CRICKET: The Irish Cricket Union (ICU) will play host to next year's International Cricket Council (ICC) Trophy Tournament. Twelve associate cricket nations, including Ireland, will compete to decide the last five places in the 2007 World Cup in the West Indies.
It will be the first time that the ICC Tournament will be held in Europe, outside of England, and also the first occasion five rather than three countries will go forward to the World Cup proper.
The Minister for Sport, John O'Donoghue, yesterday attended a reception in Clontarf CC in Castle Avenue to witness the official signing of the ICC Trophy "host agreement". Representing the ICU was Joe Doherty, the cricket chairman, and Peter Thompson, the chief executive. Eshan Mani, the president, and Malcolm Speed, the chief executive, were present on behalf of the ICC.
Officials from all the senior clubs in Dublin were also in attendance.
Mani announced that the 2005 tournament will be staged at various Irish venues North and South, with the round robin matches to be played in the North while the play-off, semi-finals and final games will take place in Dublin.
The semi-finals and the final will be broadcast live on television.
O'Donoghue said he had every confidence in the ICU's ability to successfully manage the important event, and was sure that it will leave behind a lasting legacy for cricketers and administrators and will, hopefully, inspire a new generation of Irish cricketers.
