Last week, Cork Harlequins clinched the Munster Senior League and Cup Double for only the second time in their history. Ex Ireland international Ted Williamson is very much the heartbeat of the team....
Profile:
Date of Birth: 16.9.71
Place of Birth: Cork
Height: 6’1
Weight: 16 stone
Occupation: Financial Advisor
Bat: Left Hand Opening Bat
Bowl (when not wicket keeping!): Medium pace
Previous Clubs: Cork County, Old Belvedere, Pembroke, Munster Reds
Playing with Cork Harlequins since: 2006 (vice-captain for last three seasons)
Ted with the family at Lord's in August 2009 when he played for MCC against Ireland A.
CP: Congratulations on a great League and Cup double for only the second time in Harlequins history (first time was in 2007) and only the 3rd time 'Quins have won the League and Cup. It must be very satisfying?
TW: Extremely satisfying. The reason I say that is because last year Quins had a fair amount of foreign players involved with the first team and with most of them losing their jobs they returned home. We were left with pretty much five of the first team intact.
We took a decision at the start of the season to play our best kids no matter what and it certainly has paid off. We have about 75 kids in our junior section and four in particular at the moment who are very promising.
They all contributed something in each of the games and were a major reason we went undefeated during the season. The senior players did what they had to do and performed well but the younger guys were a huge factor in winning the double.
CP: Which win gives you most satisfaction – League or Cup?
TW: League and for the obvious reason, which is that, it shows that we performed consistently throughout the year.
Two wins in particular come to mind. Away to Midleton when we were in a spot of bother 5 down and still needing 101 runs with very little batting left in the shed.
Cory Atkinson and thirteen year old Rory O’Keeffe playing in his first games for the ones saw us home and well beat their individual highest scores in the process.
The 15 run win over our main rivals Cork County at the Mardyke was also key. We had no right to win that game as County were cruising chasing out total but we showed a lot of character and I felt we handled the pressure better on the day.
CP: What has been the highlight of your cricket career?
TW: August 19th 2009 walking out to bat for the MCC at Lords against Ireland A. Since my first time when I was 15, I’ve been to Lords a lot over the years to watch and I find the history attached to it and aura it has amazing.
It was always a dream to play there and that dream came through this year. I was pinching myself when I walked into the dressing room and out onto the balcony for the first time.
To take that famous walk down the stairs through the long room and out on the hallowed turf was unbelievable. What made it extra special was that all my family were there to enjoy the day as well At this stage I don’t think I can better that.
CP: And the worst moment?
TW: Only getting one cap for Ireland. I thought I performed ok against the MCC in 1998 (Ted scored 35 and 17) and again for Ireland A against Bangladesh a few weeks later in the Mardyke. I was told that I’d be attending the Winter squad sessions in Belfast but the call never came.
A few years later I met the coach that was in charge in 98 and asked him why. His reply was that he forgot and that yes I should have been there. I didn’t think I let myself down in the two games and I thought I deserved another few chances at the very least.
CP: Are you bitter about it?
TW: Not now but at the time I was very annoyed. Up until that point my only goal in cricket was to play for my country. To get a taste of it and then to not get another killed me. Who knows what might have happened if I got another couple of chances. I’m a firm believer in what will be will be so while I still harboured thoughts of getting more caps through playing with the Munster Reds in Dublin it wasn’t the be all and end all of everything.
CP: What are your remaining ambitions in the game?
TW: Beating the Lord’s trip this year will be hard. Scoring a century there maybe if I ever get the chance again?
I’d like to see strong competitive league cricket at junior and senior levels in Munster and from that then a strong Munster Senior team back competing in Dublin again.
After the old Guinness Cup (senior inter pro’s) were shelved, those years playing for the Reds were certainly my best times as a senior cricketer. It was good hard cricket and the craic was great. When they’re ready I’d like our younger guys to experience that.
CP: What are your views on how Munster cricket is developing?
TW: I think that there are a few very encouraging things happening down here at the moment, the chief one being the appointment of a part-time development officer by Cricket Ireland.
We’ve already seen some of the benefits of Jim Doran’s work in getting out to as many of the existing clubs in the province and also two new ones who are trying to get themselves ready for next year.
I think we’ll see massive benefits in a couple of year’s time. Our U13’s competed quite well in this year interpro’s, which is encouraging. There’s a massive emphasis on youth going forward so that we can produce senior cricket of a high standard locally in a few years time.
CP: What are you looking forward to doing during the close season instead of playing cricket?
TW: I normally play basketball but this is the first year I won’t be in 25 years. Physically, I’ll be doing some strength work using weights. Maybe playing a bit of 5-a-side. Mostly though I’m looking forward to spending time with the family. Training twice a week and playing games takes up a lot of time during the season and every year, mid April, my wife Jo-Anne normally says she’ll see me in September so to be at home week days and weekends will be great.
Ted Williamson in conversation with Liam Rooney
Copyright: Cover Point
