Enniskillen CC relishing local cup derby
Earlier this year we carried the story of the re-emergence of Enniskillen CC who have applied to re-join the NWCU after an absence of around 30 years.
This week, ahead of their competitive debut, Public Relations Officer, Naveed Memon has been looking forward to the club’s eagerly-anticipated cup clash with neighbours, North Fermanagh IIs.
Preparations are now well underway for Enniskillen Cricket Club’s first competitive match since it was re-established last year. The club face local rivals and fellow Fermanagh team, North Fermanagh Cricket Club 2nd XI in the first round of the North West Cricket Union League 4 Cup this Sunday (24th July) at North Fermanagh’s home ground in Kesh.
Enniskillen’s players, who are well aware that they are underdogs for the cup clash, have been training hard for the contest, but preparation has been somewhat hampered by a lack of friendly games in the lead up to the big match. The club has seen a string of friendly matches cancelled for reasons largely outside the club’s control, in particular the period of extended wet weather at the beginning of the season.
Despite this, club captain Stephen Maxwell remains extremely positive about the team’s prospects ahead of the match.
“Obviously it goes without saying this is the biggest match the club has had since reforming. We’ve had a lot of hype and anticipation building up to this moment. This has always been part of our plan, we wanted to play competitive cricket and the cup was the perfect pathway to do that. Our preparations have been hampered by the cancellation of friendly matches however, we have continued to train hard and work on the basics because so often these are what makes the difference even at the highest level of this game.
Despite the setbacks I have no doubt that all the players will take to the field on Sunday with great pride and give 110%. We have waited a long time for this, now we need to go out and put a performance in that’s worthy of the wait.”
Spectators and supporters of both teams are welcome to attend the match in Kesh which will no doubt be a hotly contested affair with the winner progressing to the next round of the cup competition.
