Ireland Under 19 international Matthew Weldon has been called up by Ireland Academy for Championship week at the European Cricket finals in Spain this week.

The 17 year-old Hills left-arm paceman replaces John McNally who has educational commitments.

“It was really exciting to get the call," said Weldon. "It’s a fantastic opportunity to play in a competitive environment and to develop my cricket in a different format. 

“The team played really well in the qualifiers and I’m lucky to get the opportunity to be part of it. It’s a new format to me, but from watching a few games and looking at the scorecards it obvious that anything can happen. 

"I’m coming in as part a strong seam attack with Ollie and  Adam and that conditions will be very different to Ireland, with the pitch being a bit harder and bouncier on the mat. It’s a good chance to perform in a very competitive environment in some nice weather. So hopefully we can take advantage of that.”

Ireland will face fellow group winners Spain, Italy, Jersey, England, and Germany, along with defending champions the Netherlands who qualified directly.

Should Ireland finish in the top four in the group they will face further matches on Friday, 20 October, with Eliminator, Qualifier One and Two, and the Final all taking place.  

IRELAND ACADEMY SQUAD

Sam Harbinson (Merrion) (captain), Seamus Lynch (Terenure), Liam Doherty (Eglinton), Cameron Melly (Brigade), Tim Tector (YMCA), Scott Macbeth (Brigade), Gavin Hoey (Trinity/Pembroke), Jared Wilson (Cliftonville Academy), Matthew Weldon (The Hills), Carson McCullough (CIYMS), Olly Riley (YMCA), Mike Frost (Malahide), Adam Kennedy (CIYMS).
 Head Coach: Peter Johnston, Assistant Coach/Manager: Albert van der Merwe

FIXTURES
Group stage
16 October: Ireland Academy v Spain (starts 3pm Irish time)
16 October: Ireland Academy v Germany (starts 7.30pm Irish time)
17 October: Ireland Academy v Netherlands (starts 3pm Irish time)
18 October: Ireland Academy v Jersey (starts 8.30am Irish time)
19 October: Ireland Academy v England (starts 10.30am Irish time)
19 October: Ireland Academy v Italy (starts 3pm Irish time)
 
Playoffs
20 October: Qualifier One (starts 10.30am Irish time)
20 October: Eliminator (starts 1.00pm Irish time
20 October: Qualifier Two (starts 4pm Irish time)
20 October: Final (starts 7.30pm Irish time)