Father's pride as Morgan goes down a ton with the auld enemy
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Saturday July 31 2010
THE proud father of cricket sensation Eoin Morgan revealed his delight as he watched his son fulfil his dream of playing in the top echelons of the sport.
The talented young left-handed batsman has become a household name in England after he scored his maiden Test century on Thursday.
He has been praised for rescuing the England team from trouble in the early stages of the first day of the Test match against Pakistan at Trent Bridge, in Nottingham.
Morgan added only five runs to his overnight total of 125 before he was out for an impressive 130 yesterday. His father, Jody Morgan, from his home at the edge of the Trinity Sports Grounds, in Santry, Co Dublin, said he was "delighted and proud" of his performance.
The 23-year-old former Ireland international branded it "a massive moment in my career", with many tipping him to take a place in the England side for the Ashes series in Australia.
"To score a Test-match hundred in only my third game is a great achievement and I'm extremely proud of myself," Eoin said.
The young sports star said his game was still improving and he hoped to have a lot more to contribute.
The Test-match game is the pinnacle of cricket, a level at which the Ireland team does not play. As such, Morgan is following in the footsteps of other Irishmen who have opted to play for England in order to further their sporting careers, including fellow left-handed batsman Ed Joyce.
From a young age, sports fanatic Morgan had decided the only thing he ever wanted to do was play Test cricket. This led to a move across the water, as Ireland, ranked 11th in the world, are still knocking on the door to gain Test status.
Elsewhere, his progress in the match was being followed by cricket master Stephen Tonge and vice-principal Kevin Jennings of Catholic University School on Leeson Street, Dublin.
Flamboyance
"He is a gentleman, and he was an outstanding player in his younger years," Mr Tonge said.
"He was a prodigious talent and we just facilitated it. The English love him -- his flamboyance, that he is just not afraid."
Mr Tonge added: "He had a quiet determination, no obstacle was too great."
The young cricketer had already begun perfecting his skills when he joined the school on a sports scholarship, and cricket was already in his blood as his grandfather and father had played.
The love of the sport has remained in the family as brothers Gareth and Gavin played for Leinster, while his sisters Gwen and Laura represented Ireland.
After joining the school on the scholarship, he was sent to Dulwich College in London and to St Henry Marist Brothers' College in South Africa to help enhance his skills.
Matt Sheridan, president of the Leinster Cricket Union, said he was "some loss to Irish cricket obviously", but he was "chuffed" with his performance.
See SPort
- Louise Hogan
Irish Independent
