To mark the 140th anniversary of Cork County Cricket Club’s foundation, Cricket Ireland will be bringing an Irish President’s XI to the Mardyke to take on a Cork County select XI. Cork County has been the heartbeat of cricket in both Cork and Munsyer for much of the 20th century and more so since the turn of the century.

Throughout  the past 140 years, Cork County has made a major contribution to Irish cricket. Indeed, the club represented Munster at Irish Cricket Union level until 1956 when the MCU was formally established. It has contributed four Presidents to the Irish Cricket Union and more than 30 Cork County players have represented Ireland in the period since 1874.

The Mardyke has hosted thirteen International fixtures – the first being in 1902 against a London County team featuring WG Grace, Australian captain, Bill Murdoch and future England Captain, JHT Douglas, and the most recent in 2002 against an MCC side over three days. Test players such as Graham Gouch, Nasir Hussain, Peter Such, Derek Pringle and John Stephenson have all graced the Mardyke over recent decades.

Irish Coach Phil Simmons and President Joe Doherty will be in attendance at the Mardyke for the celebratory match and it is rumoured that Mr. Simmons might even be donning his whites for the occasion.

Other well known stars from Irish cricket's recent past including internationals such as Trent Johnston, Kyle McCallan, John Mooney, Jeremy Bray, Fintan McCallister, Eddie Richardson and Reinhardt Strydom; will also be making the trip to the Mardyke. The final teams will be confirmed closer to the date of the match with hopefully one or two surprises in store!

The celebratory match takes place on Wednesday, 20th August, with a catering kindly provided by The River Lee Hotel. Canterbury sportswear will also be producing special kit to be worn by both sets of players to mark the occasion.

Entry is absolutely free on the day so please come along and join in the birthday celebrations!