Meet the players
Paul Stirling
- Born On: 3 September 1990
- Club: Middlesex
- Cap Number: 662
- Debut Match: March 2008 v UAE
- Batting Style: Right-hand
- Bowling Style: Right-arm off break
- Career Best: 177 v Canada in 2010 & 4-11 v Netherlands in 2010

Paul is an exciting opening batsman who strikes the ball hard and is seen as one of the most talented young cricketers in the world at the moment. In addition he is a useful off spinner, working well in conjunction with George Dockrell on many occasions.
Another of the younger brigade for Ireland, Paul was first capped against UAE in Abu Dhabi in March 2008, aged 17. Since then and up to the conclusion of the 2012 ICC World Twenty20, Paul has represented Ireland 111 times.
In those matches he has scored 3,383 runs including 6 centuries. Of those the highest was 177 against Canada at Toronto in 2010. Four of his centuries came in the 16 matches he played in 2011, including one of 113 against the old enemy, Scotland, at Edinburgh.
As a bowler he has taken 43 wickets and has also taken many catches for Ireland, a total of 46 in 111 matches, putting him 12th in the all time list for Irish fielders.
Paul naturally takes to T20 cricket especially well with his devastating strike-rate making him very dangerous at the top of the order. This was especially well highlighted during the qualifiers for the 2012 ICC World T20 where his final three innings, in three must-win games for Ireland, were all crucial - especially his stunning 79 in the final against Afghanistan.
Paul has played his club cricket for Cliftonville, though he is now playing county cricket for Middlesex, whose supporters are now enjoying the all-round package he offers them as he stars regularly in the shorter formats for them at Lord’s. Paul’s father, Brian, is also an International Sportsman, having refereed International Rugby Football.
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Paul Stirling's statistics coming soon
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Stirling and Sorensen Return for UAE Tour
November 7th 2014
Paul Stirling and Max Sorensen return to the Ireland squad for their upcoming training camp in Dubai later this month as they continue their preparation for the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup.
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Porterfield and Stirling Press Conference
March 17th 2014
Ireland Captain William Porterfield and Man of the Match Paul Stirling talk at a press conference after Ireland's thrilling last ball victory over Zimbabwe in the first match of Group B in Bangladesh.
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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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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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Ireland v UAE Semi Final Preview
November 29th 2013
Ireland may have already secured their place in the ICC World Twenty 20 finals in Bangladesh with a thumping 85 run win against Hong Kong but William Porterfield's team won't be content with that.
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Stirling looking for history to repeat itself
November 28th 2013
Ireland face semi-final showdown under floodlights against hosts UAE, live on Sky Sports tomorrow, as bid for consecutive World Twenty20 Qualifiers Titles enters final stages.
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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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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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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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Rain decimates second day of Ireland InterContinental Cup clash with Scotland
September 12th 2013
Just 90 minutes play was possible on the second day of Ireland's InterContinental Cup clash with Scotland at Castle Avenue, as persistent rain forced the umpires to call a halt to proceedings at 5:45pm.
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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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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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Wonderful Wilson gives Surrey thrilling win
August 12th 2013
Gary Wilson's impressive season for Surrey & Ireland continues as his wonderful innings of 85 helped them to a thrilling win over Derbyshire yesterday.
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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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Joyce and Stirling lay down Challenge to England at the Home of Cricket
July 3rd 2013
Two of Ireland’s star batsmen today launched the RSA Challenge which will come to Malahide on September 3, as they showed off the RSA Challenge Trophy at Lord’s Cricket Ground in London two months ahead of the big game.
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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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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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Stirling and Maddinson score centuries on dramatic third day
June 17th 2013
A dramatic day of three declarations and two stunning centuries has ended with Australia A in the ascendancy with Ireland on 51 for 3 needing a further 250 for victory.
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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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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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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 settles Irish nerves to secure crucial win
March 18th 2013
Gary Wilson settled Irish nerves scoring an unbeaten half century to lead his team to a five wicket win against the United Arab Emirates in the first of their two World Cup Qualifiers.
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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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Ireland v UAE Day 1 Highlights
March 12th 2013
Highlights of Ireland's dominant first day in the ICC Intercontinental Cup in Sharjah versus the UAE.
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Ireland dominate opening day of InterContinental Cup clash with UAE
March 12th 2013
A thoroughly professional first day batting display from Ireland has left them in control of their InterContinental Cup clash with the UAE in Sharjah.
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Ireland happy with two-day workout
March 10th 2013
Two full days play at the superb facilities of the Global Cricket Academy in Dubai will have blown away any of the winter cobwebs for the Ireland squad and it is a vital ten day's cricket ahead now for Ireland in the UAE.
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Peter Johnston reports from UAE
March 6th 2013
Ireland Assistant Coach and video analyst Peter Johnston reports from the first couple of days of Ireland's training camp in the UAE
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RSA Insurance ODI Series tickets released as Ireland set to play Pakistan in Clontarf
February 22nd 2013
Clontarf has been confirmed as the venue for the RSA Insurance ODI Series between Ireland and Pakistan.The Castle Avenue venue will host both fixtures which will take place on Thursday May 23 and Sunday May 26 (10:45am start).
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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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Stirling flying high in Bangladesh
January 25th 2013
Paul Stirling is showing the world his class again as his side, the Sylhet Royals are unbeaten and top of the table in the Bangladesh Premier League.
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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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Stirling signs new three year deal at Middlesex
December 13th 2012
Middlesex CCC are delighted to announce that Paul Stirling has signed a new three-year contract with the club. The deal means that Stirling will be available to play for Middlesex until at least the end of the 2015 English domestic cricket season.
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Winners announced for the RSA Cricket Ireland Awards 2012
November 16th 2012
Paul Stirling has been named as Ireland's RSA International Men's Player of the Year at the inaugural RSA Cricket Ireland Awards. The 22 year old Middlesex all-rounder beat off the challenge of fellow Ireland stars George Dockrell and Ed Joyce to lift the top prize in front of 300 players, officials and guests at the Round Room at the Mansion House.
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Top Trio Neck and Neck for Inaugural RSA Cricket Ireland Awards
October 16th 2012
The short-lists for two of the feature awards at next month's Inaugural RSA Cricket Ireland Awards have been announced. The International Men's and Women's Player of the Year short-lists both feature three stars from Ireland's cricketing year.
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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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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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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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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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Twenty20 Cricket comes to Town
July 8th 2012
Evening Twenty20 International Cricket is coming to Ireland for the first time as Ireland take on will take on Bangladesh in a 3 match T20I series at the Stormont grounds in Belfast.