This day next week Ireland will play Wales in the first match of this year's Triple Crown campaign and national coach Ken Rutherford will surely be silently beseeching that Great Umpire in the Sky to preserve him from the fate which befell his predecessor Mike Hendrick exactly a year ago. Then, Ireland had enjoyed home advantage against Scotland, Wales and England at Castle Avenue, Rathmines and Malahide, respectively, but disaster followed disaster and the Irish were white-washed in this competition for the first time.
A year on, and the squad is scarcely recognisable. There are only five survivors from that 1999 debacle - Kyle McCallan, Barry Archer, Gordon Cooke, Matt Dwyer and Angus Dunlop.
True, some five players were not available for selection, though of that group, it may be argued that only Ed Joyce and Paul Mooney could be regarded as automatic choices. Overall, it's a much-changed squad, then, and one also headed by a new captain.
Kyle McCallan, the new skipper, took over the side for the rain-disrupted matches against the MCC last month, when the incumbent, Angus Dunlop, was not available. "Yeah, the rain made a botch of things, but we felt that Kyle handled himself well all the same", said Rutherford, who is chairman of selectors, as well as coach.
"Angus Dunlop's contribution has been immense. But he has a very busy work-schedule, we felt we had to start looking elsewhere, and I know that Kyle is well aware of his responsibility," said Rutherford.
The fact that McCallan is northern-based may also be a factor, especially when it comes to this particular squad. Ryan Haire, Adrian McCoubrey and Richard McDaid, all internationals of recent vintage, are obviously well known to McCallan, as is Andy White, one of two debutants, the other being Gus Joyce.
"And I'm well aware of Gus Joyce's talents and ability, having played with him through the development ranks", said McCallan. "This squad has a fine blend of experience and new talents which augurs well for the future and I aim to promise 100 per cent effort and to stamp my own character on the team," declared the new captain.
While Rutherford prefers to be rather more cautious, recognising the challenge of Scotland - Ireland's nemesis for far too many years now - McCallan doesn't hide his determination. "We can win the Triple Crown, I'm convinced of that, and don't forget that the younger players in the squad don't have any hang-ups about the Scots," he said.
Attaboy, Kyle, and at least this time around Ireland's Triple Crown campaign can hardly be any worse than it was last year. Well, let's hope not, anyway.
Meanwhile, John Mooney of North County has been named captain of the Ireland under-19 squad for the European Cricket Council tournament which will be played at Oundle School in Northamptonshire from July 14th to 20th. And Merrion's Duncan Smythe will skipper the under-17 side which will compete in the quadrangular European Championship in Dublin later next month.
Smythe is one of five players to be selected for both squads, the others being Brian Allen, John Blakeney, Rodney Hassard and Ken Carroll. In the under-17 event Ireland will play Denmark at Sydney Parade on July 28th, Holland at Park Avenue on July 29th and Scotland at Castle Avenue on July 30th.
