“Christ” the coach exclaimed as he dived under the table. “You haven’t seen me!”

“Where is he?” bellowed the irate parent. “How bloody dare they drop my son!”

Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. The same applies to parents of kids not selected for squads.

I have a lot of sympathy for coaches of youth teams and selectors. It’s not an easy gig.

With their squad to the West Indies though, I feel they got it wrong.

What message does it send to the Irish cricket public and the wider world when we select two players who have never played in the country?

I’m no xenophobic Alf Garnett. I appreciate the fact that Ireland of all countries in the world should embrace and encourage the transient nature of sport these days.

For a youth squad though, what does it really matter? Surely we should be keeping faith with the teenagers who travelled up and down Ireland over the past few years.

What does it really matter in the grand scheme of things where we finish in the tournament, if it goes ahead?

The best finish I can remember over the years is 10th out of 16. The squad usually occupies 12th/13th slot.

I do realise that I’m getting a little bit grumpier as I age. Things are definitely changing, but not necessarily for the better.

Have you driven in Ireland recently? Everyone is in a bloody hurry. All seem to be trying to be Lewis Hamilton or Max Verstappen. Going nowhere fast.

I take soundings from time to time from guys in the Irish cricketing world. Am I wrong on this I asked?

Interestingly enough, many seem to think I am. Their consensus is that the squad has many weaknesses and the two players parachuted in will strengthen it. Although the sad part is they acknowledge is that they aren’t even that exceptional. Similar to what we have already.

I shake the head.

Can they begin to imagine the turmoil and angst of the parents left to pick up the pieces of their children’s shattered dreams, having being left out after years of effort?

I would have ICC bring in a rule that states no player can represent a country at an Under 19 World Cup if they have never played in the country. Simple. Or maybe not.

It’s a funny/peculiar area when it comes to the whole coverage of youth cricket.

With child protection a lot of the unions are reluctant to release squads and getting information on teams and results is a tortuous process at times.

This season’s youth interpros proved a nightmare in getting scorecards from the games. In fact, if it wasn’t for the tenacity of John Boomer, and my (and others) stubbornness, they might never have appeared.

Some coaches and unions were more helpful than others, and I was particularly indebted to one for his incredible efforts, especially when he saw what was happening to our efforts to try and promote the series.

Making cricket mainstream..my arse as Jim Royle would say.

When my daughter comes of an age to play cricket I promise I won’t berate coaches if she isn’t selected. Unless of course they fly in someone from abroad to take her place…

I could write a book about cricketing parents over the years and their myopia when it comes to their offspring. I still chuckle when one offered me 500 photos of a game that I hadn’t been at, a real cracker where 300 played 280. Unfortunately the 500 pics were all of his son who made 5 of the 580 runs scored…

Still, best wishes to all the players, coaches and especially the parents of the Under 19 squad over the next month as they represent their country in the West Indies.

There seems to be a greater expectation now Ireland are a Full Member, albeit in name only.

It’s always exciting to pick out the few players who will go on to gain senior recognition. There’s no better stage than to launch their careers than at the World Cup. Let us hope there are plenty of them who grasp the opportunity.