The Munster Cricket Union is one of five provincial governing bodies for

cricket Cricket is a Bat-and-ball games, bat-and-ball game played between two Sports team, teams of eleven players on a cricket field, field, at the centre of which is a cricket pitch, pitch with a wicket at each end, each comprising two Bail (cr ...

Ireland Ireland (, ; ; Ulster Scots dialect, Ulster-Scots: ) is an island in the North Atlantic Ocean, in Northwestern Europe. Geopolitically, the island is divided between the Republic of Ireland (officially Names of the Irish state, named Irelan ...

. Along with the

Connacht Connacht or Connaught ( ; or ), is the smallest of the four provinces of Ireland, situated in the west of Ireland. Until the ninth century it consisted of several independent major Gaelic kingdoms (Uí Fiachrach, Uí Briúin, Uí Maine, C ...

, Northern,

Leinster Leinster ( ; or ) is one of the four provinces of Ireland, in the southeast of Ireland. The modern province comprises the ancient Kingdoms of Meath, Leinster and Osraige, which existed during Gaelic Ireland. Following the 12th-century ...

and North West unions, it makes up the Irish Cricket Union (now known as

Cricket Ireland Cricket Ireland (formerly the Irish Cricket Union) is the national Sport governing body, governing body for cricket on the island of Ireland (both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland), and oversees the national Ireland cricket team, men' ...

), the overall governing body of Irish cricket. The Munster jurisdiction historically covered the traditional Irish provinces of

Munster Munster ( or ) is the largest of the four provinces of Ireland, located in the south west of the island. In early Ireland, the Kingdom of Munster was one of the kingdoms of Gaelic Ireland ruled by a "king of over-kings" (). Following the Nor ...

and

in the

Republic of Ireland Ireland ( ), also known as the Republic of Ireland (), is a country in Northwestern Europe, north-western Europe consisting of 26 of the 32 Counties of Ireland, counties of the island of Ireland, with a population of about 5.4 million. ...

, but since 2010 Connacht has had a separate union. The Union was founded in 1956. In 2005, there were 21 clubs fielding 32 teams affiliated to the union. It organises the Munster Senior League and Munster Senior Cup. In 2005, for the first time, a small league of five teams was organised in Connacht.Siggins (2005), p.127 In March 2018 Munster Cricket agreed a lucrative sponsorship deal with international cricket equipment retaile
All Rounder Cricket
The financial support given will be invested in further development of cricket and specifically grassroots cricket within the Union. Munster Cricket is made up of a number of affiliated sports clubs throughout the province of Munster engaged in the playing of cricket. Its role is to promote, foster and organise the playing of cricket in the province. There are currently 41 affiliated clubs participating in senior and youth competitions as well as through a network of T20 and social cricket. The number of clubs is increasing with renewed interest in the sport in the fast growing areas around the hubs of Cork, Limerick, Waterford and Tralee. The season runs from mid- April to mid- September with league and cup competitions organised for different groups. The main Adult Competitions are divided into three divisions, with each team also having the option to enter the Senior, Junior and Minor knockout cup competitions. Because of the relative shortage of cricket grounds in Munster, many of the clubs field a number of teams, so you will find a match going on in most clubs every weekend and youth and social matches throughout the week. Schools matches are played mainly in the urban and suburban areas of Cork and Limerick during the short summer term from after Easter to the end of May. For the remainder of the summer the clubs organize teams for young players, boys and girls, from the Under-9 age group. There is also a lot of social cricket between clubs, companies and loosely formed groups of enthusiastic cricketers. This provides opportunities not only for those that have retired from the more competitive leagues and cups but also for beginners who want to take up the sport for the first time or for those who perhaps have not played since school but want to get started again. It is a good way for people who have moved to the urban areas of Cork, Limerick, Tralee and Waterford to integrate and make friends. Some of the social clubs are very well organized and go on tour. The MCU works closely with

to continue to expand the gospel of cricket into new areas throughout the large catchment area that is Munster. The Union employs, with government support, a development officer who oversees the development of youth and schools cricket in the province. Munster Senior Cup and Division 1 winners also participate in the Irish Senior Cup while the remaining senior clubs compete in the National Cup.

References

External links

Munster Cricket Union
{{Cricket in Ireland Cricket governing bodies in Ireland Cric 1956 establishments in Ireland