At just 17-years of age, Kia McCartney is a sporting talent to watch

In the world of sports, there are certain individuals who possess a natural talent and drive that sets them apart from the rest. At just 17 years old, Kia McCartney is one such individual as she makes her mark in the cricketing realm.

Her talent and dedication were rewarded in March this year when she was offered a much sought after casual contract for 2023 by Cricket Ireland.

The beginning of this exciting journey can be traced back to Kia's time in Primary 4, when she first picked up a cricket bat and ball as a Kwik cricketer at Coleraine Cricket Club.

With her passion for the sport ignited, Kia has dedicated herself to honing her skills and developing her craft on the field. With each passing year, her abilities grew, and a testament to her growing prowess came when she was named in the Dragons squad for the 2022 Super Series.

Kia McCartney's skills were on full display at the ICC Women's U19 T20 World Cup held in South Africa. As part of the Ireland Under-19 Women's squad, McCartney played four matches and opened the bowling. The right-arm off-break bowler showed no signs of hesitation or fear as she took on opponents on the world stage, demonstrating her mettle and unwavering determination.

Kia is currently training with the Ireland Cricket Performance Squad each week in Abbotstown at the Ireland Sport High Performance Centre. She has also been playing for the Dragons in this year’s Cricket Ireland Super Series.

Not satisfied with playing a starring role on the cricket field, Kia is also in the Hockey Ireland Under-18 panel for the European championships in Kreifield, Germany in July when they will take on the likes of England, Spain, Netherlands and France.

The Coleraine lass was due to play in a 4 Nations Tournament with France, England and Belgium back in May, however, she was ruled out due to a fracture in her thumb.

As if her sporting commitments weren't demanding enough, Kia also faced the challenge of balancing her academic pursuits. This year, she navigated the AS exams as she juggled managing her revision with her cricket and hockey commitments. However, this talented teenager has coped well showing her determination to succeed at everything she does.

There is no doubt Kia McCartney is a name to watch for as she continues to shine on the field in both cricket and hockey. With her unwavering spirit, dedication and talent there is no doubt that she is destined for even greater heights.

This is an article from the summer edition of OUR CQ.  To read more, click here.