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DUBLIN – Adam Leckey from CSNI Cricket Club has been selected as the 2025-26 recipient of the Cricket Ireland Overseas Scholarship – a partnership with the Sydney-based Randwick Petersham Cricket Club.

Leckey, 18, made his debut for the Northern Knights in 2024 and is a key top order batter for Ireland Under-19 Men who are currently preparing for the 2026 ICC U19 Men’s World Cup which will take place next year in Zimbabwe and Namibia.

As part of the placement he will play with Randwick Petersham, as well as train with coaches from the International Cricket Program. 

Adam Leckey, if selected, will then fly to Southern Africa in late December ahead of the U19 Men’s World Cup to join up with the Ireland camp.

The Cricket Ireland Overseas Scholarship Programme’s links with Randwick Petersham CC emerged after the club hosted the Ireland Men’s team ahead of the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup in Australia.

The scholarship was first awarded in 2016 to current Ireland Men’s international Barry McCarthy, and has been awarded every year since, excluding 2021 and 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Previous participants on the Scholarship Programme are: Barry McCarthy, Andrew Balbirnie, Jack Tector, Harry Tector, Stephen Doheny, Tim Tector, Scott Macbeth, Jake Egan and John McNally.

Before his departure, Adam Leckey spoke about his massive winter ahead:

“Yeah it’s incredibly exciting to have this opportunity with Randwick Petersham. To be outside in good conditions, playing on those kinds of pitches and then potentially leading into the World Cup is absolutely brilliant – if I was to be selected of course. Preparation-wise, it’s going to be huge. I’ve also heard the Strength and Conditions training is very beneficial along with the International Coaching Programme coaching. So I can’t wait to get out there.”

What he’s looking forward to in particular:

“From what I’ve heard, the standard of coaching is seriously impressive. Obviously the weather’s a bit better there during the winter. Then there’s also meeting new people and experiencing what cricket is like and in other countries especially. With the ICP and all the other players and coaches, I’m looking forward to learning how other setups work in other countries.“

On making the decision to travel over:

“Pete Johnson [National Academy Manger & U19s Head Coach] and Simon Johnston [Northern Knights Head Coach] both have guided me through this. Initially I just wanted to go to Australia after my A-levels, but then I heard about this scholarship. I’ve been in contact too with John Stewart [CEO at Randwick Petersham]. And I’ve also spoken to Jake Egan and John McNally who had previously gone over. They were all extremely helpful. I know what I’m going into, so really looking forward to getting out there.”