Hilton Students Welcome Back Irish Squad

Northern Universities Student Club-Community Cricketers Elite (NUSC) today confirms Leinster Cricket Union, Ireland’s premier sporting union has agreed to send a squad to participate in their prestigious Hilton Newcastle Gateshead Cricket Championship during June 2011.

The 14 man squad will again be led Brian O'Rourke, Cricket Ireland's Development Manager for the Leinster region. Brian in 2011 will be selecting a side solely from the Leinster region of Ireland whose sporting excellence is demonstrated by their all conquering rugby union side and a large proportion of all the Cricket Ireland representative sides being selected from its
players.

The international stars to have ‘graduated’ from previous tours include Ireland World Cup stars George Dockrell and Kevin O’Brien demonstrating not only the playing strength brought over but how the festival truly is a stepping stone to higher honours.

The championship has always shown the players on both sides the intensive nature of the professional game on and off the field with 2011 no different. The five day, five star tour of the North East is based out of the luxury surroundings of the Hilton Newcastle Gateshead. No question that with a gruelling schedule of four matches, training camps, evening fitness and recovery programmes along with hosting a junior coaching evening the players will welcome the R&R of the Hilton.

For 2011, the championship sponsored by Hilton Newcastle Gateshead, Ellwoods and Kookaburra sees matches played at two new venues. Brandon CC in Durham City welcomes the two sides on Monday for morning training camps along with an opening night full of the colour of t20 cricket. Tuesday will see the first “ODI” between the two sides at the same venue before the festival switches to the impressive Norton Sports Complex for the final two “ODIs”.

John D Holland, NUSC Director of Cricket was pleased to see the negotiations complete adding: "Our partnership with Brian O’Rourke and Leinster Cricket is truly special to NUSC.

"We are confident the 2011 tour will be their finest as no effort has been spared and in Brandon and Norton there are no better match venues. It is going to need a supreme squad effort to compete with them on the field but we are looking forward to the challenge."

Mr O’Rourke was delighted with the arrangements in place noting, "We are deeply touched by everyone’s efforts from title sponsors Hilton Newcastle Gateshead to the local community in particular Brandon and Norton who have really rallied behind NUSC to make the festival possible.

"My players are already in training for the week and we are looking forward to showing the North East just why Irish is so highly rated."

For exclusive Hilton Newcastle Gateshead Cricket Championship media, image and video updates log onto www.cricketworld.com/nusc-ccelite/ and to follow Brian’s squad as they prepare for the championship log onto http://www.cricketeurope4.net/CEIRELAND/