Financial director Andrew May, in his report to the meeting, said it had been a “significant year of progress” with €89m in government funding for the new stadium at Abbotstown.

He confirmed that although Malahide could not host the India matches in June because of a clash with concerts, the cost of a build for an international match at Malahide had tripled.

Ticket sales are strong for the two games against India in Belfast – “not a surprise” and also for the Test match, he said.

Cricket Ireland reported a total income of €17.45m for the year ending December 31, 2025, an increase of just over 1m on 2024, primarily due to match day and broadcasting income from the England fixtures in September and sponsorship. However, after accounting for interest and similar charges, the organisation recorded a deficit for the year of €73,248.

“While a modest deficit was recorded, this reflects planned investment in strategic priorities, including infrastructure development and the establishment of the ETPL, positioning the organisation for sustainable long-term growth.”

The chairman later confirmed that the CI budget for the year does not include the ETPL fees so while there will be a significant upside when the tournament goes ahead, “if it doesn’t happen, it will not have an impact on our accounts”.

At board level, David Richardson is standing down and there will be an advertisement for his replacement while Siobhan McBennett is also handing over her position as a Leinster delegate to Meena Baskarasubramanian.

With the President’s office now being on a male-female rotation, Siobhan was formally nominated as this year’s vice president with Bryan O’Donnell succeeding Donna Armstrong in the titular role for 2026-27

O’Donnell, a born and bred Cork County man, captained the side in the 1973 and in 1974, the club’s centenary year, and played Guinness Cup cricket for Munster from 1970-88, taking 77 wickets, including two seven-wicket hauls against North Leinster and Ulster Town. He was Munster captain in 1977.