Cricketers launch fortress Malahide

IT may seem like a long way away but cricket followers are licking their lips in anticipation of history being made in their sport next autumn.

On Tuesday, September 3, 2013 Ireland will do battle with England at the new all-seater venue in Malahide.

The RSA Challenge will be the biggest cricket match ever to be held in Ireland. The new venue will be able to host a higher capacity than has ever been seen on the island of Ireland for an international cricket match.

Ireland coach Phil Simmons is confident our cricketers can record another famous victory over our closest neighbours.

Speaking at the ticket launch for the match at Malahide Castle, the 49-year-old spoke of the progress Irish cricket has made since he took charge in 2007.

“There’s a new belief in Irish cricket and that comes from the confidence the players have from beating teams like England,

? he said.

“There’s no doubt in my mind that the result in Bangalore (Ireland defeated England in the Cricket World Cup in 2011) brought home to the squad that they belong at the elite level.

?

John Mooney, who struck the winning runs when Ireland beat England in that epic World Cup battle said: “It’s going to be a great occasion to play England again and it’ll be a superb boost to the team to have a capacity crowd behind us.

“There’s always an extra edge and a great atmosphere when Ireland play England at any sport and it brings out the best in us all.

“It’s extra special for me in the fact that the game is in Fingal and I’m hoping the new venue at Malahide turns into a real fortress for Irish cricket.”

Tickets for the RSA Challenge are priced at

?¬40 (adult) for a full day’s entertainment, while family tickets cost

?¬99 and are on sale now.

For further details visit www.cricketireland.ie and to purchase tickets visit www.ticketmaster.ie