BARRY McCarthy found out he was set to become Ireland’s newest international via email.
“Yeah, that’s how it done – I got an email and scrolled down to see my name on the page”, he told Inside Edge.
“I wasn’t expecting to see it there but I’ve worked hard all season and it’s great to get the opportunity.”
McCarthy is one of four uncapped players in the 13-man squad to take on Sri Lanka A in a three-match series starting today at Stormont. Depending on the order they are selected, Peter Chase, Nick Larkin, Chris Dougherty and McCarthy will wear the numbers from 689 to 692 on their caps.
They will all line up alongside Andrew White, who will earn his 227th cap, a new record. “I’m looking forward to the experience and being around the senior players and learning from them,” is the most McCarthy will allow himself to expect.
In a season when the selectors of Ireland underage sides handed down some inexplicable picks, those disheartened youngsters can look to McCarthy for inspiration.
The Pembroke player didn’t get selected by even his province at Under 13 or Under 15 level, his first representative honour coming as a very late call up for Ireland Under 15s for a tournament in the West Indies.
“I had been in a squad of 35 which was cut to 20 but when they named the 14 to travel I wasn’t included. “Then on the day they were to fly Andy McBrine decided he didn’t want to go and I was hauled out of class in school and packed onto a plane to the Caribbean! “It was a great trip, a three-week holiday to be honest, but we did OK.”
McCarthy played two of Ireland’s five games, including a match-winning 44no in the fifth place play-off against USA. Two of his team-mates, George Dockrell and Graeme McCarter, have gone on to win full honours, and McCarthy will actually replace the latter after the first game on Wednesday.
“It’s how you react to being left out that makes you a better player,” is his advice to young players who miss out.
“You just have to get back working and your game and aim to get in the next year. You have to bounce back.”
McCarthy found his way back through his club, which has put together a talented young side that will challenge hard for trophies in the coming years.
“Cricket’s an individual game in that you often need one player to have a stellar performance to win a game. But our Pembroke side has been very much a team effort.
“We haven’t won many games with one guy standing out – it’s been the team that wins games. We love playing together and I’m sure the trophies will come.”
With a reputation for decent pace and the ability to hit a big ball, McCarthy forced his way into the Leinster Lightning one-day and T20 teams at the end of last summer
“I really enjoy the Leinster Lightning games”, he says, “it’s a fantastic set-up and a credit to Cricket Ireland.
“It’s so important to have something between club and Ireland, and this is the perfect environment to help players to improve.”
Heading into a new phase of his career, McCarthy would have felt a shiver when he heard Trent Johnston on the Slog Sweep podcast last week.
Asked who he thought might be a ‘springer’ into the World Cup squad, the Leinster coach first named McCarthy.
“Well, I do what I do and work hard at it, and in the end you hope your name is there”, he said. “It would be great, of course, but if not then I’ll just work harder to make sure I’m there next time.
“I’ve always been keen to take any chances I’ve got.”
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THE Sri Lanka A games this week will see several young men making a thrust for a World Cup spot. One with less chance than most to get that nod is Stuart Poynter, firmly stuck behind Gary Wilson and Niall O’Brien as third-choice keeper.
But the Sunbury man has shown fantastic form this summer and made 36 against Ireland’s opponents this week when making his county debut for Durham on Sunday.
Should either of Ireland’s glovemen be forced out through injury or illness, Phil Simmons will be assured that Poynter can do a job Down Under.
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THE Irish women have been making excellent progress through the English County Championship Division Two this year.
With some of the big stars opting out, several fringe players have taken their chances to shine, but one veteran is in the form of her life.
Cecilia Joyce scored her 3rd successive 50 as Ireland beat second-placed Devon by seven wickets.
Next Sunday Ireland meet Somerset and another win will guarantee them second place.
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EOGHAN Delany’s speech at the Irish Senior Cup final last year was worthy of Churchill, and he again impressed after his club won the Leinster Senior Cup on Saturday. The skipper dedicated the win to Clontarf legend Evans Dexter who has been ill.
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FIXTURES
Friday: Ireland v Sri Lanka A, Stormont
Saturday: RSA Div 2: Leinster v Cork County, Balbriggan v Merrion II, Rush v Phoenix, Malahide v Pembroke II, Women’s Pro40: Pembroke v Merrion
Sunday: Ireland v Sri Lanka A, Coleraine;
Women’s County Championship Div2: Somerset v Ireland;
RSA Div2: Pembroke II v Phoenix
Tues: Alan Murray Cup: YMCA v Pembroke, Malahide v Balbriggan, Clontarf v Phoenix, North County v Rush, Railway v Terenure, U19 International: Scotland v Ireland, Ayr