PAUL STIRLING paid a special tribute to ‘Uncle Roy’ with a top quality century but Ireland again came up second best, losing to Afghanistan by seven wickets.

Roy Torrens did not lose many battles in his 72 years. However, as his great friend Robin Walsh said yesterday shortly after Roy had sadly passed away from Covid 19, “even the big man couldn’t fight this bloody thing”.

Ireland were comprehensively beaten by Afghanistan in the second World Super League ODI. There is no point in attempting to put a positive spin on a seven-wicket defeat with almost five overs to spare.

Losing a tight first game to Afghanistan was a setback, but the news from home yesterday was devastating. Roy Torrens, their former manager, and friend to all, lost his last battle to Covid-19, aged 72.

TRIBUTES flooded in yesterday following the death of Ireland cricket legend Roy Torrens. He was 72.

The Donemana off spinner admitted that losing the first World Cup Super League game against Afghanistan on Thursday dampened his excitement but he was glad to get the monkey off his back.

The last UAE wicket to fall on Monday created a bit of debate as to whether the correct decision had been made by the officials. Paddy O'Hara talks us through the laws.

What should the umpires have done, and what could the umpires have done in relation to Steve Smith's latest cricketing transgression?

The answers from Paddy O'Hara to our popular quiz which brought in the New Year.

Six Irish players have thrown their hats in the ring for the Pakistan Super League draft which is being held this weekend.

Umpiring guru Paddy O'Hara with a New Year quiz for all cricket fans, scorers, umpires and players. Do you know the score?

Ireland's long wait to play their next Test match is set to end next December.

CricketEurope takes a look back at what was a year quite unlike any other, and makes some awards.

Sri Lanka media are reporting that Ireland will be playing a Test match in the country next year.

IT SAYS much for the dreadful times we are living through that 16 Ireland players have had to go to Abu Dhabi to meet up for the first time in almost five months.

Light at the end of the tunnel, CI Board meeting, interpros, professionals, and an unbeaten century.

Ireland hope to host South Africa, Pakistan and Zimbabwe on home soil in 2021.

The UAE have confirmed the dates for their four one-day internationals against Ireland in Abu Dhabi next month.

Deutrom is upbeat, more on the future of the interpros, Lance Gibbs remembers a North West legend, and a royal engagement for Irish Cricket.

Ireland have suspended training sessions in Dublin after a positive Covid-19 result for one of the women's squad.

Defending champions Scotland host the six team European U19 Men's Qualifiers next summer.

Nick Larkin is now an established First Class cricketer and was a star performer in the Melbourne Stars side that reached last season’s Big Bash final, but he still looks back on two years spent with North Down as the platform that set him up for success.

The European qualifier will be held 26-30 August and Ireland will compete with Scotland, Netherlands, Germany, France and Turkey to earn a qualifying spot in the Global Qualifier to be held in 2022.

Cricket Ireland have named 13 women players who will be included in their Academy intake in 2021.

Five months after their last match, Ireland have announced a return to action in January with a month long tour to Abu Dhabi, which will conclude with three World Cup Super League games against Afghanistan.

More cancellations, Open for Business, Santa's shopping list, and a Family Affair.

Possible changes to the interpros, working with a Pulitzer Prize winner, no teas in Sussex, and a lack of ice.

It's been a pretty boring last few days for Paul Stirling. The Ireland vice-captain is currently quarantining after arriving in Sri Lanka in the early hours of last Wednesday for the inaugural Lanka (T20) Premier League as Ireland await news of their next series.

A last minute cry off by Scotland, all change in the North West in 2021, starting up with DLS, and the sad passing of of one of our most devoted fans.

Ireland Women's five-match series in La Manga has been cancelled after a last minute change of heart by Scotland.

A fundraising campaign has been launched for former international Andrew Patterson who is set to spend the rest of his life in a wheelchair after suffering a rare hereditary disorder.

THE Ireland Women’s squad will be the first team back into action next month when they play a five-match series against Scotland in La Manga.

Ireland Women have named a squad of 15 to play Scotland in a five-match series in Spain next month.

Amy Hunter, who only turned 15 last week, can make it a double celebration after being awarded a non-retainer part-time contract by Cricket Ireland.

PAUL Stirling will resume his T20 globe-trotting next month after being drafted by the Dambulla Hawks for the inaugural Sri Lanka Premier League.

Paul Stirling has been selected to play in the Sri Lankan T20 competition.

LEINSTER Lightning captain George Dockrell finally got his hands on the two inter-provincial trophies which have been up for grabs in this truncated, unique season last night after completing a clean sweep of victories in the 50-over competition for the first time since 2014.

Half centuries from Rebecca Stokell and Rachel Delaney, plus an unbeaten 48 from skipper Laura Delany saw the Typhoons beat the Scorchers to seal their first Super Series title at Malahide.

Jared Wilson has been called into the Warriors squad as a late replacement for Boyd Rankin as the NW side face champions Leinster Lightning in the final match of the interprovincial season.

The Interprovincial series ended in familiar fashion at Malahide on Monday evening as Leinster Lightning completed what in fairness was a less than convincing 3-wicket win over the North West Warriors.

NORTH West Warriors’ hopes of causing an upset in the final inter-provincial Cup game against champions Leinster Lightning at Malahide were dealt a blow when Boyd Rankin ruled himself out with flu symptoms.

LEINSTER LIGHTNING overcame the MTB Northern Knights at Malahide to win their seventh interpro game of the late-starting season.

WHILE David Delany was bowling at his hostile best, Northern Knights scented victory and if Tyrone Kane had been caught when he had scored just a single, Leinster Lightning would have been three wickets from defeat.

Orla Prendergast took four early wickets as the Scorchers were dismissed for just 63 in the seventh match of their Super Series at Merrion.

Five wickets for Sophie MacMahon and Shauna Kavanagh's half century helped The Scorchers beat the Typhoons by 30 runs to take a 4-2 lead in the eight match series.

Amy Hunter's half century coupled with three wickets for Orla Prendergast helped the Typhoons to a comfortable 53-runs win at Anglesea Road.

Gaby Lewis starred with the bat as the Scorchers survived an incredible collapse to take a three-one lead against the Typhoons at Oak Hill.

Louise Little became just the third women to take five wickets in the Super Series but it wasn't enough to deny the Scorchers taking a 2-1 series lead in their ongoing 50-overs series.

Ireland Wolves finished their South African tour on a winning note as they chased down 277 to beat a Northern Titans Academy XI by four wickets.

Ireland Wolves slumped to a second successive seven-wicket loss in the space of two days as a horror batting display saw them make just 149 in Pretoria.

Runs for Harry Tector but he got no support as Namibia make it 2-0 and Women's squad named for Thailand quadrangular.

Ireland's Wolves hustled to defeat after batting failure.

Ireland Wolves were well beaten by Namibia in their first 50-over match, as The Eagles chased down 228 to win by seven wickets.

Ian Callender previews the series as Getkate hopes to make his mark.