Halverstown Cricket Club celebrates 137th year
It was in 1885 that Halverstown Cricket Club played its first game, on the lands of the Purcell family just outside Old Kilcullen, writes Des Drumm. Fast forward to 2020 and the club had planned a Gala Night in the Osprey Hotel, Naas, to mark 135 years of continuous existence of the oldest cricket club outside Dublin. Covid, however, intervened and now on Saturday November 5th the Gala Night will finally take place.
Tickets are €65 per person for a four-course meal plus Tea/Coffee, followed by a band and a DJ for those minded to dance until late. There will be a commemorative booklet for attendees and many reminders on display of Halverstown’s long history. Anyone thinking of attending what should be a memorable night should contact Club Secretary Stuart Conroy at 086 8642845.
Halverstown has a long and occasionally illustrious past, but what about the present? Playing on the beautiful grounds of Harristown House in Brannockstown, on the banks of the Liffey, the club fielded three teams in 2022. Halverstown 1, captained by Hubert Beaumont, played in Division 13 of the Leinster league. It finished a respectable 5th of the 8 teams, winning 5 and losing 8 of its 14 games. Following the success of a Halverstown 2 team in the T20 Adamstown Cup in 2021 in getting to the Final, a second league team under Des Drumm was entered in Division 19. This did stretch the club’s playing resources and it finished 6th of the 7 teams, winning just 4 and losing 7 of its 12 games. It was a tough learning curve.
Ger O’Shea led the Oaks, a team which plays social fixtures and which is a very important part of the club’s playing structure, encouraging new as well as older players and supporting the league teams. Winning with the Oaks is definitely not the main objective, but enjoying the great fun and camaraderie of cricket certainly is and they had a most enjoyable season.
Chairman John Threadgold commented, “As with tickets for the Gala Night, anyone interested in joining Halverstown, whether beginner or seasoned player, would be very much welcomed and should contact Stuart Conroy. You won’t regret it!”
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