Writing this article, I decided to have a read of what John Pryor had to say before he left for India last year. His day started badly (a trip to the Mardyke following a week of heavy rain), took a turn for the worse (88 for 5) and then steadily climbed back to respectability after tea as Malahide secured promotion to Section A.

For me, on the other hand, my day started nicely (a home game in glorious sunshine), took a turn for the better (game over by 12.30) and then we made our way steadily back to the bar after lunch. In fact, the only thing myself and John might have in common here is the arrival of Brían O’Rouke at both games.

After the success of JP & co. in India last year, Brían was keen to send another group of players to the Global Cricket School in Mumbai again. Nine days training in one of the world’s best cricketing nations? It was an opportunity I was not going to pass up, not only because I missed out on the Sub-Continent experience of the Under-19 World Cup last February, but because having read JP’s experiences, it seemed like the only way for a player in my position to make strides during the winter season. Of course, I wasn’t the only one with similar ideas: even though it was only mid-September, the likes of Eoghan Conway, George Dockrell and Ryan Hopkins had all expressed an interest in the trip. And as time wore on, the group was extended to seven players:

- Mark Dwyer (The Hills CC)
- Ryan Hopkins (Pembroke CC)
- Eoghan Conway (Rush CC)
- Eddie Richardson (North County CC)
- George Dockrell (Leinster CC)
- Robin Russell (Pembroke CC/Munster Reds)
- Myself (Clontarf CC)

all under the not-so-watchful eye of Nigel Pyne.

But even still, at that point, it seemed very much like a far-off consideration. And that was largely how it remained for us – we had little to do with anything, and it must be said that we owe an awful lot to Brían. He arranged the trip, he booked the flights, he sorted accommodation, selected the grounds for training, arranged Leinster clothing, he processed Visas and it’s safe to say the most I did was lift a pen to fill out a credit transfer form in the bank.

“Training”, used in the loosest sense of the word, began midway through November with numbers limiting the extent of what we could do. To be fair, those who travelled to North County worked hard for two or three hours and were happy to be hitting a ball again or rolling the shoulder over. In hindsight, the sessions for me were more about simply playing cricket, training my eye in again, rather than focussing on specifics. We never went in depth in anything that we did, much to everyone’s relief and all left satisfied that in facing their first six deliveries in India, their bat might just be in the same time zone as the ball.

And then of course, I can’t ignore the slight disaster followed by near cancellation – the Mumbai Terror Attacks. With both the full English team and the “A” squad departing India in the aftermath, our chances of travelling took a heavy blow. The fact that the attacks appeared to have been directed towards British and American citizens did little do ease our minds, although some felt the trip would still be feasible if Nigel took one for the team and well, stayed behind! Brían, on the other hand, felt that we should carry our passports around to establish the fact that we were Irish...just in case something should go wrong...thanks for that Bríano...

Once again, however, Brían did take it upon himself to find alternative arrangements and did so with great success – the entire venture would be moved 180km south of Mumbai to a small city called Pune (Poona). At this point, days before we depart, most of us still know very little about the city, yet, in a way, the change of venue may prove beneficial with the security risks and lack of distractions putting more of the focus on our cricket.

There are some exceptional young talents amongst the group, and their reasons for wanting to be part of this opportunity should be clear to all. I have no doubt that they will impress everyone they come across and prove to be perfect examples of the rising standards in Irish cricket. For myself and Mark, our schoolboy days behind us, I’m sure we both have different reasons. On a personal note, I shall go to India hoping to find consistency in my performances. Whether it happens naturally or forcefully, I’m sure ten days of India will eventually help us realise some, if not all, of our goals.

Eoghan Delany
Clontarf Cricket Club