€50,000 bonus for cricketers

THERE was further good news for the Irish cricket team yesterday when sponsors, Bank of Ireland, promised €50,000 to the side following their World Cup heroics in the West Indies.

The Bank has been involved with the national side since 2005 with Tom Hayes, chief executive, Bank of Ireland Corporate Banking describing the cricket team’s achievement as “a sponsor’s dream”.

The team, having qualified for the Super Eights (the second stage of the competition), now move from their base in Jamaica to play their next three games in Guyana.

Their first game in the Super Eights is against England on Friday.

Said Mr Hayes: “Cricket has always been a Cinderella sport in Ireland and we have been delighted to support its development in particular as the composition of the team reflects our own presence throughout the island of Ireland.

“Reaching the elite Super Eight category in the World Cup is a great achievement and in recognition of this fact and as support to their continuing journey in world cricket, we are contributing €50,000 to the squad’s bonus pool”.

Warren Deutrom, Chief Executive of the Irish Cricket Union welcomed the news: “The ICU is delighted that the Bank of Ireland has been so generous in recognising the team’s terrific performances in the World Cup thus far.”

Hayes added: “Bank of Ireland is extremely proud of its partnership with the team which commenced in 2005. Over the past two weeks the game of cricket has been embraced by all sports lovers on the island of Ireland. I am sure they will get tremendous support on Friday next against England and for the other matches against the world’s top cricketing nations. We extend our sincere congratulations to Adrian Birrell, Trent Johnston and all the team on its progression into the top flight of world cricket and we look forward to the matches ahead”.