Bready's history maker Alana Dalzell now aims for Ireland call-up

Following in the footsteps of St. Johnston’s Nikki Squire and Burndennett’s Julie Logue, the 19-year-old played her part in Bready’s win over Strabane at the weekend.

The teenager, who is part of the Ireland Women’s set-up, was thrilled to get her chance and loved every minute of Saturday’s victory.

“I wasn’t actually expecting to play but when Davy (Scanlon) told me I had to play it cool because I was so excited to get the call-up,” she insisted.

“Davy told me the night before the game that I was going to be involved. I was hoping it would be bowling because I rely more on that, but giving me the ball in the 18th over was a bit scary. I was thinking ‘these boys are going to try and tank me now’, but it wasn’t too bad because the team were supporting me lots.

“I didn’t really feel under any pressure at all because I knew that all the Bready boys were behind me.”

Indeed Dalzell would have finished with better bowling figures had her team-mates, Ross Campbell (wicket-keeper) and Cameron Knight taken catches during her spell.

“Yeah I had two dropped catches, one from the keeper and one out at ‘Cow Corner’ and I must have a chat with them about that,” she laughed.

“But jokes aside, I really enjoyed it and the craic was really good with all the boys.”

And Dalzell revealed she’s hoping she did enough to get another chance in the not too distant future.

“Hopefully in the next few years I’ll get a few more matches because the support you get at Bready is excellent. The facilities are good and being a girl playing amongst boys, I have never felt that I was ever pushed back or put to one side. The club were always pushing me forward and giving me chances.

“Saturday shows what all that encouragement and training can do, it meant I was able to play in the firsts and that’s because I have never felt out of place at Bready.”

In years to come she hopes to force her way into the Ireland women’s senior team.

“I’m part of the Ireland academy squad. I’m down there every week, or every other week, training. We have a few matches going on but nothing too heavy because of the COVID-19 but I’ll be pushing for the Ireland senior squad,” she added.

“Playing men’s cricket certainly helps because with ladies cricket up here the competition isn’t as developed. You see the standard in the ladies cricket down south and there’s a big difference, so playing men’s cricket up here definitely helps.

“I’m playing for Bready IIIs every week and I’m just striving to keep getting better, maybe force my way into the seconds and hopefully in a few years maybe become a regular in the firsts.”

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

A message from the Editor

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high-quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the highest standards in the world.

The dramatic events of 2020 are having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers and consequently the advertising that we receive.

We are now more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news by buying a copy of our newspaper.

Thank you