Mark Adair took a career-best 4-19 and Boyd Rankin chipped in with three wickets as a superb bowling display in Belfast enabled Ireland to defend a modest total of 210 and beat Afghanistan by 72 runs in the first of a two-match one-day international series.

Ireland's season is up and running after they claimed victory at the fifth attempt, to take a 1-0 lead in the two-match one-day international series against Afghanistan at Stormont.

AT least one Ireland player is looking forward to renewing rivalry with Afghanistan at Stormont because no-one has a better recent record against them than Paul Stirling.

There were plenty of theories – ticket prices, a workday, school and college exam season and weather being the most plausible. But are there deeper reasons? Has the tide gone out for Irish cricket?

Tyrone Kane set to make ODI debut and Balbirnie reprimanded for his reaction to 'wrongful dismissal'

Mary Waldron has been appointed to the ICC's Development Panel of Umpires - one of only eight women around the world to be appointed.

The press conference at the Institute of Sport was full of delighted players and coaches all saying how great it was that Irish women cricketers would avail of professional contracts for the first time. The sums involved are relatively modest, covering two and three days a week, but Mary Waldron saw the bigger picture.

Ireland name a 13-player squad for the Women’s T20s against West Indies in late May.

Cricket Ireland has unveiled the recipients of their first part-time professional contracts for women cricketers.

James McCollum's hundred plus a superb all-round display from Simi Singh gave Irish supporters some cheer as they helped the Wolves beat Bangladesh by 88 runs at The Hills.

Cormac McLoughlin-Gavin anchored the Leinster Lightning Bolts innings with a composed and accomplished 85 in a 23-run victory for the provincial side.

Ireland U19s have named their squad for the first match of a season which hopefully will culminate in them qualifying for the U19 Cricket World Cup.

Tom Stanton will skipper the Lightning Bolts in their match against Ireland U19's at Trinity - one of four Merrion players in the side.

Cricket Ireland has engaged a security company that specialises in counter-terrorism measures for their upcoming matches against England, West Indies and Bangladesh in Dublin.

The glamorous world of Bollywood stars and IPL legends will find a temporary home in Europe’s Celtic fringes this autumn, when the first Euro T20 Bash takes place in Amsterdam, Edinburgh and Dublin.

Facts and figures from 'the most challenging year ever, on and off the field', as reported at the Cricket Ireland Annual General Meeting.

Ireland Women's hopes have been dealt a blow after they announced that Lucy O'Reilly was taking a break from the international stage.

While Bangladesh A are not coming to Irish shores, traditional foes Scotland have been lined up for a six-match series against Ireland Wolves.

Jarred Barnes' second five-wicket haul of the tour, plus an unbeaten 82 from Jack Tector ensured another win for Pete Johnston's Academy side.

Ireland Under 19s are busy putting together a programme of fixtures ahead of their World Cup Qualifying tournament in The Netherlands in July.

The Rush duo of Stephen Doheny and Neil Rock played starring roles as Ireland Academy recorded back-to-back wins against Gloucestershire Seconds and Bath in T20 contests.

Jarred Barnes five-wicket haul combined with Jack Tector's undefeated 94 helped Ireland Academy to an eight-wicket win against Bath in their tour opener.

Defending champion Ireland's European World Cup Qualifying fixtures have been confirmed.

5 players have been awarded Emerging Player contracts by Cricket Ireland

West Indies will visit Ireland to play 3 T20Is in May followed by Zimbabwe in July for both 50 over and T20 games.

Denmark will warm up for next month's European T20 tournament in Guernsey by playing five matches against Leinster Lightning Bolts at Trinity College Park.

Scotland’s fixtures in ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2 have been announced for and they include Scotland hosting PNG and Oman in Aberdeen

Dates for the first eight series of the new World Cup League 2, beginning in August 2019.

A 14-strong squad has been selected for Scotland’s two-match One-Day International series against Afghanistan to be played at The Grange, Edinburgh.

Six teams competing in EAP Qualifier and nine teams taking part in Africa Qualifier as Road to Australia 2020 and New Zealand 2021 continues. The top side in each tournament will secure a place in both ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier 2019 and ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2020.

Namibia and Papua New Guinea join the ODI club after a remarkable day in Windhoek.

Rory Anders had the incredible figures of 6 for 6 as Lightning Bolts beat their northern counterparts the Emerging Knights by 49 runs (DLS) at College Park.

Donemana extended their lead at the top of the Long’s SuperValu Premiership table but the match of the day on Saturday was Strabane’s victory, by the minimum margin, over Glendermott.

The 2019 Women's Super 3 Series got under way at North Kildare with the Dragons claiming two victories and the Typhoons one.

Bobby Gamble was the hero for YMCA hitting two sixes in the last over to beat North County and all but seal their Premiership slot later this summer.

It's a familiar line-up for Leinster as they prepare to travel to Bready to play NW Warriors.

Donemana cemented their place at the top of the Premier Division on Saturday on a day when rain again took a hand in proceedings across the league.

Leinster Bolts completed their fourth win against the touring Danes as Theo Lawson top scored in a 37-run win.

It's a virtual shoot-out for a place in this season’s Leinster Premier League at Balrothery today when North County meet YMCA.

Laura Delany hit a half century as Leinster edged out Merrion by 8 runs, while Kim Garth made 47 as Pembroke beat YMCA by five wickets despite an undefeated 84 by Kerrie Tomlinson.

Wins for holders Brigade, Donemana, Eglinton and Coleraine, while Ardmore prove too strong for Newbuildings in the only Championship game.

Though high scoring, the tempo of this match was relaxed rather frenetic. The key was to remain disciplined and patient. That Cork Harlequins won is testimony to the unflappable temperament of their younger players and to their ability to build partnerships.

With the league now into the fourth weekend, it’s the perfect opportunity for the sides to get their season running properly.

Josh Uddin, late of Halverstown, Railway Union, North Kildare, Terenure and Clondalkin, had a spectacular introduction to Munster cricket last weekend, scoring 215 for Co Kerry 2nds against Limerick 2nds at Adare. According to the most comprehensive records, his innings was the 150th double century yet recorded in Irish cricket.

It's all change at Comber this year with a new 50-over captain and no fewer than four signings, and North Down have hit the ground running as they target a return to the top half of the league table.

Templepatrick Cricket Club will be hoping for a successful 2019 season as the club celebrates its 50th anniversary.

All-rounder Steve Lazars has joined Muckamore after spending the 2018 season at Ardmore.

The Super 3 schedule for the summer has been revealed, and in an attempt to spread the women's cricket gospel, the teams will be heading north for the second time in the competition, to Holywood.

The squads have been confirmed for the 2019 Super 3 season, with a number of new faces in the camps.

Three times winners and holders Donemana have been handed a home draw against Instonians in the 2019 Ulster Plate competition.

The Fairway Group Super League starts on 12 May with the maximum 90 players signing up within just a week.

The Under 19 World Cup Europe Qualifier 2019 will be hosted in Netherlands between 26 July and 1 August.

Jersey will play against five other teams in Guernsey between 15th and 20th June.

InfrasoftTech announce continued support for T20 Inter Insular Trophy to be held on 31 May and 1 June.

Will Perchard, Stan Norman & Charley Webster have joined the Hampshire Under 14 squad for 2019.

This month sees the launch of a new Girls Cricket Academy programme and the return of the Spring Term Cricket Courses, sponsored by Rathbones.