Ireland’s veteran and a known figure in the country, Amy Kenealy, has recently announced her retirement from international cricket after serving as a bowler for 11-years. She is the 12th highest wicket-taker of all time for the Irish side.
Amy Johanna Kenealy is an Irish cricketer who made her debut in 2008 against West-Indies at her home club Rathmines and has been featured in 72 matches since then which includes 45 wickets across formats claiming 16 and 7 wickets in ODIs and T20Is respectively. In October 2018, she was named in Ireland’s squad for the 2018 ICC Women’s World Twenty20 tournament in the West Indies. She last represented Ireland in July 2018.
“This is the correct decision for me right now,” said Amy. Adding- “I would like to take this opportunity to thank my team-mates, coaches and Cricket Ireland staff for every opportunity that they have given me in this amazing part of my life. “From the grueling fitness sessions on Clontarf seafront back in 2006 to the amazing Sport Ireland Institute to playing in men’s Division 12, to opening the bowling in a World Cup in India and everything in between.”
Ireland women’s selector Miriam Grealey said Kenealy “was a great addition to the squad with an excellent work ethic and attitude”.
Cricket Ireland hopes to keep Kenealy involved in the game with their performance director, Richard Holdsworth, saying: “Too often in the sporting world we see athletes come through the system, then we struggle to retain them in the system after they call time on their competitive days. I hope Amy, and players like her, can be part of the future of the game. We know there is a growing interest in girls and women’s cricket across Ireland, and we hope to be able to utilize the talent within the game to inspire the next generation.” – Espncricinfo
Sources: bbc.co.uk, espncricinfo
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