Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

Andy McBrine was the pick of the Ireland bowlers, taking an impressive five for 29 (photo/Abu Dhabi Cricket)

Balbirnie rues missed opportunity in World Cup clash

Ireland captain Andrew Balbirnie was left pondering what might have been as his side were beaten by Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi.

Cricket • 21 Jan 21

Andrew Balbirnie in action against England earlier this month

Balbirnie joins Glamorgan for T20 tournament

Glamorgan have announced the signing of Ireland captain Andrew Balbirnie for this summer's Vitality Blast.

Cricket • 21 Aug 20

Balbirnie felt attitude was key to the third test win

Balbirnie: Win over England 'huge' for World Cup dream

Ireland cricket captain Andrew Balbrinie reflects on the win over England last week and its importance for the team going forward.

Cricket • 13 Aug 20

Balbirnie celebrates reaching his century watched on by Paul Stirling

Balbirnie savours momentous win over England

Ireland captain Andrew Balbirnie savoured the momentous victory over England as 'one we'll remember forever' after overcoming the world champions in a nail-biting conclusion at the Ageas Bowl.

Cricket • 05 Aug 20

Kevin O'Brien walks off after being dismissed as Adil Rashid celebrates with Eoin Morgan during the Second One Day International between England and Ireland last week

Ireland with much to prove against 'biggest enemy'

Kevin O'Brien is aware Ireland must improve their top-order batting if they are to claim a consolation victory over their "biggest enemy" England in the final one-day international at the Ageas Bowl.

Cricket • 03 Aug 20

Paul Stirling (L) and Andrew Balbirnie will travel to Southampton

Balbirnie hoping 'fearless' young guns can hurt England

Andrew Balbirnie hopes Ireland's "fearless" younger players can seize the opportunity to shine against top opposition in the looming World Cup Super League One Day International series against England.

Cricket • 16 Jul 20

Stirling ready to seize Ireland vice-captaincy role

Paul Stirling said he's desperate to back on the cricket pitch after being named Ireland's vice-captain.

Cricket • 19 Jun 20

Andrew Balbirnie already expressed his doubt on the feasibility of this World Cup

Cricket Australia cast doubt on Twenty20 World Cup

The Twenty20 World Cup may not go ahead as the leader of the game in host nation Australia revealed the schedule for October and November is under a "very high risk".

Cricket • 29 May 20

Ireland captain Andrew Balbirnie has previously cast doubt on the T20 World Cup going ahead

ICC crushes talk of T20 World Cup being postponed

The International Cricket Council has rejected claims this year's T20 World Cup will be postponed, insisting a number of contingency plans are being considered.

Cricket • 27 May 20

Andrew Balbirnie: "The way this pandemic has panned out, a lot can happen in a couple of days, so we really don't know yet."

Ireland captain Balbirnie airs T20 World Cup fears

Ireland captain Andrew Balbirnie believes the logistical challenges posed by coronavirus means he is doubtful the Twenty20 World Cup will be able to proceed as planned in Australia later this year.

Cricket • 11 May 20

Andrew Balbirnie: 'We truly are lucky in what we do'

Andrew Balbirnie revels in 'chance to create history'

Ireland cricket captain Andrew Balbirnie says the achievement of beating the West Indies in their T20 opener is beginning to sink in and he hopes to see a knock-on effect for the sport in the country

Cricket • 16 Jan 20

Andrew Balbirnie (right) and Paul Stirling

Ireland captain Balbirnie hails Stirling display

Andrew Balbirnie praised Paul Stirling's batting performance as Ireland gained revenge for the one-day series whitewash by the West Indies with a thrilling victory in their T20 opener.

Cricket • 16 Jan 20

Andrew Balbirnie leads Ireland in the Caribbean

Ireland name squads for West Indies tour

Andrew Balbirnie will captain Ireland for the first time on an international tour as he leads the side into their upcoming tour of the Caribbean in January 2020.

Cricket • 05 Dec 19

Andrew Balbirnie made his Ireland debut in 2010 and has appeared 123 times for his country

Balbirnie looking to guide in transitional period

Andrew Balbirnie on the honour of being selected as Ireland cricket captain, and what success looks like to him.

Cricket • 09 Nov 19

Andrew Balbirnie made his international debut in 2010 and has appeared 123 times for Ireland

Balbirnie new Ireland captain as Porterfield steps down

Andrew Balbirnie has been confirmed as Ireland's new Test and One-Day captain, succeeding the long-serving William Porterfield.

Cricket • 08 Nov 19

Balbirnie and Adair steer Ireland to win over Zimbabwe

A century by Andrew Balbirnie, wickets and runs to Mark Adair and a fifth successive ODI half-century from Paul Stirling helped Ireland to defeat Zimbabwe today at Bready Cricket Club today.

Cricket • 01 Jul 19

Andrew Balbirnie is approaching a decade playing for the Ireland senior side

'Oldie' Balbirnie primed for Afghanistan Test in India

Andrew Balbirnie was a 16-year-old teenager when Ireland shocked the world at the 2007 Cricket World Cup, yet now finds himself as one of the senior citizens in the squad set to face Afghanistan.

Cricket • 19 Feb 19

"Afghanistan is a quality side with some world-class players, and will be a great challenge in their 'home' conditions."

Balbirnie welcomes overseas Test against Afghanistan

Ireland will play their first-ever overseas Test match against Afghanistan in March 2019 in 'a major step forward' for the sport in Ireland, said Andrew Balbirnie on the day that the tour itinerary was released.

Cricket • 30 Nov 18

Balbirnie sends Ireland on way to convincing win

Andrew Balbirnie's rapid half century propelled Ireland to a convincing six-wicket win over rivals Scotland with more than 15 overs to spare in their first ODI in Dubai.

Cricket • 16 Jan 18

William Porterfield was in good form in Dubai

Porterfield & Balbirnie tonnes ease Ireland past UAE

Centuries from captain William Porterfield and Andrew Balbirnie helped Ireland beat the UAE for the second time in three days in their Tri-Series match.

Cricket • 13 Jan 18

Ed Joyce hit 116 off 149 balls to ensure Ireland reached their target with four balls to spare.

Joyce century steers Ireland to victory over UAE

Ed Joyce hit an unbeaten century as Ireland edged to a four-wicket victory in their tri-series one-day international against the United Arab Emirates in Dubai.

Cricket • 12 Jan 18

Balbirnie is hoping to turn Ireland's fortunes around at Lord's

Balbirnie believes Ireland can solve spin conundrum

Andrew Balbirnie claims Ireland have what it takes to put an end to their struggles against spin bowling and deliver a much-needed strong display when they face England at Lord's today.

Cricket • 07 May 17

Andrew Balbirnie was back to top form on Sunday

Balbirnie delighted to turn corner on 'tough year'

Andrew Balbirnie's match-winning innings against Afghanistan on Sunday signalled the turning point for the Dubliner after a year of misery and frustation.

Cricket • 20 Mar 17

Andrew Balbirnie said he was learning a lot from Ireland's senior players

Balbirnie out to build on Ireland’s perfect start

Ireland young gun Andrew Balbirnie said he revelled in the team's remarkable win over the West Indies, but insists they must now focus on the task ahead against the UAE next Wednesday.

Cricket • 20 Feb 15

Niall O'Brien scored an impressive 68 to go with Balbirnie's 129

Balbirnie and O'Brien combine to great effect

Andrew Balbirnie has scored his maiden hundred for Ireland, and combined with Niall O'Brien to lead his team to a well-deserved four wicket win against a strong New Zealand A side .

Cricket • 29 Nov 14

Andrew Balbirnie