Conn McCall

Hugh Conn McCall, usually known by his middle name (29 March 1940 in Holywood, County Down, Northern Ireland – 7 June 2002 in Bangor, County Down) was an Irish cricketer. A right-handed batsman and left-arm orthodox spin bowler, he played 15 times for the Ireland cricket team in the 1960s including seven first-class matches. His son Mark played rugby union for Ireland.

Conn McCall was scheduled to make his debut for Ireland in their annual match against Scotland in 1964, but the match was abandoned without a ball being bowled. He finally made his debut a few days later, playing against the MCC in a first-class match. His first match in 1965 was also against the MCC, at Lord's, and he also played against New Zealand, Scotland and Hampshire that year.

He played three times in 1966, against Scotland, the MCC and Worcestershire, and four times in 1967, including a match against India. His final year in the Irish side was in 1968, playing twice against Australia before finishing his career as it should have started, playing against Scotland in a first-class match. He later served as an Irish selector in the early 1980s and as president of the Irish Cricket Union in 1992.

Statistics

In all matches for Ireland, he scored 541 runs at an average of 20.04, with a top score of 81 against the MCC in his debut match, one of three half-century for Ireland. He bowled just one delivery, conceding the winning single against New Zealand in 1965.