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<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss version="2.0" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/" xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/" > <channel> <title>Cricket Ireland</title> <atom:link href="https://cricketireland.ie/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" /> <link>https://cricketireland.ie/</link> <description>The Home of Irish Cricket</description> <lastBuildDate>Tue, 16 Sep 2025 15:09:26 +0000</lastBuildDate> <language>en-US</language> <sy:updatePeriod> hourly </sy:updatePeriod> <sy:updateFrequency> 1 </sy:updateFrequency> <image> <url>https://cricketireland.ie/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/cricket-ireland-favicon.png</url> <title>Cricket Ireland</title> <link>https://cricketireland.ie/</link> <width>32</width> <height>32</height></image> <item> <title>Three-year deal with MatchWornShirt</title> <link>https://cricketireland.ie/news/three-year-deal-with-matchwornshirt/</link> <comments>https://cricketireland.ie/news/three-year-deal-with-matchwornshirt/#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Dave Sihra]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Tue, 16 Sep 2025 15:08:15 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[International]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Cricket Ireland]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Women's Cricket]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Other]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Latest News]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Ireland Men]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Ireland Women]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://cricketireland.ie/?p=60491</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>New partnership agreed</p><p>The post <a href="https://cricketireland.ie/news/three-year-deal-with-matchwornshirt/">Three-year deal with MatchWornShirt</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cricketireland.ie">Cricket Ireland</a>.</p>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>DUBLIN – Cricket Ireland is delighted to announce a new three-year agreement with MatchWornShirt, the world’s leading platform for authentic sports memorabilia, to become its official partner.</strong></p> <p>Through this partnership, fans of Ireland’s men’s and women’s national teams will have the rare chance to own <strong>match-worn & signed shirts</strong> from the team’s most important international fixtures.</p> <p>The collaboration will launch with two online auctions for upcoming <strong>T20 men’s internationals against England </strong>at Malahide Cricket Club on 17 September and 21 September, providing collectors with the opportunity to own one-of-a-kind pieces of Irish cricket history.</p> <p>Shirts from the <strong>starting XI</strong> in each game will be made available to fans worldwide, going live from the moment the matches begin.</p> <p>A percentage of proceeds will be donated to Cricket Ireland’s charity partner, The Lord’s Taverners Ireland – an organisation for young people with additional needs, fundraising to give children a sporting chance in life.</p> <p>The initiative has the support of the Irish Cricketers’ Association, working on behalf of professional cricketers across Ireland.</p> <div style="height:26px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-spotlight-on-ireland-s-players"><a></a><strong>Spotlight on Ireland’s players</strong></h3> <p>Among the shirts available will be those of some of Ireland’s most recognisable names:</p> <ul class="wp-block-list"><li><strong>Paul Stirling</strong> – Ireland’s Men’s white-ball captain and most experienced international cricketer, with 16 centuries across all formats and a career spanning franchise cricket worldwide.<br><br></li> <li><strong>Andrew Balbirnie</strong> – Ireland’s Men’s red-ball captain, and was Player of the Match last time Ireland and England met in T20I cricket.<br><br></li> <li><strong>Gaby Lewis </strong>– Ireland Women’s captain, premier batter and one of the most dangerous openers in the game.<br><br></li> <li><strong>Laura Delany </strong>– All-rounder and former skipper who recently became Ireland Women’s most-capped player.</li></ul> <div style="height:22px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-first-for-cricket-ireland"><a></a><strong>A first for Cricket Ireland</strong></h3> <p>This marks the <strong>first time Cricket Ireland will host online memorabilia auctions</strong> with MatchWornShirt. The company has hosted exclusive auctions in a wide range of sports, offering unique collectibles from The Ashes, the FIFA Club World Cup Final, the 2025 Tour de France, and the British and Irish Lions Tour of Australia, and much more.</p> <p>Tijmen Zonderwijk, CEO of MatchWornShirt, commented:</p> <p><em>“We are thrilled to partner with Cricket Ireland and bring supporters closer to their national teams than ever before. For the first time, Irish cricket fans and collectors will have the chance to own their heroes’ match-worn & signed shirts, turning moments into memorabilia and keeping them forever.</em></p> <p>Paul O’Sullivan, Commercial Manager for Cricket Ireland, said:</p> <p><em>“This is a truly creative way to engage with our fans globally, all with that much sought after ‘uniqueness’ as part of the offer.</em></p> <p><em>“MatchWornShirt has become a leader in this industry and we are delighted to also announce the all profits from this venture will go to our charity partner, The Lord’s Taverners Ireland.</em></p> <p><em>“So, jump in and join a shirt auction this Wednesday and Sunday in the knowledge that your success will also benefit kids in Ireland who need a little help in life.”</em></p> <p>To stay updated with all of Cricket Ireland’s shirt auctions,<a href="https://www.matchwornshirt.com"> </a><a href="https://www.matchwornshirt.com">click here</a> and follow the team on MatchWornShirt.com.</p> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/> <div style="height:28px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-about-matchwornshirt"><a></a><strong>About MatchWornShirt</strong></h3> <p>Founded in 2017, <strong>MatchWornShirt</strong> is the world’s leading platform for match-worn and signed sports memorabilia, partnering with over 350 global clubs and federations. Alongside football, the platform proudly delivers collectibles from cricket, rugby, cycling, and a wide range of other sports.</p><p>The post <a href="https://cricketireland.ie/news/three-year-deal-with-matchwornshirt/">Three-year deal with MatchWornShirt</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cricketireland.ie">Cricket Ireland</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://cricketireland.ie/news/three-year-deal-with-matchwornshirt/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>All You Need to Know:</title> <link>https://cricketireland.ie/news/all-you-need-to-know-ireland-england/</link> <comments>https://cricketireland.ie/news/all-you-need-to-know-ireland-england/#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Dave Sihra]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Tue, 16 Sep 2025 11:39:16 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[International]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Latest News]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Ireland Men]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://cricketireland.ie/?p=60485</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>Ireland v England Men's T20I Series</p><p>The post <a href="https://cricketireland.ie/news/all-you-need-to-know-ireland-england/">All You Need to Know:</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cricketireland.ie">Cricket Ireland</a>.</p>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>DUBLIN – Ireland Men’s cricket team is playing England Men in a three-match T20 International series at Malahide. This is the first-time the two sides have played a T20I series and the first-ever T20I between the two sides in Ireland.</strong></p> <p>The series will be played in Dublin at Malahide Cricket Club, with matches as follows:</p> <ul class="wp-block-list"><li>17 September: Ireland Men v England Men – 1<sup>st</sup> T20I (Malahide Cricket Ground; start 1.30pm)</li> <li>19 September: Ireland Men v England Men – 2<sup>nd</sup> T20I (Malahide Cricket Ground; start 1.30pm) <strong>*SOLD OUT</strong></li> <li>21 September: Ireland Men v England Men – 3<sup>rd</sup> T20I (Malahide Cricket Ground; start 1.30pm) <strong>*SOLD OUT</strong></li></ul> <p>Tickets are selling fast – Friday 19 September and Sunday 21 September are officially <strong>sold out</strong>, while Wednesday 17 September is close to sold out.</p> <p>Fans can purchase tickets at: <a href="https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cricketireland.ie%2Ftickets&data=05%7C02%7Cdave.sihra%40cricketireland.ie%7C9ea6609cba5e41a4992608ddf50dacca%7C02f2f7c0cce84f4291742b419e758222%7C0%7C0%7C638936161281635631%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=vRibH%2B5d%2Ff%2FQ%2BIyYZBpjcdXT1gTYgGafSlrAe%2FNQXGs%3D&reserved=0">www.cricketireland.ie/tickets</a></p> <div style="height:27px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <p><strong>HEAD-TO-HEAD</strong></p> <p>The two sides have only played each other twice in the T20I format – both matches were at ICC T20 World Cup tournaments.</p> <ul class="wp-block-list"><li>The <a href="https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.espncricinfo.com%2Fseries%2Ficc-world-twenty20-2010-412671%2Fengland-vs-ireland-10th-match-group-d-412681%2Ffull-scorecard&data=05%7C02%7Cdave.sihra%40cricketireland.ie%7C9ea6609cba5e41a4992608ddf50dacca%7C02f2f7c0cce84f4291742b419e758222%7C0%7C0%7C638936161281719245%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=W4Lby1HWSY4egQDF1zrcba4t3UUvc1h%2F5yjVOudRY2E%3D&reserved=0">first match</a> was in 2010 – it was a No Result</li> <li>The <a href="https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.espncricinfo.com%2Fseries%2Ficc-men-s-t20-world-cup-2022-23-1298134%2Fengland-vs-ireland-20th-match-group-1-1298154%2Ffull-scorecard&data=05%7C02%7Cdave.sihra%40cricketireland.ie%7C9ea6609cba5e41a4992608ddf50dacca%7C02f2f7c0cce84f4291742b419e758222%7C0%7C0%7C638936161281747228%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=duzJ1ddcDAtuWa69j7qGlAg8GUroaHKSRFZ8QO0wlew%3D&reserved=0">second match</a> being at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 in Melbourne where Ireland won by 5 runs (DLS).</li></ul> <div style="height:24px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <p><strong>THE SQUADS</strong></p> <p>Ireland Men</p> <ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Paul Stirling (captain) (Northern Knights)</li> <li>Ross Adair (Lisburn / Northern Knights)</li> <li>Ben Calitz (Lisburn / Northern Knights)</li> <li>Curtis Campher (Clontarf / Munster Reds)</li> <li>Gareth Delany (Leinster / Munster Reds)</li> <li>George Dockrell (Phoenix / Leinster Lightning)</li> <li>Graham Hume (Waringstown / North West Warriors)</li> <li>Matthew Humphreys (Lisburn / Northern Knights)</li> <li>Barry McCarthy (Pembroke / Leinster Lightning)</li> <li>Jordan Neil (CSNI / Northern Knights)</li> <li>Harry Tector (Pembroke / Leinster Lightning)</li> <li>Lorcan Tucker (Pembroke / Leinster Lightning)</li> <li>Ben White (Phoenix / Munster Reds)</li> <li>Craig Young (North Down / North West Warriors)</li></ul> <p>Head Coach: Heinrich Malan</p> <p>England Men</p> <ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Jacob Bethell (captain)</li> <li>Rehan Ahmed</li> <li>Sonny Baker</li> <li>Tom Banton</li> <li>Jos Buttler</li> <li>Liam Dawson</li> <li>Tom Hartley</li> <li>Will Jacks</li> <li>Saqib Mahmood</li> <li>Jamie Overton</li> <li>Adil Rashid</li> <li>Phil Salt</li> <li>Luke Wood</li> <li>Jordan Cox</li> <li>Sam Curran</li></ul> <p><strong>Selection notes</strong></p> <ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Gareth Delany, Curtis Campher and Craig Young have come through the Emerald Challenge series and are available to play, however, Mark Adair, Fionn Hand and Josh Little are still working through rehabilitation programmes and are unavailable.</li> <li>Ben Calitz has received his first senior international call-up for Ireland Men:<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>23-year old Ben Calitz was born in Vancouver, Canada and moved to Ireland in 2022.</li> <li>He has represented Canada at Under-19s level.</li> <li>He has played club cricket with Holywood CC, Muckamore CC and (now) Lisburn CC.</li> <li>In 2024 he made his debut for the Northern Knights, but has also represented Munster Reds in the Inter-Provincial Series.</li> <li>In April 2025, he was selected for the Ireland Wolves tour to UAE.</li></ul></li></ul> <div style="height:20px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <p><strong>WATCH, LISTEN, FOLLOW</strong></p> <p><strong>Watch</strong></p> <ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Ireland / UK: TNT Sport</li> <li>India: Fancode</li> <li>Pakistan: Tapmad</li> <li>Caribbean: Rush</li> <li>Sub-Saharan Africa: SuperSport</li></ul> <p><strong>Listen</strong></p> <ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Ireland / UK: BBC 5 Live Sports Extra (and online through BBC Sport website)</li></ul> <p><strong>Follow</strong></p> <ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Scorecard: <a href="https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cricketireland.ie%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cdave.sihra%40cricketireland.ie%7C9ea6609cba5e41a4992608ddf50dacca%7C02f2f7c0cce84f4291742b419e758222%7C0%7C0%7C638936161281764905%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=YxbKzQaonYHPkt0m0IkNJL0nG9ciD8orMan27LgYAYU%3D&reserved=0">www.cricketireland.ie</a></li> <li>Updates: Cricket Ireland social media channels</li></ul> <p></p><p>The post <a href="https://cricketireland.ie/news/all-you-need-to-know-ireland-england/">All You Need to Know:</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cricketireland.ie">Cricket Ireland</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://cricketireland.ie/news/all-you-need-to-know-ireland-england/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>Award for OP</title> <link>https://cricketireland.ie/news/award-for-op/</link> <comments>https://cricketireland.ie/news/award-for-op/#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Cricket Ireland]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Mon, 15 Sep 2025 09:00:12 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[International]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Women's Cricket]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Latest News]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Orla Prendergast]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://cricketireland.ie/?p=60445</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>Orla Prendergast wins ICC Women's Cricketer of the Month award</p><p>The post <a href="https://cricketireland.ie/news/award-for-op/">Award for OP</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cricketireland.ie">Cricket Ireland</a>.</p>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>DUBAI, UAE – Ireland Women’s 23-year old all-rounder Orla Prendergast has been announced as the ICC Women’s </strong><strong>Player of the Month for August 2025 – becoming the fifth Irish women to receive the honour.</strong></p> <p>The Award aims to celebrate the stand-out performers and moments from the past month of international cricket. Previous Irish winners of this Award are Eimear Richardson (August 2021), Laura Delany (October 2021), Arlene Kelly (August 2023) and Amy Hunter (January 2024) – Harry Tector (May 2023) also won the men’s award.</p> <p>Prendergast was named the Player of the Series in a home T20I series against Pakistan that her team won 2-1. She compiled 144 runs and took four wickets in the series. She continued her run of form in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Europe Qualifier, where the Pembroke all-rounder made 244 runs at an average of 48.80 and a strike rate of 127.08 and took seven wickets.</p> <div style="height:24px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <p>Speaking from the UK where she is playing for the Blaze in the 2025 Women’s Metro Bank One-Day Cup, Prendergast said:</p> <p><em>“I’m delighted to have received this award and would like to extend my thanks to the ICC and anyone who voted for me. I’d also like to acknowledge my teammates and our support staff who have worked hard all summer to come away with some important series wins.</em></p> <p><em>“The T20I series win against Pakistan was the highlight of the summer. Additionally, we had a brilliant series T20i and ODI win against Zimbabwe and completed a clean sweep at the European T20 Qualifiers. We’ll be looking to build on these performances into our winter series and the Global T20 qualifiers in January.</em></p> <p><em>“Personally, though, this Award means a lot and further validates the decision I made 5 years ago to pursue cricket as a career. When I was growing up, that wasn’t an option. But today, a young girl is able to see women’s cricket being played live, on TV or online. Visibility is so important in growing interest and participation in the sport, and equally, Awards like this one help to reinforce that growing status of the women’s game globally. So, I’d like to thank the ICC for continuing to back women’s cricket and raise the profile of women cricketers around the world.”</em></p> <div style="height:23px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <p><strong>ABOUT THE AWARDS</strong><strong></strong></p> <p>The ICC Player of the Month Voting Process:</p> <ul class="wp-block-list"><li>The three nominees for either category are shortlisted based on performances from the first to the last day of each calendar month. The shortlist is then voted on by the independent ICC Voting Academy* and fans around the world. The ICC Voting Academy comprises prominent members of the cricket fraternity including well-known journalists, former players, broadcasters and members of the ICC Hall of Fame. The Voting Academy submit their votes by email and hold a 90 per cent share of the vote. Fans registered with the ICC can vote via the ICC website, accounting for the remaining 10 per cent. Winners are announced every second week of the month on ICC’s digital channels.</li></ul><p>The post <a href="https://cricketireland.ie/news/award-for-op/">Award for OP</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cricketireland.ie">Cricket Ireland</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://cricketireland.ie/news/award-for-op/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>Adam Leckey to Randy Petes</title> <link>https://cricketireland.ie/news/adam-leckey-to-randy-petes/</link> <comments>https://cricketireland.ie/news/adam-leckey-to-randy-petes/#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Dave Sihra]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Mon, 15 Sep 2025 08:59:05 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[International]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Club]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Latest News]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Randwick Petersham]]></category> <category><![CDATA[U19 World Cup]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Adam Leckey]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://cricketireland.ie/?p=60420</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>"It's incredibly exciting"</p><p>The post <a href="https://cricketireland.ie/news/adam-leckey-to-randy-petes/">Adam Leckey to Randy Petes</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cricketireland.ie">Cricket Ireland</a>.</p>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>DUBLIN – Adam Leckey from CSNI Cricket Club has been selected as the 2025-26 recipient of the Cricket Ireland Overseas Scholarship – a partnership with the Sydney-based Randwick Petersham Cricket Club.</strong></p> <p>Leckey, 18, made his debut for the Northern Knights in 2024 and is a key top order batter for Ireland Under-19 Men who are currently preparing for the 2026 ICC U19 Men’s World Cup which will take place next year in Zimbabwe and Namibia.</p> <p>As part of the placement he will play with Randwick Petersham, as well as train with coaches from the International Cricket Program. </p> <p>Adam Leckey, if selected, will then fly to Southern Africa in late December ahead of the U19 Men’s World Cup to join up with the Ireland camp.</p> <p>The Cricket Ireland Overseas Scholarship Programme’s links with Randwick Petersham CC emerged after the club hosted the Ireland Men’s team ahead of the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup in Australia.</p> <p>The scholarship was first awarded in 2016 to current Ireland Men’s international Barry McCarthy, and has been awarded every year since, excluding 2021 and 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. </p> <p>Previous participants on the Scholarship Programme are: Barry McCarthy, Andrew Balbirnie, Jack Tector, Harry Tector, Stephen Doheny, Tim Tector, Scott Macbeth, Jake Egan and John McNally. </p> <div style="height:22px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <p>Before his departure, Adam Leckey spoke about his massive winter ahead:</p> <p><em>“Yeah it’s incredibly exciting to have this opportunity with Randwick Petersham. To be outside in good conditions, playing on those kinds of pitches and then potentially leading into the World Cup is absolutely brilliant – if I was to be selected of course. Preparation-wise, it’s going to be huge. I’ve also heard the Strength and Conditions training is very beneficial along with the <em>International Coaching Programme</em> coaching. So I can’t wait to get out there.”</em></p> <p>What he’s looking forward to in particular:</p> <p>“<em>From what I’ve heard, the standard of coaching is seriously impressive. Obviously the weather’s a bit better there during the winter. Then there’s also meeting new people and experiencing what cricket is like and in other countries especially. With the ICP and all the other players and coaches, I’m looking forward to learning how other setups work in other countries.</em>“</p> <p>On making the decision to travel over:</p> <p>“<em>Pete Johnson [National Academy Manger & U19s Head Coach] and Simon Johnston [Northern Knights Head Coach] both have guided me through this. Initially I just wanted to go to Australia after my A-levels, but then I heard about this scholarship</em>. <em>I’ve been in contact too with John Stewart [CEO at Randwick Petersham]. And I’ve also spoken to Jake Egan and John McNally who had previously gone over. They were all extremely helpful. I know what I’m going into, so really looking forward to getting out there.” </em></p> <p></p><p>The post <a href="https://cricketireland.ie/news/adam-leckey-to-randy-petes/">Adam Leckey to Randy Petes</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cricketireland.ie">Cricket Ireland</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://cricketireland.ie/news/adam-leckey-to-randy-petes/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>Interim CEO announced</title> <link>https://cricketireland.ie/news/interim-ceo-announced/</link> <comments>https://cricketireland.ie/news/interim-ceo-announced/#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Cricket Ireland]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Wed, 10 Sep 2025 17:18:05 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Cricket Ireland]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Latest News]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Ross McCollum]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://cricketireland.ie/?p=60395</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>Former Chair Ross McCollum appointed</p><p>The post <a href="https://cricketireland.ie/news/interim-ceo-announced/">Interim CEO announced</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cricketireland.ie">Cricket Ireland</a>.</p>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>DUBLIN – The Board of Cricket Ireland has endorsed the proposal for former Chair Ross McCollum to return to the organisation as interim Chief Executive Officer. His tenure will begin next week and will continue until a new permanent CEO is in place.</strong></p> <p>Brian MacNeice, Chair of Cricket Ireland, said:</p> <p><em>“The process for finding a new CEO for Cricket Ireland continues apace and we have a high-quality level of candidates that have expressed an interest in the role. The CEO role of Cricket Ireland is one of the biggest administration roles in Irish sport and the high level of interest has backed up this view.</em></p> <p><em>“However, until a permanent appointment is made, it is crucial that the organisation has a focal point for direction, decision-making and leadership. Having considered several options, and after a thorough process, the board decided to appoint former Chair Ross McCollum as interim CEO in the short term.</em></p> <p><em>“Ross comes to this role with a wealth of experience in cricket and business, and through his decade as Chair he knows the business and has an important network of relationships that ensure he can hit the ground running.</em></p> <p><em>“Cricket Ireland is involved in a number of substantial projects that have the potential to transform our sport for years to come, and to have someone of Ross’ calibre to support us during this interim period is welcome news. Ross is not a candidate for the permanent role – he will begin next week and has agreed to remain in the role until a permanent CEO is appointed.”</em></p><p>The post <a href="https://cricketireland.ie/news/interim-ceo-announced/">Interim CEO announced</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cricketireland.ie">Cricket Ireland</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://cricketireland.ie/news/interim-ceo-announced/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>Meet Ben Calitz</title> <link>https://cricketireland.ie/news/meet-ben-calitz/</link> <comments>https://cricketireland.ie/news/meet-ben-calitz/#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Cricket Ireland]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Tue, 09 Sep 2025 12:39:01 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[International]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Latest News]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Ben Calitz]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://cricketireland.ie/?p=60367</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>From Vancouver to Malahide - learn about Ben's life and cricket journey</p><p>The post <a href="https://cricketireland.ie/news/meet-ben-calitz/">Meet Ben Calitz</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cricketireland.ie">Cricket Ireland</a>.</p>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>23-year old Canadian-born Ben Calitz, a left-handed batter and wicketkeeper, has received his first international call-up after qualifying to play for Ireland.</strong></p> <p>Speaking from his home in Belfast, Calitz was talking about his life and career to date:</p> <p><em>“Both my parents are South African, but my dad got a coaching job in Canada so my parents moved there – my sister and I were born there during that time.</em></p> <p><em>“We lived there for two years, before my parents decided to move back to South Africa. However, in that time my mum got really ill, and for two years it was just in and out the hospital – it was a bit of a rough time. After my mum improved, my parents decided they wanted a ‘restart’ and we moved to Namibia. I spent nine years while mum continued her recovery. We then returned once more to South Africa where I finished school, at which time I was 15.</em></p> <p><em>“Just after that, Canada was in South Africa playing against Namibia in a World Cup qualifier and the Canadian coaches discovered that I held a Canadian passport. When I was about 17, they invited me over for trials and I ended up playing at Under-19s level for Canada.</em></p> <p><em>“The 2020 Under-19s World Cup was, just coincidentally, held in South Africa and, as luck would have it, we were drawn in the same Group as South Africa [Calitz top scored in that match with 62*]. But after this I had a big injury, which put me out for seven months.”</em></p> <div style="height:42px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <p>Calitz then spoke about his route to Irish shores:</p> <p><em>“My plan was always to do a UK season as an overseas player, but never to stay. I intended to then try six months in Australia, as many young cricketers do.</em></p> <p><em>“But then as soon as I came to Belfast, I really fell in love with the place and really enjoyed it. Holywood Cricket Club was my first club in Ireland, and I was their overseas player. While playing at Holywood and I met Mark Adair and we went for a coffee. At the time I was looking for some extra cricket and had heard about some Emerging Ireland games, but that conversation that day in the coffee shop in Holywood changed my thinking. I learnt about the qualification process to play for Ireland – and in my mind, I was like: I love this place. I love Belfast, why not!</em></p> <p><em>“I was still only 20 at the time, but I walked out of the coffee shop called my dad immediately to tell him I was staying in this country. Once I’d made the decision, I got the ball rolling straight away. So, Mark is the reason I’m here today, and I’m so grateful for that.</em></p> <p><em>“Jonty [Simon Johnston, Northern Knights head coach] then invited me to training – and here we are 3.5 years later. Both Mark and Jonty have been instrumental in my development, they deserve so much acknowledgement for what they’ve done and helped me get here today.”</em></p> <div style="height:43px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <p>What was his childhood like?</p> <p><em>“I come from a very sporty family – my grandpa and dad were big rugby men. I’ve played cricket since the day I could walk, but I played all sports – I’m an absolute sports fanatic. I played rugby, tennis, cricket, athletics, hockey – everything I could try. Probably the three sports I loved the most were tennis, rugby and cricket. At that time, I was quite a decent tennis player, but it started to take up a lot of time.</em></p> <p><em>“It came to a point where I had to choose between tennis and cricket, and I chose cricket. Obviously, rugby was a was a winter sport, so I continued with that for a while, but eventually I had to make a call and, again, I chose cricket.”</em></p> <div style="height:29px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <p>Calitz left Holywood CC and moved to Muckamore CC – eventually making the move to his current club, Lisburn CC.</p> <p>So, how has his cricket developed over the years?</p> <p><em>“Amusingly, for some reason on Cricinfo it says I’m a slow bowler. We should get that changed, because if you ask anybody that knows me, they would highly recommend that I do not bowl.</em></p> <p><em>“I’ve always been a wicketkeeper-batter, although keeping has been off and on over the years. I’ve always enjoyed keeping, and feel it’s an extra string to my bow, but I really grew up as an opening batter. Since I’ve been working here with Jonty, he’s changed me into a middle order batter – and that move has drastically changed my career. This call up would definitely not have happened without Jonty’s guidance – he has been instrumental in the way I think about cricket and life.”</em><strong></strong></p> <div style="height:40px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <p>Tell us about the ‘call-up’?</p> <p><em>“I found out about my selection on the Friday after the Emerald Challenge. Andrew White had a chat with me and let me know that I had been selected for the upcoming series against England – it was a dream come true. Ever since I can remember, I’ve always had a dream to be a professional cricket player. Now I’m close to being a capped international cricket player. Obviously when I was young I never thought it would be Ireland that I’d represent, given how many countries I’ve lived in, but the way my life has worked out, I’m very blessed and very lucky to have this opportunity. I see Ireland as home and love this country. I really appreciate all the people here that have helped me, and I want to do my best for them.”</em></p> <div style="height:43px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <p>This is your first senior call-up, but you had an earlier call-up to an Irish representative side:</p> <p><em>“Yes, the first call up for us on the Ireland Wolves tour in April. It was quite an exciting time, but in all honesty, the tour did not go as planned. I played the four-day match, which was my first experience of proper red-ball cricket, then was all set to play in a 50-over game after that. But I woke up with a bit of stomach pain and it ended up being my appendix – so I ended up getting surgery in Abu Dhabi which put me out of cricket for the next two months.</em></p> <p><em>“That delayed my season by quite a bit, but Cricket Ireland coaches and staff were with me the whole time, and so supportive of everything and have been absolutely amazing taking care of me. Mark Rausa, Chris Siddell and the whole coaching staff were always there to support me and all the players – so that tour didn’t turn out the way I wanted it to, but I hope I can make up for that in the future.”</em></p> <div style="height:36px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <p>What shirt number have you chosen?</p> <p><em>“My shirt number is #72. Normally I’m #3, but as that was taken, I chose 72 for a specific reason. 1972 is the year my mum was born – she is my idol for what she’s been through in life. At one stage she was told she had a 4% chance of living – and she’s still with us today. And she does crazy things like runs marathons. She’s my inspiration – if something goes bad in life, I just look back at what she’s been through and it puts it in perspective.”</em></p> <div style="height:43px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <p>Ben Calitz has been named as one of the 14-player squad to face England Men at Malahide next week.</p> <p>Sunday 21 September has sold out, while Friday 19 September is almost sold out as well. Fans looking to catch the action should get in quick on Wednesday 17 September before it sells out as well.</p> <div style="height:47px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <p><strong>THE SERIES</strong><strong></strong></p> <p>The upcoming matches are:</p> <ul class="wp-block-list"><li>17 September: Ireland Men v England Men – 1<sup>st</sup> T20I (Malahide Cricket Ground; start 1.30pm)</li> <li>19 September: Ireland Men v England Men – 2<sup>nd</sup> T20I (Malahide Cricket Ground; start 1.30pm)</li> <li>21 September: Ireland Men v England Men – 3<sup>rd</sup> T20I (Malahide Cricket Ground; start 1.30pm)</li></ul> <p>Tickets are selling fast – Sunday 21 September is officially <strong>sold out</strong>. Fans can purchase tickets at: <a href="https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cricketireland.ie%2Ftickets&data=05%7C02%7CCraig.Easdown%40cricketireland.ie%7Caab0dd6238f24585fd6208ddeed59afe%7C02f2f7c0cce84f4291742b419e758222%7C0%7C0%7C638929323468407365%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=ItWmPV24s0VRcUSsS3bhWYvEaioYUByct1bD6IIl05c%3D&reserved=0">www.cricketireland.ie/tickets</a></p> <div style="height:33px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <p><strong>SQUAD – Ireland Men</strong><strong></strong></p> <ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Paul Stirling (captain) (Northern Knights)</li> <li>Ross Adair (Lisburn / Northern Knights)</li> <li>Ben Calitz (Lisburn / Northern Knights)</li> <li>Curtis Campher (Clontarf / Munster Reds)</li> <li>Gareth Delany (Leinster / Munster Reds)</li> <li>George Dockrell (Phoenix / Leinster Lightning)</li> <li>Graham Hume (Waringstown / North West Warriors)</li> <li>Matthew Humphreys (Lisburn / Northern Knights)</li> <li>Barry McCarthy (Pembroke / Leinster Lightning)</li> <li>Jordan Neil (CSNI / Northern Knights)</li> <li>Harry Tector (Pembroke / Leinster Lightning)</li> <li>Lorcan Tucker (Pembroke / Leinster Lightning)</li> <li>Ben White (Phoenix / Munster Reds)</li> <li>Craig Young (North Down / North West Warriors)</li></ul> <p>Head Coach: Heinrich Malan</p><p>The post <a href="https://cricketireland.ie/news/meet-ben-calitz/">Meet Ben Calitz</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cricketireland.ie">Cricket Ireland</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://cricketireland.ie/news/meet-ben-calitz/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>Squad named as sell-out nears</title> <link>https://cricketireland.ie/news/squad-named-as-sell-out-nears/</link> <comments>https://cricketireland.ie/news/squad-named-as-sell-out-nears/#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Cricket Ireland]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Mon, 08 Sep 2025 12:39:05 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[International]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Latest News]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Ireland Men]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://cricketireland.ie/?p=60346</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>Ireland names squad for Men's T20I series against England </p><p>The post <a href="https://cricketireland.ie/news/squad-named-as-sell-out-nears/">Squad named as sell-out nears</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cricketireland.ie">Cricket Ireland</a>.</p>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>DUBLIN – The Ireland Men’s squad that will take on England in a three-match T20I series at Malahide this month has been named, with batter/wicketkeeper Ben Calitz called up for the first time.</strong></p> <p>The series itself is of historic nature, being the first time Ireland Men has played a T20I in Ireland against England. The third match on Sunday 21 September has sold out, with Friday also nearing sell-out.</p> <p>The two sides have only met twice in the T20I format – the first match in 2010 being a No Result, and the <a href="https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/icc-men-s-t20-world-cup-2022-23-1298134/england-vs-ireland-20th-match-group-1-1298154/full-scorecard">second match</a> being at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 in Melbourne where Ireland won by 5 runs (DLS).</p> <p><strong>On the squad…</strong></p> <p>Gareth Delany, Curtis Campher and Craig Young have come through the Emerald Challenge series and are available to play, however, Mark Adair, Fionn Hand and Josh Little are still working through rehabilitation programmes and are unavailable.</p> <p>Ben Calitz has received his first senior international call-up for Ireland Men. The 23-year old was born in Vancouver, Canada and moved to Ireland in 2022. He has played club cricket with Holywood CC, Muckamore CC and (now) Lisburn CC.</p> <p>In 2024 he played for Munster Reds in the Inter-Provincial Series, then represented Northern Knights in 2025. In April 2025, he was selected for the Ireland Wolves tour to UAE.</p> <div style="height:36px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <p><strong>FIXTURES</strong><strong></strong></p> <p>The upcoming matches are:</p> <ul class="wp-block-list"><li>17 September: Ireland Men v England Men – 1<sup>st</sup> T20I (Malahide Cricket Ground; start 1.30pm)</li> <li>19 September: Ireland Men v England Men – 2<sup>nd</sup> T20I (Malahide Cricket Ground; start 1.30pm)</li> <li>21 September: Ireland Men v England Men – 3<sup>rd</sup> T20I (Malahide Cricket Ground; start 1.30pm)</li></ul> <p>Tickets are selling fast – Sunday 21 September is officially <strong>sold out</strong>. Fans can purchase tickets at: <a href="http://www.cricketireland.ie/tickets">www.cricketireland.ie/tickets</a></p> <div style="height:30px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <p><strong>SQUAD – Ireland Men</strong><strong></strong></p> <ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Paul Stirling (captain) (Northern Knights)</li> <li>Ross Adair (Lisburn / Northern Knights)</li> <li>Ben Calitz (Lisburn / Northern Knights)</li> <li>Curtis Campher (Clontarf / Munster Reds)</li> <li>Gareth Delany (Leinster / Munster Reds)</li> <li>George Dockrell (Phoenix / Leinster Lightning)</li> <li>Graham Hume (Waringstown / North West Warriors)</li> <li>Matthew Humphreys (Lisburn / Northern Knights)</li> <li>Barry McCarthy (Pembroke / Leinster Lightning)</li> <li>Jordan Neil (CSNI / Northern Knights)</li> <li>Harry Tector (Pembroke / Leinster Lightning)</li> <li>Lorcan Tucker (Pembroke / Leinster Lightning)</li> <li>Ben White (Phoenix / Munster Reds)</li> <li>Craig Young (North Down / North West Warriors)</li></ul> <p>Head Coach: Heinrich Malan</p> <div style="height:31px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <p><strong>Andrew White</strong>, National Men’s Selector, said:</p> <p><em>“While every match against England is a special occasion, this series takes on extra importance given we are less than six months out from the next T20 World Cup [which will be played in India and Sri Lanka]. These matches against England offer us an opportunity to test ourselves against one of the world’s best teams as we build-up to that tournament.</em></p> <p><em>“As it stands, we are set to play as many T20I matches in the next five months as we have already played in this cycle to date, but we’ll transition to Asian and Middle East venues to better prepare the squad for conditions they will likely face on the subcontinent.</em></p> <p><em>“While it’s unfortunate that Mark [Adair], Fionn [Hand] and Josh [Little] are not available, this series will give several other members of the bowling group the chance to step up and challenge for World Cup spots.</em></p> <p><em>“While we have excellent cover at the top of the order, it is the middle order batting where we are looking to increase our depth. As part of this focus, we welcome Ben Calitz into the squad – who gives us a left-handed batting option, as well as wicketkeeping cover – and Jordan Neill returns as cover for Mark Adair, as he did in the West Indies ODI series earlier this summer before injury cut his debut short.”</em></p> <div style="height:100px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://cricketireland.ie/tickets/"><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" width="1024" height="536" src="https://cricketireland.ie/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/FB-1024x536.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-60348" srcset="https://cricketireland.ie/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/FB-1024x536.jpg 1024w, https://cricketireland.ie/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/FB-300x157.jpg 300w, https://cricketireland.ie/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/FB-768x402.jpg 768w, https://cricketireland.ie/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/FB.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure><p>The post <a href="https://cricketireland.ie/news/squad-named-as-sell-out-nears/">Squad named as sell-out nears</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cricketireland.ie">Cricket Ireland</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://cricketireland.ie/news/squad-named-as-sell-out-nears/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>Lewis, Prendergast and Hunter signings</title> <link>https://cricketireland.ie/news/lewis-prendergast-and-hunter-signings/</link> <comments>https://cricketireland.ie/news/lewis-prendergast-and-hunter-signings/#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Dave Sihra]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Fri, 05 Sep 2025 09:09:14 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[International]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Club]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Women's Cricket]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Latest News]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Gaby Lewis]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Orla Prendergast]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Amy Hunter]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://cricketireland.ie/?p=60316</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>The trio to play overseas </p><p>The post <a href="https://cricketireland.ie/news/lewis-prendergast-and-hunter-signings/">Lewis, Prendergast and Hunter signings</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cricketireland.ie">Cricket Ireland</a>.</p>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>Ireland Women’s captain Gaby Lewis, vice-captain Orla Prendergast and wicket-keeper batter Amy Hunter have all signed up with sides in overseas competitions during the month of September. </strong></p> <p>In England for 2025 Women’s Metro Bank One-Day Cup, Gaby Lewis has signed for Lancashire Women while Orla Prendergast has returned to the Blaze who she played for in the 2024 season of the competition. </p> <p>Both players featured for their sides in games on September 4th and will have fixtures on 7, 10 and 13 September 2025. </p> <p>Should their sides qualify, the semi-finals are set for Wednesday, 17 September 2025, with the final on Sunday, 21 September 2025. Full fixtures can be found <a href="https://www.ecb.co.uk/news/4173787/metro-bank-one-day-cup-womens-competition-fixtures-2025">here</a>. </p> <p>Amy Hunter meanwhile has signed up with Guyana Amazon Warriors in the Women’s Caribbean Premier League 2025 and departs on September 6th to join up with the side. </p> <p>The final for the CPL takes place on Wednesday, 17 September 2025. Fixtures for this competition can be found <a href="https://www.cricbuzz.com/cricket-series/10141/womens-caribbean-premier-league-2025/matches">here</a>. </p> <p></p><p>The post <a href="https://cricketireland.ie/news/lewis-prendergast-and-hunter-signings/">Lewis, Prendergast and Hunter signings</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cricketireland.ie">Cricket Ireland</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://cricketireland.ie/news/lewis-prendergast-and-hunter-signings/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>The Emerald Challenge 2025</title> <link>https://cricketireland.ie/news/the-emerald-challenge-2025/</link> <comments>https://cricketireland.ie/news/the-emerald-challenge-2025/#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Cricket Ireland]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Mon, 01 Sep 2025 09:23:52 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Domestic]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Cricket Ireland]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Latest News]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Emerald Challenge]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://cricketireland.ie/?p=60139</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>All you need to know about the series</p><p>The post <a href="https://cricketireland.ie/news/the-emerald-challenge-2025/">The Emerald Challenge 2025</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cricketireland.ie">Cricket Ireland</a>.</p>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>BELFAST – The </strong><em>best v best </em><strong>Emerald Challenge returns in 2025 – this time the series will feature three 50-over matches between the Raiders and the Strikers, played on 1, 3 and 5 September 2025 at Stormont.</strong></p> <p>These three List A matches are an important part of Ireland Men’s preparations for both the upcoming T20I series against England Men next month and – looking further ahead – for the qualifier for the next ICC Cricket World Cup 2027.</p> <div style="height:27px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <p><strong>Heinrich Malan</strong>, Ireland Men’s Head Coach, said:</p> <p><em>“After a good block of domestic inter-provincial cricket, we’re turning our attention to the international challenges ahead. The Emerald Challenge will support our preparations on two levels – firstly, we are around 18 months out from the all-important Cricket World Cup Qualifier and will use these matches to take stock of the progression of our 50-over cricket talent pool. Secondly, many of the players in the Emerald Challenge are also pushing for selection in the upcoming T20I series against England. While a different format, this series will provide players vital competitive cricket and enable some players who haven’t had much cricket this year to get some time in the middle. Additionally, as we currently manage a few players through injuries, these three games will provide the opportunity for a number of fringe and emerging players to put their case forward for inclusion in upcoming international squads and winter tours.”</em></p> <div style="height:36px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <p><strong>EMERALD CHALLENGE</strong></p> <p>The Emerald Challenge schedule is:</p> <ul class="wp-block-list"><li>1 September: Raiders v Strikers, Emerald Challenge (50-over match; Stormont; start 10.45am)</li> <li>3 September: Raiders v Strikers, Emerald Challenge (50-over match; Stormont; start 10.45am)</li> <li>5 September: Raiders v Strikers, Emerald Challenge (50-over match; Stormont; start 10.45am)</li></ul> <p>The venue is Stormont Cricket Ground. Entry for spectators is free.</p> <p>You can follow the matches via our livescoring on the <a href="https://cricketireland.ie/matches/?tab=c_matches#cfd99c297-24cf-424b-aeb1-9ebf0e029052">Cricket Ireland website</a>.</p> <div style="height:27px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <p><strong>SQUADS</strong></p> <p><strong>Raiders</strong></p> <ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Paul Stirling (c) (Northern Knights)</li> <li>Andrew Balbirnie (Pembroke / North West Warriors)</li> <li>Ben Calitz (Lisburn / Northern Knights)</li> <li>Cade Carmichael (Instonians / Northern Knights)</li> <li>David Delany (Clontarf / Leinster Lightning)</li> <li>Gareth Delany (Leinster / Munster Reds)</li> <li>Graham Hume (Waringstown / North West Warriors)</li> <li>Matthew Humphreys (Lisburn / Northern Knights)</li> <li>Tom Mayes (Waringstown / Northern Knights)</li> <li>Andrew McBrine (Donemana / North West Warriors)</li> <li>Jordan Neil (CSNI / Northern Knights)</li> <li>Morgan Topping (Waringstown / Northern Knights)</li> <li>Craig Young (North Down / North West Warriors)</li></ul> <p>Head Coach: Gary Wilson</p> <p><strong>Strikers</strong></p> <ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Lorcan Tucker (c) (Pembroke / Leinster Lightning)</li> <li>Ross Adair (Lisburn / Northern Knights)</li> <li>Chris DeFreitas (Balbriggan / Leinster Lightning)</li> <li>George Dockrell (Phoenix / Leinster Lightning)</li> <li>Stephen Doheny (Merrion / Munster Reds)</li> <li>Matthew Foster (CSNI / Northern Knights)</li> <li>Gavin Hoey (Pembroke / Leinster Lightning)</li> <li>Matt Hollard (Balbriggan / Leinster Lightning)</li> <li>Liam McCarthy (Railway Union / Munster Reds)</li> <li>Barry McCarthy (Pembroke / Leinster Lightning)</li> <li>John McNally (Clontarf / Leinster Lightning)</li> <li>Harry Tector (Pembroke / Leinster Lightning)</li> <li>Tim Tector (Pembroke / Leinster Lightning)</li></ul> <p>Head Coach: Heinrich Malan</p><p>The post <a href="https://cricketireland.ie/news/the-emerald-challenge-2025/">The Emerald Challenge 2025</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cricketireland.ie">Cricket Ireland</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://cricketireland.ie/news/the-emerald-challenge-2025/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>All You Need to Know</title> <link>https://cricketireland.ie/news/all-you-need-to-know-3/</link> <comments>https://cricketireland.ie/news/all-you-need-to-know-3/#respond</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Cricket Ireland]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Sun, 31 Aug 2025 09:55:06 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Club]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Latest News]]></category> <category><![CDATA[AIT20 Cup]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://cricketireland.ie/?p=60088</guid> <description><![CDATA[<p>Welcome to the 2025 All-Ireland T20 Cup Final</p><p>The post <a href="https://cricketireland.ie/news/all-you-need-to-know-3/">All You Need to Know</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cricketireland.ie">Cricket Ireland</a>.</p>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>The Finals of the Women’s and Men’s All-Ireland T20 Cup for 2025 is this Sunday. Here’s what you need to know.</strong></p> <p>The All-Ireland T20 Cup is the peak T20 club cup competition in Ireland – bringing together the best T20 teams in club cricket across the provinces. </p> <ul class="wp-block-list"><li>The (men’s) Cup began in 2017, and features the winner of each Provincial Unions’ T20 club competition playing off for the annual title. </li> <li>The (women’s) Cup began in 2021, and features a preliminary final between the winner of the NCU’s and NWCU’s T20 club competition to play in the final against the winner of Leinster’s T20 club competition.</li></ul> <p><strong>Where is Finals Day being played?</strong></p> <p>Stormont Cricket Ground – there is free entry, so please come and enjoy the occasion.</p> <p><strong>When are the matches being played?</strong></p> <p>Sunday 31 August 2025:</p> <ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Women’s Final starts 11am </li> <li>Men’s Final starts 3pm</li></ul> <p><strong>What teams are playing?</strong></p> <ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Women’s Final: Waringstown CC v Merrion CC</li> <li>Men’s Final: Instonians CC v Cork County CC</li></ul> <p><strong>How can I follow the games?</strong></p> <p>There are several ways:</p> <ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Livestream: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCY3N2mFyFf6RkaQbPdFj-dg">watch the games on Youtube</a></li> <li>Livescoring: see the <a href="https://live.nvplay.com/play/?tab=c_matches#c02217176-7d40-44f2-8155-e103ae5d623c">women’s </a>and <a href="https://live.nvplay.com/play/?tab=c_matches#c9b9aa5c6-5274-4c90-82ec-b01bd35ddbae">men’s </a>scorecards</li> <li>Live: come and join us at <a href="https://maps.app.goo.gl/ujmwrPhDJAgnCpDy7">Stormont Cricket Ground in Belfast</a></li></ul> <p></p><p>The post <a href="https://cricketireland.ie/news/all-you-need-to-know-3/">All You Need to Know</a> appeared first on <a href="https://cricketireland.ie">Cricket Ireland</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>https://cricketireland.ie/news/all-you-need-to-know-3/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>0</slash:comments> </item> </channel></rss> If you would like to create a banner that links to this page (i.e. this validation result), do the following:
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