrines and I believe they have a very good pro. I’ll be quizzing the Hills lads who lost out to them and I might try and get on the phone to J.T. to get some inside knowledge.
CP: I understand that Jason Molins is unavailable for the final (getting married) and George Dockrell will be away with Ireland under 19s. How big a blow will the absence of these key players be for the final?
IOH: Jason is obviously a massive loss. He is still one of the best opening batsmen in the country and has a great cricketing brain. Dockers will be a big loss too and one I think Leinster may have to get used to over the coming years as he moves on to bigger things. He has an unbelievable maturity about him for one so young. He always seems to know what ball he should bowl at what time. He is definitely one to watch for the future and having played with Nialler, Ed and Eoin on the way up, I know that George has what it takes to make it in the big time.
CP: How is JP O’Dwyer doing? Has he got a chance of playing in the final?
IOH: JP will hopefully be fit and raring to go in the final. He brings a great energy to the team and is always ready for a battle which I have no doubt the final will be. He is one of the most dangerous batsmen in Irish cricket and if he gets going, he can take the game away from any team in a couple of overs, as Fox Lodge learnt earlier in this competition.
CP: Could you name a likely squad the team for the final will be chosen from?
IOH: The team will probably come from M. Jones, C. Mallon, C. Brathwaite, A.Scholtz, D. Lucas, R.MIley, I.O’Herlihy, H. McDonnell, W.Lennon, J.P.O’Dwyer, R.Keneally, A.McConnell,
CP: What do you think will be the key to the final?
IOH: I think getting off to a good start is the key, we have been very quick out of the blocks with both bat and ball this season, so a couple of early wickets or a good start with the bat will be the key.
CP: What would a victory in the Irish Cup final mean to you personally? And to Leinster CC?
IOH: Personally it would mean a huge amount, I have won a number of cups and leagues with Merrion and The Hills, but to win with Leinster is extra special. I’m playing with a bunch of good friends, many of whom I grew up with. Some of my earliest memories of cricket were down in Leinster playing games with my brothers and JP and Jonesy. Leinster is a massive club and to be honest, the 1st team had let down the club a little bit over the last few years, But this year we have restored some pride and hopefully we can cap off a good year on Friday.
CP: What are your ambitions in the game? and outside the game?
IOH: Win the Irish senior cup, score a senior hundred, So hopefully I can accomplish both on Friday. Outside cricket to get my golf handicap down.
CP: What else are you passionate about besides cricket?
IOH: My wife, my food, and I enjoy most sports especially golf.
CP: What do you do for a living?
IOH: I’m currently back in college, in UCD, studying to become a teacher. I work in St. Columba’s college coaching rugby and cricket and I also assist in one of the boarding houses.
CP: You obviously believe that Leinster can win. What are the key strengths of this Leinster team?
IOH: I don’t see the point of playing if you don’t believe you can win. I think if we turn up and play to our ability we can beat any team. Anton is obviously a big player for us, both with bat and ball, and Carlos is probably the most talented cricketer I have come across. If the two of them get going along with Jonesy and Craig, we can take the game away from Donemana. Will Lennon is very dangerous with the new ball and young Hugh McDonnell is another guy who has an old head on young shoulders.
Copyright: Cover Point
