John Mooney

John Mooney is a combative allrounder for Ireland. His skill was highlighted in Ireland's famous victory over England in Bangalore at the 2011 World Cup. Mooney took 4 for 63 in England's innings, restricting the batsmen at the death with cutters, yorkers and slower balls. But his contribution with the bat was even more significant. Mooney was clinical in clinching Ireland's win, finishing with 33 not out from 30 balls and hitting the winnings runs when he clipped Jimmy Anderson to the midwicket boundary.

Mooney made his ODI debut alongside his older brother Paul in Ireland's maiden ODI, against England in June 2006. He contributed with bat and ball, claiming the wickets of Marcus Trescothick, Ian Bell and Paul Collingwood - though he conceded 79 from his ten overs - and then hit an unbeaten 30. But he was a peripheral player for Ireland in the 2007 World Cup, going wicketless in his two games. After the tournament, he took a break from international cricket to complete his electrical apprenticeship, but returned when he was qualified and was established as a regular in the Ireland team by the World Cup.

In April 2013 he was suspended for three matches by Cricket Ireland for an insensitive tweet about the death of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. The following February he left Ireland's tour of the West Indies and took a break from the game due a stress-related illness which had been managed for some time. In a highly revealing interview in September 2014, Mooney admitted the extent of his struggle with depression, saying that he had even contemplated committing suicide. The following day he made a sublime 96 against Scotland, marked by crisp late cuts, and the Malahide crowd were distraught that he just missed out on a maiden ODI century. But more important was that Mooney was enjoying cricket again and had proved his continuing worth in the Ireland side ahead of the 2015 World Cup.

While Mooney's skills seem particularly well-suited to limited overs cricket he has also been a terrific performer for Ireland in the first-class game, and took match figures of 10 for 81 as Ireland beat Afghanistan in the final of the Intercontinental Cup in 2013. A product of a working-class North County upbringing, Mooney has admitted to not telling his friends that he played cricket as a child and has been used prominently in marketing by Cricket Ireland to expand the game's appeal.
ESPNcricinfo staff