Before a sparsely attended audience made up of the usual suspects, the annual Spring General Meeting took place at the clubhouse on 10th June. The meetings had been delayed from its usual end of April slot to facilitate completion of the audited account.
The formal business of the meeting was the presentation of the accounts to the club by the Treasurer, John Heavey. The accounts show the club in a strong financial position and with an operating surplus of income over expenditure in 2025. This was despite some heavy expenditure on ‘once off’ works including the laying of a new grass practice square near the Dodder. Any Senior Member [Life, Playing or Pavilion] who hasn’t received a copy of the audited accounts and would like to receive them should contact the Secretary [Conor Austin] at secretary@merrioncricketclub.ie.
The accounts were unanimously approved by the members present with thanks to the Treasurer for all hard work in managing the finances of the club.
The rest of the evening was taken up with a discussion on the various developments in the club since the last General Meeting. The Club Chair [Stephen Donovan] outlined what has proved to be a very busy time for the club. Apart from the laying of the practice square [which was carried out in 2025], over the winter and into the current season a lot of work has taken place in the club.
Perhaps the most notable feature for anyone just arriving in the club is the complete renovation of the Dunluce Corner of the ground into a very well-designed seated area (Ronnie Barker drawings) with plantings. This will be dedicated to the memory of Bob Stanton and an official ‘opening’ will take place on Sunday 28th June before the Leinster game. Everyone is welcome to attend.
The other major change that anyone who has not visited the club for a while will notice is the newly laid tarmac at the entrance to the club and across to the parking areas on the right. What is less evident, but equally important, has been the laying of cabling ducts and new drainage. The Chair reminded members that some of the pipes under the driveway are very old and the club suffered a serious water leak which was only fully resolved with the laying of the new tarmac. The Chair thanked Paddy Byrne, Sean Stanton and Alan Parkinson for all their work in getting this project over the line.
The clubhouse itself has been fully repainted and refurbished with the club cricket library displayed with an extensive collection of books available for members to read. Thanks to members for donations. What is already proving of great benefit, especially on Fun Fridays, is the new Members’ Kitchen which not only covers cricket teas [which have now been reintroduced by Cricket Leinster] but is a facility for members, team managers and coaches who want to provide some refreshments.
There is a lot more to see including the completion of the fencing either side of the clubhouse, new flower boxes and the repainting of the Dunluce fence. There has also been a major job on the trees along the bank. The Chair thanked the many volunteers, but in particular Paddy Byrne, Ismail Tanboga, Angus Fleming, Fran Harris, Emma Molins, Arlene Stanton, Alan Parkinson, Hansel Dsouza, John Heavey, Conor Austin and Alish Kavanagh for all their work on the pavilion and ground.
But the Chair also had to record a couple of negative points. The Chair noted the very poor attendance from playing members at the General Meeting. This was sadly only an example of what appeared to be a general lack of interest in the running of the club. This is not sustainable and the club cannot continue to rely on an older generation of retired players and parents to do all the heavy lifting. The Chair said, and was fully supported by those present, that individual members had to show greater respect for their club. Common failings were, leaving equipment out in all weathers, not bothering to collect or even dispose of litter, leaving cricket gear lying around and generally expecting everything to be done for them by ‘the club’. If the club is to prosper and be an enjoyable place to play and watch cricket then players and other members need to take a more active role and not just leave it to ‘the club’ i.e. a small band of volunteers.
The meeting closed after a lively and interesting evening at around 21.30.