CL UNDER 23 SIGGINS CUP COMPETITION (2026)
Following the successful rationalisation of teams in advance of the 2025 season, it has been decided to introduce a red-ball component to the competition for 2026 as part of our drive to achieve the best return from this competition in terms of talent development and pathway management.
The CL Under 23 Siggins Cup competition is intended as a high-performance pathway competition for players with potential to achieve selection for the Leinster Lightning Bolts and/or the higher levels.
It is designed to maximise the ‘representative’ opportunity for such players in particular those who no longer qualify for underage representative competitions but have potential to play at a higher level subject to development, exposure/opportunity and performance at both club and district levels
COMPETITION OUTLINE
There are a number of factors which have influenced the competition format for 2026 including:
⇒ To maximise the development opportunity for the players competing in the competition.
⇒ To offer something bespoke relative to the wider club cricket competitions in the CL region.
⇒ To assist in preparing players to compete for the Leinster Lightning Bolts as part of the CI Future Series competition.
⇒ To ensure optimised use of the iconic College Park venue.
It is planned that Dublin University will host each of North Leinster and South Leinster in a two-day game at College Park whilst South Leinster and North Leinster will play an equivalent 2-day game at Oak Hill, County Wicklow.
The teams will then switch to coloured clothing and white ball for a series of one-day games (three more fixtures) which will complete the competition.
FIXTURES (SUBJECT TO CONFIRMATION)
26th/27th May: Dublin University vs North Leinster (2-day game at College Park)
3rd/4th June: Dublin University vs South Leinster (2-day game at College Park)
16th/17th June: South Leinster vs North Leinster (2-day game at Oak Hill)
1st July: South Leinster vs Dublin University (50-Over game at Oak Hill)
8th July: North Leinster vs South Leinster (50-Over game at Oak Hill)
15th July: North Leinster vs Dublin University (50-Over game at Oak Hill)
RESULTS TRACKING, POINTS & TROPHY
As per prior years, points will be allocated in the same manner as IP/Future Series competitions, with 4 points for a win, 2 points for a No Result and 0 points for a loss. The IP bonus point scheme will also operate, applicable where the margin of victory is more/less than a run rate of 125%. The team with the most points wins the competition with ties separated by Net Run Rate initially. Should NRR not separate the teams then the result between the two tied teams will determine the higher placed team.
The winner of the competition (and the associated Siggins Trophy) will be the side who is at the top of the table at the conclusion of the six matches.
As CL Head Coach & Pathway Manager, Andre Botha will be the overall Competition Director and will have the final say on any matters referred/escalated from the individual teams for decision.
As CL Operations Manager, Michael Cotter will have accountability for all operational aspects of this District Cup competition including catering, hosting, match management, photography and officials.
CLUB ALLOCATION BY TEAM
South Leinster – Adamstown, Bagenalstown, Carlow, Clondalkin, DLR County, Gorey, Greystones, Halverstown, Kilkenny, Laois, Leinster, Merrion, Pembroke, Railway Union, Sandyford, Slieve Bloom, Terenure, Wexford Wanderers, Wicklow County.
North Leinster – Ashbourne, Athlone, Balbriggan, Castleknock, Civil Service, Clontarf, County Cavan, Dundalk, Finglas, Knockharley, Longford, Lucan, Malahide, Mullingar, Naas, North County, North Kildare, Ongar, Phoenix, Rush, Swords, The Hills, Tyrrelstown.
As per prior years, each team will have an appointed Manager and Coach who will organise and schedule two pre-season open invite sessions from which players will be identified for potential inclusion etc.
All players that have expressed an interest in playing will be invited to these training sessions to be evaluated by the coach/manager/selectors.
Each match day squad will include 12 players.
Players may not move between squads or play for more than one team without the express permission of the LL Head Coach & Pathways Manager (Andre Botha).
MATCH-DAY OFFICIATING (UMPIRES, SCORERS AND LIVE SCORING)
At the request of CL, the LCU&SA will appoint two experienced umpires to each match. Each team management will be responsible for sourcing an experienced scorer for each match and for agreeing how the live-scoring will be administered.
One scorer will be expected to live score the match on CricClubs.
MATCH REPORTING (VIA SOCIAL MEDIA & CL WEBSITE)
CL will have a match reporter at each match to live tweet and write a match report for the website.
TROPHY
The Perpetual Siggins Trophy and winners medals to be co-presented by the CL President (Brian Kelleher) and Ger Siggins (Dublin University) at the conclusion of the tournament.