Glenstal, Co. Limerick – Sunday marked a major milestone for female cricket in Ireland, as the Munster Women’s Select XI and Connacht Women’s Select XI met for the first-ever friendly series between the two provincial sides. As a part of Munster Cricket’s drive to continue to build on the success of the Munster Women’s League over the past several years, it sends a strong signal of the commitment and vision of the management and coaches of the MCU to develop more players and more opportunities for our female players and teams in our province.
Hosted by Munster’s newest club, Glenstal Cricket Club, the historical backdrop was particularly fitting. Cricket at Glenstal Abbey dates back to the 1830s during the Barrington era, when the grand castle estate regularly hosted traditional country matches on its sprawling grounds.
Under clear skies on a glorious, hot summer day, both teams produced two highly competitive T20 matches played in fantastic spirit, showcasing the rapid development of the women’s game in both provinces.
Match Highlights
Game 1: Munster Take Early Momentum, Connacht get over the line for the win.
The opening T20 match saw Nargish Padaniya star for the Munster XI. Delivering a fine all-round performance, Padaniya anchored the innings with a classy half-century (not out) before making her mark with the ball, picking up 2 wickets.
Game 1 scorecard: https://connachtcricket.ie/fixtures-results/?tab=m_summary#m168d7fff-8249-427e-9b11-923f2b8a2704
Game 2: Connacht Fight Back Strong
Connacht responded in style during the second fixture, driven by standout individual efforts:
Siddhi Kadam bowled a devastating spell for Connacht, taking 3 wickets for just 4 runs.
Sarah Barry (21*) and Hritika Mulay (35*) comfortably guided Connacht’s chase with unbeaten, composure-filled innings at the crease.
Game 2 scorecard: https://connachtcricket.ie/fixtures-results/?tab=m_summary#ma1667f06-4d31-4e29-8148-9f85256896d3
Both fixtures were expertly officiated by umpires Steve Wood and Tracey Pasquill. Aideen Sullivan was the scorer for both matches.
Key Figures in Attendance
The landmark event attracted prominent governance figures to witness the action firsthand, underlining the growing national importance of provincial women’s development:
- Bryan O’Donnell, President of Cricket Ireland
- Sukhi Byrne CI Board member and player
- Rashi Mukhopadhayay MCU Board member and player
- Aideen Sullivan Chair of the Munster Cricket Union Women’s and Girls Committee.
- Rakesh Dalwani, Connacht Cricket Union Board Member and Chairperson of the Participation & Development Committee
“It is fantastic to see the growth of the women’s game in Munster, with more players and more clubs participating in our female league. As a development officer, it is particularly rewarding to see the ever-increasing number of young girls taking up the sport as a direct result of our schools programmes and club support coaching across the Province. We currently have three clubs with all-female teams, and are working hard to grow this number across the MCU.
With our Munster women acting as mentors for the younger girls coming through, we are looking at the amazing potential of female participation turning into the reality of better players with more opportunities to show their skills on the big stage.
Well done to all the ladies who put on an impressive display of cricket at Glenstal CC last weekend- it was a privilege to be there on the day.”
-Glenn Brokenshire, Match Manager
“Cricket ended in Glenstal in 1967, when I was a boy in the school. It died quickly and without ceremony. It was the 1960’s and cricket, with its deep rituals of form, white this and white that, was just too much – this was the time of Woodstock and the Beatles for goodness sake. It was time to hang out when the sun was out and swim and lounge about and be rid of this form ridden, stiff, elitist sport.
So you can imagine my surprise, one morning last spring, to find a man installing an all weather cricket crease on the playing fields in Glenstal Abbey. He must be in the wrong place, I thought to myself. No one had mentioned anything about cricket rising from the dead.
Last Sunday, the 19th July, I saw something I never thought I would see in my lifetime in Glenstal – a women’s cricket match. Connacht playing Munster. Connacht wearing a green outfit and Munster in red…and the lightness of it all, the joy and enthusiasm, the intensity and concentration of the players and coaches, was a joy to witness. Nothing over-upholstered or stuffy about this game – that is for sure. I don’t know who won but does it matter? Yes it does!”
–Father Simon Sleeman, Glenstal Abbey
“When I was asked to umpire the inaugural Women’s Interprovincial friendly between Munster & Connacht, it took no time at all to say yes. Being female in a male dominated sport, it is so important to make the most of any opportunity to support, grow and increase the visibility for women in cricket. The day itself was spectacular – the sun shone all day, the idyllic setting of Glenstal cricket club with the abbey in the background, the sound of laughter from the players, it could not have been any better. It was the first time that some of the players had been umpired by a female, but, if I have anything to do with it, it will not be the last. I hope this event has inspired people, and also shown the love for cricket by women in Ireland. I look forward to this event being the first of many. ”
-Tracey Pasquill, CI Panel Umpire
A return leg to Connacht is planned for September, and if these matches are any guide, we are in for some great cricket to come! Well done to all the ladies who played and supported the teams on the field.
