Alec O'Riordan

Alec John O'Riordan (born 26 July 1940) is a former Irish first-class cricketer.[1]

Alec O'Riordan
Personal information
Full name
Alec John O'Riordan
Born (1940-07-26) 26 July 1940
Clontarf, Ireland
BattingRight-handed
BowlingLeft-arm fast-medium
Domestic team information
YearsTeam
1958–1977Ireland
Career statistics
Competition First-class
Matches 25
Runs scored 614
Batting average 15.74
100s/50s 1/2
Top score 117
Balls bowled 4,498
Wickets 75
Bowling average 21.38
5 wickets in innings 2
10 wickets in match 0
Best bowling 6/35
Catches/stumpings 19/–
Source: Cricinfo, 22 October 2018

Life

Early life

O'Riordan was born in the Dublin suburb of Clontarf. He was educated at Belvedere College, before going up to University College Dublin.[2]

Cricket playing career

Considered one of the greatest cricketers to have played for Ireland,[2] he played his club cricket for Clontarf and Old Belvedere,[2] O'Riordan made his debut in first-class cricket for Ireland against the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) at Dublin in 1958.[3]

He played first-class cricket for Ireland 25 times from 1958–1977.[3] An all rounder, he scored 614 runs at an average of 15.74.[4] His only first-class century, a score of 117, came against Scotland in 1976.[5][6] With his fast-medium bowling, O'Riordan took 75 wickets at a bowling average of 21.38.[7] His best innings bowling figures, one of two five wicket hauls he would take, saw him claim 6/35 against the MCC in 1966.[8][9] An able fielder, he also took 19 catches.[4] Including minor matches, O'Riordan took 206 wickets and scored 2,018 runs for Ireland, until this record was surpassed by Kyle McCallan.[2] He captained Ireland on 28 occasions.

In 1969, when Ireland won a famous fixture against the touring West Indies team, O'Riordan took 4/18 as the West Indies were bowled out for 25, bowling through the entire innings with Douglas Goodwin. He then scored 35 as Ireland batted on after overhauling the West Indies total.[10]

He continued to play club cricket for just over a decade following his final first-class match for Ireland, scoring 10,705 runs and taking 849 wickets at club level.[2]

Cricket administration

He served as a national team selector. He was also president of the Irish Cricket Union.[2]

Personal life

Outside of cricket he worked as a consulting engineer. His wife, Geraldine Hannigan, is a former presenter on RTÉ.[2]

References
  1. "All time Ireland team (3)". Cricket Europe. Archived from the original on 25 March 2020. Retrieved 25 March 2020.
  2. "Player profile: Alec O'Riordan". CricketEurope. Archived from the original on 22 October 2018. Retrieved 22 October 2018.
  3. "First-Class Matches played by Alec O'Riordan". CricketArchive. Retrieved 22 October 2018.
  4. "First-class Batting and Fielding For Each Team by Alec O'Riordan". CricketArchive. Retrieved 22 October 2018.
  5. "First-class Batting and Fielding Against Each Opponent by Alec O'Riordan". CricketArchive. Retrieved 22 October 2018.
  6. "Scotland v Ireland, 1976". CricketArchive. Retrieved 22 October 2018.
  7. "First-class Bowling For Each Team by Alec O'Riordan". CricketArchive. Retrieved 22 October 2018.
  8. "First-class Bowling Against Each Opponent Alec O'Riordan". CricketArchive. Retrieved 22 October 2018.
  9. "Ireland v Marylebone Cricket Club, 1966". CricketArchive. Retrieved 22 October 2018.
  10. "Full Scorecard of West Indians vs Ireland 1969". ESPNCricinfo. Retrieved 21 June 2022.
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