PHOTOS:
Kieran shows his ball skills
Kieran O'Connor
Kieran bowling in the Ormond Cup final
Pembrokeshire currently has a number of very talented young cricketers as a result of the superb coaching set-up and there is no doubt that one of the best up-and-coming young all-rounders is Kieran O’Connor, who bats really well and is a talented off-spinner as an added bonus.
Triumph over adversity
Kieran hails from Fishguard but plays his cricket at Haverfordwest and as a regular with the Pembrokeshire junior team throughout the age groups – and his story is one of triumph over adversity because in 2009 he had to have an operation on his back which included having metal rods set in his spine, and kept him out of the game for a whole season.
But he switched from bowling medium pace to off-spin to take any pressure off his back and is now playing so well that last season saw him perform really well for the county team coached by Ian Poole, help Haverfordwest win the Ormond Youth Cup for the first time since 2001, and also be the youngest player in the Haverfordwest Third XI which won the Ken Morris Cup at Narberth against their counterparts from Cresselly.
Vital indoor practice
Kieran has recently getting in some vital batting and bowling practice for The Town in the indoor league, where he joined first teamers of the calibre and experience of Huw Scriven, Ben Field, Danny Potter and Simon Holliday and certainly didn’t look out of place, especially against champions Neyland. Kieran opened the batting and scored 25 not out before having to retire, bowled his two overs whilst conceding only nine runs, claimed a good catch and ran a Neyland batsman out!
Unusual introduction
Kieran’s introduction to cricket came in a very unusual way because he was only about five years old when his mum Judith took him to Australia when England were there for a test match series in 2003. They were supposed to watch day five of the fifth test match but Australia won on the fo
Kieran was only four but by the time they got home head a small plastic bat and soft rubber ball which seemed to go everywhere with him.
“There were a few smashed light bulbs in the house,” admitted Kieran with a chuckle!
It wasn’t long before he was enrolled at Fishguard Cricket Club, playing Kwik Kricket under the watchful eye of coach Russell Parry-Jones.
“Russell gave me every encouragement,” said Kieran, “and I had plenty of batting and bowling practice.”
Spotted early
Someone else who quickly spotted Kieran’s potential was Martin Jones, from Neyland, who was the county under 10s coach and played him when he was only nine years old.
“It was obvious that Kieran had great potential,” Martin told us, “and he matched this with real commitment and a willingness to learn from good advice. He was a pleasure to have in my squad.”
It seems the respect is mutual because when Kieran had to stop bowling quickly because of his back it was Martin who suggested he tried spin – and it certainly paid off!
Still involved in county cricket
Kieran is still involved with the county team that is now coached by Ian Poole and plays alongside other talented youngsters like Kieran Griffiths, Tom Murphy, Liam Cullen, Harry Phillips and Toby Poole. His best county performance so far is a 6 for 8 haul from nine overs against West Glamorgan and last season saw him score his first half century for Pembrokeshire as he joined Kurtis Marsh in opening the batting and putting on 75 for the first wicket in a huge total of 241 runs from their allotted 40 overs.Last season also saw him score his first 50 for Haverfordwest Fourths where he hit a boundary from the final ball of the innings to take him to his first-ever half century on 52 not out. It was performances like this which saw Kieran chosen for the third team in the Ken Morris Cup Final and bowling well in both innings to help The Town beat Cresselly 3rds.
Ormond Cup thrill
But it was the Ormond Youth Cup which was the biggest thrill after beating a strong Neyland Youth team in the semi-final and earning them a final spot against Whitland, who had been winners eight times in the previous ten seasons and were seeking a hat-trick of victories. But Kieran Griffiths produced an amazing performance with bat and ball alongside Dan Cole, Nitin Mathias and others well coached by Andrew Phillips. Kieran certainly played his part with 2 for 12 and 2 for 21 in his four-over stints and he also caught key Whitland batsman Steffan James on the boundary – but only after a heart-stopping juggling act!
That Kieran is a sports lover is only natural because his father Chris, known to all as ‘Paddy’, started playing rugby for Fishguard and Goodwick as a prop at 16 and now, over 20 years later, still turns out when needed. Chris also played in goal and as a striker for Goodwick United in his teens but readily admits he was no cricketer. Mum Judith played hockey in her younger days and, says Kieran, “is a great chauffeur who will take me anywhere I need to go for sport!”
Eagerly looking forward
So now it is the 2014 cricket season that looms for an eager Kieran and he already has his aims set for the season because he is eager to continue his involvement at county level but also do well for Haverfordwest as well.
“I would love to get a few games for the seconds and help out in any way I can,” said Kieran.
Ben Field is one of the most respected cricketers in the county and as a Haverfordwest regular told us,
“We are delighted to have Kieran in our squad of players and we expect great things from him. He is very skilful and committed, and could form part of the backbone of our club for many years to come.”
We could pay Kieran O’Connor no higher compliment and we at PembrokeshireSport.co.uk wish this modest and likeable young feller every success in his cricketing future!