Hands up, who thought it was an April Fool when word broke of the news that the supposedly cash strapped Cricket Ireland organization had gone and purchased two brand new Teslas in the region of 100k euros? Madness - both the decision and the band behind the song lyrics. Talk about not reading the room.

When the end came, it came quickly. Not planned, not even considered in advance.

A look back to 1999 and 2000 when the World Cup came to Ireland, and Clontarf did the double.

Deryck Vincent on the tremendous work carried out by Pat Bracken.

A look back to 1998 has the author in a Detention Centre, scoring a record century and experiencing mixed fortunes in the Irish Senior Cup.

Can it really be 30 years since Ireland took those first unsure steps on to the world stage, at the ICC Trophy in Nairobi?

A Bridge Too Far, Girl Power, Dead Certa, and Grounds for Optimism.

Sometimes we take ourselves and our sport too seriously. I am not advocating a frivolous attitude to our games, far from it, but sometimes there are more important things than a stick and ball game. 

Morecambe and Wise, Yes Minister, What's in a name and a record year for Arlene Kelly and Mark Adair.

It's back to 1996 and a double for The Hills, while Brigade win the Irish Cup and Clontarf retain the league.

It's 1995 and the return of professionals to Leinster cricket.

A look back at the 1994 season which saw trophy wins for Pembroke, YMCA and Clontarf.

A look back to 1993 when YMCA were the dominant force.

A look back to 1992 which saw sad news off the field, but some memorable ones on it.

A look back at 1991 where Deryck Vincent was a successful but reluctant captain.

A bit like the Irish weather forecast, 1990 would be good on occasions but with significant lows.

As a decade ended a new era began.  Having been granted senior status in 1983, The Hills came of age in the best way possible, winning not just their first but also their second trophy.

Succession planning or opt for the tried and tested - even though it's failed the test?

Deryck Vincent continues his trip down memory lane as Carlisle win the league, YMCA the cup, and a captain attempts to kill his team-mates.

Cricketing terminology. Its use - or sometimes - its misuse.

Claremont Road just isn’t what it used to be. The first hint is the large banner that hits you as soon as you enter the car park – draped over the pavilion wall is a banner bearing the name, and black, red and gold colours of Lansdowne Football Club, the new owners of the ground where YMCA has been playing cricket since 1890.

Umpiring guru Paddy O'Hara examines the origins of the popping crease and looks at recent match incidents in the Ashes and County Championship.

A look back at 1987 and a year to forget for Clontarf and the author.

1986 World Cup, Hurricane Charley and a WT win. Deryck Vincent continues his look back at Leinster cricket and the wider world.

Van Halen, brown M&Ms and ICC TV.

The second part of Deryck's All History is Personal series takes a look back at 1984 and 1985, with the emergence of a new star in the Leinster and Irish scene.

Why are batters digging trenches? Bring back the Readers Forum, 500-run victory margins in youth cricket and a 46-ball over?

All history is personal. Deryck Vincent with the first part of a look back at the 40 years of cricket in Leinster and beyond. We start with 1981 to 1983, and a debut on the day that Lady Diana Spencer married Prince Charles.

Looking at the West Indies elimination from World Cup qualification and "the death of West Indies cricket".

Looking at Rwanda's triumph in the Kwibuka Cup and its implications.

Mike Halliday with an in-depth look at the art of spin-bowling.

Odran Flynn looks ahead to Ireland's Test with England and examines a testing time for Irish cricket on and off the field.

Deryck Vincent on how to keep involved after it's time to hang up the boots.

A look at the recent news of the ICC's revenue split.

Ireland's bowling struggles in Asian conditions.

Fresh challenges as a new season dawns, a fixture for Ireland Wolves, sweet charity, and you say it best when you say nothing at all.

In at the deep end, golfing matters, squad rotation and sing when you're winning. Thoughts from Ireland's tour of Bangladesh.

Caring too much and is there a case for more rather than less in terms of matches and workload.

Looking at what cricket world cups should (but won't) learn from their baseball counterpart; Major League Cricket and the EuroSlam.

Former Irish international Deryck Vincent recalls some of his favourite grounds to watch and play cricket.

Ireland Women's fielding at the T20 World Cup, the lack of Wolves fixtures, and Eoin Morgan's retirement.

Looking at the ICC's Olympic proposal, the opening stages of the Women's Under-19 World Cup, and how Thailand's women have again been treated unfairly.

Josh Little strikes the jackpot, Ross Adair gets his opportunity, girl power at Board Level, while it's a big month for Ireland U19 women in South Africa.

As Ireland prepare for a visit to Zimbabwe this month, Deryck Vincent takes a look back at their historic tour of 1986.

Lack of diversity in Irish cricket, India coming for a summer tour, and cricket far from mainstream as far as RTE are concerned.

The nasty side of associate cricket on social media, an interesting development in the USA and Turkey lose an unwanted record.

Ian Chappell says something stupid, what if Thailand men played like their women's side and a missed opportunity for Ireland.

Covering Ireland in 2022, fears over the Abbotstown stadium, and good news for the North West with three players in the U19 Women's T20 World Cup squad.

Looking at the company the ICC keeps, bidding a not-so-fond farewell to the T20 World Cup "first round" and the longevity of Alejandro Ferguson.

Deryck Vincent on the trials and tribulations of youth cricket.

Looking at how the ICC might be falling behind with women's cricket, and at players switching countries.

It was while I was watching that enthralling rugby match between Ulster and Leinster at a very rainy Ravenhill – or should I say Kingspan? – that an idea that’s been lurking in the back of my mind for some time, crept into my consciousness.

And so it ends. It sometimes takes you by surprise when a season ends, sometimes you can't wait for it all to be over when the last month has dragged on with dead rubber after dead rubber.

Lies, damn lies and statistics. There is nothing the youngest in the house loves more than a stat. Actually, not true, there is nothing the youngest loves more than producing a stat.

A word in your ear, Joe 90 and a game that is full of noise.

The undesirables. All the people you don't want to be in Irish cricket.

Today sees the start of Heritage Week in Ireland, running from August 13-21. It also coincides with the 230th anniversary of what has long been regarded as the first documented account of a cricket match played in Ireland

Deryck Vincent on the cataloguing of the game in Ireland and those that carry out this important task.

A look at international cricket’s scheduling problems and whether those proposing solutions are answering the right questions.

Looking at the demise of the men's T20 World Cup Global Qualifier.

Thirty years ago, a long distant past to many, YMCA took on Clontarf in a high scoring game in Phoenix. It was the third time the teams had met in recent years with bruising defeats for Clontarf in 87 and 89.

Peter Prendergast on the joys of fielding.

Memories are made of this. Deryck Vincent takes a trip down memory lane.

Looking at recent comments by ICC chair Greg Barclay about the future of the game.

Deciphering another ICC press release that isn't quite the good news story it might seem.

Comparing the FairBreak Invitational and the European Cricket Network.

The sun is getting higher, the cool breeze is easing, just a bit. You can smell the new cut grass. Nights are longer, it all adds up to one thing. The start of a cricket season.

Developing your mental routine.

A look at the latest announcements by the ICC about women's ODI status for associates and the men's T20 World Cup pathway.

The first weekend of the season.

A look at Thailand women's bid for ODI status at the ongoing ICC meetings, and the end of the Kinrara Oval.

It’s time to stop over-thinking and enjoy yourself.

The best thing about team sport is that you have teammates. I often wonder about individual sports people and the lonely life of their chosen pastime. Perhaps it suits them. But it was team sport for me, cricket in the summer, rugby in the winter. What a treat, 10 teammates in the sun and a whopping 14 in the muck and rain.

To Hull and back - The ICC's haphazard qualifier coverage.

India are coming, but where? Andre Previn, Andriy Voronin and keeping the Wolves from the door.

Lewis Patrick (Podge) Hughes is remembered by Deryck Vincent.

Tim David, the IPL and Australia.

The recent players’ survey on the Irish grounds used for international games made for very uncomfortable reading for the clubs concerned. But was it fair?

All cricketers are equal but some are more equal than others. Animal Farm, the axing of Kevin O'Brien, and grounds for concern, as a damning players survey slams the facilities and grounds in Ireland.

Deryck Vincent argues why left-handers are in a league of their own.

There are only three things wrong with this team: they can't bat, they can't bowl and they can't field.

When pace ruled the world.

Did I miss again? A look at just how badly Ireland's predictions were missed in 2021.

With the modern game so favouring batters, is it time ball tampering was allowed to redress the balance argues former Irish international Simon Corlett.

You have heard the argument before, things were better in my day. Like it or not, we have probably all been guilty of making the statement and some definitively so. Maybe they were or perhaps not.

A look back at associate cricket in 2021.

Reading Deryck Vincent’s wonderful recollections of a great game in which we played together in 1986 inspired me to write my appreciation of it, and my experience as an Aussie in Ireland that season.

The trials and tribulations of youth squad selections.

Games you can't forget. Clontarf v YMCA, September 6th 1986.

Reviewing the ICC's streaming service, and a look at Commonwealth Games qualifying.

I thought I'd keep things a little light-hearted this week with a look at various people's experiences around the cricketing tea. From pond swill and turnip sandwiches to incredible feasts.

12th man duties: most team sports allow for substitutes, players who can replace injured players, a tactical rejig or let's face it, just because someone is having a shocker.

Say what you see.

The ICC has failed as a governing body.

The end of the ODI Super League and other ICC announcement plus an international round-up.

Scotland and Namibia in the T20 World Cup, ICC rankings nonsense, players with long careers and a round-up of recent qualifiers.

Looking at the performance of the associate sides in the T20 World Cup and what is to come for Scotland & Namibia. Also a round up of recent regional qualifiers.

Looking ahead to a busy period of international cricket, and back at some recent action.

Qualification in the time of Covid, more on the European women's qualifier and an international round-up.

Issues raised by the ongoing European qualifier for the Women's T20 World Cup, answering a question from last week and an international round-up.

Proper cricket and an international round-up.

Paras Khadka's retirement and news from the USA.

Cricket and the Olympics, thoughts on the Hundred and Sandeep Lamichhane missing out again.

Minor League Cricket, the controversy in Malta and Germany's winning run.

Associate players in franchise cricket, the World Cup Super League, more internationals on the way in Europe and whatever happened to the Global T20?

The Intercontinental Cup, time wasting and a feeling of normality.

World Cup expansion - the good, the bad and the unknown.

Mandatory release, dead rubbers, resources in local languages and rivalries resuming.

Common sense scheduling, Netherlands v Scotland and Major League Cricket.

Possible T20 World Cup expansion and return of the Intercontinental Cup, bamboo bats and looking forward to some international cricket.

Eric Clapton, Finnish snipers, Kawasaki bikes, Divine intervention, age is just a number, generation game, family matters, and it's good to talk, but don't engage.

Covid cancellations - actual and possible - and postponements, but some cricket remains.

Since I no longer play, coach nor administer the game of cricket, I am a bit of a sideline observer these days, an outsider looking in.

Down With This Sort Of Thing. Father Ted marketing ploys, food of the Gods, The Royle Family, fruits of the forbidden tree. My take on the interprovincial at Eglinton.

A deep dive into possible formats for a future 16 team World Cup.

The oldest swinger in town, teaching old dogs new tricks, identity crisis, Mike Gatting and Fifteen-to-one.

The European Super League, how many balls in an over, more on Olympic cricket and the Nepal tri-series.

A bridge too far, battle for hearts and minds, new stadium on the horizon, record year for the website plus good wishes to umpiring guru Paddy O'Hara.

The language of cricket, the Hundred and its American predecessor, and a chance of Olympic cricket.

Cricket Ireland are going to spend, spend spend. Getting more kids to play. Cunning plans, plus how to achieve real inclusion and diversity.

The associate inferiority complex, actual cricket taking place, associates on TV, Canadian season at risk?

Grounds for concern and optimism; senior and youth interpro news; kids' play; disappearance of the lefthanders; women's international prospects.

Giving Test status to a team that doesn't exist, USA franchise league, World Cup expansion and ODIs in Spain.

Lots and lots of government money for Cricket Ireland to spend. Can Cricket Ireland justify all those cars? A new chairman to replace Ross McCollum. Commonwealth Games presents opportunity to promote women's cricket in Northern Ireland.

Associate overseas players in county cricket, covid cancellations and cricket's intersection with baseball.

The Warriors go down a new path, the possibility of Test matches, the new domestic season, competition among the keepers, and the Wolves have been at the door.

Missing the Intercontinental Cup, the Dwayne Leverock catch, UAE player bans and US cricket administration.

The disappointment of the Wolves' performance in Bangladesh, still no matches for Ireland's Women, and St Patrick's Day remembered.

Women's world cup expansion, the Auty Cup and the T10 format.

A new chairman for Cricket Ireland, fixtures for Ireland's women, runs Down Under, the problems at Abbotstown, a new book on Irish cricket, and the approach of the new season.

The spectre of Covid, USA Under-19 championship, Everest Premier League and the return of Switzerland.

The CI awards, ten years on from Bangalore, Ireland's women to play again, a chastening experience for the Wolves, setbacks at Abbotstown.

Interpro movement; the Emerging Interpros; women are still waiting, Cricket Ireland staffing issues, and the absence of progress on a national stadium.

Cricket Ireland's interprovincial proposals mean there will be no equal distribution of talent, with Leinster Lightning keeping their almost exclusively international squad.

Interpro revamp to be unveiled; Irish And National Cups in 2021; Wolves ready to bay.

What we learned from Abu Dhabi; Big Roy; the irish Cup and women's international cricket.

New year, old problems; pastures new; good news; here come the girls; welcome to the world.