Railway Union are back in the top tier of Leinster cricket after they finished second behind Rush in the Championship, and are quietly confident they can acquit themselves well in the top flight.

Last season was one of inconsistency for Glendermott, who on their day could beat anyone, but on the flip side were prone to losses from strong positions.

It was an exciting 2024 for Bangor who not only gained promotion to Section One, but also collected a T20 trophy for good measure.

Leah Paul hammered 67 not out from 40 balls, and Gaby Lewis and Amy Hunter both scored half-centuries in Lahore yesterday as Ireland worked off some of their World Cup qualifying frustrations with a 46-run victory over Thailand.

A 115 run eighth wicket partnership isn't enough as Scotland are beaten by Bangladesh in Lahore.

It was a relatively disappointing 2024 for North Down who never came close to capturing silverware, and they will be hoping for better fortunes under new captain Tyron Koen.

Ireland managed to beat Thailand by 46 runs to get their first win of the qualifiers but it was too little, too late.

Waringstown legend Lee Nelson has confirmed his retirement from senior cricket.

There have been a few changes up the Kildoag Road over the close season, with Bonds Glen still hopeful of mounting a real challenge in the Championship.

There hasn't been much change for the Villagers over the close season and have been handed a further boost by having Graham Ford once again as Coach.

JOSH LITTLE could return to domestic action this season for the first time since 2022 after being named in an ultra-strong Leinster Lightning list under new captain Lorcan Tucker.

Pakistan maintained their unbeaten record in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 Qualifier with a comprehensive, 65-run victory over the West Indies.

Ireland Test captain Andrew Balbirnie has been confirmed as a North West Warriors player for this season’s Inter-provincial Cup and Trophy games.

There's a familiar feel to the Burndennett squad, albeit with one high profile departure as Mark Pollock has moved down the A5 to Bready.

Downpatrick Cricket Club is gearing up for an exciting and competitive season as they step into the Northern Cricket Union Senior League Section 1 following their promotion last year.

Ireland's games are entertaining but ultimately infuriating thanks to the final result.

Ireland Wolves won the first half of both innings in their opening match of the Tri-series in Abu Dhabi but threw away their advantage to go down to a 45 runs defeat by Sri Lanka A.

Ireland threw away a winning position for the third time in five days in Lahore last night and their hopes of qualifying for the 50-overs World Cup are over after another heartbreaking loss to Bangladesh by two wickets.

A closely fought final sees Kuwait pick up a first ever win over Nepal in the T20 format.

A three wicket win over Cook Islands in the final in Bali.

A 58 run win over fellow associates Thailand keeps Scotland in the qualification hunt.

Ireland Under 19s finished their Zimbabwe tour on a high and denied the hosts a clean sweep in the five-match YODI series in Harare.

Arlene Kelly and Cara Murray took Ireland to the brink of what would have been a sensational victory over the West Indies in Lahore yesterday only to fall agonisingly short in a World Cup qualifying thriller.

Eddie Richardson takes over the captaincy armband and he will have a new overseas player plus three ins - two of whom are very familiar to the Balrothery side having played there previously.

Ireland Wolves were comprehensively beaten by an innings and 94 runs in their first-class fixture against Afghanistan A in Abu Dhabi.

There may have been a change of venue but it was a familiar tale of woe for Ireland Under 19's as they lost again to Zimbabwe in the fourth match of their youth ODI series.

Donemana captured the Premiership title on a dramatic last day in 2024, and they will once again be among the favourites for league glory this time around.

Lurgan enjoyed an excellent campaign on their return to Section One in 2024, and almost made the top flight as they pushed eventual champions Templepatrick all the way in the promotion race.

It was a relatively disappointing campaign for Fox Lodge, whose Championship challenge petered out as neighbours Strabane got the promotion  berth.

Rush enjoyed a very productive 2024 winning the Championship and National Cup with a series of impressive displays.

Pembroke's Dan Murray led a spirited Irish fightback but it was in vain as Zimbabwe edged the third youth ODI by two wickets to take an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series.

Zimbabwe Under 19s took a 2-0 lead in the five-match series against Ireland U19 with a ultimately comfortable 12 runs victory.

The countdown to next year’s Under 19 World Cup started for Ireland in one of the two host countries with a four wickets defeat by Zimbabwe at the Harare Sports Club.

His time with Sussex may have ended but Sam Topping is hoping a new chapter will begin in an Ireland shirt as part of the Wolves squad that is in the UAE for a Tri-series with Afghanistan and Sri Lanka.

Cricket Ireland grows as a company while outside funding increases. Yet more cricket is not being played. What is going on?

There was sad news this week with the death of former international Pat Dineen. By way of tribute we reproduce Edward Liddle's biography of the Munster legend.

Ireland Test captain Andrew Balbirnie looks set to be transferred to the North West Warriors for the 2025 interpro season.

Fixtures for the 2025 season of the Inter-Provincial Series have been released – this year the T20 Trophy competition will be played across four three-day festivals across Ireland.

Fixtures for the 2025 season of the Super Series have been released – this year the T20 Trophy competition will include three two-day festivals to provide a solid lead-in to the T20 World Cup European Qualifier in August. 

It seems the bigwigs have lost sight of the fact that their primary role is to stage games of cricket.

Ireland will play home series against West Indies and England as previously announced, but their continued financial constraints have led to the scrapping of the series against Afghanistan.

Mark Adair and Orla Prendergast crowned successful years in international cricket with the premier prizes at the 13th Business Plus Irish Cricket Awards.

Mark Adair and Orla Prendergast were the big winners at the 13th Irish Cricket Awards held in Dublin, as they were respectively named Men’s and Women’s International Player of the Year for 2024. 

The draw has been made for the first round of the National Cup.

While the wait continues for the international summer schedule to be confirmed, the governing body has confirmed the dates for the All-Ireland T20 competition's this summer.

The draw has been made for the first round of the Irish Senior Cup with some intriguing ties down for decision on May 17th.

Two tiered Tests, inaction on Afghanistan and the return of the "EuroSlam".

Can we look forward to Ireland Men playing more cricket in 2025? Will the artist formerly known as the Euroslam finally be debuting in 2025?

Cricket Ireland are hopeful that the new venture finally gets off the ground unlike the ill-fated Euroslam tournament.