IRELAND's women cricketers lifted two European Championship trophies last week, after four comprehensive wins over Scotland and Holland. The two 50 over games were each won by ten wickets, while the T20s just as emphatic.

The event was a triumph for a squad that had suffered some recent setbacks, and were in need of a boost. New coach Paul Delany has introduced weekly practices and other nets as required. He also brought in Dave Langford-Smith to help the seam bowlers, although the former Ireland star may be less available since Friday's joyful arrival of little Amelie.

One player who has made giant strides in the last year, and was the undoubted star of the tournament, was Leinster's off-spinning all-rounder Eimear Richardson. The 23-year-old Dubliner has shown enormous commitment – giving up a promising hockey career – and is now reaping the benefits.

Against Scotland she scored an unbeaten 33 and took a career best 4-10 off eight overs. She improved that mark against Holland, with 5-13 off 9.4 overs, and again was unbeaten for 28.

"They couldn't really play spin", says Richardson. But any doubts about the value of the contest are quickly dispelled. "It was important to get back winning, and the Dutch game was only our second ODI this year."

The first was against Pakistan when an injury-hit side lost agonisingly after being on top several times. "We wanted to prove to ourselves that failing to qualify for the World Cup was just a once-off, so that was very disappointing."

There was a second European Championship last week, over 20 overs, which brought more runs and wickets for Richardson. She had amazing figures of 4-1-3-0 against Scotland -- cheaper than any man or woman has ever bowled in a four over spell in major cricket worldwide (the cheapest spell in all T20 internationals is Alex Cusack's 3-1-3-2 for Ireland against Kenya last year)

Richardson was selected for the ICC Europe cricket academy last winter and benefited greatly from coaching and practice in Spain with Philip Hudson and his team. "That was absolutely brilliant. They break down your technique step-by-step and I was able to get rid of loads of faults. I even started turning the ball again!"

She has kind words for CricketIreland, who haven't always been as supportive of women's cricket. "It's definitely getting better", she said, "little things like how, during the Pakistan series, we had to check into the hotel for one night, check out and go home, and then check in again. Last week we stayed for three nights even when we had a day off. We now have a permanent coach on a three-year contract so we can have extra sessions."

They could do better -- the unemployed Richardson can't afford a gym membership for example -- but as the women work towards the World Cup Qualifier in 2011 improved facilites are likely. Richardson herself is off to Melbourne in October with the aim of further sharpening her game. Before then there are trophies to be won and she will be pushing hard for Leinster to topple the Merrion women as the season reaches its climax at the end of August.

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Ireland take on England in the RSA Challenge at Stormont on 27 August, with a huge attendance expected for the first post-Ashes international for Andrew Strauss's men. Ireland are expected to be at full strength which means a rare chance to see many of the players who reached the Super Eight stage of the 50 over and 20 over World Cups.
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Two lucky readers of Inside Edge, in conjunction with NICSSA, can each win a pair of tickets for the game by answering this question:

Name the two Irish brothers made their ODI debut in the last Ireland v England game at Stormont in 2006.

Send your answers by post to me at 27-32 Talbot St, Dublin 1. Entries close Wednesday noon.

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Pat Bracken, the indefatigable chronicler of cricket in Tipperary, has been in touch with a first reference to cricket in the county in the 18th century.

A celebrated fixture in the Phoenix Park in 1792 has been taken as the first game recorded here, but in recent years two or three earlier, tantalising mentions of cricket have been unearthed.

A report in the Nenagh Guardian of 1973 harks back to an earlier article entitled 'A Day's Sport in 1798' which quoted a handbill listing these events:

'To be played for at cricket, a round of beef. Each man of the winning set to have a riband. A barrel of beer to be rolled down a hill. Prize to whoever stops it. A good hat, to be cudgelled for. A pig, to whoever catches him by the tail. A handsome hat, for the boy most expert in catching a roll, dipped in treacle and suspended on a string. A pound of tobacco, to be grinned for.'

What a fantastic set of sideshows – just the thing to bring the crowds back....

FIXTURES

Today: Clontarf v North County

Tuesday-Thursday: European A Championship (Netherlands)

Saturday: Section A Merrion v North County, Clontarf v Leinster,The Hills v Pembroke, Section B: CYM v Malahide, YMCA v PhoenixSunday: Alan Murray 4FM Cup finals day, Pembroke



gsiggins@tribune.ie