Player Spotlight – Paddy Martin

We asked Paddy how last season went and what he foresees for the 2014 season. Here’s what he said..

After the 2 previous seasons, last season will be looked upon with a taint of disappointment from a first team perspective. The sheer surprise of the T20 win was a welcome tonic for the slightly under par league performances and the derby defeat in the cup semi-final. However, a third title in a row was always going to be a tough achievement, as well as back to back cup victories, so disappointment cannot be too high when reflecting.
With this in mind, a fresh start to the new season, with a new pro offering different ideas will give a platform for better performances on field. However, the work that was done by the 2 losses from last year’s side cannot be underestimated. Frankie provided us with the 3 most successful years in the clubs history, as well as giving us endless ways of improving, both as a team and as individuals. The work he put in for the club was far and beyond his job description and this is something everyone at the club thanks and thanked him immensely for. The other loss is the retiring Joe Beneduce, someone who was the ultimate club man, and epitomised everything that the club is about. Whilst being to single handedly win a game, or change the course of a match, he was someone always on hand to offer an abundance of advice (not always related to cricket!) I for one, am someone who benefitted a lot from this and will undoubtedly miss him in the changing room throughout the season.
Looking forward to the new season is something that begins as soon as the new year begins. From my sporadic appearances at pre-season training at the boxing club (I have to get food on the table somehow) through to winter nets, all the focus is on that first game of the season. With a new, highly regarded professional in place, the outlook is positive, and with the impressive performances of the 2nd team and the Corey Hope (somehow despite his summer long hangover from uni) guided 3rd team there is plenty that is encouraging around the club. The hope is that all of these players are providing competition towards each other and pushing the standard at the club even higher, giving us a strong core of Lowerhousers at the club. From a 1st team outlook, we are largely unchanged, the hopeful return of the prodigal son will no doubt strengthen us further.
As usual, Stan is nurturing the next generation, and through my involvement with the coaching I can confirm that the club has an enormous pool of talent that is available. Despite the odd ball hitting the roof of the net and batters smashing their stumps everywhere, they have a great set up in which to develop and the coaches do a fantastic job.
All in all it is with a great optimism that we all should look upon the new season, and hopefully we’ll see you all down at the ‘House in the season!!