Ireland Cricket Team Salaries & Central Contracts List
Cricket Ireland has officially announced the 2024 central contracts for both the men’s and women’s teams. Thus, another major milestone in the professionalisation and development of Irish cricket. The contracts were made after an agreement was reached between Cricket Ireland and the ICA on a new structure, terms and conditions. Incidentally, the ICA is known as the Irish Cricketers Association which is responsible for the contracts and salaries of cricketers.
Let’s find out the full details of the list of central contracts of Ireland cricket players and why salary figures are not currently provided.
Ireland Men’s Central Contracts 2024
Full-time contracts
The full-time list of Ireland men’s players includes 21 players who will be employed on a professional, year-round basis. These players receive full salaries, performance-based bonuses and
extensive support services.
Full-time contracted players:
- Mark Adair (Lisburn/Northern Knights)
- Ross Adair (CIYMS/Northern Knights)
- Andrew Balbirnie (Pembroke/Leinster Lightning)
- Curtis Kaempfer (Clontarf/Munster Reds)
- Gareth Delaney (Leinster/Munster Reds)
- George Dockrell (Phoenix/Leinster Lightning)
- Stephen Doheny (Marian/North West Warriors)
- Matthew Foster (CSNI/Northern Knights)
- Fionn Hand (Clontarf/Leinster Lightning)
- Graham Hume (Warringtown/North West Warriors)
- Josh Little (Pembroke/Leinster Lightning)
- Andy McBrine (Donemana/North West Warriors)
- Barry McCarthy (Pembroke/Leinster Lightning)
- James McCollum (Warringtown/Northern Knights)
- PJ Moore (Clontarf/Munster Reds)
- Neil Rock (Instonians/Northern Knights)
- Paul Stirling (Northern Knights)
- Harry Tector (Pembroke/Leinster Lightning)
- Lorcan Tucker (Pembroke/Leinster Lightning)
- Ben White (Phoenix/Munster Reds)
- Craig Young (North Down/North West Warriors)
Retainer Contracts
A few players have been offered retainer contracts, which are designed for players who are part of a wider set-up but are not yet full-time professionals.
Players on retainer contracts:
- Gavin Hoy (Pembroke/Leinster Lightning)
- Matthew Humphries (Lisburn/Northern Knights)
- Tom Mayes (Waringstown/Northern Knights)
- Liam McCarthy (Railway Union/Munster Reds)
Retainer Contract
- Una Raymond-Hoy (Ringwood)
Education Contract
This is specifically designed for young players who are balancing their studies with cricket. They receive a living allowance and access to professional support while they focus on their education.
Education Contract Players:
- Ava Canning (Leinster/Typhoons)
- Georgina Dempsey (Phoenix/Typhoons)
- Sarah Forbes (Pembroke/Typhoons)
- Amy Hunter (Instonians/Dragons)
- Joanna Loughran (Leinster/Typhoons)
- Amy Maguire (The Hills/Scorchers)
Casual Contracts
These contracts are for semi-professional players participating during the summer and match fees etc.
Casual Contract Players:
- Christina Coulter-Reilly (Clontarf/Scorchers)
- Abby Harrison (Warringstown/Dragons)
- Kia McCartney (Collerne/Dragons)
- Alice Tector (Phoenix/Scorchers)
Retainer Contract
- Una Raymond-Hoe (Ringwood)
Contract Categories Explained
Cricket Ireland offers four types of player contracts, each designed to support different career stages:
1. Full-time contracts
These are the premier category, offering full-time employment, an annual salary and match fees. They also offer full access to Cricket Ireland’s high-performance and medical support systems.
2. Education contracts
Targeted for young cricketers who are still studying. Players receive a living allowance to avoid part-time jobs, allowing them to focus solely on cricket during breaks and holidays.
3. Casual contracts
Provide retainer, match fees and access to fitness, medical and nutritional support. They are ideal for players making the transition to full professionalism.
4. Retainer contracts
Awarded for a specific series, these include the same benefits as casual contracts but with fewer contracts.
Why aren’t salary figures released?
Unlike boards such as the BCCI (India) or Cricket Australia, Cricket Ireland does not publicly disclose players’ salaries. There are several reasons for this:
- Collective bargaining agreement confidentiality:
- The agreement between Cricket Ireland and the ICA states that financial terms are not public.
- Modest financial scale compared to larger countries:
- Ireland’s cricket economy is still growing, and salaries are modest compared to top-tier boards. Disclosing specific figures could lead to unnecessary scrutiny or comparison.
- Focus on player welfare and development over salary:
- The emphasis is on long-term career development, healthcare and professional training. This means that it is much more than a raw salary figure.
- Variable contract components:
- Players’ earnings vary depending on format choice, match performance and performance bonuses. Therefore, fixed salary figures will not accurately represent total annual income.
- Strategic Transparency:
- As Ireland continues to grow its revenue through the ICC and bilateral series, financial details may be revealed in the future. For now, the board is prioritising sustainability and internal equity.
Conclusion
The 2024 central contracts are another major step in Ireland’s cricket journey. With 21 men’s and 12 women’s players on full-time contracts, Cricket Ireland continues to build a strong foundation for the years to come. And why not, as they also receive a number of retainers, education and casual contracts. While specific salaries are hidden, the growing professional ecosystem tells a clear story! Irish cricket is no longer a developing nation but an emerging power. The future looks bright as both men’s and women’s players continue to elevate Irish cricket on the global stage.
Continue Reading: Afghanistan Cricket Team Salaries & Central Contracts List
FAQs
Q1. How much do Irish cricketers earn under full-time contracts?
While Cricket Ireland does not release specific figures, we can say from previous matches that players can earn between €30,000 and €70,000 per year.
Q2. How are Ireland’s central contracts funded?
Cricket Ireland’s funding comes mainly from ICC grants, government sports funding and match revenue.
Q3. Do Ireland players receive match fees in addition to their salary?
Yes. Players receive a match fee in addition to their basic salary or retainer for each international match.
Q4. What benefits do contracted players receive in addition to their salary?
Contracted players have access to a comprehensive high-performance system, including:
- Medical and health insurance
- Physiotherapy and sports science support
- Strength and conditioning programmes
- Nutrition and mental wellbeing services
- Career development programmes
- Access to Sport Ireland’s ROI-based player organisation
Q5. How do Ireland’s contracts compare to other cricketing nations?
While not on par with major boards such as the ECB, BCCI or Cricket Australia, Ireland’s contract system is evolving rapidly.
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