£7.5m Stormont cricket boost to ‘transform’ game across island of Ireland
In 2030, the men’s T20 World Cup will be co-hosted by England, Scotland and Ireland.
Multimillion-investment in Stormont cricket facilities will “transform” the game across the island of Ireland, a minister has said.
On Friday, Ireland hosted world champions India at the Northern Ireland Civil Service Sports Association (nicssa) at Stormont, formerly known as the Pavilion, which is to benefit from £7.5 million of cross-border funding.
The uplift is made up of £3.5 million from Stormont’s Department of Communities and £3 million from the Irish Government’s Shared Island initiative, supported by a further £1 million from Sport NI’s National Lottery funding.
Irish Sport Minister Patrick O’Donovan said he was “delighted” to accept the invitation of Cricket Ireland to celebrate funding “into Stormont for the Cricket Ground as part of Shared Island initiative”.
Speaking at nicssa as Ireland faced off against India, he said: “The other thing, as well, from a cricket point of view, is that we have set aside and turned the sod there recently on the new National Cricket Stadium in Dublin it’s campus in Dublin, that’ll be hopefully ready for the World Cup,
“100 million euros worth of an investment there, and so really to be honest it’ll transform the facilities north and south that’ll be available for international cricket meets.
“But as well as that, for training for centres of excellence and for the improvement of the game and for the reach of the game as well across the island of Ireland.”
Stormont Communities Minister Gordon Lyons said it was a “great day for Northern Ireland and not just because of the weather”.
“Because of the collaboration that we’re seeing, and the impact that’s going to have for sport in Northern Ireland, and cricket in particular,” he said.
“So, I’m delighted that we have this opportunity today to talk about this investment in my department, along with the shared island fund, will make to ensure that we can help cricket in Northern Ireland develop, and importantly, help us to secure international events, which bring people to Northern Ireland and help us to display the best of this place.”
Brian MacNeice, chair of Cricket Ireland, said the “commitment by the two governments, both north and south of the border, is a clear demonstration of support and belief that they have in the future of Irish cricket and will provide much needed infrastructure and facilities for our sport”.
He added: “This investment will greatly enhance our facilities in Northern Ireland. It will ensure we have fit for purpose infrastructure to host senior international events in Stormont and support our ability to cohost the 2030 Men’s T20 World Cup.”