Cricket Ireland have given out 33 full-time central contracts for the next 12 months, an increase from 28 last year.

In total there are 25 men and 23 women named in the two lists, with four men on retainers and Reuben Wilson, one of seven new names in the men’s list, on an education contract.

In a busy summer for the women, Ava Canning, Christina Coulter Reilly, Amy Hunter, Louise Little and Rebecca Stokell have all deferred their studies and been given full-time contracts, bringing the number to 13,  (up from 11 last year) ahead of the T20 World Cup in England. Four others remain on educational contracts and there are also five on casual contracts.

The new men’s full-time central contracts are awarded to Ben Calitz, Cade Carmichael, Jordan Neill and Liam McCarthy, who all made their Ireland senior debuts in 2025 plus Stephen Doheny and Gavin Hoey, who like McCarthy are promoted from part-time contracts.

There are retainer contracts for Tom Mayes and Tim Tector, the other debutants last year as well as Matthew Hollard, who like Wilson is rewarded for his performances in last year’s inter-provincials.

The big losers are Graham Hume and Neil Rock who have gone from full-time to nothing and Fionn Hand, Matthew Foster and Morgan Topping who have lost their part-time contracts. Ben White has also lost his full-time contract but gets a retainer.

“It’s always a very tough decision to not retain players that have made personal sacrifices in committing to Cricket Ireland and giving huge amounts of effort to progress and develop. I wish these players continued success both on the cricket field and in the alternative paths they chose to follow,” said CI High Performance Director Graham West.

The Women’s squad have lost the retired Sophie McMahon and Freya Sargent who has stepped away from international cricket and Sarah Forbes returns to education from a full-time contract. The only other changes in the Women’s list are Jane Loughran who, having finished her studies, gets a casual contract and Lara McBride is promoted from casual to a retained contract.