The Future is Bright: A New Chapter for Youth Cricket in Munster
More than 70 young cricketers gathered on Saturday, 29th November, for the Munster Cricket Union’s first winter training session of the new season – and in doing so, they signalled the start of an exciting new era for youth cricket in the province. From the crack of bat on ball to the buzz of ambition in the air, the energy around the sessions was unmistakable. This was more than just training; it was the beginning of a journey for many aspiring young players with dreams of representing their province.
These winter sessions form a crucial part of the pathway towards selection for the annual Youth Interprovincial Tournaments, where Munster’s rising stars test themselves against the best from around the country. With age groups spanning Under 13s through to Under 25s, opportunity has never been clearer or more accessible for young players.
At the heart of this development is MCU Coach Jeremy Bray, who has a wealth of coaching experience, and whose passion and clarity of purpose are helping drive youth cricket forward across the province.
“I’m really excited about the talent we had on display at our first winter training. There is clearly an appetite for the youngsters to step up and potentially represent their province,” said Bray. “We will work with our development team and coaches to identify new talent, and every club with a youth section has the opportunity to send the brightest and best youth players along. We are delighted with the turnout today, with every age group being well represented, from the Under 13s to Women and girls. I was particularly pleased to see youth players from Lismore CC attend – their first ever appearance at MCU training.”
That diversity of age groups and backgrounds underpins everything the MCU is trying to achieve: opportunity, inclusion, and a clear, inspiring pathway from club cricket to provincial honours.
Looking ahead, the MCU’s ambition is clear – to increase the number of competitive matches for Interprovincial squads through tournaments, friendlies, and games against quality opposition. More matches mean more experience, more learning, and more chances for young players to test themselves under pressure.
As the winter programme gathers momentum, the message from Munster Cricket is one of opportunity, growth, and belief.
“The future is bright,” Jeremy Bray said. And after a day that brought together more than 70 young cricketers from across the province, it is hard to argue with him.
Young players interested in becoming part of this exciting journey are encouraged to contact the Munster Cricket Union at info@munstercricket.ie for more information.
