The benefits of being part of a global sport were clearly felt in the recent financial performance of Cricket Ireland. Revenues at the holding company which channels funding streams from home and abroad as well as media, sponsorship and other commercial income rose to €5.9 million in recently published accounts with over 70 per cent coming into Ireland from overseas.
Sport Ireland and Sport Northern Ireland funding accounted for less than 15 per cent of the overall income, a healthier balance between public and private funding than would be the case in many Irish sports.
The biggest wins were in funding from the International Cricket Council, which like UEFA in relation to soccer is a major ally in terms of support and finance.
Major international partnership deals with KPC Group and Shapoorji Pillonji also made up a significant financial boost and have allowed the sport to continue on its path towards full test status. This was moved a step closer with the raising of the international status of the Inter Provincial series at last months ICC Board meeting.
Television income also rose by 50 per cent to €362,000 in 2015 following broadcast deals with Sky, ESPN, Asian TV Network and Irish TV.
Ireland will host seven international one day matches in the men’s game next year with Malahide, Clontarf and Storming dividing games against Bangladesh, New Zealand and the West Indies.
The Senior Women’s team will host ten matches against South Africa and Bangladesh in August and September of 2017.
The Cricket Ireland Annual Awards take place in the Thomas Prior Hall at the Maldron Hotel in Dublin on Friday November 11th, with Rob Hartnett of Sport for Business as host for the day. Kevin O’Brien, Ed Joyce and Tim Murtagh have been nominated for the KPC Group Men’s International Player of the Year with Isobel Joyce, Ciara Metcalfe and Kim Garth the top three in the cricketshop.ie Women’s International Player of the Year category.
