RSA Renew Cricket Ireland Deal

RSA Insurance Ireland announces the renewal and expansion of their sponsorship of Irish Cricket to 2015. The partnership is expanded to include Irish Cricket’s National Teams, New Domestic Competitions, National Grass Roots ‘Get Into Cricket’ Programme, Major Events partnership

At a reception held in RSA House, Dublin and attended by the Minister of State for Sport and Tourism, Michael Ring, TD, Philip Smith, CEO, RSA Insurance Ireland announced the renewal of the company’s Cricket Ireland sponsorship for the next four years, for an undisclosed amount. 

Speaking about the new sponsorship agreement, Philip Smith said “We’re delighted to announce the extension and significant expansion of our involvement with Cricket Ireland for the next four years. While maintaining our sponsorship of Ireland’s National cricket teams, exciting new developments such as the new Domestic Competitions, Grass Roots and Key Event programmes will see RSA support the development of the game at all levels across the country”.

Philip also commented: “Over the last few years, the achievement of Cricket Ireland in firmly establishing this country as the leading non Test nation in World Cricket has been second to none, and we at RSA have been very proud to support their efforts. As the leading general insurance business in the Irish market, Cricket Ireland’s aspiration and commitment sits very comfortably with our brand values and business development objectives. We’re very happy to expand our partnership with them and directly support their progressive growth strategy.”

Warren Deutrom, Cricket Ireland, Chief Executive said: “We are delighted to further cement our partnership with such a major Irish and Global company as RSA for a further four years. This represents a tangible vote of confidence, not just in what our talented players have achieved on the pitch, but also in Cricket Ireland’s new strategic objective and for our domestic and international growth ambition.

RSA’s tremendous support has been instrumental in allowing us to increase our presence and impact on the global cricketing stage. We look forward to further building on this impact internationally and ensuring the structures are in place on the domestic front to develop future generations of Irish Cricketers’.

Pipe Switches Grand Crus to RSA

Grands Crus will contest Wednesday's RSA Chase at the Cheltenham Festival rather than tackle Friday's Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Trainer David Pipe had been deliberating between the two options for his unbeaten novice, who was last seen when landing the Grade One Feltham Chase at Kempton over Christmas.

Connections had been tempted by the Gold Cup, but Pipe confirmed he will stick to the novice route for now.

He told At The Races: "We had a chat with the owners and the defining thing is you have to do what is right for the horse and in our opinion at this stage of his career the RSA is the right race for him.

"It's what we thought for him as an individual. I'm sure he could cope with the Gold Cup, but hopefully we might be going there next year.

"You're always going into unknown territory, but Tom Scudamore was confident of him getting the Gold Cup trip.

"It's a decision we've made for the horse and the best for him. He's in good form, he's had a good preparation and we wish the race was today.

"Unfortunately Grands Crus and Tom parted company schooling the other day, but all was OK afterwards. Tom schooled him on Sunday and he jumped well.

"You never want these things to happen but they do and he was fine afterwards."

No Last Instalment for Mick at RSA

Last Instalment has been ruled out of the RSA Chase at Cheltenham after suffering a slight injury when winning the Dr PJ Moriarty Chase at Leopardstown on Sunday.

The Philip Fenton-trained seven-year-old, owned by the Gigginstown House Stud, had been a leading fancy for honours at the Festival after taking his unbeaten run over fences to four.

That was his second Grade One success after he took the Fort Leney Novice Chase at Leopardstown in December.

"He's not going to run again this season," said Fenton.

"He was a little sore after Leopardstown, so I thought we'd play safe."

Cricket Ireland Announce Squads

Cricket Ireland has announced a 15-man squad for the upcoming tour of Kenya.

The tour will include the third round of the ICC Intercontinental Cup four-day match, two World Cup qualifying ODIs as part of the ICC 50-over League, and three T20Is, which will serve as preparation for the upcoming ICC World T20 qualifiers. 

The selectors have also announced a provisional squad of 17 players - subject to the ICC approving all player eligibility as is standard - for the ICC World T20 Qualifier in UAE.

A final squad of 14 will be selected from this by 12 February. This squad will also participate in a warm-up preparation camp in Port Elizabeth, South Africa.

In announcing the squads, national coach Phil Simmons commented: "It's a strong squad with the majority of the players having served us so well over the past few years [13 of the 17 players named were in the 2011 World Cup squad].

"Max Sorensen and James Shannon are the only ones who haven't played at senior level, but they're both exciting talents whom I'm sure will acquit themselves well if needed.

"Rory McCann came in when Niall O'Brien and Gary Wilson were unavailable during the World Cricket League in 2010, and performed well behind the stumps, helping us win that tournament with an unbeaten record."

He added: "There were difficult matters for the selectors to discuss regarding Niall O'Brien's availability.

"They took on board Niall's offer to play in only the ODIs in Kenya, join the squad for part of the South Africa camp, and then the ICC World T20 qualifier.

"However, the selectors remained consistent to their principle, regarding that all players must be available for all parts of the tour.

"Niall was not able to make himself available for the whole tour and therefore the selectors have decided not to select him for any part of the tour including the ICC World T20 qualifier. 

"We are only selecting for this tour and the next selection will be for the RSA Challenge ODI versus Australia in June; at that point they will consider all available players.

"Niall has communicated that he still wishes to play for Ireland and the selectors will take that into consideration when they next meet." 

The selectors also discussed Middlesex player Tim Murtagh.

Following consultation with ICC, he is unavailable for selection until his Irish passport has been processed, although the formalities of his Irish citizenship have been confirmed.

However, Cricket Ireland has clarified that should the selectors wish to bring Murtagh into the final squad of 14 for the ICC World T20 qualifier that remains an option, assuming his passport has arrived before the ICC deadline of 12 February.

The squads in full are as follows: 

Ireland squad to tour Kenya. 

William Porterfield (Warwickshire) (captain), Alex Cusack (Clontarf), George Dockrell (Somerset), Trent Johnston (Railway Union), Nigel Jones (CSN)*, Ed Joyce (Sussex), John Mooney (North County), Rory McCann (Instonians), Kevin O'Brien (Railway Union), Boyd Rankin (Warwickshire), Max Sorensen (The Hills), Paul Stirling (Middlesex), Albert van der Merwe* (YMCA), Andrew White (Instonians), Gary Wilson (Surrey). 

*Albert van der Merwe will only play in the Intercontinental Cup match and Nigel Jones will join the squad from 15 February to take part in the ODIs and T20s. 

Ireland squad for training camp in South Africa and ICC World T20 qualifier in the UAE.

William Porterfield (Warwickshire) (captain), Alex Cusack (Clontarf), George Dockrell (Somerset), Trent Johnston (Railway Union), Nigel Jones (CSN), Ed Joyce (Sussex), John Mooney (North County), Rory McCann (Instonians), Kevin O'Brien (Railway Union), Andrew Poynter (Clontarf), Boyd Rankin (Warwickshire), James Shannon (Instonians), Max Sorensen (The Hills), Paul Stirling (Middlesex), Albert van der Merwe (YMCA), Andrew White (Instonians), Gary Wilson (Surrey). 

Ireland fixtures and itinerary are as follows: 

Kenya (Intercontinental Cup) 12-15 February.

Kenya (ODI's) 18 & 20 February.

Kenya (T20's) 22, 23, 24 February. 

South Africa training camp (25 February - 10 March).

UAE (ICC World Twenty20 Qualifiers) (11-24 March)