Cricket club building from the ground up

Two undefeated teams and a growing youth section

The world’s second-most watched sport, has taken its first real strides in Cavan – a place where, until recently, the sound of leather on willow was rarely heard. Cavan Cricket Club are currently in the midst of their second official season and are again undefeated.

Spearheaded by passionate volunteers like vice-captain and youth coach Pranoob Kumar and captain Sreejith Sasi, the club is carving out a space for the cricket community.

“I have been playing cricket since I was four years old,” says Sreejith, who, like many of his teammates, hails originally from India and now works at Cavan General Hospital. “It’s in our blood.”

For years, Cavan’s cricket enthusiasts scattered themselves across Ireland, joining clubs in Swords, north Kildare, Monaghan, and Enniskillen – all due to one basic shortcoming: the absence of a pitch at home. A compromise was found when the numbers were high enough to field a team. Cavan Cricket Club currently compete in the Cricket Leinster league, playing their home games on the rented field in Ring Commons, North Dublin. Upon joining Division 14 they won 13 games and were promoted to Division 12, where they’ve continued their unbeaten run this year. The second team are making an equally successful run in their first year.

But cricket in Cavan isn't just about winning matches. It's about building something lasting.

“We started with 20 adult members. Now we have 72,” says Pranoob.

“And this year, over 40 kids have registered for our summer training camp.” ‘Smash It’ is a six-week programme run by Cricket Ireland and will start this July. The club runs training sessions twice a week for children aged 5 to 13, with plans to launch an U13 team next season. “We’re really focusing on youth development,” Pranoob says. “Cricket Leinster has been great, sending down coaches and gear. The idea is to create something sustainable, so cricket continues here.”

Young and old cricketers are currently training at the Cavan Rugby Club’s grounds – a partnership that’s been vital to the club’s development. “The rugby club has been extremely supportive,” Sreejith says ahead of the first ever Cricket match in Cavan - albeit a friendly between Cavan 1 and Cavan 2.

The pitch problem

Staying within the lingo: There's a catch. A standard cricket field requires a playing diameter of about 150 metres, much larger than a traditional rugby field. So the cricketers have placed their batting area – a 20 x 3 meter pitch – on the sideline of the rugby pitch, stretching the full playing area into the fallow field beside, but in between two floodlight posts.

Cavan Rugby Club has committed to re-cultivating the field so that league matches can be hosted locally. Club president Tom Farrell would like to help the cricketers to play the game they grew up with: “I strongly believe we should share what we have, everyone deserves recreation time,” he said.

However, removing the two light posts and installing new, stronger lights is a costly hurdle, with estimates around €100,000. The rugby club intends to cover the costs and apply for additional grant funding as well in the process. Until then, the Cavan Cricket Club must play their home matches 120km away in Ring Commons, north Dublin – a logistical and financial strain. “We’re renting the ground and traveling regularly.” says Pranoob. “It’s tough. It eats up a lot of our limited funds.”

Most of the players and families are connected through their work at the hospital or local businesses. People from Bangladesh, India and Pakistan have bonded over shared experience and cricket. When a new family arrives in Cavan, the club is often their first link to a familiar passion.

“We invite them to training, and if they’re interested, they join,” says Sreejith.

“We’re also active on Facebook and Instagram, which helps new players find us.”

Many of the adult players now bring their own children to matches and training.

“My son is seven, and he’s already playing,” says Sreejith with a smile. “It’s in their blood too.”

Looking ahead to the upcoming season, the club’s vision is to further expand by launching a youth team, a third team, and a women’s team.

With momentum building both on and off the field, the club’s next major goal is clear: secure a permanent, local home ground. That would change visibility, community involvement, and costs. “We are confident that with the right support, Cavan Cricket Club can continue to thrive and serve as a hub for sporting development and community engagement in the region,” Pranoob says.

For the players who grew up with cricket half a world away, building a club in Cavan isn’t just about the sport – it’s about establishing roots.

“We are very happy to have found cricket again, here abroad,” says Sreejith.

“It took us over 10 years to reach this point. But now we’re here.”

With two teams, a growing youth section, and a supportive local partner in Co Cavan RFC, cricket in Cavan is no longer a dream.