SPORT: Cricket star Mooney honoured

FINGAL County Council held a reception at County Hall, Swords, last week to honour local cricket star John Mooney following his recent retirement from the international game.

John is a very proud North County Fingal man who earned 182 caps in a wonderful career over 14 years’ playing cricket for Ireland. He is unique in having played in three Cricket World Cups and will be remembered for hitting the winning runs to beat England at the 2011 World Cup. 

Mayor of Fingal Cllr David O’Connor said: “As a keen cricket fan I am honoured to make this presentation to John Mooney, a proud citizen of Fingal, for his outstanding contribution to Irish and World cricket.  

“John played 182 times for Ireland in all competitions, including 64 One Day Internationals and 27 ICC World Twenty20s. He scored 2,605 runs at an average of 23.68.  “John has, with other Fingal cricketers, raised the profile of this wonderful sport throughout Fingal and Ireland.” 

Fingal County Council chief executive Paul Reid said he was delighted to welcome John Mooney to County Hall to celebrate his long and illustrious contribution to cricket.  

“Fingal County Council recognises the importance of sport in our citizens’ lives and, through our sports office, we work with a number of national governing bodies of sport including Cricket Leinster,” said Mr Reid.   

“This partnership has grown from strength to strength over the past nine years and in excess of 7,000 students in primary and secondary schools participated in our schools’ cricket programme throughout the county in 2015.”