Connacht Cricket Union, Munster Cricket Union and North West Cricket Union – with the support of Cricket Ireland – have today unveiled a new domestic representative competition – the Wild Atlantic Way Trophy.
This new 40-over competition will feature a representative team from each Provincial Union playing a three-match round robin in its first year.
Three high-profile Irish coaches (formerly international players) will be head coaches of the teams:
- Kevin O’Brien (Connacht)
- Jeremy Bray (Munster)
- Boyd Rankin (North West)
Teams will play for a new Waterford Crystal-designed trophy, with the intention that this will become an annual competition on the Irish cricket calendar.
Jeff Smith, Chair of Connacht Cricket Union, said:
“The Wild Atlantic Way Trophy is a fantastic initiative that will provide additional high-quality cricket for emerging talent coming through the three westernmost Provincial Unions in Ireland. We believe the emerging talent in the Unions that share the western coastline deserve greater opportunity to play at an elevated standard. Part of this will be the three head coaches – Kevin O’Brien, Jeremy Bray and Boyd Rankin – who will bring a great deal of knowledge and experience to the competition. We look forward to the start of the action this Thursday.”
Brian MacNeice, Chair of Cricket Ireland, said:
“We are delighted to support this initiative – any quality cricket fixtures that help raise the standards and improve the development of players in the west of Ireland are welcome additions to the Irish cricket calendar. In fact, when we endorsed the admittance of Connacht Cricket Union as a fully associated Provincial Union last year, this is exactly what we were envisioning – local administrators and coaches, in partnership with Cricket Ireland, taking the initiative for player development and the talent pathway in part of Ireland that has been under-serviced in the past. We wish the players, coaches and Unions well with this new venture.”
FIXTURE SCHEDULE
- 21 May 2026: North West v Connacht (Ardmore; starts 11am
- 10 June 2026: Connacht v Munster (Co Galway CC; starts 11am)
- 13 August 2026: North West v Munster (Ardmore; starts 11am)
