Play Cricket

Play Cricket

A new structure for Junior and Youth Cricket in Ireland

Cricket Ireland has developed a new structure for junior and youth cricket in Ireland that aims to provide more young cricketers with exciting, challenging, enjoyable cricket experiences.

This new structure will ensure that, for the first time, a consistent approach is being taken to junior and youth playing conditions and rule modifications across the country. The structure, and accompanying guidelines, places the players experience front-and-centre by simplifying rules and removing as many barriers as possible to ensure kids enjoy the game first-and-foremost.

The new structure and guidelines

New age and stage appropriate formats of the game have been introduced to offer more players more opportunities to play the game, including shorter pitch lengths and smaller boundaries. This means more action, more running, more balls in play, less wides, more boundaries, increased skill levels and more importantly more enjoyment.

>> Download an overview of the new Junior and Youth Cricket Structure

Talent identification is still a key area of interest to Cricket Ireland, and we have revised the Inter-Provincial boys competitions at Under-15s and Under-17s levels to become week-long tournaments, which will give players the opportunity to play both 50-over and T20 cricket formats. Fixtures will be released shortly.

Guidelines for each stage


The following information provides guidelines and recommendations for every level and stage of the new structure.

Please note: the representative pathway following Under-13s Regional / Zone / District moves into the Hanley Energy Under-15s and Under 17s Inter-Provincial Competition (details coming shortly).

  • Modified Cricket

    Modified Cricket

    Modified Cricket is an entry level game designed to help participants learn the basics of cricket (suitable for 5-12 year olds).

    Click here to to download Modified Cricket Guidelines (PDF)

  • Under-11s Cricket

    Under-11s Cricket

    Under-11s Cricket is where children learn to adapt to the basic skills of cricket in a T20 format (suitable for 8-11 year olds).

    Click here to to download Under-11s Cricket Guidelines (PDF)

  • Under-13s Cricket

    Under-13s Cricket

    Under-13s Cricket is a slightly modified version of traditional cricket where children learn to adapt to the skills of cricket.

    Click here to to download Under-13s Cricket Guidelines (PDF)

  • Under-15s Cricket

    Under-15s Cricket

    Under-15s Cricket uses the full skills of cricket in a T20 or 40 over maximum format.

    Click here to to download Under-15s Cricket Guidelines (PDF)

  • Under-17/19s Cricket

    Under-17/19s Cricket

    Under-17/19s Cricket uses the full skills of cricket in a T20 or 50 over maximum format.

    Click here to to download Under-17/19s Cricket Guidelines (PDF)

  • Under-13s Regional / Zone / District

    Under-13s Regional / Zone / District

    The first stage of representative youth cricket.

    Click here to to download Under-13s Regional / Zone / District Guidelines (PDF)