I've played cricket of my life and what makes the game endure - apart from that it is great fun - is that, like soccer, you can play it almost anywhere! You just need something to use as a bat and a ball, and a little bit of space. We used to play in playgrounds, corridors, even classrooms - when the teacher wasn't about. We used rulers and scrumpled up paper, minature bats and aerated balls... Whether playing with just a few friends or in teams, Street Cricket is more about playing than winning. It's not about just size, strength or skill but also strategy, teamwork and a bit of luck. This means everyone has a chance to shine and anyone can get involved.

We held the experimental, inaugural All-Ireland Street Cricket Championship in August 2025. Players and spectators were treated to a wild boar spit-roasted through the night by James & Dave, pizzas from Brownstone Pizza and all-day refreshment from Ballykilcavan local craft brewery. Eight teams of nine players competed in a cracking tournament from 10am with the finals played in the afternoon won by Mount Juliet CC. It was such fun and so well-attended by enthusiastic and talented cricketers alike, that it seems rude not to have another go.

As well as holding the tournament - hopefully annually - we are setting up an initiative to provide street cricket packs and support to primary schools and urban street cricket programmes. Cricket is a complete game that fosters physical skills, mental resilience and team spirit but also has an impressive rule book. Street Cricket, however, offers the same benefits but without the rule book and can be played by as few as two players.

'To me, cricket is a simple game. Keep it simple and just go out and play.' Shane Warne