Competitive cricket matches should have two appointed umpires where possible and available. Given the very small number of trained umpires available to us at this time in Munster, this is not possible without a significant increase in numbers.
From this year onwards, throughout Ireland, the Irish Association of Cricket Umpires and Scorers (IACUS) is now responsible for the administration, organisation, delivery and certification of the training of umpires and scorers. This is normally organised through the Provincial Umpire and Scorer Associations.
By agreement, the training materials and resources for such courses shall be those of the ECB/ACO, as has been the case with the courses in recent years.
To that end the Munster Cricket, in conjunction with the Munster Cricket Umpires and Scorers Association (MCU&SA), in conjunction with IACUS, shall be running online virtual Stage 1 and Stage 2 Umpire Training Courses this Spring, starting with a Stage 1 Course as follows:
| Day & Date | Time |
| Wed – 24th March 2021 | 19:00 – 21:00 GMT approx. |
| Wed – 31 March 2021 | 19:00 – 21:00 IST approx. |
| Wed – 7 April 2021 | 19:00 – 21:00 IST approx. |
| Wed – 14 April 2021 | 19:00 – 21:00 IST approx. |
Dates and times for Stage 2 shall be forwarded to register participants later, but are likely to follow directly after Stage 1 ends, though there may be a short break between them.
Michael Hickey shall be the tutor on these courses, assisted by Ger O’Sullivan subject to his availability; possibly with either Alan Neill or Phil Thompson (both from NIACUS as Lead Tutor).
Since it is some years since an umpire training course was run in Munster, and none have been run since the Laws of Cricket (2017 Code) was elaborated and came in force, it is intended that all umpires, both existing umpires and newly trained ones, who will be appointed to MCU matches from 2021 onwards will be required to have completed Stages 1 & 2 umpire training courses. It should be noted that there is no examination at the end of Stage 1 and Stage 2 Courses.
There will be a small fee of €15 for participating in Stage 1 and Stage 2 courses – this fee is similar to those charged by the other Provincial Associations).
Those who wish to register for the MCUSA Training Course should use here. In addition to the normal contact details and club affiliations, if any, of the participants, this link includes some questions to establish information on the level of knowledge of the Laws of Cricket, any umpiring experience, and the motivation of participating in the course.
It is strongly advised that participants register for and complete the e-learning on-line: “The Laws of Cricket” course accessible at https://laws.lords.org/course/view.php?id=80 in advance of participating in Stage 1 and Stage 2 courses.
Similarly, the online courses will be run in all Provincial Unions this Spring. At this time the details of the upcoming NIACUS (Northern Ireland Association of Cricket and Scorers) and the LCU&SA (the Leinster Umpires and Scorers Association) are already open for participants.
NIACUS and LCU&SA have confirmed that they will accept participants from Munster if those interested in Umpire Training want to start in early March. Details of these can be found at
NIACUS – https://www.niacus.co.uk/umpire_training.html
LCU&SA – https://leinstercricketumpiresscorers.net/2021/02/11/cricket-umpire-courses-2021/
Club contacts should pass on this message on the Courses to all aspiring umpires. If you have any questions or other matters you want details upon, do not hesitate to contact Michael Hickey 087-2385653 or michaelhickey0949@gmail.com
