A fantastic family orientated cricket club in the Dublin suburbs. I have been a member here from as long as I can remember, first coming down as a toddler to support my father and older brother(both also played here).
The first thing of note is the particular pleasing aesthetics of the club and its grounds. It is situated on the banks of the dodder river( the largest tributary of the river Liffey) and is a stones throw away from the beautiful Herbert Park. There is arguably no better play to sit and watch sport on a warm sunny summer's day and Merrion's sun trap is indeed the stuff of legend amongst Leinster clubs.
On the playing front Merrion continuously competes at the top levels of both Leinster and Irish cricket competitions. Three All - Ireland cup final appearances( one win) in the last four years is proof of this. However, it is not just the men's first XI who consistently perform well in their given League. The club in fact has the largest number of playing mens teams in the British and Irish Isles, not to mention two womens teams littered with both senior and underage internationals.
The underage section in Merrion has been considerably strong over the last 20 years and former English and now again current Irish International Ed Joyce is a product of this outstanding set up. I think it is fair to say on a whole Merrion is definitely one of the more successful clubs currently in leinster and indeed Ireland.
The facilities in Merrion are just as consistent as its picturesque suroundings. It has three outdoor artificial nets, bowling and catching machines available for any club member at any time ( given they are decent enough to put them away after use) and an ever improving square. I say ever improving due to the fact that it was relaid in 2010. The club then suffered a major setback in the dodder bursting its banks and flooding the facilities. However it is a huge testament to the groundsman and to many club members who volunteered their help that the square and wickets regularly produce 550+ run games at the top level of Leinster and Irish cricket again. Surely such scores would not be possibly on inconsistent and dodgy tracks as previously described.
All in all as a bonafide Merrion man I can only obviously comment on my experiences within the club. I am delighted to be part of this friendly family orientated community and it is a rare thing in this age of Leinster cricket that you can go down to your local club to be served by your mate behind the bar. I could not recommend Merrion Cricket Club more to anyone looking for a new cricketing adventure, be it in a playing or supporting capacity. In 2014 building should be completed on a new modern pavilion, so these really are exciting times for the club.
As I said don't just take my word for it, feel free to drop in and check the club out at any time. You are likely to be met with a smile and quite probably like most, you will end up staying for the next 40 years. read more