Ireland’s Players Secure Revised Central Contracts with Pay Rise

Ireland’s cricket players have achieved a significant milestone with a new agreement on central contracts that includes a pay rise. This follows a period of negotiation between Cricket Ireland (CI) and the Irish Cricketers’ Association (ICA), resulting in revised terms that will be effective until the end of February 2025.

Negotiations and Agreement

Earlier reports from the Irish Times highlighted that Ireland’s players had initially rejected an offer from CI, creating uncertainty about their participation in June’s T20 World Cup. Players risked playing on contracts that technically expired at the end of February, as these contracts rolled over indefinitely, maintaining their retainers.

However, in a joint statement on Thursday evening, CI and the ICA announced that they had reached an agreement. The statement confirmed that the revised contracts would be issued immediately and apply until February 2025.

Acknowledging Players’ Contributions

CI’s chief executive, Warren Deutrom, acknowledged the players’ crucial role in advancing Irish cricket and confirmed the pay increase. “From the inception of player payments, the Cricket Ireland board has always prioritised our senior men’s and women’s players to reward them for their huge part in driving forward the sport in Ireland,” Deutrom stated.

He emphasized that the players received the largest share of new funds in Irish cricket this year, reflecting their hard work and success. Deutrom also highlighted CI’s commitment to balancing player rewards with the need to invest in grassroots, club, and provincial levels to nurture future international players.

Positive Relations and Future Plans

Despite delays in finalizing the new contract model due to budget sign-offs and complexities, Deutrom stressed the positive working relationship between CI and the ICA. “These negotiations have taken time to finalise due to the later-than-planned sign-off of our budget, and the complexity of the new model for player contracts,” he explained. “However, at all times, we have been working very positively with the ICA to ensure we reached an agreement that works for all.”

Former Ireland batter and current ICA president, Cecelia Joyce, praised the unified stance of the players throughout the process. “Our members have been unified throughout this whole process, and the outcome is a significant one for all professional players in Ireland, and [for] the game. It ensures greater transparency and clarity with respect to the players’ share of revenue, and on contracting structures for the next period,” Joyce remarked.

CI has yet to announce the list of contracted players for the 2024-25 season but has promised to release further details about the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and the contracts soon.