Dundrum’s Niamh gets top player award

Dundrum’s Niamh gets top player award

4 December 2024

DUNDRUM Cricket Club is celebrating after Niamh Lowry was named Section One Player of the Year title at the NCU end of season awards. 

The accolade is decided by a vote from each Section One club and Niamh was the unanimous winner. 

This marks the end of an excellent season for Niamh, who averaged an astonishing 229 across the league while playing an important role both bowling and fielding. 

She also made her debut for the NCU U-17 team this season, hitting an excellent 80 in their victory over the North West U-17s. 

It has been a remarkable rise for Niamh, who only started playing cricket three years ago and is already knocking on the door of the Ireland selectors. 

Dundrum captain Jen Shilliday was full of praise for her teammate.

“We are so proud of Niamh for winning the Player of the Year award,” she said.

She is one of our most hardworking players and every opportunity she finds to train, she takes it.

“She is not only talented, but has a fantastic attitude on and off the pitch, acting as a leader for the other players. We are lucky to have her on our squad and look forward to seeing her future achievements in the sport of cricket.”

Niamh is not the only member of Dundrum Cricket Club making a name for herself.

Team-mate Jocelyn Wright made her debut for the Ireland U-17s this season and the NCU senior side.

Meanwhile, Rachel Hodge has been training with the NCU development squads and ended the season as the club’s leading wicket taker. 

In Niamh, Jocelyn and Rachel, Dundrum have three special talents and each one has the potential to go far in the game. 

The club have only had a women’s team for three years, but it has been a massive success for the village team, creating a buzz of excitement throughout the club. 

Dundrum do not want Niamh, Jocelyn and Rachel to be the last special talents they produce and have recognised the talent within the rest of the women’s squad, making plans to continue developing the next crop of players. 

Over the winter, the club has created a new development plan to improve the training programme for the whole women’s section. 

They will also be entering an U-17 girls’ team into the league next season and plan to stage U-13s friendly games, aiming to bridge the gap between junior and senior cricket. 

Chairman Andrew Hammond is pleased with the introduction and development of the women’s section. 

“Having a women’s team at Dundrum has invigorated the club,” he said.

“Membership has increased, many families now play cricket together and I feel that a realistic and achievable pathway has been created for women and girls, both at provincial and national level. 

“Niamh being voted as player of the year by her peers across the NCU is the icing on the cake.”