IRISH cricket lost one of its gentlemen, as well as one of its greatest all-rounders last week. Gerry Duffy was known by everyone, and loved by any who got a chance to know him.
He was a rich source of knowledge, as well as the hilarious stories that he collected in a lifetime in sport.
His death, soon after that of Richie Benaud, was remarked on as both were equally respected in their communities, and Duffy had even claimed the Aussie’s scalp back in 1961.
When the Irishman turned 80 a few years back his Leinster club organised a This is Your Life evening which featured a video link down under in which Benaud insisted that Gerry was the best all-rounder never to play Test cricket.
Ed Joyce also paid tribute, describing him as an “Irish cricket legend, Leinster and Merrion legend and one of my heroes”.
Gerry was a Dublin character who was able to take the slagging as well as he doled it out. Former Ireland captain Mike Halliday told of how Gerry hated flying and was terrified crossing the Atlantic for a tour.
To make things worse the condensation began dropping from the ceiling at which he complained “I thought I was in an aeroplane not an effin’ submarine”.
He was no devotee of modern sports science, either, as teammate Jack Short recalled how his weekly shop consisted of two dozen sausages and a dozen rashers.
He grew up next door to Leinster and that vault over the back wall dictated the course of his life. He was a brilliant all-rounder – second only to Alec O’Riordan during his career -- and he still holds almost all his club records.
Duffy was once offered a contract by Glamorgan but preferred life in Dublin and tormenting batsmen and bowlers with the LCC side which won eight titles in the 1950s. He was first capped in 1953 and played 55 times for Ireland before he finished 21 years later.
But it was warm personality, his infectious grin and welcoming blink, that will be missed most in Rathmines.
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THE Irish women had a cracking win at the weekend, recovering from 76-7 to post 165 thanks to a Kim Garth 50, and then bowling out Devon for 158.
“It’s been a mixed bag so far this season in the 50 over game with our wins coming in tandem with big individual performances”, says batswoman Kate McKenna.
“This weekend was more of a team effort with Kim contributing with the bat.
“It was a great way to win a game with the last four wickets being run outs.
“It just showed the pressure everyone was applying in the field.”
Under new coach Aaron Hamilton the team has now three wins out of five and, with only games against lower-placed sides, look well-placed for a strong finish to the championship.
***
JUST nine months after he left for Australia, Trent Johnston has been appointed Interim Coach of New South Wales. TJ will fill in until the state replaces Trevor Bayliss, who has joined England as Head coach.
Johnston played five times for his native State and always said that the ‘baggy blue’ cap was the second greatest honour in Australia. To be asked to lead the Blues at this stage is a huge testament to his ability and will be noted on this side of the world too.
***
RUSH’S Stephen Doheny has been sharpening his game this month playing in Somerset under a scheme run by Cricket Leinster.
The Ireland U17 player has been playing for Queen’s College Taunton and Bishop’s Lydeard and has already made two centuries and a 50.
***
THE Cricket4Cancer charity raises funds for St Francis Hospice in Blanchardstown through an annual match between the Dublin Fire Brigade and the Garda CC. This year they are back at Civil Service on July 4th with an even wider range of entertainment including a petting zoo, face-painting, BBQ and a fire engine visit. The action – for the Frank O’Farrell Memorial Cup – starts at noon.
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FIXTURES
Thursday: Leinster Women’s Div1, 6.0: N Kildare v Merrion, Malahide v Leinster, YMCA v Pembroke; Alan Murray Cup, 6.0: Hills v North Co, Terenure v Merrion
Friday: T20 Interpro: North-West Warriors v Leinster Lightning (Eglinton, 2.30pm); Women’s Super3s: Scorchers v Typhoons, Claremont Rd 6.30.
Saturday: Leinster Cup SF: YMCA v Pembroke, Cork County v Clontarf
Sunday: Irish Senior Cup QF: Clontarf v Waringstown, Leinster v CSNI, Malahide v Pembroke, North County v Merrion; Irish Junior Cup QF: Newbuildings v Greystones, Drummond v Laois, Ballaghaderreen v Dundrum, Rush v Derriaghy; Leinster Div1: Pembroke v North County, Div2: YMCA2 v Terenure
Tuesday: Ireland U19s v Isle of Man, Carrickfergus; Alan Murray Cup, 6.0: Balbriggan v Clontarf, Malahide v Hills; Pembroke v YMCA, Leinster v Terenure
He was a rich source of knowledge, as well as the hilarious stories that he collected in a lifetime in sport.
His death, soon after that of Richie Benaud, was remarked on as both were equally respected in their communities, and Duffy had even claimed the Aussie’s scalp back in 1961.
When the Irishman turned 80 a few years back his Leinster club organised a This is Your Life evening which featured a video link down under in which Benaud insisted that Gerry was the best all-rounder never to play Test cricket.
Ed Joyce also paid tribute, describing him as an “Irish cricket legend, Leinster and Merrion legend and one of my heroes”.
Gerry was a Dublin character who was able to take the slagging as well as he doled it out. Former Ireland captain Mike Halliday told of how Gerry hated flying and was terrified crossing the Atlantic for a tour.
To make things worse the condensation began dropping from the ceiling at which he complained “I thought I was in an aeroplane not an effin’ submarine”.
He was no devotee of modern sports science, either, as teammate Jack Short recalled how his weekly shop consisted of two dozen sausages and a dozen rashers.
He grew up next door to Leinster and that vault over the back wall dictated the course of his life. He was a brilliant all-rounder – second only to Alec O’Riordan during his career -- and he still holds almost all his club records.
Duffy was once offered a contract by Glamorgan but preferred life in Dublin and tormenting batsmen and bowlers with the LCC side which won eight titles in the 1950s. He was first capped in 1953 and played 55 times for Ireland before he finished 21 years later.
But it was warm personality, his infectious grin and welcoming blink, that will be missed most in Rathmines.
***
THE Irish women had a cracking win at the weekend, recovering from 76-7 to post 165 thanks to a Kim Garth 50, and then bowling out Devon for 158.
“It’s been a mixed bag so far this season in the 50 over game with our wins coming in tandem with big individual performances”, says batswoman Kate McKenna.
“This weekend was more of a team effort with Kim contributing with the bat.
“It was a great way to win a game with the last four wickets being run outs.
“It just showed the pressure everyone was applying in the field.”
Under new coach Aaron Hamilton the team has now three wins out of five and, with only games against lower-placed sides, look well-placed for a strong finish to the championship.
***
JUST nine months after he left for Australia, Trent Johnston has been appointed Interim Coach of New South Wales. TJ will fill in until the state replaces Trevor Bayliss, who has joined England as Head coach.
Johnston played five times for his native State and always said that the ‘baggy blue’ cap was the second greatest honour in Australia. To be asked to lead the Blues at this stage is a huge testament to his ability and will be noted on this side of the world too.
***
RUSH’S Stephen Doheny has been sharpening his game this month playing in Somerset under a scheme run by Cricket Leinster.
The Ireland U17 player has been playing for Queen’s College Taunton and Bishop’s Lydeard and has already made two centuries and a 50.
***
THE Cricket4Cancer charity raises funds for St Francis Hospice in Blanchardstown through an annual match between the Dublin Fire Brigade and the Garda CC. This year they are back at Civil Service on July 4th with an even wider range of entertainment including a petting zoo, face-painting, BBQ and a fire engine visit. The action – for the Frank O’Farrell Memorial Cup – starts at noon.
***
FIXTURES
Thursday: Leinster Women’s Div1, 6.0: N Kildare v Merrion, Malahide v Leinster, YMCA v Pembroke; Alan Murray Cup, 6.0: Hills v North Co, Terenure v Merrion
Friday: T20 Interpro: North-West Warriors v Leinster Lightning (Eglinton, 2.30pm); Women’s Super3s: Scorchers v Typhoons, Claremont Rd 6.30.
Saturday: Leinster Cup SF: YMCA v Pembroke, Cork County v Clontarf
Sunday: Irish Senior Cup QF: Clontarf v Waringstown, Leinster v CSNI, Malahide v Pembroke, North County v Merrion; Irish Junior Cup QF: Newbuildings v Greystones, Drummond v Laois, Ballaghaderreen v Dundrum, Rush v Derriaghy; Leinster Div1: Pembroke v North County, Div2: YMCA2 v Terenure
Tuesday: Ireland U19s v Isle of Man, Carrickfergus; Alan Murray Cup, 6.0: Balbriggan v Clontarf, Malahide v Hills; Pembroke v YMCA, Leinster v Terenure