'A' squad have incentives to impress in their title defence

CRICKET NEWS: SENIOR COACH Phil Simmons has given plenty of incentive to Ireland's A squad in their bid to defend their European Championship title in the Netherlands next month, writes Emmet Riordan.

North County’s John Mooney leads a 14-strong panel that includes 10 senior internationals, and a number of under-19 players who won their European Championships in Jersey last week.

Paul Stirling covers both those bases, while Andrew Balbirnie, Shane Getkate and young left-arm spinner George Dockrell have A team experience. North County bowler Eddie Richardson, a first cousin of Mooney’s, is named at this level for the first time.

“It’s a chance for the guys to impress, particularly the bowlers,” said Simmons. “We have an Intercontinental Cup game and two ODIs in Scotland after the championships, and then we’re straight in to the RSA Challenge ODI with England on August 27th.

“A few good performances in Holland, and they could well be in line for promotion to the senior squad. I’m sure that will be a great motivation for them,” he added.

IRELAND A (squad for European Championships, Amsterdam and Rotterdam, August 11th-13th): John Mooney (North County, capt), Andrew Balbirnie (Pembroke), Andrew Britton (Fox Lodge), George Dockrell (Leinster), Phil Eaglestone (Strabane), Shane Getkate (Malahide), James Hall (Waringstown), Nigel Jones (CSN), Gary Kidd (Waringstown), Fintan McAllister (Malahide, wkts), Andrew Poynter (Clontarf), Eddie Richardson (North County), Paul Stirling (Carrickfergus), Reinhardt Strydom (YMCA). Reserves: Allen Coulter (CSN), Chris Dougherty (Bready), Thinus Fourie (North County), Rory McCann (Instonians).