After a visit to the First Test between England and Pakistan at Lord's, the Old Ignatians' Cricket Club Tour of Ireland formally commenced on Monday 31 August with a visit to the Australian Embassy in Dublin. 

We were welcomed by Kelly, Head of Operations at the Embassy who spoke of the common links between our two countries through sport. 

Club President John Colquhoun gave a speech on behalf of the club, highlighting the connection our club has with Ireland, through the ancestry of many of our players and the founding of St Ignatius College by Irish Jesuit Father Joseph Dalton. 

It was a great honour for our Club to be hosted by the Embassy to commence our tour and massive shout of thanks to the Embassy staff for their hospitality.

Earlier report from the tour included below, with more to follow in the next newsletter.

OICC Cricket tour to Ireland has started off with a loss to the Leprechauns Invitational side 5/263 (Bob Ducie 3/33; Phil Simmonds (OR 92) 2/44) to 182 (Ciaran Sharp 50; Ben Frawley (OR 87) 44; Phil Simmonds (OR92) 29). Poor fielding and just not enough runs let us down. Game 2 just went down to Pembroke Cricket Club in a T20 - 135 (Michael Hitchcock 2/21) to 124 (Ciaran Sharp 31 retired; John Colquhoun (OR89) 30 retired.

Photo at Embassy: Phil Simmonds (OR92); Michael Hitchcock; Les Gernyi; Bob Ducie; Ben Frawley (OR87); Michael Rowles; Tony Fitzpatrick (OR76); Raj Wanzare; Dom Frawley (OR84); Srian Perera (OR circa 80); Ciaran Sharp; Angelo Maiorana (OR89); John Colquhoun (OR89); Michael Fahey (OR80).