Four years ago, Dundrum Cricket Club launched its first women’s team. Since then, the section has gone from strength to strength, producing talented players who are now making waves on the provincial and international stage.
Two Dundrum stars, Niamh Lowry and Joscelyn Wright, have been at the heart of this progress. Both represented the NCU U-17 interprovincial side this summer, with Joscelyn captaining the squad. Joscelyn’s performances also earned her selection for the Ireland U-17s at the Malvern Festival, highlighting her rapid development in the game.
Niamh’s form has been nothing short of outstanding. On the recent tour with the NCU U-17s in Bromsgrove, England, she announced herself with a series of remarkable innings: 52 not out from 31 balls against Warwickshire U-18s, 53 not out against Nottinghamshire U-18s, and a blistering 101 not out from only 51 deliveries against Leicestershire U-18s. Her ability to dominate attacks at such a young age has marked her out as one of the brightest talents in the local game.
Speaking on their success, the NCU’s Head of Women’s Development, Johnathan Waite, praised the pair: “Joscelyn Wright and Niamh Lowry played huge roles in the NCU U-17 girls’ successful inter-pro campaign. Joscelyn captained with maturity beyond her years, while Niamh had an incredible tour in Bromsgrove, scoring two unbeaten half-centuries and a brilliant century. Both girls are great role models for the next generation at Dundrum Cricket Club.”
That next generation is already taking shape. This season Dundrum fielded an U-17 girls’ team for the first time, with plans to launch an U-13 girls’ side next year—evidence of the club’s commitment to building a sustainable women’s programme.
Club coach Scott Symington has been speaking about the rise of women’s cricket in Dundrum, saying: “We have been really pleased with the development of our women and girls cricket section over the last four years. It is great to see the likes of Joscelyn and Niamh progress through the club to now playing interprovincial and international cricket. However, we do not want to stop there—we want to bring through the next generation and make cricket in Dundrum sustainable for girls and women.”
Scott added: “We want to work with the NCU to get more schools in the area playing cricket for girls and boys, as without the schools, cricket is not sustainable. We want to have thriving U-13, U-15, and U-17 junior girls’ teams while continuing to grow our women’s team. So if anyone has an interest in playing a new sport or wants a chance to meet new friends, please get in contact.”
In the full story read more about how the Dundrum Cricket club has grown the game for girls.
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