First Senior Cup win in 1943

Clontarf CC first won the Leinster Senior Cup in 1943.  The game was against Pembroke (as it was in 2012) and took 3 days to finish due to rain (rather than this year’s 2 days) and was in the balance right to the final night.  It was as the newspaper reports indicate something of a surprise that Clontarf were victorious in this game

Friday 2 July 1942 – The Irish Times

Well matches Teams in the cricket Cup Final.

The final of the Leinster Senior Cup will take place tomorrow at the Leinster ground, Rathmines, and following last year’s precedent, the start will be at 11.30.  It is an excellent plan to give a whole day to this important fixture, for it does lessen considerably the chance of an extra evening’s play being required, a factor which generally reacts against the side batting second.  Last season indeed, the whole of Saturday was insufficient to complete the Trinity-Phoenix final, and the game had to be continued on the Monday evening, but tomorrow’s game is hardly likely to produce such heavy scoring. 

When the Cup competition was inaugurated in 1935 Pembroke were the first team to win it but they have not been successful since.  From then until the present season Phoenix have won it three times, Leinster twice and Merrion and Trinity once each.  Clontarf have never been prominent in cup-ties, and their only League success was as far back as 1926.  The draw for this season’s knock-out competition was rather one sided, for Clontarf’s opponents on the way to this final were Civil Service and Merrion, both weak sides on this season’s form. Phoenix and Leinster were drawn together in the first round on the other side and after Pembroke had beaten Trinity in their opening game, they disposed of the favourites, Phoenix, by beating them by a convincing margin in the semi-final.

As Pembroke are second in the League, eleven points in from of Clontarf, and came through the harder side of the draw, they were installed as favourites after the semi-finals, but the League played last Saturday must have caused a number of people to reverse their opinions.  On a good, fast wicket in the Park on Saturday, Pembroke could total only 99 against Phoenix and while the latter were getting the runs for the loss of three wickets, G. Quinn made the bowling look moderate. On the other hand, Clontarf, at home, tumbled out Leinster with surprising ease and beat them by six wickets – a good performance even though the Leinster batsmen are right out of form this season.

Monday 5^th July 1943 – The Irish Times

M.B. Williams gets seven Clontarf Wickets

Unless rain interferes with the wicket at Rathmines, it looks as if Pembroke will beat Clontarf in the Leinster Senior Cup final.  They require only 138 runs for victory and have eight wickets to fall. Play will be resumed this evening at 6 o’clock.

On a very easy wicket on Saturday the majority of the Clontarf batsmen treated the bowling with undue respect, and had they gone for the bowling in the same manner as did Caprani, Bourke and McMahon, the 300 mark might have been passed. 

Caprani, who scored 51 was particularly aggressive, his innings including 10 fours. McMahon, who went in ninth wicket down, brought the spectators to their feet hitting Murray for three fours from the first three balls he received.  He was 21 when Keegan was run out.

The Clontarf innings lasted approximately 4 ¼ hours and during that time the Williams brothers bowled 68 overs, “M.B.” bowled 39 and his analysis of 7 wickets for 68 probably ranked as the best performance of the day.

In an hour and 15 minutes Pembroke scored 82 runs.  Murray showed enterprise in his innings of 38 which ended when Mahony held a hard drive at mid-off.  Dempsey who is 25 not out, showed restraint and averaged only a run approximately every 4 ½ minutes.     



The great Joe Caprani (right) enjoys the 2008 Cup Final with John Behan



Tuesday 6^th July – The Irish Times

Steady scoring in the Cricket Final

Resuming at 82 for 2, Pembroke brought their score to 152 for the loss of two further wickets in the final of the cup at Rathmines, before rain stopped play.  After 27 had been added to the overnight total, Dempsey was clean bowled by Fitzgerald having scored a valuable 36.  M.B. Williams next in survived confident appeal for l.b.w. when only 12, only to have his wicket broken by McMahon when he had scored one run more.   B.Bergin, playing very steadily had scored 43 not out at the close of play.

Play will be resumed at 6 o’clock this evening.

Wednesday 7^th July 1943- The Irish Times

Clontarf's First Cricket Cup

Clontarf won the Leinster Senior Cup for the first time when they beat Pembroke in the final at Rathmines last evening by 25 runs.  When play resumed Pembroke, 152 for 4, required only 68 runs to win, but when T.C. Williams was quickly out to a bad stroke, Pembroke’s hopes faded..  B.F. Bergin was the remaining pillar and he added only 12 to his overnight 43.  L.B. McMahon played a captain’s part in the victory, for he took four of the last six wickets.

Scores:

Clontarf 219 – Caprani  51, R. Ruddock 33, P.J. Bourke 25, L.B. McMahon 21 not out. M.B.  Williams 7 for 68

Pembroke 194 – B.F. Bergin 55.  L.B. McMahon 6 for 70.      

An artificial wicket on the square

We take the artificial wicket for granted these days; however when the Club decided to lay one in 1993 it caused a bit of controversy.  In this article for the club programme in 1993, Brian Bergin reports on the early games played on it.

The Holy Ground

By Brian Bergin

Is it a bird? Is it a plane?

No. Shock, horror and amazement it’s an “artificial wicket”.

Yes, thanks to an anonymous donation of a sum of money from a club member to purchase, a “magic carpet” has been laid down on the sacred square of Clontarf Cricket Club.

Clontarf have now joined several other senior cricket clubs in Leinster to lay an artificial wicket on their ground with the intention of easing the work load on the ground-staff and also to use this wicket if weather permits no play on the grass wickets.

After many months of deliberation it was finally decided to place the wicket close to the clubhouse and to be used by the Taverners of the club and by any other teams, men and ladies, except by the men’s 1^st, 2nds, and 3^rd XI, in both league and cup matches.

Matches can now be played although one hears that:

“It’s too close to the clubhouse”

“It spoils the look of the ground”

“It is much better to have it close to the pavilion”



Clontarf CC hosted the ICC Trophy in 2005



To date there have only been about three games played on the “artificial”. The Tavrners were the first to use it, but due to the weather the match had to be abandoned.

The honour of the first official league match fell to the 6^th XI.  It was the day after the Australian match with the opposition being Leinster.  The 6ths might have played on the Australia wicket but it would have been unfair to call on the ground staff to prepare a wicket after such a hectic day.  So it was decided earlier in the week that the game would be played on the “artificial” and he opposition had to be informed that both the batsmen and the bowlers could not use spikes.  Unfortunately our 6ths lost, Leinster batted first making over 200 runs from 45 overs with Clontarf making 160 runs in reply, with Thomas Moore scoring this first half-century (in senior cricket) since he joined the club. 

The third match was the very exciting Tillan Cup semi-final between Clontarf 2^nd and Phoenix 2nd. I could not repeat what the Phoenix official said when he was informed that the match was being played on the mat.

As it turned out, it was a very exciting encounter with Phoenix 12 runs short of Tarf’s big total of 165.

A sight to be seen was that of Podge Hughes and John Lyon bowling on the wicket a couple of days after it was put down. Was this a hint to the club captain and the selectors of a return to the game?

Now that we are three-quarters of the way through the season, only a handful of matches have been played on this “artificial wicket”, let’s hope that in the coming season it will be used a lot more.     

How and Why the Cricket and Football clubs came to Castle Avenue

Castle Avenue

It is almost impossible to think of Clontarf Cricket and Football clubs without thinking of the Castle Avenue ground shared by the clubs. The top class facilities are the envy of many.  But Castle Avenue is not the original home of either club, indeed the Football club led a nomadic life in its early years, with their first pitch being in the Merchamp area of Clontarf and another at the back of the Yacht club in what is now the bus depot.  The Cricket club’s origins are a little more shrouded in mystery and we can first place them in the early 1890s when they played their home games at the end of the Howth Road.   Even the precise location is not certain, however we can assume it was very close to the Howth Road church at the very end of the thoroughfare, as a record in the minutes of 1894 record a complaint being received from Howth Road School that the sheep which grazed on the cricket club land had broken into the school premises.  The Football Club at this time were winter tenants of the Cricket Club at this site.

The land, however, was owned by Col. Vernon, resident in Clontarf Castle and the largest land owner in the Clontarf area.  In 1894, the Cricket club had sought a long term lease on the field being used; however they were rebuffed and told that the land was “liable to be taken up for building ground at any time”.  As it turned out they were secure for two more years, but on 31^st of January 1896, Thomas Franks, the solicitor who acted as land agent for Col. Vernon wrote to the club giving them notice to “give up occupation of the land” by the 14^th of February.  While this must have come as a shock as the Club prepared for a new season, the blow was slightly softened when a separate letter from Vernon himself suggested that the Officers contact Franks immediately to apply for use of another field.  The Club’s officers swung into action and the Captain (G.F. Porter) and Secretary (G. Armstrong) set up a meeting with the Land Agent for the very next day.   They were shown a 4 acre site at the stiles on Castle Avenue and they seem to have immediately seen the potential not just for the Cricket club but also for the Football club.  It should be noted that the site being offered to them was just the portion of the current site occupied by the Rugby pitches, the site now occupied by the Cricket club would not come into their possession until the 1950s. Porter and Armstrong were given authority to deal with Franks the Land Agent and very quickly they had come to an arrangement for a 1 year lease on the ground at a rent of £30 per annum.  While this was significantly more than the rent on their previous ground, the cost would be later offset by agreements with the Football Club and a local butcher Dawson who both paid £10 for the use as a rugby ground and grazing for sheep, respectively.  Therefore, within 1 month of notice, a new ground had been found; all that was needed now was for the clubs to actually move in. 

Firstly, the pavilion in the Howth Road ground had to be moved and “Connors” was paid £6 for that job, while “Fowler” was given the job to prepare the field for cricket while a fulltime groundsman was sought.  As it turned out Fowler got the job but he didn’t last long, he was sacked on 14^th April to be replaced by Patrick Harte. 

And so to the cricket, well, the good weather of early 1896, meant that it was difficult to prepare the ground as planned but wetter weather later in the year meant that the ground was in “tolerably good condition”.  Results were slightly worse than the previous year but not to any significant degree.

The two clubs now had a more permanent base from which to grow and develop.  Indeed, they thrived and in a short space of time they had both secured “senior” status.  The Football club would continue to be tenants of the Cricket club but that would come to an end in 1908 when the building of a new pavilion brought the clubs together to develop the ground even further.

Wiggins Teape final 1990, Karl Johnston reports

Karl Johnston was a rugby and cricket writer for the Press Group and then cricket correspondent for The Irish Times.  While best known for his rugby writings, his writing on cricket showed his deep love for the game, which he first encountered in his native Limerick.  In this article first published in the Evening Press in 1990, he laments the passing of another cricket season with the playing of the traditional closing senior game, the Wiggins Teape Final, contested in that year by Clontarf and Old Belvedere.  Karl died in 2004 and spent a lot of time in Clontarf right up to the time of his death.

_

An early awakening and instantly a schoolboy-like realisation that this is special day.  Shuffle to the telephone, dial to listen, not to speak; “early morning fog patches and clouds will soon disperse, light winds on Dublin Bay…” Enough said, enough to be grateful for this encouraging assurance. A substantial breakfast, in instinctive anticipation, perhaps, of the social demands of the evening.  And then it’s time to travel the few miles to Malahide, this week the National Tidy Town winner, today its cricket club the venue for the Wiggins Teape League Final, the last senior match of the season.  Clontarf and Old Belvedere the opponents.

The car park’s nearly full but not quite. Sufficient room to edge into a place under the trees and beside the wall which divides the cricket club from the grounds of the Malahide Demense.  “A windscreen was broken there a few weeks ago” a passing acquaintance says, happily hoping for some big hitting with a pinch of personal disaster thrown in for good measure. But this is a long boundary, and we take the chance.

The crowd is milling about – as usual a cross-section varying from the very young to the very old, men and women, boys and girls, and toddlers tottering in the footsteps of cricketing fathers (and, these days, of cricketing mothers as well). The scorers are already in the box, their eyrie accessible only by ladder, the better to concentrate.  The captains emerge, the coin is tossed, Brendan Bergin wins the call for Clontarf, and Old Belvedere will bat first.

The sun has not quite succeeded in breaking through despite the weather forecasters’ promise. But the heat is there, and through the haze, across the parkland, the bulk of Malahide Castle stands like some English country pile wherein resides Lord Blandings or the latest love object of Bertie Wooster’s affections, protected by harridan-like aunts or big game hunting uncles. The cricket field itself shimmers in the mid-morning light, scorched –grass outfield embracing the playing track itself, perfectly manicured and looking as faultless as if it had been produced by computer technology.  The umpires go out, the Clontarf men take their place in the field, Peter O’Reilly and Johnny McGrath plod slowly to the crease, the fielders crouch in unison as Brain McNeice comes in to bowl, the play begins.

The Malahide ground, with the Castle still in view

The locals in the know take their customary places – beside the boundary wall adjacent to the castle grounds, diagonally across from the entrance to the club.  Here the wall is higher, the spot more sheltered; but on this day, others want to make the most of the last of the summer, and choose more airy vantage points around the boundary.  As on every weekend since the season opened in April, friendships are renewed as people tire of sitting and meet as they stroll the perimeter, as much a part of the game as the battle being enacted on the playing pitch.

Naturally, the supporters of the two clubs involved are here in great numbers.  But Leinster’s other clubs are well represented, among them the men and women from YMCA and CYM, the defeated semi-finalists and from Malahide, the club which always hosts this particular final, as well as a goodly number  of non-aligned, all drawn together in the communion of cricket. In the boundary sun sit many of the great players of former years, each, no doubt remembering his own Saint Crispin’s Day in cricket, just as now the players on the field will vividly recall this battle in time to come. Old men forget? Don’t you believe it when it comes to cricket, where epic games of yesteryear evoke as many memories and passions as do those of the present time.

The match progresses, and Old Belvedere are doing well.  Here and there, small boys bat and bowl, and inevitably hinder our view of the play.  Asking them to move away brings on guilty feeling; kids should never be discouraged from any form of sport-how many future stars are deterred by officious adults? We console ourselves that we have asked them nicely.

On the field, O’Reilly (that rarest of cricketers, a fast bowler turned opening batsman) departs the scene five short of his half-century, victim of an incredible sprinting and diving catch in the deep by Deryck Vincent. The new man, Anto Canavan (“I like this fella’s footwork” somebody confides, as reverential and admiring as if discussing Nureyev) smartly knocks up another 45, but before he can reach his fifty is brilliantly run out by Vincent, who shatters the stumps from some twenty metres with the unfailing accuracy of a Jockey Wilson.

Old Belvedere make 201 for 4 off the statutory 50 overs and it’s time for lunch. Time for the cricketing families and their friends to haul out picnic baskets and flasks, time for the already steady bar sales to head higher up the graph, time for Clontarf to wonder if this is a total beyond their reach and for their opponents to worry if they have enough runs on the board.  And time for anticipation of Clontarf’s response.  Vincent and Peter Prendergast go out to open the innings.  O’Reilly, back in his original role of opening bowler, looks impressively fast. Vincent, small and neat and dapper, is blessed with lightning-fast feet and reflexes to match.  Prendergast, his partner, composed and assured, is happy to play Dr. Watson to Sherlock Holmes.

Vincent reaches his fifty in next to no time. Around the boundary, beside the score box outside the clubhouse, the Clontarf supporters begin to breath more easily, there is, after all, plenty more batting to follow.  Suddenly, it seems, Vincent, diminutive bundle of sheer expertise, flashing blade despatching fours and sixes – is on 82, exactly 50 runs ahead of his partner.  When he reaches his century, O’Reilly is the first to congratulate him.

Soon, Vincent’s on 121, Prendergast 67, Clontarf need only four to win, with eleven overs to spare.  Prendergast, with wonderful sportsmanship, plays out a maiden over, leaving the winning of the match to his partner.  And Vincent takes it, crashing his sixteenth boundary past mid-off, for a ten wicket victory.

Speeches and presentations over, victor and vanquished, their supporters and the happy band of brothers and sisters who have watched this last match of the season linger on.  The early lengthening shadows of autumn, the russet leaves of the surrounding trees, the slight nip in the evening air, the field itself, now about to begin its winter hibernation, remind us of the long wait until next we watch cricket, for us the converted, the game of life.  But in the gloaming the kids play on and we rejoice in the knowledge that it will be ever thus:

“On the green they watched their sons

Playing ‘til too dark to see

As their fathers watched them once

While bat and beetle flew

On the warm air webbed with dew”

    

The Art of Fielding by Peter Prendergast

In 1994 Peter Prendergast introduced us to his own individual view of the art of fielding....

FIELDING

I've never enjoyed fielding close to the bat. When I was twelve, Denis O'Kelly told me that he would beat the tar out of me unless I stood at short leg. He seemed honest so in I went and three balls later Cathal McGrath rapped one off my kneecap. That finished me with short leg.

Perhaps as a result of this, I have a lot of admiration for those who volunteer for this position. The grim determination, the way they stick on the helmet and the box and crouch down. Fielders in this position really focus on the job at hand. During the recent league match against Carlisle, I suggested to lan Synnott that, as the bowler ran in, he could either rugby tackle the batsman from behind or else take a bite out of the back of his leg. Synno just stared at me as though it was the most moronic idea ever thought of. Then he fixed the helmet and settled back into the firing line. That's close fielders for you, they have a sense of purpose.

Fielding close to the bat is terrifying, fielding away from the bat is boring. It's a relentless, aggressive boredom. Four hours of it. One after the other. It's impossible to relax. Because you're standing at long on and all of a sudden everything seems to go silent and the clubhouse and the spectators and the surroundings all seem to merge together and above that you see the sun, a blue sky and a few puffy white clouds and this immense serenity comes over you and though you've just been through three and a half hours of torture you never felt more at peace. Then the ball lands on your toe, your stomach ties itself into a knot, and people begin to shout at you. Like I say, impossible to relax.

For the reluctant fielder, the scoreboard can be an enemy. Definitely best ignored for the first hour or so. A particular state of mind is necessary, a type of semi-coma where the overs seem to drift by. Regular checks on the number of overs bowled can be depressing. The secret is to try to surprise yourself when you're finally brave enough to take a look. Few things are worse than discovering that only three overs have passed since your last check.

I hate fielding. I hate it with a passion. In Senior cricket these days it is possible for the team batting first to bat sixty-five overs. When I discovered that I cried. Sitting on a 15A reading The Irish Times and I burst into tears. Other passengers were concerned but I found it hard to explain.

I've given a lot of thought to the best way of negotiating those hours. Originally I suspected that the slip cordon was the place to be. It seemed easy. No running. Very few balls to field. But a slip fielder needs sharp reflexes and keen concentration. I possess neither. I never caught anything. Took a couple on the shins, that was the closest I came.

Having been banished from the slips I suggested a move to the covers but captains generally want more athletic fielders than I in those positions. I was offered a stint behind square on the leg side. A brute of a position, this one. The batsman plays what looks to be a respectable enough straight drive and just when you're getting ready to fold your arms again, the ball appears, bounces and spins past you at an impossible angle. Clearly not for me. Stints at mid-on and mid-wicket were only moderately more successful. I found myself being singled out by the scamperer, the type of batsman who never uses the middle of the bat but who insists on taking a run for every shot he plays. As if fielding wasn't a miserable enough pastime. A couple of dropped catches at midoff and a misfield behind point and it became all too clear that something would be done, I was destined for third man.

I'm now one of the few officially recognised specialist third men. A rare breed. While still pretty miserable down there, the position is undoubtedly the most peaceful on the cricket field. The ball comes to you in a straight line and batsmen are reluctant to take two if the ball is in the air. It doesn't matter if I've fired it straight over cover point's head. They still shout 'No!!!' and turn back. Indeed I've developed a particular technique any aspiring third men might like to take note of. Wake up, charge towards the stumps, look up, focus on the ball, down on one knee, fumble, pick up and fire in the direction of the play. It can be very rewarding: if you're a spoon in the field your team mates will applaud anything that doesn't cost them runs. Cricketers are nice enough in that regard.

There are, however, other benefits to the position. Firstly, you can chat to the spectators, or if you're not in the mood, you can stride in with the bowler until they've passed. No need to share your sweets since no one can hear the rustle of the wrapper. You can move around down there, the captain never remembers exactly where he placed you. 'It's not really working for me here,' you can say to yourself and move two yards to the right and see how things progress from there. You can sing country and western songs to yourself or you can stand on one leg and pretend you're a stork. Nobody notices since concentration is always focussed on the play. You can imagine you're a knight on a chessboard and move three steps forward and one to the side. Or if you'd rather be a bishop you can charge diagonally towards the pavilion and back again. You can hop in with the bowler or walk like a duck. If you want, you can dive full length into the hedge. The possibilities are endless and I recommend it to anyone struggling in other positions. Third man is indeed the place to be.

The drawbacks are few but still worth mentioning. In the race for tea you've a lot of ground to make up. Paddy Lee has usually finished the apple tart by the time I've reached the fence at the pavilion. That and the solitude. Third man can be a lonely enough station. I recently suggested to the captain that he employ two third men so we could chat and take turns throwing the ball back, but he just offered that vacant look of his and said, 'I think I'm going to get runs today.' Perhaps someone else might speak to him on my behalf. Either that or a change in rules so that one run is automatically awarded for a ball played within ten yards of third man, two for anything hit wider. That would allow me to read or to sit in someone's car and listen to the radio. And maybe a shuttle service could be introduced to allow me to occupy my position at both ends.

Still, it would be churlish to complain. Third man certainly beats the hell out any other position on a cricket field and anyone wanting further information knows exactly where to find me. Other suggestions as to how to pass the time will be welcomed. Don't be shy. It's unlikely that I will refuse a conversation.

2nds win Intermediate Cup in 1924

Report from the Intermediate Cup Final of 1924

Intermediate Cup final

Clontarf II v Sandymount

Clontarf II at the Leinster Cricket Ground, Rathmines on Saturday gained the distinction of being the first team to win the Intermediate Cup under the new knock-out system at the expense of Sandymount, who as the League winners, have held it for the past three seasons. It was a bad day for cricket and although the wicket played easily enough, the light was never good and rain fell during the play.  Clontarf gained an advantage by batting first, both as regards the wicket and the light, as owing to a late start, the match did no conclude until 8:45.

Easily the outstanding feature of the winners’ innings was the fine effort of E.N. Seymour (an old Masonic schoolboy) who got more than half the runs scored.  He scored most of them by strong off-driving, and although cocking up a few through the slips, he gave no chance that came to hand and hit one 6 and nine 4’s. Tyndall (22) helped him in a good stand for the third wicket.

Sandymount started the effort to get the runs unpromisingly, Archer dismissing the first two men with really good catches in the slips, and the third wicket fell at 17. Afterwards, however, nearly every wicket gave trouble, and when Stapleton and Holland were batting confidently for the seventh wicket, the holders had good prospects of pulling the game off, but with with latter of l.b.w. and the former caught behind the wicket, the end soon came with Clontarf winners by 14 runs.   Stapleton made a really fine effort for his side and was batting one and three quarter hours, while Holland scored quickly and brought off several fine shots.  The fielding of both sides was good and that of the winners especially so, despite the fact that a couple of chances were not accepted.  A feature of the match was that Maher the losers wicket keeper did not allow a single extra.

G.A. Tyndall who starred with bat and ball walks out to bat in a later game at Rathmines

Score

Clontarf II

G.A. Tyndall  b Hayden                                  22

J. O’Shaughnessy  b Keating                           0

F. Palmer  b Keating                                        3

E. Seymour b Byrne                                        84

L.J. Heaney  c Maher b Knowles                    10

J.W. Kelly  b Keating                                        3

D. Ryan b Keating                                            6

C.J. Boylan c Hayden b Knowles                    11

R. Archer  b Keating                                         9

F. Watson b Byrne                                            6

A.E. Webb not out                                             0

Extras                                                                0

Total                                                                156

Bowling: Keating 5 for 44, Knowles 2 for 38, P. Byrne 2 for 47, Hayden 1 for 27

Sandymount

R.J. Nicholls  c Archer by Tyndall                       1

M.H. Maher  c Archer by Tyndall                       3

P.J. Byrne  b Tyndall                                           9

E. Branson  b Heaney                                       13

M.W. Stapleton c Watson b Kelly                     54

B.H. Hayden b Heaney                                       0

E. Head b Seymour                                            10

E.O. Holland  lbw Heaney                                 32

M.F. Knowles not out                                         6

P.J. Keating run out                                            0

G. Dempsey  c Palmer b Kelly                            1

Extras                                                                 13

Total                                                                 142

Bowling: Tyndall 3 for 31, Heaney 3 for 51, Kelly 2 for 16, Seymour 1 for 22 

2nd win Senior 2 Cup of 1994 in epic final

Michael Sharpe reports for the 1994 Irish Cricket Annual on the Senior 2 Cup Final between Clontarf and Pembroke played in Phoenix CC

Rain at the semi final stage caused postponement of the final and a new date could not be found until September.  When it was eventually played it was one of the most memorable finals for many years.  Despite some trepidation about early morning life in the wicket Pembroke batted on winning the toss.  It seemed justified.  Openers Eddie Dwyer and Australian visitor Simon Mammino were undefeated at lunch. A total of 250 looked a possibility but the overs either side of the interval were not as productive as they might have been.  Then good hitting by Richard Murphy and a final flourish by Mammino, with both departing only in the final over, gave a score that even Clontarf supporters reckoned was enough to carry the day.  For a long time it appeared so.

Several Clontarf batsmen got a start but only skipper Mark TRaynor built a major innings.  Opening bowler John Davy bowled well while legspinner Paddy Gallagher maintained an excellent line and length and was never collared. With six wickets down and almost 100 runs needed off 20 overs the match seemed over.  Clontarf had one hope.  It was generally felt that the Pembroke change bowling was relatively weak. Many spectators were surprsied at the decision not to use up some of their overs in the early stages of the innings when they might have been treated with some caution. In the end it proved crucial. Clontarf's last hope was some useful blows from hitter Johnny Barry.  Coming in at number eight he rode his luck from the start. With Davy bowled out, Pembroke were depending on good fielding to support their weaker bowlers.  Several chances were missed and Barry got his eye in well.  Traynor's watchefull knock ended as the score reached 200 but by now Barry was in full flow. The experienced Collie Daly provided steady support although their was still a runout chance that sgould have been taken, clontarf were home with an over to spare.  Barry's innings made him the obvious Man of the Match.

September 5th 1994 at Phoenix
Pembroke II 234  for 4 (S Mammino 126, E Dwyer 53, R Murphy 36)
Clontarf II 237 for 7 ( M Traynor 80, J Barry 60*, J Davy 3 for 39)
Clontarf II won by 3 wkts.

Stella Owens

The Women’s Place

Stella Downes reviews the career of one of the most talented Irish players ever

Stella Owens was probably the most naturally talented cricketer to grace the women’s scene in Ireland.

Even now, 5 years after her retirement from the game, her ability is spoken of with awe.  She set standards most people can only aspire to – and seemed to do so with effortless grace.

Stella was an exceptional fast bowler which probably led to the injuries that cut her career short.  As a bat the fluency of her shots could tear a bowling attack apart.

Stella lived in Clontarf with a garden that backed onto the cricket ground so it was only natural that she should become involved in cricket at an early stage.

Many talk of the little girl with long blonde hair who seemed to be a fixture in the club – wandering around, cricket ball in hand, in search of people to play with.

There was no cricket for young girls in Clontarf at that time, so Stella joined in with the boys.  She was readily accepted because of her obvious talent and they all wanted to play on her team, rather than have to play against her!

She played on various teams up to under 13 level until a rule was introduced preventing girls from playing schoolboy cricket. As she was the only girl doing so, we can only assume that she was the reason for the rule!

The obvious progression was for Stella to play for the women’s team even though she was still only a child.

In Barclay’s World of Cricket there is a mention of a women’s cup final in Dublin where the player of the Match was an 11 year old.  No prizes for guessing who the 11 year old was!

Ladies 1st Team 1976 with Stella (aged 11) kneeling in front

During her years with Clontarf she played on many more cup and league winning sides, including the team that won the treble (cup, league and 40 overs) for five years in succession.  Her contribution was always invaluable.

She played with Clontarf throughout her school years while also representing Holy Faith Convent.  When she went to UCD she again broke with tradition to become the first female to be selected on a university team to play in the Inter-Varsity Tournament.  Peter Prendergast, the captain of the side, must have had some explaining to do!!

Stella’s first international cap came in 1983 when she was 17.  In that year she played in a quadrangular tournament scoring 85 not out against Young Holland and taking 3 for 14 against Denmark.  Her all round performances in that competition earned her “Player of the Tournament” award.

 In her 35 matches for Ireland (1983-93) she scored 697 runs at an average of 24. She stopped bowling in 1988 having taken 19 wickets at an average of 28.4 at international level.

Stella was, and is, a quiet person who let her cricket do the talking for her.  She has, beneath that quiet exterior, a wonderful sense of humour and in her time with Clontarf was a very popular tourist.

If a tour was being organised to anywhere – regardless of the destination or the quality if the cricket – her’s was the first name on the list.  She was equally happy turning out for Ireland in Australia or a touring side in Wexford.

Since her retirement from the game she has been involved in the game at an administrative level.  Her final playing years were with Ulster as she had moved north to work – much to the disappointment of Clontarf and North Leinster.  Just as when she was a child, you would rather be on her team than playing against her!

 (First published in the Irish Cricket Review, August 1998)

The Greatest Team?

Picking out the greatest team is fraught with dangers so instead we are saluting the first Clontarf team to win the Senior League in the Club’s history. 

Although founded in 1876, Clontarf were not a Senior Club until 1908.  The club had some success in 1898 and 1905 winning the  Irish Junior Cup wins in 1898 and 1905, while the 2^nd team won the Intermediate Cup in 1926.  However, since cricket had recommenced after World War 1, Clontarf had found it tough in the Senior League, which started in 1920.  There was some optimism as the season began in 1926, as some new players had joined including F.E. Buxton, a wicket keeper/batsman and W.C. Pemberton, a bowler.  Both would have a large say in the fortunes of the team as the season progressed.

Clontarf’s season opened when Dublin University were hosted in May and things did not look good when Clontarf were dismissed for 70.  Even allowing for what the Irish Times called a “dead slow pitch” this was not the start they would have wanted.  At 28 for 2, DU were well placed to take the points.  However the game changed dramatically when Ted Seymour was given the ball, he was only to bowl 7.3 overs but 6 of those were maidens and he took 7 wickets at the cost of just 1 run.

In a remarkable run, the team remained unbeaten through May, June and most of July.  Victories over Pembroke, Railway Union (and Steam Packet, to give them their full title), Phoenix, Civil Service, Merrion and Leinster were achieved, largely through the bowling strength of the team.  Seymour and Pemberton, in particular, were devastating and most of these wins followed the same pattern of bowling first.  One exception to this was the victory over Civil Service when we batted first on a “capital wicket” scoring 161 but dismissing the opposition for 64.  This game marked the 1^st game of the year for J.G. (Jack) Aston, one of the Clontarf greats.  A member since 1902, Jack Aston was the 2^nd Clontarf player to be capped for Ireland and had been part of the Gentlemen of Ireland who had travelled to America and Canada in 1909 and had played for the Irish side the previous season in 1925.

Leading the league table at the end of July was uncharted territory for this team and the first wobble came when Pembroke visited on 24^th July.  Chasing 86, we could only manage 63 in reply.  Pembroke  were on a good run as were defending champions Phoenix and when Clontarf lost to Phoenix in their second last game, it meant that 3 teams were tied on 29 points.   Clontarf were however, the only side with a game to play.  That game was against Merrion, who were mid table, but they threatened to spoil the party when bowling the home side out for only 80.  However, Pemberton who had been very consistent throughout the season was to have the final say and his spell of 8 for 35 (including 5 clean bowled) meant that the league title would come to Clontarf for the first time in its short history.       

At the season’s end, Ted Seymour topped the Leinster League bowling averages taking 34 wickets at 7.47, while Pemberton took 37 wickets at 11.37.  The best batsman was Buxton who scored 326 runs at 32.6.

Perhaps the greatest measure of the side’s achievement was that Clontarf next won the Senior League 55 years later, in 1961 under the captaincy of Johnny Bell.

The building of the new pavilion and the change in relationship between Cricket and Football Clubs

The following is a draft report of the Building Committee, C.C. & F.C. which was presented to the Cricket club members in December 1908, following the building of the new pavilion in 1908

This report has been drawn up with a view to bringing before the Members of both clubs, in as concise a form as possible, the history of the building of the New Pavilion, which now stands as a testimony to the energy and espirit-de-corps of the Clontarf people.  It is necessarily precise in detail, in order that members should be made acquainted with the difficulties which presented themselves, the dangers to be avoided and the reasons which induced your Committee to do exactly what they have done and not something else, which in a hundred different forms has probably suggested itself to as many individual minds.

1.   How the scheme originated.

For the clearer understanding of what follows it may be well to state briefly the origin of the scheme and how the Building Committee came to be constituted.

The scheme had its inception in the Councils of the Football Club.  It was the outcome of a decision on the part of that Body, to build at their own risk, a new Pavilion, suitable to the rank and dignity of the Club.  Since their accession to Seniority their membership had increased 100%, and the difficulty if providing fitting accommodation was very acutely felt.  They consequently decided to take action, in the full confidence that on an appeal to the members and friends they would be justified financially in applying a lasting solution.  At a Committee Meeting held on the 9^th August 1907, it was resolved on the proposition of Mr. S.H. Crawford “that the Football Club undertake the erection of a new suitable pavilion and that a sub Committee be appointed to carry out the work with power to solicit and receive subscriptions for that purpose”

Consequent upon this resolution a discussion took place as to how the proposed Building would influence the relation which existed between the Football and Cricket clubs and it was decided that the Cricket Club be tranted full use of the premises during their season without disturbing  the then existing financial agreement between the Clubs.  On the other hand it was hoped that the Cricket Club would facilitate the operations of the Committee and to some extent help the cause.

On the proposition of Mr. E.J. Maynard, Messrs S.H. Crawford, H.R. Polden and C. Killingley were elected a sub-committee and to protect the interests of the Cricket Club, that club were invited to join the Board in the persons of Mr. L.H. Herbert (captain) and H.R. Maynard (Hon. Treasurer).  Mr. S.H. Crawford was elected Hon. Sec. Power of co-option was accorded.

2.   Relation of the Clubs to one another:-

For a great number of years the Clubs had been more or less identified with one another.  They occupied the same ground, many of their interests were intertwined and most of the members of one club could be traced on the membership roll of the other. Both had attained Senior rank and had acquired a fair reputation in that status. The Cricket club were direct tenants of the ground and owners of the then Pavilion but rented their interest in both to the Football Club during the winter months.

3.   How the original idea became modified:-

It was intimated that the Cricket Club were willing to co-operate and that their representatives as named would act on the joint Committee.

The earlier meetings of this Committee were devoted to the drafting of a circular to the members of both Clubs, which was finally left in the hands of Mr. Crawford and Mr. Adam, who had kindly accepted the invitation of the Committee to assist them with his valuable experience. Discussion also took place respecting the new conditions which should bind the clubs under the altered circumstances. Arising out of which it was felt that as the Cricket Club had expressed their willingness to join in the scheme and had been invited to subscribe, they should be entitled to some share in the actual ownership of the Building. Finally it was decided that as the Clubs were more or less united through occupation of the same venue and through overlapping of membership, any attempt to apportion their shares would be invidious and unsatisfactory and the scheme became broadened by the admission of the Cricket Club on equal terms.

4.   Agreement between the Clubs:-

An agreement was drawn up which should control he Clubs ub their dual occupation of the Pavilion.  The Principal feature were that the old Pavilion became the property if the Building Committee to be dealt with as they thought fit, the new Pavilion was to be placed under the care of a Committee of fie, to be called the Pavilion committee. Two members were to be nominated by each Club and the fifth who should be a member of both Clubs was to be nominated by one or other Club in alternate years.  The Committee to come into office on the 1^st January in each year on which day in 1909 the Building Committee as at present constituted ceases to exist. A draw to decide which Club should nominate this fifth member of the Committee in its first year resulted in favour of the Cricket Club – various clauses dealt with the unlikely contingency of the Clubs ever parting company.  These it is not necessary to quote – finally instead of being in the position of landlord and tenant the Clubs now become join tenants of the ground, each paying half the rent and the Cricket Club in consideration of the occupation of so much of the outfield by the Football Club to be entitled, as at present, to any income that might be derived from grazing.

5.   Honorary Treasurers appointed:-

Mr. S.H. Crawford and L.H. Herbert were appointed Hon. Treasurers of the Fund and an account was opened in the Belfast Bank in their joint names. 

6.   Tenure of the ground

As most of our supporters ar aware the playing fields are held on what is technically a most insecure tenure.  Infinite trouble was taken to secure something more satisfactory with but moderate results.  No lease could be given of the ground except as a building site, owing to the entail on the Estate.  Three things were supposed to furnish tolerable security viz. the decided check which building operations in Clontarf has received – legal difficulties in the way of the once projected construction of a road from Castle Avenue to Howth Road – and powerful outside interest which would effectually prevent building in the area.  It was agreed, however, that the Clubs should not be ejected except for building purposes, that no claim should be made to their buildings or improvements and that their Rent should not be raised.  After long hesitation, during which the abandonment of the project seemed not unlikely, the Committee acting on the advice of several of their principal subscribers, resolved to continue operations.

7.   Building schemes considered:-

Before enumerating the various schemes under consideration it may be desirable to state the opinions if the Committee as to the principle features requisite in the plans to be adopted.  These were as follows: simplicity of design, which would result in the utilisation of every inch of space.  A large superficial area, limited in depth from back to front, in order that the playing grounds should not be encroached upon. Absolute separation of dressing rooms and lavatories from the more public part of the building.  Freedom of access for both home and visiting teams to lavatory and shower baths, without the necessity of traversing one another’s dressing rooms.   Lavatories, shower baths, drainage, lighting and water supply to be provided. Large general room, smaller Committee or Tea Room and adequately fitted bar and pantry.

Five Building schemes were considered:-

1.    Purchase of suitable material or complete structure from the Dublin Exhibition Company.  Mr. James Moran had at the inception of the project by the Football Club, suggested that this might be possible.  Owing to delay due to preliminary arrangements already touched upon and to the fact that our Subscription List had not yet materialised, the idea was impracticable.  Delegates were, however sent to enquire.  The only suitable structure seems to be Lipton’s Tea Pavilion.  Purchase money required £100.  On advice as to the composition, cost of re-erection and adaption, this was found to be unsatisfactory.

2.    Choice of buildings appearing in Messrs Humphrey’s Catalogue.  Details carefully examined.  Unsuitable and likely to run to a very high figure when drainage, water supply and suchlike were taken into account.

3.    3. An estimate procured from Messrs Humphreys for building such as Committee required, from plans designed by them. Amount of £225 without drainage etc. as aforesaid.  Rejected by advice of Mr. Adam after careful examination of specification. An estimate from similar plans was furnished by another building contractor.  This proved very expensive, over £400, a reduction only to be arrived at by destroying the principle features of the design.

4.    Royal Dublin Golf Club old Pavilion. Idea suggested tentatively by Mr. Moran.  Price required £100. Cost of transfer as estimated by Messrs. Lidwell and Co £125, without provision for making good decayed parts, verbally quoted at £50 and upwards indefinitely.  Total cost, so far $275 or over.  There seemed to be great doubt as to whether the structure could be beneficially removed at all.  Drainage etc. alteration of interior design, cost of painting and the permanent expense of taxation and insurance of so large a building were still to be considered. The scheme was consequently abandoned as risky and expensive.

5.    The design finally adopted:- this was based upon a proposal to the Committee made by Mr. James Moran in February last. Mr. Moran stated that he had plans drawn up embodying the ideas of the Committee as to what they required.  These had been submitted to a contractor whom he himself had found thoroughly reliable with a view to finding out roughly at what price a building constructed on these lines could be erected. Material and workmanship were to be of the very best description, building to be erected on a concrete floor, dimensions 75’ x 18’ with veranda 7’ wide in front.  The contractor referred to had named from £175 to £200 according to degree of elaboration required.  In addition to this amount the cost of proper system of drainage, plumbing and water supply would have to be taken into account.

On examination of the plans submitted certain alterations of a minor nature were made on the suggestion of Mr. Adam.  The committee were struck by the difference in cost, in solidity and in workmanship between this proposal and any other tender for the new building they had received and the proposal was adopted as a fair basis on which to work.

8.   Appointment of Architect and Contractor:-

Mr. Adam advised that the plans be placed in the hands of a qualified Architect for preparation of detailed plans and specification for issue to Contractors.  He warned the Committee that owing to details of a necessary and expensive nature not having been taken into account, the cost would probably be greater than was anticipated and suggested Messrs. Bachelor and Hicks as Architects.  Their fee, however, 10 guineas with 5% extra on the contract price or supervision was held to be beyond the resources of the Committee.  Mr. George Moore was finally selected, who, as an old resident and friend of both Clubs, very generously agreed to a nominal charge of 5 guineas.

It was decided that Messrs Lidwell and Co. and Messrs Farmer Bros. be invited to compete for the contract. These had been recommended by two genuine friends of the Club and any further invitation for tenders would only be a waste of time and money.

The estimates came in on 1^st May 1908 as follows:

Messrs. Lidwell and Co £405.18.0

Messrs Farmer Bros. £282.0.0

The preference was given to Messrs Farmer Bros. and the contract in due course was signed.

9.   Resignation of Mr. Maynard.

Owing to inability to attend meetings Mr. Maynard resigned his place on Committee and Mr. T.M.Ryan on the nomination of the Cricket Club was co-opted to the vacancy.

10. Site of new Pavilion decided upon:-

Three sites were suggested:-

1.    Covering site of old building

2.    Right opposite old pavilion, on Castle Avenue

3.    Disused part of ground, known as “The Hollow” beside Castle Avenue entrance

The arguments against these were respectively as follows:-

The old site was objected to on account of the increased cost of introducing gas and water and also on account of insecurity against burglary prompted by distance from highway.

The site directly opposite was objected to on account of interference with Cricket long field boundary on that side and also on account of its exposure to the prevailing winds in winter and to immoderate sunlight in summer.

The site in “The Hollow” near the entrance gate was objected ti on account if the manifest unfairness of placing the pavilion so far away from both Football grounds.

Individually each of these positions had, apart from these objections, much that could be alleged in their favour.

Decided by Committee on division that the Castle Avenue site opposite old building be approved of.

Finally on representation of Cricket members that the desirability of suiting both Clubs without interfering with the welfare of either would justify additional cost, the question was re-opened and sire no.1 was agreed on. 

Provision was made for the re-erection if the portion of the old building to be used as an auxiliary pavilion at a cost of £5.

11.                Assent of both Clubs:-

In the meantime the consent of the Committee of both Clubs had been obtained to the plans proposed.

12.                Commencement and finishing of the work:-

The building of the new Pavilion was commenced in the last week in May 1908 and finished in the third week in August.

13.                Lighting:-

This was not provided for in the Contractor’s estimate as not coming exactly with their province.  Incandescent gas was decided upon, after much enquiry as the most suitable medium and the Gas Company at a greatly reduced cost introduced their pipes into the building, the actual fittings being inserted at a moderate price by a private firm.

14.                Furnishing

This item, as well as various improvements in the ground immediately surrounding the pavilion did not come exactly within the scope of the duties of the Building Committee, but were undertaken by them as absolutely necessary and paid for mainly out of profits on two entertainments promoted.  Amongst these improvements may be noted the levelling and railing in of the yard at the back of building, mending hedges and strengthening of boundary on that side: erection of railing in front of the building and resodding front and side of building and part of outfield, which had been scarred owing to builder’s operations.

15.                Finance

The Subscription List has realised so far between £170 and £180, a total which reflects great credit upon Club Members.  Most of this money has been paid in and almost all the rest is sure.  To meet the Architect’s second Certificate for payment to contractor, a sum of £120 was borrowed from the Leinster Branch of the Irish Rugby football Union at an easy rate of interest.  There still remains a debt of some £30 due to contractor.  This it is hoped will be met by outstanding and further subscriptions and by profit on our usual Entertainments in the Town Hall.  It is a debateable point whether some of this debt should not be left to future generations but your Committee think that very soon with a small outlay of enterprise the whole sum may be cleared off and so allow our successors to expend their energies on future improvements.

Work of the Committee

The Committee since their inception 70 weeks ago held in all over 75 meetings.  Their accounts will be audited by proper authority and finally submitted to the Clubs.  They think that not the smallest portion of their work has been the practical consolidation of two of the principal athletic clubs in Clontarf which are now bound together by a common interest as they never were before and in a way which ultimately contribute greatly to the success of both.

They feel that their thanks is due to the many subscribers to the Pavilion Fund and is an especial way to Mr. Matthew Adam and Mr. James Moran, without whose assistance and advice they would have found it very hard to fulfil the duties allotted to them.