| Name: |
Craig G. A. Senior |
| Nickname: |
None repeatable |
| Year joined Pembroke: |
1983 |
| Highest team played on: |
At age 25 was selected, on merit, as 12th man for the First XI in a Leinster Senior Cup semi final. It wasn't until aged 41 that I actually took to the field for the First XI as a sub fielder. Have played three times for the Seconds, but the highest team would have to be the 4th XI of the early 90's. |
| Best captain played under: |
There have been so many it would be patently unfair to single out one person. However, memorable captains would include Ben Finlay, who was my first Pembroke captain and gave me my first bowl at Wesley College. Robin Hughes and Michael Byers who guided me through my adolescence and introduction to real drinking and made the game such fun. Michael Sharp was a very astute captain and a great source of help and assistance throughout my first captaincy stint in 1989/90. On other teams, Dave Keenan was a great 3rd XI captain and together with the late Henry Garvey made playing for the Thirds enjoyable, whilst of modern captains, James G. Murphy has always had a good outlook on the game, albeit with a penchant for flogging 41 year old bowlers to death! Whilst not captains I have played under it has been my please to play with many Pembroke icons. Michael Fagan, who still turns up each week, Robbie Brophy (Hon. Treasurer) who played exactly as you'd imagine, his bat done up with electrical tape. Frank the Cat Butler behind the sticks, Alan Dizzy Owens with one wicket in Junior cricket, Sean Fitzpatrick the original sixth team captain and of course the Lyons boys, Maurice and 98FM's Johnny. Pembroke has produced more than its fair share of personalities and it has been my pleasure to play with a few of them. |
| Whats the one thing you do if you we're president for life: |
Having been President (2005/2006) I should have done all of these things already. However, with full dictatorial powers and an unlimited workforce and finance I would replace the Clubhouse with a two storey building, including larger dressing rooms, Jacuzzi, a roof garden, a viewing balcony and a dormitory for sleepovers |
| Favourite Tipple: |
but this season I am most likely to be found with Singha beer, Thailand's premier lager in a bottle. 6% can't be argued with. Also, I have been delighted to see red bull stocked once again. It goes so well in a pint glass with vodka, no ice. |
| Highest Score in a match: |
87, scored in a stand of 134 with Captain James G. Murphy (centurion) against Railway Onion in a two night game and then waiting to see if it would count the next night. It did. I have 3 50's to date, although I do intend adding to this during the current season. |
| Best Bowling figures: |
Best figures would have to be 11 overs, 10 wickets, 41 runs versus Rush at Sydney Parade on 14th July 2001. However, in 1990 in 4 games spread over two weekends I took 24 wickets, with 2 seven for and two 5 for and in the late 90's against Sandyford I managed 5 wickets for 0 runs, which gave me a lot of pleasure and enabled me to take 80 wickets that season despite missing 3 weekends for a honeymoon and bad back. |
| Best cricketing memory: |
Taking the tenth wicket in the ten for. It was only once I had taken the 8th wicket that the possibility crossed my mind. Rupert the Heather was bowling at the far end determined to get at least one wicket. In my last over I bowled a good length outside off that took an edge, and the next thing I saw was Boo Boo Bannigan running towards me hands raised in celebration, even before Kevin Ryan took the catch safely. The other moment was seeing Steve McCarthy driving out of the apartments at Merrion once Donal Malin had taken the catch for my 80th wicket, thus beating Steve's record by 1. On a less personal note seeing the Irish team tie with Zimbabwe and on St. Patrick's day beating Pakistan at the World Cup was a once-in-a-lifetime occasion. |
| Worst cricketing moment: |
It has to be losing the Cup Final in 1990 due to my own stupidity in running out Brian, whilst he was on 43. |
| Funniest cricketing moment: |
At one time we had a left handed bat called Cunningham I think who was gravity challenged. A beautiful striker of the ball, but he was unlikely to run many singles. Well during one game against Civil Service, his cricket whites finally gave up an unequal struggle and fell down whilst batting. Not funny for him, but to the rest of us'. The other less funny moment concerns Cyril Irwin's last game. We had been wondering about Cyril's eyesight and it had been discussed by various members before this game, but as usual Cyril went out to open. The bowler, accidentally let go of a beamer and Cyril continued with his front defensive until the last second when he realised it was not on the wicket. It landed on his forehead and cut him. It was a shame it was to be his last game, but I was lucky enough to play with him for Pembrok
e. |
| Favourite innings: |
Favourite Innings: My favourite innings have not been my own. But I have had the pleasure of seeing far more talented players than me. Ciaran Sharp playing for the Seconds and needing to get away for a concert hit a superb century despite trying to get himself out. Such clean hitting and a chanceless knock. I have also had the pleasure of playing with one of Ireland's all-time top 100 players (as per Ger Siggins book), Peter Davy. Other notables would include Peter's brother John, who also went on to represent Ireland. Grahame Toomey with his attitude to the game, Bill and Emmett the Whaley brothers and watching any of the kids do well. |
| Favourite international cricketer: |
Until I met him, like many a child of the 80's, my favourite player was I. T. Botham. However, my choice now would be Trent Johnson. Having watched the Irish team at the World Cup, he proved himself a good captain, an excellent player and a nice guy. |
| Best teas in Ireland: |
Used to be Knockbrack where the teas were often the best part of the day. Individual salads for each of the players and had the added advantage of stopping the kids nicking all the best bits of the tea. However, I think full credit to Becca Gallagher and her helpers who have introduced the buffet selection to Leinster cricket. On its day it can be the very best. Also an honourable mention must go to Laois, for their homemade samosas this season. |
| Favourite ground: |
I have always liked the idea of Mullingar, where the ground is someone's front garden. This category might be easier if we were to name grounds we don't like. Merrion has been good to me, and even Rush has been fun, at times. Clontarf should be up there too, but at my level we feel more of an inconvenience than able to enjoy it fully. Of course, you can't pick one without thinking of College Park and the crowds that sometimes occur. North County and The Hills both show what cricket clubs can do with help from the members. As for the grounds I am less than ecstatic about, Railway Onion is always cold and windy, Cabra (Old Belvedere) has a constantly sodden bottom pitch and the sun right over the bowlers arm. North Wicklow seems to be the midge breeding ground for south Dublin and Bird Avenue is just poor all round. |
| Toys out of the pram award: |
In Pembroke it is less the toys out of the pram as how far the toys go out of the pram. There would be a number of good candidates for such an award and I hope I don't set anyone off by mentioning them here. In no particular order, Donal Clissman has proved on a few occasions that he will well able to toss a few toys. Whilst before marriage, children and experience mellowed him, Louis Hoffman always seemed capable of flying off the handle. Dotsy (Denis Doheny) was always ready to deal with perceived injustices and there is the crude Scottish temper of young Rupert the Heather. Going back to the distant past, Wild Bill was as unpredictable as they get, and still is . |
| A short summary of me as a player: |
A short summary of me as a player: How would someone else see me Wearing keepers pads to bat, and wearing no gloves (except inners or when the bowling or wickets deem it sensible). He looks like he should score more runs than he does. He enjoys being involved through his fielding and has a fairly safe pair of hands. Bowls without a defined run up and tries to mix pace and turn in varying degrees sometimes with success and sometimes without. A good administrator, but can be a pain in the arse when it comes to subs. Proud of his Club and of its members. |
