Meet the players
Kevin O’Brien
- Born On: 4 March 1984
- Club: Leinster Lightning
- Cap Number: 655
- Debut Match: June 2006 v Sussex
- Batting Style: Right-hand
- Bowling Style: Right arm medium-fast
- Career Best: 171* v Kenya in 2008 & 5-39 v Canada in 2010

Kevin is a man who will forever be remembered for one particular innings, though that alone will not do justice to one of Ireland’s most talented cricketers. That innings was, of course, his wonderful knock of 113, off only 63 balls, which enabled Ireland to resurrect their record chase of 327 from the desperate low of 111 for 5, to beat England by 3 wickets.
His century was reached in only 50 balls, which made it the fastest ever in World Cup history. That innings contained 6 sixes and 13 fours and will live long in the memory of cricket lovers across the world.
Kevin made his debut against Sussex at Castle Avenue in June 2006. As of the end of the the 2012 ICC World Twenty20, Kevin has played 186 matches, which is the 3rd highest of those who have played for Ireland. He has scored just under 4,151 runs (3,957 to be precise). This is 4th highest in terms of aggregate scorers for Ireland. Turning to bowling, Kevin has taken 141 wickets, and is the leading catcher for Ireland with 90 catches in all.
Kevin comes from a family steeped in cricket, all of whom have played their club cricket for Railway Union. His father, universally known as “Ginger”, played 52 times for Ireland (during a time when Ireland played significantly less internationals) and captained them on occasion. Kevin and his brother Niall have emulated their father in captaining Ireland, becoming the only father and two sons to do so.
While Kevin has played most of his cricket in Ireland, he has played in County Cricket also, representing Gloucestershire, Nottingham, Somerset and Leicestershire.
Follow Kevin on Twitter
Kevin O’Brien's statistics coming soon
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Balbirnie Replaces Kevin O’Brien in ICup Squad
March 25th 2017
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O’Brien recalls ICC U19 World Cup days
January 12th 2016
With just 15 days to go before the first ball is bowled in the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup Bangladesh 2016, Ireland star Kevin O’Brien recalls how his participation in this tournament helped him develop as a cricketer.
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Kevin O’Brien to miss Australia clash
August 26th 2015
Kevin O'Brien has been ruled out of the Hanley Energy Challenge ODI against Australia tomorrow.
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Nominees for 2014 Cricket Ireland Awards Announced
November 4th 2014
The nominations for the 2014 Cricket Ireland Awards have been announced, with Kevin O’Brien, Max Sorensen and William Porterfield all in the running for the RSA Men’s International Player of the Year Award.
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Balbirnie and O’Brien lead Leinster Lightning to victory
May 3rd 2014
Andrew Balbirnie scored an unbeaten century as Leinster Lightning overcame a poor start to beat the NW Warriors by 19 runs (D/L) in the opening match of the Newstalk Inter-Provincial Series at The Hills.
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Kevin O’Brien heading back to CPL
April 4th 2014
Ireland Vice-Captain Kevin O'Brien will be heading to the Caribbean again this summer as he was re-selected at the 2014 Caribbean Premier League Draft for the T & T Red Steel.
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O’Brien backing Ireland to make major impression in Bangladesh
March 3rd 2014
Ireland’s fourth consecutive ICC World Twenty20 appearance begins in two weeks’ time on St. Patrick’s Day against Zimbabwe.
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Ireland beat World Champions at Sabina Park
February 19th 2014
An ice-cool innings of 40 not out from Ireland veteran Ed Joyce has guided Ireland to an historic win against the World Champions, the West Indies at Sabina Park in Jamaica.
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Ireland lose heavily to Guyana in first game
January 31st 2014
Ireland lost their first match in the Nagico Super 50 this evening as they fell 114 runs short of Guyana's challenging total of 301 at the Queen's Park Oval in Port of Spain, Trinidad.
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Treble Winners Return Home
December 16th 2013
Some of Ireland's treble winning squad were present at a press conference at the Cricket Ireland offices in Dublin today as they marked an truly amazing 2013.
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Presidential Diary Part 19 - Treble Winners
December 14th 2013
Cricket Ireland President gives us the inside story on a historic day for Irish cricket as John Mooney led Ireland to a superb win over Afghanistan in the Intercontinental Cup Final and help crown Trent Johnston's career in the best possible way.
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Kevin O’Brien takes prestigious ICC Award
December 13th 2013
Kevin O'Brien may be on the pitch in Dubai as the ICC Intercontinental Final continues but he will receive some good news when the final ends as he has been named as the winner of the Associate and Affiliate Cricketer of the Year.
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O’Brien and Joyce nominated at LG ICC Awards 2013
December 3rd 2013
Kevin O'Brien and Ed Joyce have been named as two of the four nominees for the ICC Associate and Affiliate Cricketer of the Year at the 2013 LG ICC Awards.
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Ireland v Hong Kong Highlights
November 26th 2013
Catch the highlights as Paul Stirling produced a stunning Man of the Match performance to guide Ireland to automatic qualification for the ICC World Twenty20 finals in Bangladesh next March.
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Porterfield leads Ireland to crushing win over USA
November 20th 2013
A record breaking unbeaten 127 from Irish skipper William Porterfield inspired his side to a crushing 75 run win against USA in the sweltering desert heat of Abu Dhabi.
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Afghanistan and Ireland record thrilling victories on day three of the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier
November 18th 2013
Finalists from the last World Twenty 20 Qualifiers, Ireland and Afghanistan were stretched to the limits by their respective opponents before seizing victory on the third day of the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier UAE 2013 (WT20Q) on Sunday.
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Ireland start with comprehensive win
November 15th 2013
Paul Stirling's Man of the Match performance ensured Ireland got their defence of their T20 crown off to the perfect start as they beat Namibia by 34 runs in Abu Dhabi.
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Cricket Ireland Season Review Video 2013
November 14th 2013
A Review of the 2013 Irish Cricket Season so far released ahead of the ICC World Twenty 20 Qualifiers which start tomorrow in the UAE.
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ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier UAE 2013 gets under way tomorrow
November 14th 2013
One of the biggest tournaments in the ICC’s Associate and Affiliate Members’ (AM) calendars gets underway tomorrow when the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier UAE 2013 (WT20Q) commences. Sixteen teams will compete for the six available places in the tournament proper, to be staged in Bangladesh from 16 March to 6 April 2014.
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Ireland slump to 18 run defeat against Papua New Guinea
November 13th 2013
Ireland's T20 World Cup Qualifying warm up preparations were dealt a jolt as they slumped to a shock 18 run loss against Papua New Guinea in the searing heat of Dubai.
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Stirling stars as Ireland win T20 friendly in Dubai
November 9th 2013
Paul Stirling's half century helped Ireland to a 14 runs win in their T20 friendly against a strong Wings XI in Dubai.
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Simmons praises quality of Irish talent
October 25th 2013
Thirty-six players have been named in the Ireland National Performance and Emerging Players Squads.
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Ireland beat Scotland to Crown WCL Championship Title
September 9th 2013
Ireland completed back-to-back victories over traditional rivals Scotland as they romped to a seven wickets win on Sunday, to follow up their thrilling last over conquest of their Celtic cousins on Friday.
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Morgan Breaks Irish Hearts
September 4th 2013
England were given a probing work-out ahead of the upcoming five-game series with Australia but had captain Eoin Morgan and Ravi Bopara, who both struck unbeaten centuries, to thank as they survived a big scare to overcome a resilient Ireland side by six wickets in the RSA Challenge at Malahide.
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RSA Challenge: Ireland v England Preview
September 2nd 2013
The most significant moments in sport come when a game isn’t so much a game but a defining occasion or moment in time which yields significant ramifications for the long term.
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O’Brien calls for Irish win on September 3rd
August 28th 2013
Globetrotting Irish star believes history can be repeated at the opening of the new international ground at Malahide next week.
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Bangalore March 2nd, the Press Box View
August 23rd 2013
With less than two weeks to go now to the RSA Challenge, Emmett Riordan talks about a certain famous night in Bangalore and gets a very different perspective on March the 2nd 2011 and that infamous Kevin O'Brien innings.
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Kevin O’Brien stars for Trinidad
August 12th 2013
Kevin O'Brien helped get the Trinidad & Tobago Red Steel's stuttering start to the Caribbean Premier League Season going with a man of the match performance as they claimed their first points in the tournament so far.
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O’Brien Shines for Surrey at Lord’s
July 26th 2013
Kevin O'Brien's short stay with Surrey ahead of a trip to the Caribbean Premier League has proved a fruitful one following a man of the match performance for Surrey at Lord's last night.
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Leinster Lightning take RSA T20 Trophy
July 22nd 2013
The first trophy of the 2013 RSA Inter-Provincial Series went to the Leinster Lightning following an entertaining day's cricket at Bready Cricket Club.
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Kevin O’Brien signs for Surrey
July 18th 2013
Kevin O'Brien has signed a short-term deal with Surrey which will see him play for the club in three Friends LifeT20 matches before he jets off to the West Indies to play in the Caribbean Premier League for Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel.
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Ireland secure World Cup qualification after amazing tie against Netherlands
July 9th 2013
Ireland claim a place in the 2015 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand as they gain the point which also sees them win the World Cricket League title
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Ireland through to 2015 Cricket World Cup following thrilling TIE v Netherlands
July 9th 2013
William Porterfield's side played out a thrilling tie against the Netherlands which sealed Ireland's spot at the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup.
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Ireland defeat Netherlands by 88 runs
July 7th 2013
Ireland v Netherlands in the Pepsi ICC World Cricket League Qualifiers LIVE from Amstelveen.
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Dockrell spins Ireland to InterContinental Cup final
July 3rd 2013
George Dockrell claimed his best bowling figures in an Irish shirt to spin Ireland to a comprehensive 279 run win against The Netherlands with a day to spare in their InterContinental Cup clash in Deventer.
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The Best View in the House
June 27th 2013
Alex Cusack played an absolutely crucial role in Ireland's infamous win over England at the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup, he put on 162 in just 17 overs with Kevin O'Brien and was also privvy to the best view possible of the fastest century in the history of the Cricket World Cup.
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Leinster Lightning complete comprehensive win against Northern Knights
June 27th 2013
Leinster Lightning as expected completed a comprehensive innings win against the Northern Knights on the third day of their RSA Inter-Provincial clash at College Park.
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Leinster Lightning dominate first day against Northern Knights
June 26th 2013
Leinster Lightning completed dominated the Northern Knights on the first day of their 3 day-day RSA Championship clash at College Park Trinity.
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Ireland unchanged for crucial World Cup Qualifiers
June 24th 2013
Ireland have named an unchanged ODI squad for their crucial World Cup qualifers against The Netherlands next month.
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Leinster Lightning record emphatic win over Northern Knights
June 22nd 2013
Pat Collins and Barry McCarthy inspired Leinster Lightning to a comfortable 58 runs win over Northern Knights to record their second win of the day in the RSA T20 Trophy game at Sydney Parade.
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Test foot forward – Not content to simply make up the numbers
June 18th 2013
On that famous night in Bangalore, after Kevin O’Brien had launched a staggering counter-attack and smashed England’s potent bowling attack to all four corners, the dust began to settle on another remarkable achievement as another glorious chapter was etched into this country’s cricketing history.
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Leinster Lightning crush North West Warriors in one-sided contest
June 2nd 2013
Kevin O'Brien's excellent form continued as he crashed an unbeaten 71 from just 51 balls as his Leinster Lightning side crushed the North West Warriors by 149 runs in a one-sided contest at Malahide.
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Pakistan snatch remarkable victory
May 26th 2013
A 93 run partnership in just 10 overs between Kamran Akmal and Wahab Riaz snatched victory for Pakistan in a thrilling encounter at Clontarf Cricket Ground.
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Ireland tie a thriller
May 24th 2013
Ireland once again underlined their ability to compete with the heavyweights of world cricket as they came agonisingly close to recording another famous victory over Pakistan but in the end had to settle for a tie in the first One-Day International in Clontarf on Thursday.
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O’Brien relishing Pakistan challenge
May 8th 2013
Just two days left for fans to avail of special Early Bird tickets for the RSA Insurance Series - Ireland v Pakistan.
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Simmons challenges cricketers to make most of opportunity
April 30th 2013
Phil Simmons has challenged every player in Ireland to use the RSA Inter-Provincial Series as a route into the international team when the revamped tournament gets underway at The Hills next week.
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CricHQ strengthen partnership with Cricket Ireland
April 23rd 2013
Every fixture in the 2013 Cricket Ireland calender to be live scored via CricHQ on www.cricketireland.ie
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Cricket Ireland Launch Club Deal for RSA Challenge 2013
March 26th 2013
Full details of how clubs across Ireland can avail of special prices for the 2013 RSA Challenge
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Murtagh helps Ireland to six wickets win
March 21st 2013
Tim Murtagh produced his best spell in Irish colours to help his country finish their tour of the United Arab Emirates on a high, with a six wicket win over their hosts in a Twenty20 fixture.
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Johnston inspires Ireland to brink of World Cup
March 20th 2013
A sensational bowling spell from Trent Johnston coupled with a disciplined batting effort ensured Ireland won their second World Cup qualifying encounter against the United Arab Emirates in Sharjah.
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Ireland v UAE Match 1 Highlights
March 20th 2013
Full highlights of Ireland's 5 wicket win over the UAE on Monday in Sharjah where Gary Wilson's Composed 72 not out steered Ireland home to crucial victory.
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Wilson guides Ireland home to win over UAE
March 17th 2013
Ireland were superb in the field in Sharjah and a gem of an innings from Gary Wilson with a little help from Kevin O'Brien and John Mooney steered Ireland home to send them 4 points clear at the top of the ICC World Cricket League Championship Table.
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Back the Boys in Green for Australia 2015
March 15th 2013
Cricket Ireland looks for the Irish public to get behind their nation's cricketers as they push for qualification to the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup in Australia and New Zealand
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Ireland frustated by stubborn UAE
March 14th 2013
Ireland's cricketers endured a tough examination in the searing sun of Sharjah but still have the upper hand after the third day of their InterContinental Cup clash against the UAE.
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Irish cricket’s glory night – two years on
March 2nd 2013
Nick Royle from Setanta Sports talks to some of the Irish team from that glory night in the Indian city of Bangalore.
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Ireland opt for experience ahead of crucial UAE tour
February 15th 2013
Cricket Ireland have named an experienced squad of 14 ahead of their crucial tour of the UAE next month.
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Ireland announce player contracts
February 14th 2013
Max Sorensen and an exciting quartet of youngsters are the major beneficiaries of the 17 contracts announced by Cricket Ireland for the 2013 season, with a further five contracts to be offered in due course.
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Video: The 2012 Irish Cricket Year in Review
January 3rd 2013
A look back on the year of Irish cricket in 2012. With footage and coverage from right across all areas of the sport here in Ireland.
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Ireland v Australia Match Highlights
September 21st 2012
Video Highlights of Ireland's seven wicket loss to Australia in the opening match of Group B of the ICC World Twenty 20 on Wednesday in Colombo. Ireland must now re-group ahead of their crucial match against the West Indies on Monday at 3pm Irish time.
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Australia dominate Ireland to win by 7 Wickets
September 19th 2012
The first match of Group B in the ICC World Twenty 20 was a very one-sided affair as Ireland were outplayed by Australia and lost by 7 wickets.
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Kevin O’Brien Blog Part 3
September 17th 2012
Kevin O'Brien's third blog from Sri Lanka features the news of more warm up wins and a glitzy evening on the red carpet that saw the ICC Associate and Affiliate Cricketer of the year award deservedly go to an Irishman.
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Ireland crush Zimbabwe in Warm up Win
September 13th 2012
Ireland continued their positive build-up for ICC World Twenty 20 this week by beating Zimbabwe by a comfortable 54 runs and retaining their unbeaten record in their warm up matches.
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Kevin O’Brien Blog Part 2
September 11th 2012
In the second of Kevin O'Brien's 'blog's from Sri Lanka, he gives us the updates from Ireland's first two warm up matches that ended with a win and the plan for the coming weeks which will include a trip to the red carpet for some of the Boys in Green! More information and photos of the trip so far can be viewed at www.kevinobriencricket.com
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Ireland score two wins in two days
September 10th 2012
Ireland continued ideal preparations for the ICC World Twenty20 in Colombo today as they made it two wins in two days following a comprehensive win over Sri Lanka 'A' today at the Sinhalese Sports Ground.
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Kevin O’Brien Blog
September 7th 2012
In addition to the 'World T20 Tour Diaries', we will also be featuring regular blog updates from Ireland's vice-captain Kevin O'Brien as he writes on the sights and sounds of Sri Lanka throughout the coming weeks. Kevin departed Ireland on Tuesday and gives his first update from Colombo
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Four Irish players named on ICC Awards Short-list
August 30th 2012
The short-list for the LG ICC Awards has been finalised and sees Irish players dominating the short-list with four of the five nominees for the ICC Associate and Affiliate Cricketer of the Year.
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Connell & Jones return to Ireland squad for South Africa A games
August 15th 2012
Ireland announced their squad for the three match 50 over series against South Africa A that starts this Sunday at Strabane Cricket Club.
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South Africa A edge the first day’s play at Coleraine
August 14th 2012
The second day of the 4 day match saw a full day's cricket played with South Africa A probably just edging the contest at the moment.
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6 Irish Players nominated for ICC Awards
August 13th 2012
Irish players have dominated the shortlist for the Annual ICC Awards with six of the ten players nominated for the associate and affiliate player of the year coming from Ireland
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Leinster Rugby the winners on great day
July 28th 2012
The inaugural winners of the Battle of the Big Hitters were the Leinster Rugby XI on a memorable day that saw vital funds raised for Spinal Injuries Ireland
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Ireland v Bangladesh Highlights
July 19th 2012
Highlights from yesterday's 1st RSA Twenty20 International Series match against Bangladesh
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Ireland Afghanistan I Cup Highlights
July 13th 2012
Highlights from all of Wednesday and Thursday's action at Leinster Cricket Club in Rathmines
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Ireland forced to settle for draw
July 12th 2012
Ireland were left to settle for a draw in the truncated ICC Intercontinental Cup game at Leinster Cricket Club in Rathmines.
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Ireland dominate at Rathmines
July 11th 2012
Cricket finally got going at Rathmines at the third time of asking with Ireland dominating the 62.1 overs that were possible today and Ireland will take a lead of 42 into the final day tomorrow.
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Ireland’s Road to the T20 World Cup
July 10th 2012
Ireland’s Road to the T20 World Cup: The Celtic View from Sri Lanka (part 1)