By JUSTIN FLYNN
OCEAN Grove’s hopes of climbing up the Bellarine Peninsula Cricket Association ladder received a massive boost with the signing of gun batsman Michael Kenneady.
The 31-year-old run machine will be assistant coach to Paul Jubber after a season at Highton where he made 389 runs at 32.42 in GCA Division Two firsts.
Kenneady spent a few seasons in Lancashire, but is excited to be back in Ocean Grove, where he played from 2008 to 2013.
“I enjoyed it (Highton), but to be coming back to the home of cricket is very exciting,” he said before leaving for a holiday to Fiji.
“I have heard great things about Paul (Jubber) and I want to learn everything I possibly can from him and to try and inspire the young kids we having coming through.”
Kenneady’s last season for the Grubbers yielded an impressive 530 runs at an average of 53 with two centuries and a 95. He said he was rapt to be back Ocean Grove. “I live in East Geelong, but I enjoy Ocean Grove as a town,” he said.
“I fell in love with the club when I last played there and I can’t wait for the season to start.”
Ocean Grove has endured some barren seasons of late, but Kenneady would not be drawn on how quickly the A Grade side could return to finals cricket.
“It’s better to do smaller steps along the way for a long-term gain,” he said.
“We are in talks with other players.”
Kenneady said the proposed move to Shell Road from Memorial Reserve was an important step for the club.
“I feel it would be the right step, but it’s important to let people decide for themselves and go to a vote,” he said.
The Grubbers have already started fitness-based training on Wednesday evenings at Shell Road Reserve.
