North Down have been something of a sleeping giant in recent times when it comes to major silverware but are still capable of beating anyone on their day given the array of talent at their disposal.

The NCU have confirmed that they have pushed back the start of the 2026 season by one week, with games now slated to start on Saturday May 2nd.

Strabane achieved their primary focus last season by surviving in the cut-throat world of the Premiership, and will be look to consolidate their position in the top flight once again this season.

After securing a Munster Senior Treble and retaining their status in the Leinster Premier League, the side is looking to establish itself further at the top level of Irish cricket.

Philippe Le Roux has started the season with a bang as he made an unbeaten double hundred for Loughborough University against Leeds in the British Universities Championship.

There hasn't been too much activity over the winter at Malahide, but there have been a few changes for the season ahead, including Greg Ford as their new player/coach.

After challenging for trophies in recent years, Woodvale found 2025 more of a challenge and have added some depth and quality to their ranks with four signings.

It's been a pretty quiet close season up at Championship winners Fox Lodge who have adopted if it ain't broke, don't fix it approach.

Donemana have confirmed the signing of pace bowler Melvin Deveraj from Merrion.

They have more or less a settled squad with only the departure of Barry Scott being more than compensated for by the return of Subhan Shirzad from Strabane, and the arrival of Mark Pollock from Bready via Burndennett.

It's been a tough winter for exits all for a variety of reasons with Jared and Varun both returning back to the north west for reasons outside of cricket and a change in Passport and Pro.

Rush Cricket Club enter the 2026 season with a settled and familiar squad, strengthened by the return of an overseas player in Isaac Bird.

All-rounder Brandon Kruger has joined Knockharley from The Hills.

Indian born opening bowler Melvin Deveraj is believed to be on the cusp of a move to the North West where he hopes to play a major role for the Warriors in the interprovincial series.

It's been a bit of a fairytale year for Laurelvale, who after an impressive 2025 to finish runners-up in Section One, got an unexpected chance to play in the Premiership after Carrickfergus declined their promotion.

There's been a bit of change at Castle Avenue over the winter, with a new overseas professional in Sam Morgan, plus some departures and arrivals.

After the struggles of 2024, Coleraine were much more consistent last season, indeed flirting with a title challenge at one juncture before losing their way somewhat in the home straight.

Gaby Lewis continued where she left off last season for Lancashire by making it back-to-back centuries for the Ireland captain in a whopping 149-run win over Durham.

There's been a rebranding over the close season at Belmont with the artist formerly known as CIYMS now being known as CI.

Dave Sihra on the importance of World Cup qualification for media interest and coverage.

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

CRICKET Ireland has decided to go ahead with hosting a five-match series with Afghanistan despite its CEO talking of her ‘moral discomfort’ and ‘abhorrence’ at how that country oppresses women and girls.

CRICKET Ireland have finally announced their 2026 home fixtures with only a marginally larger list than last year’s much-criticised programme.

In a major slap in the face for Dublin-based supporters, Cricket Ireland has announced a pitiful summer schedule of just eight men’s international matches — spread over 11 days — all to be played in Belfast and Co Tyrone.

New Cricket Ireland CEO Sarah Keane and High Performance Director Graham West met the media for the first time on Friday as, along with CI chairman Brian McNeice, they unveiled what they called a landmark year of fixtures and strategic momentum.

The Women's Super Series will this year feature only two teams – the Dragons and the Typhoons, with the Scorchers deemed surplus to requirements.

As revealed last November, Munster have been culled from the senior interprovincial ranks.

Ireland Women have a busy summer in store with a guaranteed 15 fixtures including at least five in their World Cup group.

IRELAND have confirmed a maiden first Test against New Zealand will be held in Belfast from May 27th to 30th.

Paul Stirling has stepped down as captain of the Ireland T20 side to give his successor — either Lorcan Tucker or Harry Tector — the longest possible time to prepare for the next World Cup in 2028.

John Mooney is the new fielding coach of Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League after successful spells with Afghanistan and West Indies.

PAUL Stirling has stepped down as captain of Ireland’s T20 side after the side’s failed World Cup campaign last month. Stirling will continue to be available as a player and will still captain the one-day international squad.

Afghanistan are due to play five matches in Ireland this summer - but should we be hosting representatives of a regime that has just legalised wife-beating? The idea that Sarah Keane will have to welcome officials from that regime and watch a side representing the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan standing beneath their flag on Irish soil is repugnant.

Holders Galway have been handed a home draw against the North-West's newest side Letterkenny in the opening round of the National Cup.

Former Irish international Jeremy Bray has been confirmed as the new Munster Cricket Pathway Manager.

JOHN MOONEY will fly off to India this weekend to take up the role of specialist fielding coach to the Delhi Capitals in one of the world’s most prestigious and lucrative sporting tournaments.

Australian Josh Hartill is on his way to Cork County for the 2026 campaign.

There were mixed fortunes for the 13 Irish internationals that put their names forward for The Hundred Draft last month.

Gaby Lewis will renew her rivalry with opposite number Kathryn Bryce at Old Trafford on the second day of the T20 World Cup this summer when Ireland take on Scotland in their opening Group 2 match.

Ireland have been drawn in the same group as hosts England, Scotland, West Indies, Sri Lanka and New Zealand for the World Cup that gets underway in June.

So, with a heavily stacked in–tray, the Irish Mail on Sunday identifies seven areas the chief executive must address to get Irish cricket back on track.

No fewer than 13 Ireland internationals have registered an interest in being involved in this season's Hundred competition in England.

County Galway are looking to build on their success of 2025 by the signing of West Indian all-rounder Jason Smith.

A comprehensive victory for Pakistan means that Ireland qualify for the next T20 World Cup.

Priyanaz Chatterji says Scotland are preparing for a ‘home away from home’ World Cup having booked their place at this summer’s showpiece.

The first ever century by an associate player at the T20 World Cup doesn't prevent New Zealand from securing their Super 8 place.

England survive a late scare against Italy but hold on to secure their place in the second round.

They need other results to go their way, but USA's faint hopes of a second consecutive Super 8 place remain alive.

A comprehensive 9 wicket win by the West Indies ends Nepal's Super 8 hopes.

The 2026 Under 19 World Cup drew to a close on Friday with India beating England in a high scoring game, dominated by Vaibhav Suryavanshi making 175. How did Ireland's cricketers perform? We look at the stats.

Arlene Kelly claimed the Player of the Match award in Kathmandu on Sunday as the Girls in Green trounced minnows Thailand by 62 runs to confirm their participation at the T20 World Cup which will be staged in England this summer.

Ireland Women sealed their berth at the T20 World Cup with a comprehensive victory by 62 runs against Thailand.

Ireland U19s ended their World Cup on Friday with a crushing 191-run defeat by Afghanistan at the Harare Sports Club.

Reuben Wilson took three wickets in Windhoek as Ireland gave the West Indies a scare before losing their first Super Sixes match at the U19 World Cup.

Adam Leckey took three wickets and followed up with a solid 44 to claim the Player of the Match award in Windhoek as Ireland squeezed past Japan by four wickets to secure a place in the Super Sixes of the U19 World Cup.

Dave Sihra talks with Kevin O'Brien about Italy's upcoming series against Ireland and the T20 World Cup.

Reuben Wilson and his skipper Olly Riley gave supporters a glimpse of the future in Windhoek but their efforts were in vain as Sri Lanka inflicted a second defeat on Ireland at the U19 World Cup, by 106 runs.

Rob O’Brien flew the flag for Dublin’s premier cricketing clan in Windhoek yesterday with a battling 79 as Ireland U19s opened their World Cup campaign against Australia with a eight-wicket defeat.

Handle with care. Dave Sihra takes a look at the prospects for the Ireland U19s at the World Cup that gets under way this week in Namibia and South Africa,

With (hopefully) World Cups upcoming for the men and women, not to mention a monumental change with the arrival of a new Cricket Ireland CEO, this year has the capacity to be one of the most important in recent memory. Even if we say that every January.