Athlone Cricket club to honour Hugh Milling

THE much renowned cricketing skills of the late Hugh Milling - the first Athlone man to be capped by Ireland at senior level in cricket - will be honoured later this month when Athlone Cricket Club hosts a match against English opposition to celebrate his life and career. On Thursday, July 28 (1.30pm), Athlone will host a touring UK side from White City in London, and Hugh's mother, Frances, said her family are "very proud" of the cricket club's plans. "Athlone Cricket Club have been great to us throughout Hugh's life, and since his sudden passing (aged 40) in 2003. The likes of Charlie Couper, Chris Forsyth, Peter Enraght-Moony and Joe Lyster were fantastic with Hugh, and set him on his way in cricket. Our family is very grateful to Athlone Cricket Club for organising such an occasion," said Frances, whose family members still regularly attend Athlone cricket matches at their base in The Doon, near Ballinahown. Born in 1962 in Carrickfergus, Co Antrim, Hugh Milling moved with his family to Athlone aged 15, and studied at the Marist College. Hugh's mother was a well-known and highly respected PE teacher in Our Lady's Bower for many years, and the family is held in the highest esteem around Athlone.Hugh went on to study at Trinity College in Dublin, where he excelled at cricket, and then later studied PE in Jordanstown, Co Antrim. In 1985, Hugh became the first Athlone player to receive a call-up to represent the Irish senior cricket team, taking part in a ten-day tour of England and Wales. During his career, Hugh also played many times for both North Leinster and the Irish Universities sides.A potent bowler, and towering figure at 6ft 5", Hugh went on to play 24 games for Ireland between 1985 and 1988.Hugh's teaching career eventually took him to the North West of England, where he continued to play at a competitive level in the highly regarded Central Lancashire Leagues. At the time of his tragic passing, Hugh was a teacher - and master-in-charge of cricket - at Hulme Grammar School for Boys near Manchester. Athlone Cricket Club Captain and Secretary, Alan Pears, said: "Hugh's family still live in Athlone and regularly attend our home games, so this year we're going to put up a trophy in his memory."