Training at brand new MCU facility!

Munster Cricket Defies the Elements: Record Turnout at New Midleton Facility

While the Irish weather did its best to dampen spirits with driving rain and biting cold, the atmosphere inside Midleton’s brand-new 4-bay training facility was electric this past weekend. Over 80 youth players braved the elements to attend the Munster Cricket Union (MCU) trials and training sessions, marking a significant milestone for the sport in the province.

The day wasn’t just about the players; it was a “standing room only” affair, packed with coaches and parents, and featured the first Coaching Network workshop of 2026.

A New Era of Training

The highlight of the day was the debut of the state-of-the-art 4-bay net facility. This investment represents a major leap forward for Munster Cricket, offering:

• High-tension nets for safety and realistic ball rebound.
• Full-length bowling runups, a feature particularly praised by the seamers.
• Efficient rotation, allowing players to face both seam and spin with maximum “ball-on-bat” time.

Youth Highlights: From Under 13s to the Munster Heat

The Under 13s: Growth and Fresh Faces

25 young cricketers kicked off the day under the guidance of senior coach Jeremy Bray and Abdul Jabbar Younus. The session moved from high-energy warm-ups to technical fielding drills and dynamic net sessions. Notably, the session welcomed players from Lismore CC—the first time the club has put forward youth players for interprovincial selection.

The Under 16s: Dedication Beyond Borders

The Under 16 session saw 28 players take to the nets. The dedication on display was epitomized by Motawakal, Emran, and Osman, students from De La Salle College who traveled by bus from Waterford City. Having only recently joined the MCU schools outreach programme, their commitment highlights the growing passion for cricket in new territories.

Under 19s & Munster Heat: Refining the Elite

The final session of the day focused on the province’s rising stars. Long “live net” sessions provided the Under 19s and Munster Heat players with the intensive practice required to compete at the interprovincial level.

Overall Session Context

* Joint training and assessment session for Munster Heat and U19 squad candidates.

* Conducted alongside Jeremy Bray as part of the trial and player assessment process.

* Strong turnout with players training together in a high-performance environment.

Player Talent Overview

* Impressive depth of talent across the group with a healthy balance of:

    • Experienced regional players.

    • Promising new and emerging young talent entering the system.

* High levels of enthusiasm, competitiveness, and willingness to learn.

Bowling Assessment

Spin Bowling

* Good variety in spin options available:

    • Left-arm orthodox spinners.

    • Right-arm off-spinners.

    • Right-arm leg-spinners also present in the group.

* Notable control, consistency, and understanding from the more experienced spinners.

* Younger spinners showed strong potential with natural turn, good shape, and developing tactical awareness.

Pace Bowling

* Strong group of pace bowlers offering:

    • Right-arm medium and right-arm fast bowlers.

    • Left-arm pace options adding natural variation and angle.

* Good work ethic with players responding well to technical feedback and assessment drills.

* Mix of bowlers capable of swing, seam, and hitting hard lengths.

Batting Assessment

* Batting group showed solid technical bases across different age and experience levels.

* Several players demonstrated:

    • Strong shot selection.

    • Ability to play both pace and spin confidently.

    • Good intent from players.

* Younger batters showed promising hand–eye coordination and developing game awareness.

General Observations

* Excellent attitude and collective energy throughout the session.

* Players adapted well to the assessment structure and intensity.

* Good leadership qualities shown by senior players in supporting younger players.

* Clear potential for Munster to develop a strong pathway group moving towards the summer season under the leadership of Jeremy Bray.

Coach’s Corner: A Bright Future

Lead coach Jeremy Bray expressed his pride in the turnout and the quality of the new infrastructure:

“The turnout is testament to the appetite across the province to represent Munster Cricket. The facility itself is by far the best in the province… the ability to schedule dynamic, meaningful sessions will stand players in good stead for the competition to come.”

Bray also noted the encouraging presence of female players, confirming that the MCU has “great plans” for female youth teams participating in competition.

By the Numbers: Attendance Breakdown

The MCU continues to encourage all clubs—especially those with burgeoning youth sections—to send their talent to these sessions as Munster prepares for a competitive summer on the pitch. Thank you to all the players and parents who attended on this historic day!