:Cricket in Ireland

Cricket has been played in Ireland since at least the 17th century, when Oliver Cromwell issued an edict banning it.{{Cite news|last=McNally|first=Frank|title=An Irishman's Diary|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/an-irishman-s-diary-1.563227|access-date=2021-01-08|newspaper=The Irish Times|language=en}} It is believed to have been introduced to Ireland by the British. However, recent research claims that Irish troops in the British Army shaped the game's evolution by introducing terms and gameplay from the old Irish game of Catty.{{Cite web |title=Cricket on solid local footing |url=https://www.independent.ie/regionals/wexfordpeople/sport/other-sports/cricket-on-solid-local-footing-39288386.html |access-date=2023-02-01 |website=independent |date=16 June 2020 |language=en |archive-date=1 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230201215438/https://www.independent.ie/regionals/wexfordpeople/sport/other-sports/cricket-on-solid-local-footing-39288386.html |url-status=live }} The earliest known reference to a match in Ireland is the August 1792 fixture in Dublin between the British garrison and an "All-Ireland" team,{{cite web |url=https://www.cricketeurope.com/DATABASE/ARTICLES2022/articles/000002/000222.shtml |title=Cricket in Ireland: 1792 to 1850 |work=Cricket Europe |access-date=18 February 2022 |archive-date=18 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220218192316/https://www.cricketeurope.com/DATABASE/ARTICLES2022/articles/000002/000222.shtml |url-status=live }} the garrison team winning by an innings.Bowen, p. 267.

File:Cricket, Watford, May 22, 1909.jpg, in cricket gear, Waterford, May 1909]]

Cricket was being played in the towns of Kilkenny and Ballinasloe in the early 19th century, with the Ballinasloe club established in 1825. In the 1830s, the game began to drop down; many of the clubs which were founded in the following 30 years are still in existence today.{{citation |url=http://www.cricinfo.com/db/NATIONAL/ICC_MEMBERS/IRELAND/HISTORY.html |title=A brief history of cricket: Cricket in Ireland |publisher=Cricinfo |access-date=1 July 2008 |archive-date=13 October 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071013215613/http://www.cricinfo.com/db/NATIONAL/ICC_MEMBERS/IRELAND/HISTORY.html |url-status=live }} Retrieved on 3 November 2008. The first Irish national team played in 1855 against an English national team in Dublin.{{cite web |url=https://www.cricketireland.ie/news/article/1000-matches-ceo-warren-deutrom |title=1,000 matches: CEO Warren Deutrom on the growth of cricket, his hopes and his biggest frustration |work=Cricket Ireland |access-date=4 March 2020 |archive-date=6 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211206122814/https://www.cricketireland.ie/news/article/1000-matches-ceo-warren-deutrom |url-status=dead }} In the 1850s, the Englishman Charles Lawrence was responsible for developing the game in Ireland through his coaching. In the 1850s and 1860s, Ireland was visited for the first time by touring professional teams. Ireland's first match against Marylebone Cricket Club was in 1858. The game increased in popularity until the early 1880s.

Two changes in the late 1800s-early 1900s damaged the popularity of cricket and cricketers in Ireland. The first was the outbreak of the Land War in the late 1800s resulting from the mistreatment of tenants by absentee landlords when landlord and tenant were alienated. The second was a ban placed in 1901 on the playing of "foreign" games by the Gaelic Athletic Association, which was not lifted until 1970. Anyone playing foreign games such as cricket would be banned from the extremely popular Irish games of hurling and Gaelic football as it was popularly referred to as a 'garrison game' enjoyed primarily by the occupying British forces and the landowning Protestant oligarchy they protected.{{Cite web|url=http://static.espncricinfo.com/db/NATIONAL/ICC_MEMBERS/IRELAND/HISTORY.html|title=Cricinfo - Ireland - History|website=Static.espncricinfo.com|access-date=31 October 2021|archive-date=13 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210613120010/http://static.espncricinfo.com/db/NATIONAL/ICC_MEMBERS/IRELAND/HISTORY.html|url-status=live}}

Irish teams toured Canada and the United States in 1879, 1888, 1892, and 1909. On top of this, Ireland defeated a touring South African side in 1904. Their first match with first-class status was played on 19 May 1902 against a London County side including W.G. Grace. The Irish, captained by Sir Tim O'Brien, lost convincingly by 238 runs.{{citation |url=http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Scorecards/5/5899.html |title=f5558: London County v Ireland: Ireland in England 1902 |publisher=CricketArchive |access-date=20 October 2009 |archive-date=20 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020182648/http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Scorecards/5/5899.html |url-status=live }} Retrieved on 5 November 2008.

The 2005 ICC Trophy was hosted by Ireland. After Ireland's successes at the 2007 Cricket World Cup, cricket experienced a popularity boom in Ireland, with participation reaching record levels.{{citation |url=http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/ci/content/story/299595.html |title=An impossible balancing act |author=Andrew McGlashan |publisher=Cricinfo.com |date=25 June 2007 |access-date=13 November 2008 |archive-date=10 July 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120710003434/http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/ci/content/story/299595.html |url-status=live }} Retrieved on 13 November 2008.

According to the Cricket Ireland strategic plan for 2021–2023,{{Cite web |title=Creating a Cricket Island – Cricket Ireland's Strategic Plan 2021-2023 |url=https://www.cricketisland.ie/ |access-date=2023-02-03 |website=www.cricketisland.ie |archive-date=3 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203161817/https://www.cricketisland.ie/ |url-status=live }} 52,000 people in Ireland play, officiate or administer cricket or are involved in school programmes. This is compared to 13,000 people in 2007.

There are more than 120 active cricket clubs on the island. Women and girls make up 19% of participation numbers. Immigration to Ireland has boosted participation with 70% of people involved through Leinster being of non-Irish origin.

27,000 children participated in school programs in 2019.

{{Main|Cricket Ireland}}

The Irish Cricket Union (ICU) – the governing body of Irish cricket – was officially founded in 1923, although its predecessor had been active since 1890.

In 2007, it announced that it would undergo major structural changes in order to bring it in-line with the main cricket governing bodies.{{citation |url=http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/ireland/content/story/314284.html |title=ICU sets out major changes |author= |publisher=Cicinfo.com |date=8 October 2007 |access-date=13 November 2008 |archive-date=8 December 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071208111814/http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/ireland/content/story/314284.html |url-status=live }} Retrieved on 11 November 2008.

In 2008, the Irish Cricket Union was formally dissolved and replaced with Irish Cricket Union Limited,{{Cite web |title=New era for Irish cricket |url=https://cricketeurope.com/DATABASE/ARTICLES2/articles/000026/002675.shtml |access-date=2023-02-01 |website=cricketeurope.com |archive-date=1 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230201213921/https://cricketeurope.com/DATABASE/ARTICLES2/articles/000026/002675.shtml |url-status=live }} which would go by the trading name of Cricket Ireland.{{Cite web |title=ICU becomes Cricket Ireland |url=https://cricketeurope.com/DATABASE/ARTICLES2/articles/000029/002921.shtml |access-date=2023-02-01 |website=cricketeurope.com |archive-date=1 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230201213922/https://cricketeurope.com/DATABASE/ARTICLES2/articles/000029/002921.shtml |url-status=live }} A new governance structure was implemented, with the Board of Directors comprising a chair, six nominees from four Provincial Unions and five independent directors. All Board members are non-executive and act in a voluntary capacity.{{Cite web |last=Ireland |first=Cricket |date=February 2023 |title=Independent Non-Executive Directors Candidate Brief |url=https://www.cricketireland.ie/images/uploads/news_images/independent_director_-_position_description_neds_2023.pdf |website=CricketIreland.ie |access-date=1 February 2023 |archive-date=1 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230201213921/https://www.cricketireland.ie/images/uploads/news_images/independent_director_-_position_description_neds_2023.pdf |url-status=live }}

Warren Deutrom has served as CEO since 2006.{{Cite web |title=Warren Deutrom appointed Ireland chief executive |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/warren-deutrom-appointed-ireland-chief-executive-260767 |access-date=2023-02-01 |website=ESPNcricinfo |archive-date=1 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230201213922/https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/warren-deutrom-appointed-ireland-chief-executive-260767 |url-status=live }}

{{Main|Ireland cricket team}}

The Ireland cricket team is the cricket team representing all Ireland (i.e., both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland). They compete in Test, ODI and T20I competitions in international cricket. Ireland was granted ODI status after finishing second in the 2005 ICC Trophy, while also qualifying for the 2007 Cricket World Cup, the first time they had done so. They were awarded Test status in 2017.{{Cite journal |date=2017-06-22 |title=Ireland awarded Test status after 10-year quest |url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/cricket/2017/0622/884643-irelands-await-test-status-verdict-after-10-year-quest/ |language=en |archive-date=13 June 2018 |access-date=1 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180613161145/https://www.rte.ie/sport/cricket/2017/0622/884643-irelands-await-test-status-verdict-after-10-year-quest/ |url-status=live }}

In the period before and after obtaining ODI status, Ireland lost a number of their most talented players to England. This was due to Ireland's lack of professional wages and an inability to play Test cricket. Since gaining Full Member status, a senior player has not left the play elsewhere internationally.

Dublin-born batsman Ed Joyce had played with some success as part of Ireland's ICC Trophy team and became a key member of the Sussex side in England's County Championship; he also previously captained Middlesex in the 2004 season. Joyce decided to declare to for England in 2005 in order to try to play Test cricket,{{Cite web |title=Ed Joyce announces retirement from all forms of cricket {{!}} Cricket Ireland |url=https://www.cricketireland.ie/news/article/ed-joyce-announces-retirement-from-all-forms-of-cricket#:~:text=After%20appearing%2050%20times%20for,century%20against%20Australia%20in%202007. |access-date=2023-02-01 |website=www.cricketireland.ie |archive-date=1 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230201225223/https://www.cricketireland.ie/news/article/ed-joyce-announces-retirement-from-all-forms-of-cricket#:~:text=After%20appearing%2050%20times%20for,century%20against%20Australia%20in%202007. |url-status=live }} he was called up in 2006 and made his ODI debut against Ireland.{{Cite web |title=Full Scorecard of England vs Ireland Only ODI 2006 - Score Report {{!}} ESPNcricinfo.com |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/england-tour-of-ireland-2006-224899/ireland-vs-england-only-odi-225171/full-scorecard |access-date=2023-02-01 |website=ESPNcricinfo |archive-date=1 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230201225223/https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/england-tour-of-ireland-2006-224899/ireland-vs-england-only-odi-225171/full-scorecard |url-status=live }} Joyce never played a Test for England and returned to play for Ireland in 2011. He retired in 2018 and is now Head Coach of the Ireland Women's team.{{Cite web |last=McCormack |first=Richie |title=Ed Joyce confirmed as permanent Ireland women's head coach |url=https://www.offtheball.com/other-sports/ed-joyce-confirmed-permanent-ireland-womens-head-coach-905905 |access-date=2023-02-01 |website=OffTheBall |language=en |archive-date=1 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230201225223/https://www.offtheball.com/other-sports/ed-joyce-confirmed-permanent-ireland-womens-head-coach-905905 |url-status=live }}

Talented batsman Eoin Morgan who earlier represented Ireland in tournaments including the ICC World Cup and the ICC World Twenty20 qualified and played for England, making no secret of his desire to play Test cricket. He played 16 Tests for England and captained the ODI team to victory in the 2019 Cricket World Cup.{{Cite web |title=Eoin Morgan Profile - Cricket Player England {{!}} Stats, Records, Video |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/cricketers/eoin-morgan-24598 |access-date=2023-02-01 |website=ESPNcricinfo}}

Former Ireland seamer Boyd Rankin also joined England in 2013 before returning to play for Ireland until retiring in 2021.{{Cite web |title=Ireland seamer Boyd Rankin announces retirement |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/ireland-seamer-boyd-rankin-announces-retirement-1263741 |access-date=2023-02-01 |website=ESPNcricinfo |archive-date=1 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230201225221/https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/ireland-seamer-boyd-rankin-announces-retirement-1263741 |url-status=live }}

After the World Cup, Irish cricket experienced a dip in success with poor results in the 2007 Friends Provident Trophy as many players were unavailable. The Irish cricket team was an amateur side at the time and most of the players had full-time jobs with commitments conflicting with cricket.{{citation |author=Andrew McGlashan |title=Tough at the top |date=1 September 2007 |url=http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/ireland/content/story/308932.html |publisher=Cricinfo.com |access-date=13 November 2008 |archive-date=4 September 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070904174308/http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/ireland/content/story/308932.html |url-status=live }} Retrieved 10 November 2008. After the World Cup there were delays in paying the players which resulted in them ignoring the press in protest to their treatment after an Intercontinental Cup match against Kenya.

Warren Deutrom, the chief executive of the ICU, had stated that it wanted to "seek actively to place Irish players into top-level cricket, by developing relationships with [especially] county cricket which will incorporate appropriate player release for Irish international duty, and feeder systems for developing Irish cricketers". The reorganised ICU's sought to make closer links with the English counties, encourage the development of age group cricket, and to introduce a professional element into the Irish game. They also want to take the Irish cricket team on winter tours more often. In an attempt to prevent the game losing players to counties or other commitments such as jobs, it was suggested that central contracts should be introduced.{{citation |author=Andrew McGlashan |title=Early promise gives way to uncertainty |date=23 December 2007 |url=http://content-www.cricinfo.com/ireland/content/story/327056.html |publisher=Cicinfo.com |access-date=13 November 2008 |archive-date=3 January 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090103033758/http://content-www.cricinfo.com/ireland/content/story/327056.html |url-status=live }} Retrieved on 11 November 2008.

{{See also|County cricket}}

Ireland, along with Scotland, has at times played in competitions for English county cricket sides, including the Benson & Hedges Cup and the Friends Provident Trophy (previously the C&G Trophy). Since there is no nationality restriction in county cricket, non-Irish players have competed for Ireland in these matches. For example, Hansie Cronje of South Africa competed for Ireland in the 1997 Benson & Hedges Cup,{{citation |title=Hanse Cronje |url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/2/2009/2009.html |publisher=CricketArchive.com |access-date=9 September 2017 |archive-date=16 November 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111116222823/http://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/2/2009/2009.html |url-status=live }} Retrieved on 10 November 2008. and more recently New Zealander Jesse Ryder played for Ireland in 2007.{{citation |author= |title=Ryder no-show for Ireland |date=28 May 2007 |url=http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/newzealand/content/story/296125.html |publisher=Cricinfo.com |access-date=13 November 2008 |archive-date=10 July 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120710110501/http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/newzealand/content/story/296125.html |url-status=live }} Retrieved on 10 November 2008. In 2004 Ireland beat Surrey by five wickets in the C&G Trophy.{{citation |title=Last chance for the giant-killers |date=30 April 2005 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/4500887.stm |publisher=BBC Online |access-date=13 November 2008 |archive-date=23 August 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060823041420/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/4500887.stm |url-status=live }} Retrieved on 10 November 2008.

For the 2006 season, the C&G Trophy was reorganised to include a round-robin stage instead of being entirely knock-out. Whereas Ireland had only one match guaranteed in the tournament before, they now had more fixtures against English county sides. For the 2006 tournament, they were bolstered by the signings of Saqlain Mushtaq and Shahid Afridi, the two overseas players they were allowed when competing in English domestic competitions. Ireland recorded one win in their nine matches.{{citation |title=Cheltenham & Gloucester Trophy – Points Table |url=http://uk.cricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/2006/ENG_LOCAL/C+G/C+G_2006_TABLE.html |year=2006 |publisher=Cricinfo.com |access-date=13 November 2008 |archive-date=5 July 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080705184326/http://uk.cricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/2006/ENG_LOCAL/C+G/C+G_2006_TABLE.html |url-status=live }} Retrieved on 10 November 2008. Their victory was over Gloucestershire on 30 April by 47 runs.{{citation |author= |title=Ireland spin their way to upset |date=30 April 2006 |url=http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/ireland/content/story/245844.html |publisher=Cricinfo.com |access-date=13 November 2008 |archive-date=29 July 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120729103816/http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/ireland/content/story/245844.html |url-status=live }} Retrieved on 10 November 2008.

The C&G Trophy changed its name to Friends Provident Trophy for the 2007 season. In 2007, Ireland played in the Friends Provident Trophy against nine English county sides. Of those nine matches, they lost six and the remaining three matches were abandoned due to rain. They finished bottom in the South Conference of the trophy.{{citation |title=Friends Provident Trophy, 2007 |url=http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/countycricket2007/engine/series/268020.html?view=pointstable |year=2007 |publisher=Cricinfo.com}} Retrieved on 10 November 2008. For the 2008 season, the round-robin section of the trophy was changed from two divisions to three; Ireland was in the newly formed Midlands Division. In 2008, Ireland played eight games in the Midlands Division, winning one match with one no result and six losses. They finished fifth in the division which had five teams.{{citation |title=Friends Provident Trophy, 2008 |url=http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/countycricket2008/engine/series/319688.html?view=pointstable |year=2008 |publisher=Cricinfo.com |access-date=13 November 2008 |archive-date=1 January 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090101214932/http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/countycricket2008/engine/series/319688.html?view=pointstable |url-status=live }} Retrieved on 10 November 2008. Ireland's four wicket victory over Warwickshire on 16 May was Ireland's first win in the competition against a county side for two years.{{citation |title=Porterfield leads Ireland to win |date=16 May 2008 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/counties/7405774.stm |publisher=BBC Online}} Retrieved on 10 November 2008. Captain William Porterfield anchored the innings with 69 runs.{{citation |author= |title=Porterfield helps down Warwickshire |date=16 May 2008 |url=http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/ireland/content/story/351199.html |publisher=Cricinfo.com |access-date=13 November 2008 |archive-date=10 July 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120710164125/http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/ireland/content/story/351199.html |url-status=live }} Retrieved on 10 November 2008.

The Inter-Provincial Series ('Interpros') was introduced for the first time in 2013 as part of Cricket Ireland's strategy to attain Test status by 2020. It featured three teams representing their respective provincial unions: Leinster Lightning, North West Warriors, Northern Knights. Munster Reds were added to the T20 competition in 2017{{Cite web |title=Munster will play in T20 Interpros |url=https://www.cricketeurope.com/DATABASE/ARTICLES2017/articles/000030/003099.shtml |access-date=2023-02-01 |website=www.cricketeurope.com}} and then the List A competition in 2021.{{Cite web |title=Munster added to 50 over interpros |url=https://cricketeurope.com/DATABASE/ARTICLES2021/articles/000002/000228.shtml |access-date=2023-02-01 |website=cricketeurope.com |archive-date=1 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230201213923/https://cricketeurope.com/DATABASE/ARTICLES2021/articles/000002/000228.shtml |url-status=live }} Connacht Cricket Union do not take any part in these competitions.{{Cite web |url=http://www.planetcricket.net/forums/cricket-leagues/intercontinental-champions-cup-second-champion-confirmed-81973.html |title=Intercontinental Champions' Cup - Second champion confirmed - PlanetCricket Forums |access-date=2013-03-31 |archive-date=2014-03-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140310230703/http://www.planetcricket.net/forums/cricket-leagues/intercontinental-champions-cup-second-champion-confirmed-81973.html |url-status=dead }}

The multi-day competition is called the Inter-Provincial Championship. In October 2016, the International Cricket Council agreed to award the competition first-class status as part of efforts to elevate Ireland to becoming a Full Member.{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ireland/content/story/1061711.html |author= |title=Ireland domestic competition awarded first-class status |publisher=ESPNCricInfo |date=14 October 2016 |access-date=15 October 2016 |archive-date=15 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161015111519/http://www.espncricinfo.com/ireland/content/story/1061711.html |url-status=live }} The competition was not held in 2020 due to the Coronavirus pandemic and has yet to return.{{Cite web |title=Interpros to return next month |url=https://cricketeurope.com/DATABASE/ARTICLES2020/articles/000008/000811.shtml |access-date=2023-02-01 |website=cricketeurope.com |archive-date=1 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230201213923/https://cricketeurope.com/DATABASE/ARTICLES2020/articles/000008/000811.shtml |url-status=live }} Leinster Lightning have been the most successful team in the competition, winning six of the seven seasons.{{Cite web |title=News {{!}} Cricket Ireland |url=https://www.cricketireland.ie/general/test-triangle |access-date=2023-02-01 |website=www.cricketireland.ie |archive-date=1 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230201213921/https://www.cricketireland.ie/general/test-triangle |url-status=live }}

The one-day competition is called the Inter-Provincial Cup. At the same time that the ICC awarded first-class status to the Inter-Provincial Championship, List A status was also conferred on the Inter-Provincial Cup. Leinster Lightning have been the most successful team in the competition, winning eight of the ten seasons.

The 20 over competition is called the Inter-Provincial Trophy. The competition also received official Twenty20 status in October 2016. Leinster Lightning have been the most successful team in the competition, winning seven of the ten seasons.

In a Cricket Ireland press release, High Performance Director Richard Holdsworth explained the process for the provinces to award contracts for the Interpros. He said that each team would be allowed to award sixteen contracts. These contracts would not involve regular salaries for reasons of budget, but they would include match fees and help with expenses such as travel and gym memberships.

To be eligible for a contract, a player must either be an Irish national or play for an Irish club in one of the five cricketing provinces. Holdsworth said that the Interpros should provide a direct pathway into the Ireland side, but that retired internationals like Nigel Jones and Albert van der Merwe would still be eligible. Teams are allowed to play up to two non-Irish nationals in the Championship matches.

Each province would first have the opportunity to sign players from their own province, such as a Leinster-based player playing for Leinster, but players would also be able to play for non-local provinces if they preferred. He also said that provinces would be allowed to bring in players from outside their squads who are excelling in club cricket.

Club cricket is organised on a provincial basis, with each of four major provinces – Leinster, Munster, Northern and North West – organising its own senior leagues and cups.

Clubs within the Connacht Cricket Union, the smallest and newest provincial union, generally compete in Munster Union competition.

{{Main|Irish Senior Cup (cricket)}}

Since 1982, Cricket Ireland has organised the 50-over Irish Senior Cup on an all-Ireland basis. The competition has held a similar format since its inception – featuring 32 teams: ten clubs from each of Leinster, the North and North West, and two from Munster, producing a five-round knockout. At times entries have exceeded 32 teams, requiring the need for preliminary games.{{Cite web |title=News {{!}} Cricket Ireland |url=https://www.cricketireland.ie/general/irish-senior-cup |access-date=2023-02-03 |website=www.cricketireland.ie |archive-date=3 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203141751/https://www.cricketireland.ie/general/irish-senior-cup |url-status=live }}

Waringstown are the most successful team in the competition's history win six titles.{{Cite web |title=Irish Senior Cup Winners 1982-2021 – The ACS |url=https://acscricket.com/?page_id=2656 |access-date=2023-02-03 |language=en-GB |archive-date=3 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203141747/https://acscricket.com/?page_id=2656 |url-status=live }} CIYMS are the current holders, they beat Lisburn in the 2022 final.{{Cite news |title=CIYMS turn up the style to defeat Lisburn and win Irish Senior Cup |language=en-GB |work=BelfastTelegraph.co.uk |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sunday-life/sport/ciyms-turn-up-the-style-to-defeat-lisburn-and-win-irish-senior-cup/41942744.html |access-date=2023-02-03 |issn=0307-1235 |archive-date=3 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203141744/https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sunday-life/sport/ciyms-turn-up-the-style-to-defeat-lisburn-and-win-irish-senior-cup/41942744.html |url-status=live }}

The All-Ireland T20 Cup is the national club T20 competition in Ireland - bringing together the best T20 teams in club cricket across the provinces.

The men's competition began in 2017 and features the winner of each of the four Provincial Unions’ T20 club competition playing off in four team knockout format. The semi-finals and the final are played on the same day.{{Cite web |title=News {{!}} Cricket Ireland |url=https://www.cricketireland.ie/general/all-ireland-t20-cup |access-date=2023-02-03 |website=www.cricketireland.ie |archive-date=3 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203141748/https://www.cricketireland.ie/general/all-ireland-t20-cup |url-status=live }} CIYMS are the current holders of the Cup having beaten Cork Harlequins in the 2022 final.{{Cite news |last=Morton |first=Johnny |date=22 August 2022 |title=CIYMS celebrate All-Ireland trophy joy |work=News Letter |url=https://www.newsletter.co.uk/sport/cricket/ciyms-celebrate-all-ireland-trophy-joy-3814059 |access-date=3 February 2023 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230203135304/https://www.newsletter.co.uk/sport/cricket/ciyms-celebrate-all-ireland-trophy-joy-3814059 |archive-date=3 February 2023}}

The women's tournament 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. Merrion beat CIYMS in the 2022 final and are the current holders of the Cup.{{Cite web |last1=Irel |first1=Cricket |last2=August 2022 |first2=Cricket World Sunday 21 |title=Rebecca Stokell blasts a century as Merrion take All-Ireland T20 Cup honours |url=https://www.cricketworld.com/rebecca-stokell-blasts-a-century-as-merrion-take-all-ireland-t20-cup-honours/80783.htm |access-date=2023-02-03 |website=Cricket World |archive-date=3 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203170310/https://www.cricketworld.com/rebecca-stokell-blasts-a-century-as-merrion-take-all-ireland-t20-cup-honours/80783.htm |url-status=live }}

In 2019, Cricket Ireland, Cricket Scotland and the Royal Dutch Cricket Association announced the creation of a Twenty20 league competition, the Euro T20 Slam, involving two new city-based franchises per nation. In April of that year, it was confirmed that the as yet unnamed Irish franchises would be based in Dublin and Belfast.{{Cite web |last=Sharma |first=Harsh |date=2 April 2019 |title=Euro T20 Slam finalises the six participating cities |url=https://www.insidesport.in/euro-t20-slam-finalises-the-six-participating-cities/ |access-date=31 October 2021 |website=Insidesport.in |archive-date=31 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211031134952/https://www.insidesport.in/euro-t20-slam-finalises-the-six-participating-cities/ |url-status=live }}

The first season of the Twenty20 franchise-based league was scheduled to start in August 2019 but was postponed due to unforeseen reasons.{{cite web |title=Ireland, Scotland and Netherlands set to launch Euro T20 League |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/26150473/ireland-scotland-netherlands-set-launch-euro-t20-league |access-date=6 March 2019 |work=ESPN Cricinfo |archive-date=7 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190307000250/http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/26150473/ireland-scotland-netherlands-set-launch-euro-t20-league |url-status=live }} Cricket Ireland again announced postponement of the competition in 2021.{{Cite news |title=Ireland to face Netherlands in T20 series |language=en-GB |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/57601181 |access-date=2023-02-01 |archive-date=1 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230201213921/https://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/57601181 |url-status=live }}

There are four international cricket venues in Ireland that have been approved by the International Cricket Council to host international cricket.

Cricket Ireland is also committed to the creation of a fifth international ground in Abbotstown, West Dublin.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/46465940|title=Ireland to host ODI tri-series in May|work=BBC Sport|access-date=31 October 2021|archive-date=6 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181206150206/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/46465940|url-status=live}} In January 2023, Cricket Ireland was given the go ahead by Minister for Sport Catherine Martin to proceed with development in Abbotstown on the Sport Ireland campus. CEO Warren Deutrom said he expected work on pitches to begin in 2023 in order to be ready to co-host the 2030 T20 World Cup alongside England and Scotland.{{Cite journal |date=2023-01-29 |title=Deutrom: New stadium just what Irish cricket needs |url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/cricket/2023/0129/1352560-deutrom-new-stadium-just-what-irish-cricket-needs/ |language=en |archive-date=1 February 2023 |access-date=1 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230201234132/https://www.rte.ie/sport/cricket/2023/0129/1352560-deutrom-new-stadium-just-what-irish-cricket-needs/ |url-status=live }}

There is currently no international ground in either of the Munster or Connacht Cricket Union areas.

• Sport in Ireland
• Cricket in England

{{Reflist}}

• {{cite book |last=Bowen |first=Rowland |author-link=Rowland Bowen |title=Cricket: A History of its Growth and Development |year=1970 |publisher=Eyre & Spottiswoode }}

• [http://www.cricketireland.ie/ Official website of Cricket Ireland]
• [https://archive.today/20120723111929/http://www.cricketeurope4.net/CEIRELAND/ Cricket Europe Ireland Page]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20080720170827/http://www.cover-point.com/ Irish and Associates Cricket magazine]
• [http://www.northcountycricketclub.net/ North County Cricket Club, Dublin, Ireland]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20090727183203/http://www.sandyfordcc.org/modules.php?name=Downloads Sandyford Cricket Club: Google Earth plugin, cricket grounds in Ireland]

{{Ireland cricket team}}

{{Cricket in Ireland}}

{{Cricket in the British Isles}}

{{National Cricket Articles}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Cricket In Ireland}}