Cricket Ireland

Governing body of cricket in Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland

Cricket Ireland

Sport| Cricket
Jurisdiction|

* Republic of Ireland
* Northern Ireland

Abbreviation| CI
Founded| 1923; 102 years ago (1923)
Affiliation| International Cricket Council
Affiliation date| 1993; 32 years ago (1993)
Regional affiliation| ICC Europe
Affiliation date| 1997; 28 years ago (1997)
Location| Clontarf, Dublin
Malahide, Dublin
President| Stella Downes
Chairman| Brian MacNeice
CEO| Warren Deutrom
Men's coach| Heinrich Malan
Women's coach| Ed Joyce
Sponsor| ITW Consulting, Certa, Macron, Fáilte Solar, DMG Media, Evoke, Ulster University[1]
Replaced|  Previously called Irish Cricket Union
Official website
www.cricketireland.ie

Cricket Ireland (formerly the Irish Cricket Union) is the national governing body for cricket on the island of Ireland (both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland), and oversees the national men's and women's cricket teams.[2] It also organises the men's Inter-Provincial Series (which includes the Inter-Provincial Championship, Inter-Provincial Cup and Inter-Provincial Trophy), the women's Super Series, and three All-Ireland club competitions: Irish Senior Cup, National Cup and the All-Ireland T20 Cup. It achieved Test status for women in 2000, and for men in 2017 when it was made a Full Member of the ICC in June 2017.[3]

## History

[edit]

An early forerunner of the Irish Cricket Union was formed in 1890, though its only function was to select the Irish international team.[4] There is debate about what year should mark the official start of the Irish Cricket Union - in 1923 an embryonic entity was set up, but only two provincial unions (of four) were involved - namely the Leinster Cricket Union and the Northern Cricket Union. In 1927, all four provincial unions signed on (the Munster Cricket Union and the North West Cricket Union[5] joined to make it four), so that year is considered a more appropriate anniversary. Its powers initially were strictly limited and it was reconstituted in 1933.[6] Today, there are five provincial unions with the Connacht Cricket Union becoming a recognised provincial union in 2025.

Ireland was accepted as an Associate Member of the International Cricket Council on 6 July 1993.

In common with a number of other Ireland sporting governing bodies, the Union represents all of the island of Ireland, rather than just the Republic of Ireland. In common with its counterparts for rugby union and field hockey, the organisation, therefore, does not use the Irish tricolour, but instead employs its own flag.[7][8]

Ireland was initially of the teams in Division 1 of Associate Members of International Cricket Council who has One Day International and T20 International status.

Ireland's greatest cricketing success to date was to reach the Super 8 of the 2007 Cricket World Club following victory over Pakistan and a tied game with Zimbabwe in the groups stages. The most significant, and most publicised, success in a one-off match occurred four years later, with a three-wicket victory over England in 2011 Cricket World Cup in which Kevin O'Brien scored the World Cup's fastest ever century[9] and Ireland set a World Cup record with by "chasing" 327 runs. During 2007 World Cup Ireland had major success with their victory by three wickets over Pakistan in a 2007 Cricket World Cup group match.[10]

The victory over Pakistan in 2007 was overshadowed by the sudden death of the Pakistan Coach Bob Woolmer that night. Ireland also managed to beat the West Indies in their prime in 1968 at Sion Mills, 25 years before Ireland were accepted as an associate by the ICC. [citation needed]

The Irish Cricket Union was formally dissolved and then formed afresh as a limited company on 3 February 2008, at its annual general meeting.[11]

After the tremendous success at International stage, Cricket Ireland has applied for Full Membership from the International Cricket Council. Ireland have recently won the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier 2008 and 2009 ICC World Cup Qualifier and qualified for 2009 World Twenty20 and 2011 Cricket World Cup. Being a full member will allow Ireland to be a permanent One Day International and eventually granting them Test status.[12]

In August 2011, Cricket Ireland announced its plans to put in place a first-class structure, which is a major achievement for the nation on their path to gaining Test status.[13]

In 2012, Cricket Ireland announced that it had found the pathway to Test status for their tremendously successful men's team by 2020. Targets include an increase in the number of people playing the game in Ireland to 50,000, reaching eighth in the world rankings and establishing a domestic first-class structure. A number of commercial deals have been secured, allowing Ireland to unveil their strategic plan to 2015 and target their ultimate ambition of securing Test status.

Cricket Ireland has offered a record 23 professional contracts to players, in three categories, for 2012, a development Phil Simmons says is vital for their continued improvement. Simmons, the Ireland coach, has also agreed a two-year extension to his contract which will take him through to at least the end of Ireland's World Cup qualifying campaign late next year.

Initiatives to swell participation numbers to 50,000 will include the establishment of regional academies; a Get into Cricket scheme which will seek to attract six to 12-year-olds to take up the game in clubs and schools; a Better Clubs Initiative, which will encourage clubs to improve their facilities; and the Cricket Ireland national awards which will recognise contributions ranging from players to volunteers.[14] In another sign of the growing popularity of cricket in Ireland, the Irish provided a record 23 national contracts for the 2012 season, which also included not only the senior and regular members of the squad, but also fringe players. The contracts, for the first time, were divided into sections: Category A, Category B, and Category C (for fringe players).[15]

In June 2017, the ICC awarded Full Membership to Ireland and Afghanistan, allowing them the opportunity to play Test matches.[3]

## Objectives

[edit]

Vision to 2020 - Ireland a Test nation

* To set out a series of stretching goals including increasing the number of participants in the game to 50,000
* Reaching 8th in the world ODI rankings by 2015
* Establishing a domestic first-class structure
* Reinforcing cricket as the 4th-most major sport in Ireland[15]

## Grass roots initiatives

[edit]

Reflecting the rising popularity of the game in Ireland, Cricket Ireland committed to developing the grass roots of the sport over the next four years. New plans were unveiled to provide a significant boost to the domestic game with a series of initiatives designed to strengthen the game on the island and help achieve the ambitious target of 50,000 participants by 2015.

The initiatives include:-

* The 'Get into Cricket Scheme' \- a major new programme targeting schools and clubs encouraging 6-to-12-year-olds to take up the game for the first time.
* The National Cup – a new domestic national club competition for clubs not already competing in the Bob Kerr Irish Senior Cup. This provides 32 new clubs with the chance to compete for an All Ireland title and the opportunity to play cricket outside of their local area.
* The 'Better Clubs Initiative' – an innovative programme supporting local clubs across the country to improve their facilities. This programme is a volunteering initiative aimed at encouraging local cricket supporters, their friend and families to undertake work to improve the facilities at their local club houses and grounds.
* The Cricket Ireland National Awards – a major awards event recognising players, coaches, volunteers, groundsmen, officials and clubs for the contribution they make to the game in Ireland. This will be an annual event starting in 2012.
* The establishment of Regional Academies to develop and foster the young talent from the ages of 15 to 19 and ensure a pipeline of players for International teams.
* The re-launch of the Inter-Provincial Championship as a precursor to setting up a first-class domestic playing infrastructure in Ireland.

Source: Official Website[15][non-primary source needed]

## See also

[edit]

* Cricket in Ireland
* Irish Cricket Awards
* Sport in Ireland
* List of Irish cricketers

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Sponsor Hub". Cricket Ireland. Retrieved 28 January 2023.
2. ^ "Cricket Ireland". Retrieved 29 May 2021.
3. ^ a b "Ireland & Afghanistan awarded Test status by International Cricket Council - BBC Sport". BBC Online. BBC News. 22 June 2017. Retrieved 22 June 2017.
4. ^ Gerard Siggins (2005), Green Days:Cricket in Ireland 1792-2005. Nonsuch Publishing Ltd., p.40
5. ^ "A brief history of cricket: Cricket in Ireland". Cricinfo.com. Retrieved on 3 November 2008.
6. ^ Siggins (2005), p.61
7. ^ Official Cricket Ireland site showing use of flag Archived 20 January 2010 at the Wayback Machine
8. ^ International Cricket Council official site Archived 18 June 2012 at the Wayback Machine
9. ^ "ICC Cricket World Cup - 15th match, Group B: England v Ireland at Bangalore, 2 March 2011". ESPN Cricinfo. 2 March 2011. Retrieved 25 May 2011.
10. ^ "Ireland shock sends Pakistan home". BBC News. 17 March 2007. Retrieved 23 August 2009.
11. ^ "Company to run sport in Ireland". BBC News. 3 February 2008. Retrieved 14 February 2008.
12. ^ "Ireland in hot pursuit of Full Member status". ESPN Cricinfo. 3 November 2009. Retrieved 25 May 2011.
13. ^ Ireland plan first-class structure ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 24 August 2011
14. ^ Ireland map out path to Tests ESPNCricinfo. Retrieved 25 January 2012
15. ^ a b c Ireland unveil Test cricket vision Archived 17 February 2012 at the Wayback Machine Irishcricket.org. Retrieved 25 January 2012

## External links

[edit]

* Official website
* Cricket Ireland's channel on YouTube
* Cricket Europe Ireland Page
* Cricinfo Ireland

* v
* t
* e

Cricket in Ireland

Cricket Ireland

National teams|

* Men
* Women
* Ireland Wolves
* M U-19
* W U-19

Provincial bodies|

* Leinster Cricket Union
* Munster Cricket Union
* Northern Cricket Union
* North West Cricket Union
* Connacht Cricket Union

Interprovincial teams|

* Leinster Lightning
* North West Warriors
* Northern Knights
* Munster Reds

Interprovincials|

* Inter-Provincial Championship
* Interprovincial One-Day Trophy
* Interprovincial Twenty20 Cup

Leagues|

* Leinster Senior League
* Munster League
* NCU Senior League
* North West Senior League
* Euro T20 Slam
* Women's Super Series

Cups|

* Irish Senior Cup
* National Cup
* Ulster Cup
* Ulster Shield
* Leinster Senior League Cup
* Munster Senior Cup
* NCU Challenge Cup
* North West Senior Cup
* NCU Junior Cup
* Connacht Senior Cup

Grounds|

* Clontarf
* Stormont
* The Village
* Bready
* Others

Lists|

* Test cricket records
* Test cricketers
* Captains
* ODI cricketers
* T20I cricketers
* Women Test
* Women ODI
* Women T20I
* Irish first-class cricketers

Other|

* Ireland at the Cricket World Cup
* Cricket Ireland Academy

Portals:

* Ireland
* Cricket

* v
* t
* e

Cricket in the British Isles

International Cricket Council (ICC)

ICC Full members (2)|

* England
* Ireland

ICC Associate members (4)|

* Guernsey
* Isle of Man
* Jersey
* Scotland

England|

* Men
* Women
* England Lions
* M U-19
* W U-19
* Grounds

Guernsey|

* Men
* Women
* M U-19

Jersey|

* Men
* Women
* M U-19

Ireland|

* Men
* Women
* Ireland Wolves
* M U-19
* W U-19
* Grounds

Northern Ireland|

* Men
* Grounds

Isle of Man|

* Men
* Women
* M U-19

Scotland|

* Men
* Women
* M U-19
* W U-19
* Grounds

Wales|

* Men
* Women
* Glamorgan
* Wales National County
* Grounds

Other|

* ICC World Cup Qualifier
* Women's Cricket World Cup Qualifier
* Men's T20 World Cup Qualifier
* Women's T20 World Cup Qualifier
* ICC Intercontinental Cup
* European Cricket Council
* European Cricket Championship
* England at the Cricket World Cup
* Ireland at the Cricket World Cup
* Scotland at the Cricket World Cup

* v
* t
* e

Sports governing bodies in Ireland (IRL)

Summer Olympic Sports|

* Aquatics
* Diving
* Swimming
* Synchronized Swimming
* Water polo
* Archery
* Athletics
* Badminton
* Basketball
* Boxing Amateur and Professional)
* Canoeing
* Climbing
* Cycling
* Darts
* Equestrian
* Fencing
* Field hockey
* Football
* ROI
* NI
* Golf
* Gymnastics
* Handball
* Judo
* Modern pentathlon
* Rugby 7's
* Rowing
* Sailing
* Shooting
* Practical Shooting
* Table tennis
* Taekwondo
* Tennis
* Triathlon
* Volleyball
* inc. Beach Volleyball
* Weightlifting
* Wrestling

Winter Olympic Sports|

* Biathlon
* Bobsleigh
* Curling
* Skating
* Figure
* Speed
* Short Track
* Ice hockey
* Luge
* Skeleton
* Skiing
* Alpine
* Cross Country
* Nordic Combined
* Freestyle
* Jumping
* Snowboarding

Other IOC Recognised Sports|

* Air sports
* Bandy
* Baseball
* Billiard sports
* Boules
* Bowling
* Bridge
* Chess
* Cricket
* Dance sport
* Floorball
* Karate
* Korfball
* Lifesaving
* Motorcycle racing
* Motorsport
* Mountaineering
* Netball
* Orienteering
* Pelota Vasca
* Polo
* Powerboating
* Racquetball
* Roller sports
* Rugby
* Softball
* Sport climbing
* Squash
* Sumo
* Surfing
* Tug of war
* Underwater sports
* Water ski
* Wushu

Other Sports|

* American Football
* Australian Football
* Gaelic games
* Ladies' Gaelic Football
* Camogie
* Greyhound racing
* Lawn bowls
* IBA
* IWBA
* Pitch and Putt
* Real Tennis
* Rugby League
* Rugby Union
* Skydiving
* University Sports

* Olympic Federation of Ireland
* Paralympics Ireland
* Sport Ireland
* Northern Ireland Commonwealth Games Council

* v
* t
* e

Full Members of the International Cricket Council

As of 22 June 2017

Afghanistan|

* Men
* Women
* Afghanistan A
* U-19
* Grounds

Australia|

* Men
* Women
* Australia A
* U-19
* Indigenous
* Grounds

Bangladesh|

* Men
* Women
* Bangladesh A
* U-23
* U-19
* Grounds

England|

* Men
* Women
* England Lions
* U-19
* Grounds

India|

* Men
* Women
* India A
* U-19
* Grounds

Ireland|

* Men
* Women
* Ireland Wolves
* U-19
* Grounds

New Zealand|

* Men
* Women
* New Zealand A
* U-19
* Māori
* Grounds

Pakistan|

* Men
* Women
* Pakistan A
* U-19
* Grounds

South Africa|

* Men
* Women
* South Africa A
* U-19
* Grounds

Sri Lanka|

* Men
* Women
* Sri Lanka A
* U19
* Grounds

West Indies|

* Men
* Women
* West Indies A
* U-19
* Grounds

Zimbabwe|

* Men
* Women
* Zimbabwe A
* U-19
* Grounds

*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template