THESE ARE RELATIVELY serene surroundings for Graham Ford — the new Ireland head coach — as he settles into the role, but then again, when a nomadic coaching career has taken you from South Africa to London via Colombo, this was always going to be something completely different.
Malahide Castle and Gardens is an idyllic and peaceful setting, particularly on a sharp January morning, and as the softly-spoken 57-year-old makes tracks for home just a few short miles away, he does so by passing the cricket ground which will become the focal point of his stay in Ireland.
Ford’s first two months in the job have been spent in the slightly warmer climes of Dubai where Ireland continued their recent upturn in fortunes, but upon finding his feet in north Dublin, the nature of the task ahead has become eminently clear.
A small village club with a dilapidated pavilion may soon be transformed into a temporary international stadium for Ireland’s inaugural Test, but even still, it’s a million miles away from the iconic Kingsmead or Oval grounds which Ford has previously called home.
Ireland may have been upgraded to Test-playing status of the ICC last summer, but they have not become a Test-playing nation overnight, and the disparities in resources, facilities and infrastructure between here and where Ford has previously worked are huge.
But that’s what made this job so appealing for the South African.
The idea of rolling up his sleeves and becoming immersed in a long-term project is a challenge Ford fancied at this stage of his career, against the alternative of living on the road and chasing contracts with Twenty20 franchises around the world.
“It’s very different to some of the previous roles I’ve had,” he says.
Those previous roles have included two separate stints as Sri Lanka head coach as well as jobs in England with Kent and, more recently, Surrey, where he was re-united with Kevin Pietersen, who has described Ford as his ‘mentor’. He was also offered the India job once upon a time.
And for those reasons, and indeed many more, Ford’s decision to come to this part of the world, coupled with his obvious enthusiasm and excitement about the job, means his appointment is a real coup for Cricket Ireland and a significant statement of intent from the organisation.
“When you look at a job opportunity the things you’re sort of looking for is it a group with the right type of attitude as you can’t make progress unless you’ve got the right attitude,” he explains.
“I certainly felt from what I’d seen and heard, this group of players had exactly that ingredient. I wasn’t certain so I’ve certainly been impressed by their attitude and how they go about their business.
“I guess the other thing that you look for is what sort of exciting challenges lie ahead and there are amazingly exciting challenges, particularly with the Test match coming up.”
Ford has always had a connection with Irish cricket, even if it came indirectly via his good friend Adi Birrell, who guided Ireland to a first World Cup in 2007 and then that famous victory over Pakistan on St Patrick’s Day.
He has also worked with some of the players. Niall O’Brien was at Kent during Ford’s spell as director of cricket in 2005 and then in 2014, he appointed Gary Wilson as Surrey’s interim captain following an injury to Graeme Smith.
“I’ve always had an interest in Irish cricket,” Ford says.
The chain of events which led to him moving permanently to these shores and assuming the reins from John Bracewell ahead of a critical period for Irish cricket makes for interesting reading. Birrell had a big part to play in it.
No more than 24 hours after Cricket Ireland had toasted their ascension to full membership status at the ICC’s annual conference last June (incidentally at the Oval), Sri Lanka Cricket announced that its head coach, Graham Ford, had stepped down after the team’s early exit from the Champions Trophy competition.
It’s funny how the planets align. Unemployed and back home in South Africa, Ford then received a call from Birrell to let him know there was an exciting job opportunity available on the other side of the world following public confirmation that Bracewell’s contract would not be renewed.
“I’m very friendly with Adi and he felt I would be ideally suited for the situation Ireland are in,” Ford explains.
“That got me really thinking about it and there were a few other possibilities. In the modern game, there are opportunities in Twenty20 tournaments and things like that but the more I thought about it, I wanted to get my teeth into a real project which does involve bringing on young players as well.
“That started to excite me and I’ve had the good fortune to have travelled to Ireland a few times and I’m well aware of what a nice place it is. So all of those things contributed to me saying ‘hey, this is what I want to do.’”
With a two-fold increase in annual funding from the ICC, Cricket Ireland was in a strong position when it invited applications of interest for the head coach position. Before, the pay package offered would have paled in comparison to other Full Member nations, but suddenly the organisation was targeting a high calibre candidate with a decorated international coaching CV.
Former Australia fast-bowler Jason Gillespie — who has previously been very supportive of Irish cricket – was the preferred choice after his agent made contact, but when that fell through, Ford was the next outstanding candidate.
The added funding in Cricket Ireland coffers allowed Warren Deutrom and Richard Holdsworth get the man they wanted and the deal — worth between €130,000 to €180,000 a year — was done by September.
“I had to put a lot of thought into it and sound out a few people,” Ford continues. “Try and understand the situation, particularly the resource situation and the fact that it’s a very small cricketing population and it’s not even a mainstream sport.
“Some of the facilities just can’t compete with the main nations in world cricket, so all of those things I did have to think about, digest and understand and just prepare myself mentally for what it’s about.
“I’m still trying to work out in my mind how we can work certain little things out better but hopefully, we’ll find some ways. Cricket Ireland are pretty determined to improve on that infrastructure and build up domestic cricket in the long run.”
When interviewed and then offered the position, Ford sought insight and advice from Birrell, Phil Simmons and Bracewell.
“I was able to talk to some of the players as well and find out a bit more about how things work. I did a bit of reading up and research but those main things I mentioned earlier about the right attitude and the fact there are so many exciting challenges, all of those things made my mind up and I said, yep this is something I hopefully can make a positive impact in.
“It’s never really been about what level of team I’m coaching or whatever, it’s more about getting into the job and hopefully seeing the team improve.”
It has been a good start in that regard, anyway.
Bracewell, who took over from Simmons after the 2015 World Cup, oversaw a downturn in recents and performances to the extent that he had lost the support of Cricket Ireland and supporters by the time Test status arrived last June.
The Kiwi was conspicuous by his absence from Ireland’s Test party and the writing was on the wall at that stage following heavy defeats to England and in the ODI tri-series to New Zealand and Bangladesh.
His reign did end on a high note with a series win over Afghanistan in Dubai, at which stage the handover process had begun with Ford there in the capacity of ‘watcher’, but overall Bracewell’s tenure was an unmitigated disaster, not entirely down to him but the slide of an ageing team after the dizzy highs of Sabina Park, Bangalore and Nelson.
But there have been signs of improvement of late. A second consecutive series win after Christmas now means Ireland head into the make-or-break World Cup qualifiers on the back of six straight victories in the 50-over format.
Suddenly, they had rediscovered their swagger. The performances against Afghanistan, UAE and Scotland was a throwback to former glory days when energy, passion, fight and spirit was the key to it all.
Conviction and confidence make a big difference, too, and as results turned, individuals found form and hit their straps having not done so for long periods under Bracewell. It was an encouraging end to the year, and certainly leaves grounds for optimism moving forward.
Still, Ford is under no illusions of the challenges ahead and is fully aware of the the issues he will need to address if Ireland are to qualify for a fourth straight World Cup and then be competitive against Pakistan in their inaugural Test match in May.
“I knew quite a few of the players and was aware there are some talented players and ones who have achieved quite a lot,” Ford said.
“I know it’s a good group of cricketers and they can achieve a lot but what’s worrying me a little bit is that there’s more and more cricket on our schedule and we need a depth base and more cricketers who can play at that level.
“That’s something I’m not totally aware of and something I’m still figuring out but what I’m seeing is that there is talent, it’s just about trying to find the way of filling the gap. The ‘A’ team programme is something we need to put time and effort into as it will serve us and pay us back for sure.”
Ford also says the squad have spoken about generating that match-winning intensity in the dressing room again after things had fallen a little flat under the previous regime.
“The energy and the fight and the general atmosphere in the field is crucial and certainly what I’ve seen of the Irish team over the last few years is a never-say-die attitude. They just don’t go away and are always in a scrap and a fight.
“We did talk a bit on the last trip about having to create our own atmosphere because at times the team is on a big stage when there’s a big crowd and television but when you’re playing and there’s no crowd or TV and there’s a lot at stake, everybody has to dig in and help each other and get the energy up. That’s something we will have to pay attention to but something the boys are well aware of.”
Identifying, developing and bringing through young talent is also a big part of Ford’s remit, with Ireland’s depth chart practically non-existent amid growing concern over the future with the likes of Joyce and the O’Brien brothers reaching the twilight stages of their career.
Ford’s track-record as an uncomplicated coach with very good man-management skills is certainly encouraging in this regard.
He continues: “I think if you’ve got coaching in your blood and helping players and wanting players to improve, that’s what it’s all about. Depending on where you are, you’ve got to find different ways to make it happen but you’re still trying to achieve the same thing.
“I’d prefer to achieve in that area [bringing players through] and make sure we get a good depth base of quality players, that would be more of a priority to me than achieving instant success. The long-term plan for me takes priority.
“If and when I walk away from the job, I’d like to know we’ve achieved in that area and that Irish cricket is well set-up for the years to come. I think everyone in Cricket Ireland are aware of how important that is.
“The senior players are very good at passing on information and I’m sure they don’t want to see a situation…they’ve put Irish cricket on the map so they don’t want to see it all disintegrate. I’m sure they’ll contribute and we need to use them as best as possible to help bring in players to fill their boots.”
Challenges aplenty, so.
“Yeah, it’s a big challenge. It’s a real challenge and we have to find ways to do that going forward.”
Perhaps too big of a job for one man, even allowing for Ford’s experience. Only time will tell, but for now it’s about settling in, getting to know the squad and preparing for March’s World Cup qualifiers. And then the small matter of Pakistan at Malahide.
“I know there will be ups and downs as we go along but hopefully down the line we can look back and say I have made an impact and Ireland have earned recognition from some of the big nations as becoming a force in world cricket,” Ford adds.
“For that to happen we need to make big improvements but I wouldn’t have come here if that wasn’t possible. It’s not about me, it’s about the players and Irish cricket.
“For the team to play a Test match, that’s one thing but for me, it’s about playing successful Test cricket, whether it’s the first Test or some ones down the line. The real satisfaction will come if they put in a really good performance and it will be their hard work when we get there.”
Ford’s wife and family will join him in Ireland for the summer months, and will be in Malahide for what will be a significant moment for everyone involved on 11 May 2018.
“Hopefully they’ll witness the big Test win,” he smiles.
The42 has just published its first book, Behind The Lines, a collection of some of the year’s best sports stories. Pick up your copy in Eason’s, or order it here today (€10):
Different gravy.
Good to see Jim Gavin sticking to his principles and giving RTE the two fingers over their disgraceful treatment of Diarmuid Connolly.
@Mark DeFriest: your inbox about to be spammed
@Mark DeFriest: get over yourself mate. Jim Gavin thinks he’s Mourinho walking around. Football in Leinster is a joke. Give Carlow, Wicklow, Longford 1.6 million and see how they do.
@Mark DeFriest: Hahaha you’d swear Diarmuid Connolly was a right choir boy the way you’re carrying on! Congratulations to Dublin but fair play to Kildare to fight back somewhat.
@Donnacha Bhoicaire: 1.6 million but how many are dubs, young men and play
@Donnacha Bhoicaire: haha BITTER
@BarryK: Bitter ? 60 thumbs up versus your 14 tells the story here I think.
@Mark DeFriest: it just makes him look bitter. He needs to get over it.
@Donnacha Bhoicaire: if it is all about population why have Kilkenny been so dominant in Hurling for over a decade. The population if Kerry is nit too high either and they have the best record in football. Seems you may want some lemon to go with your bitter.
@Donnacha Bhoicaire: We still had over a million when we were getting tanked by Tyrone and Kerry in 2008/09….we have the talent now. Get over it.
@Paul Fahey: Shhhhs facts doesn’t go down too well around here, you should know that at this stage.
@Paul Fahey: paul you sensible bolllox. Stop it
@Donnacha Bhoicaire: bitter, Kerry beat cork by more points and not a word out of you. Who do Kerry have to beat these days that are good? You’re watching one of the great GAA teams of all time, sit back and admire, you bitter fool.
Cos kilkenny only play hurling?
@Don Juan: why aren’t London winning every All Ireland? :-)
@Donnacha Bhoicaire: your losing now pal
@Donnacha Bhoicaire: I’ve gone to many a gaa match and never have I seen €€€ kicking balls over or under the bar..
@ÁM: hahaha
@Donnacha Bhoicaire: yawn
@buntys dubs: dublin are as good as professional now with the money that’s been given to them. The play every game in croke park which is a home game for them. People that sound bitter are giving facts. But u just call them bitter with nothin to back it up
@Martina O’Rourke: Howya Parnell park is our home ground,The Leinster council which every County has a board member decides were the Dubs play.
Us Dubs love being on the road that’s why the likes of Castlebar and Kilarney do be booked out for accommodation when we hit the town.
@Martina O’Rourke: Pure whiney waffle.
@Martina O’Rourke: count the games they have played at home and away this year then come back to us.
@Ollie Watson: the population of Dublin seems to go up by a hundred thousand every couple of months on the journal.
We’ll be up to 2 million by September…
@Ollie Watson: chicken and egg scenario. Only 15 lads out of population equal to 1/4 of the country get to start on a Dublin minor team. It’s crazy.
@Don Juan: not even 90,000 people, 38 clubs in KK lad. Its called passion and love for a sport, why would you want to play the other inferior sports?
King Con.A new Dublin legend has come of age!Flawless display by a young man mature beyond his years!
Population in Kildare 222,000 should be doing better don’t have professional rugby team or soccer team
@Aidan O: what professional rugby team do Dublin have that Kildare don’t have?
@Aidan O: like everyone else Kildare doesn’t have a professional Gaelic football team either. Take a look at any soccer or rugby club in Kildare and they’re full of kids who play those sports. Like every other county nowadays Gaelic football isn’t the only sport in town.
@Aidan O: how many of those 222,000 are Dublin blow-ins. There’s more Dublin flags in some estates than Kildare flags.
@Aidan O: Professional rugby players from Kildare;
Jamie Heaslip
Bob Casey
Geordan Murphy
Johne Murphy
Trevor Brennan
Fionn Carr
Fergus McFadden
James Tracey
Adam Byrne
Tadhg Beirne
There’s not counting players from other counties who learned their rugby in Kildare schools; Both Kearnys, Bernard Jackman, Buckley, D’Arcy
That’s off the top of my head. I’d say that’s enough for any county
@Lorem Ipsum: you forgot devin toner.
@Aidan O:
What about the Leinster Lions.
@Aidan O: what professional rugby team do dublin have? Leinster is a provisial team. Funded by the irfu. Wat professional soccer team do they have? Ireland only has semi pro soccer teams
@Awkward Seal: you don’t think Dublin has blow ins? We’ve got more of them than anyone
Great game for Dublin to get at this stage,and a good few questions asked of them,at times their were huge gaps down the centre of their defence and against better opposition this will be punished,scoring 2-23 is all very good but 1-17 would win alot of games.Dublin must put the win aside and improve again if they are to land the All Ireland.
Colm o Rourke showed his deep colours again on the Sunday game commentary after the match with his comment “Eamon Fitzmaurice revolutionised football” Yeah Colm was it by taking off your best forward when it looks likely you might beat the best team since the seventies,ha ha one kerryman should be enough on the commentary team ha ha.
@John Carroll:
Fitz has cost Kerry at least 2 all Irelands. Colm O Rourke loves him as hes a teacher also.
@John Carroll:
I agree. Taking of Paul Geaney was the worst ever decision by any manager in Croke Park.
@Con Murphy: Kerry should be going for 130 in a row this year. #kerrylogic
@Sean O Draighneain:
And don’t forget the hurling All Irelands. They only gave us one. Pure robbery.
Referee was pure muck…. Last Dublin Goal should have stood… GAA better sort out the poor standards of the “men in black” or fans will walk away
@Irish Spider-Man: couldn’t understand why bring it back unless he was gonna black card the player for the deliberate pull back. Makes no odds in the dying seconds but why blow the whistle and then not take the appropriate action
@Irish Spider-Man: Such nonsense. Dublin got everything, as usual, from yet another ref who was cowed by the League of Ireland boys on the Hill
How good would the Dubs be outside their home ground without the aid of the 16th man in his black jersey? Without their millions in sponsorship? (They can keep their extra million people) We’ll never know
@Lorem Ipsum: You must be having a laugh or taking hallucinogenic drugs. The ref gave almost every 50/50 to Kildare today. Millions in sponsorship doesn’t make good players. Mayo spent more than Dublin last year. Dublin played in Croke Park from 1983-1995 and from 1995-2011 and didn’t win an All-Ireland. Facts are poxy aren’t they??
@Lorem Ipsum: ah look , I’m reading all the comments but calling the Dubs in Hill16 League of Ireland boys is the final straw . The League of Ireland would kill to get a crowd that big and that loyal .
@Thomas McGilly: “Millions in sponsorship don’t make good players”
That’s one of the most clueless comments I’ve ever seen. If the money doesn’t help, what’s it for??
What are they doing with the money if it’s not improving the team? Are the nutritionists really that irrelevant? Are the physios that useless? Are the S&C staff that bad at their jobs? Are the free meals Dublin panellists get delivered to their doors just a fancy form of takeaway??
Why on earth are Dublin so opposed to pooling sponsorship if it’s not helping them??
Face it, you’re talking sh*te. Money helps.
@Lorem Ipsum: Money helps but is absolutely no guarantee of success, certainly not in the medium term. Whinge merchants like you point to issues like population, perceived favouritism by the GAA and the “Dublin meedja” and sponsorship. What you don’t talk about are the huge sacrifices these players make, the leadership, the skill, the dedication, the tactics and the character of the players and management and the high performance culture that Pat Gilroy introduced and Jim Gavin has brought on. Why? Probably because it’s easier to bitch and whinge about issues that in real terms have a marginal impact on a team’s performance than.
@Lorem Ipsum: god bless you really want to be a Dub x.
@Lorem Ipsum: yawn
@Irish Spider-Man: Ha the day people walk away from the GAA is the day he’ll freezes over
men against boys.Dublin only at half steam.
The talent and movement of Dublins forward line is unreal. Can you imagine as a defender working your arse off for fifty minutes and then having the likes of Mcmenamin Brogan and Flynn coming at you for the last twenty
Dublin had a point that came back into play that should have counted
@Ollie Watson: They had more than that that should never have counted!
@Lorem Ipsum: I get what your saying but I mean literally
We’ll play whoever, wherever, whenever, won’t change the outcome I don’t think
@Yvonne Finn: it won’t or you don’t think; which is it?
@Rusty Nuts: my opinion is it won’t…. I am however not psychic
I am getting- actually gotten- fairly disillusioned with kildare…living in the county for 23 years and i am sorry but be it sport, arts, education, any achievements- the hype around kids, adults when they ” win” anything! Sorry! But we have 8 year old playing all gaa matches, training etc and once the lads even pass round 1 league, its ” we have practically won it” . Kildare men- young and old need to stop the hype, hysteria, set the bar/standards a LOT higher…way too much mediocrity in kildare! Toughen up, train in the rain, and Mammies stop the pampering! True! Too soft!
@Margate: I think Kildare deserve credit for yesterday. Went toe to toe with Dublin which even Kerry, mayo won’t, scored 1-17 and didn’t blame the ref or whinge at the end.
You’d never see that in Kerry or mayo. Always looking for someone else to blame. Kildare were once famous for that too. Not anymore it seems. They look a fine young team to me who’ll get better
AIG t1t will run dry eventually and maybe dubs will play odd game away from home. Feely best player on show today; savage performance. Supervalu brogan good too
@Rusty Nuts: like the game against carlow ya mean…
@Yvonne Finn: aye; like that but a bigger game
@Rusty Nuts: they do and they have
@Rusty Nuts: When the Dubs were losing in Croke Park were you still maintaining it was advantage then? Lazy whingeing as usual.
@Rusty Nuts: this Dublin team have been beating teams up and down the country for years. Venue won’t make a difference. Class is class. Con O’Callaghan, 12 points today. The boy did good.
Insufferable Dubs again !
@Brian O Reilly: Ohh the wins get sweeter for the reaction of the Anti Dubs here :)
@Brian O Reilly: How’s Sligo doing in the competition Brian? Oh wait…
Just enjoy wonderful Gaelic football be proud we are unique love our national game.
Boring. Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz no one actually cares except the dubs. Cricket is more entertaining than the rubbish we saw today. More media drivel about the wonderful dubs for another 12 months
@Ciaran Kehoe: You taught that game was boring very bizzare?
@Ciaran Kehoe: why comment then ya fool
@Ciaran Kehoe: seriously bitter comment there. Any true footballing fan, irrespective of county can appreciate the football played by Dublin. Kildale played their part today aswell.
Bit of a tip for you, if you find something boring skip on by and don’t bother fishing for bites ya melt!
@Ciaran Kehoe: Yet you’re contributing to the media “drivel” by commenting…..Gold star first you ha ha.
@Ciaran Kehoe: I’d say you loved every minute of it you want to be Dub
What’s the point in watching Dublin play anyone (specially in Leinster) I switched it off when McMeninam came on…dull, boring only waiting to see what Dublin would win by!! As a neutral it’s beyond a joke!
@Collette Butler: Kevin Mc came on after 50 mins, clearly not that dull and boring if you watched for that long.
@Ciara Baines: well ciara how did o gara play.
@Ciara Baines: I had shïtty internet so RTÉ player was buffering alot
@Ciaran Kehoe: you obviously care if you’re going to take the time to post here!!
Wingers corner……
It’s all about August football now. Knockout begins
No second chance. Here comes the Super Eight. Keep paying your Sky subscription
@John Brennan: typically well-informed Journal comment….
@John Brennan:
I won’t and I never will. See it in the pub.
@Con Murphy: you’ll spend more money in the pub
Did Dublin bring on 7 subs? Daly, brogan, byrne, Howard, mcmanamon,small, carthy… probably a blood sub in there but wasn’t announced at stadium.
@Darragh Curtin: small started…
@Yvonne Finn: yeah Small started instead of O’Gara, in a different position obviously.
@Darragh Curtin: Did you watch the game?
@Ciara Baines: I was at the game…
Scully,O Callaghan and Brogan all played well. Fenton was shit. I know I’m asking an anti dub brigade but what was that black card for ? The ref was shit in my opinion
@Ollie Watson: rock tripped his man, its a black card in the rule book. Ye he was a shit ref for both sides. Good to see kildare give us a decent game
@Ollie Watson: Ref was shite and black card was pathetic but Fenton was excellent. His job was to break thr ball over Feely’s head and he did a great job. Not perfect, but Feely’s would roast most midfielders and Fenton broke even
@Lorem Ipsum: Fenton was shit you must have been watching the Down game
@ryan o sullivan: true
Reading the Leinster Leader about 4/5 weeks ago, i thought definitely…and hopefully..a shock might be- remotely- on the cards with kildare v dubs. Cian O Neill started a lot of the hype, had the damn game almost won- so typically kildare! Less interviews by Cian, less guest appearances, less gigs in general- get on with the job, man. You too added hugely to the disproportionate hype in kildare. Take responsibility NOW…keep things simple in kildare, do the BASICS well….or not.
@Margate: His players could also do with focusing on the game and staying off snapchat and instagram in the lead up to a big match. One in particular seems more focused on getting likes than anything else.
Comments closed on Halawa,really! Too much positive feedback from the insular neanderthals?
Funny thing is, this final was more competitive than the Munster final, equal with the Connacht final. But they’ll only moan about Leinster because the dubs win it. Simple as that.