While part-time contracts for women players were initially introduced in 2019 by Cricket Ireland, it was in a landmark moment in 2022 that cricket became only the second sport in Ireland to offer full-time professional contracts to women players.
With the much-anticipated Zimbabwe tour of Ireland just a few weeks away, Cricket Ireland has announced its annual central contract list for the 2025–26 season.
The contract system in Ireland has developed and expanded over time, with a key feature being Cricket Ireland’s flexibility to customise contracts based on each player’s individual circumstances.
Additionally, non-contracted players are occasionally offered a ‘casual’ contract for the remainder of the contract year. The system also acknowledges that some players may still be in education, whether at secondary or tertiary level. To support this, several players are on ‘educational contracts’, enabling them to balance academic commitments while continuing to develop their cricketing abilities.
Graeme West, Cricket Ireland’s Director of High Performance, stated that the central contracts serve as recognition and reward for the country’s top cricketing talent across both the men’s and women’s games.
He commented, “They allow the players the time and opportunity to access specialist coaching, as well as healthcare and lifestyle support services, which create a more holistic approach to player development. Cricket Ireland’s investment in these contracts helps the growth of our sport by ensuring we are competitive and visible on the world stage and also by creating role models and heroes to inspire a new generation to enter the sport.”
The full-time contracts include top Irish players such as former skipper Laura Delany. A mainstay in the Irish setup since her debut, Delany has consistently contributed with both bat and ball, establishing herself as a key figure in the team’s lineup. She is the most-capped Irish player in One-Day Internationals, with 113 appearances.
Delany ranks second and third for the most runs scored for Ireland in T20Is and ODIs, respectively. As an all-rounder, she is also effective with the ball, holding the record for the most wickets taken for Ireland in T20Is.
Current captain Gaby Lewis also features on the list. She made her debut at just 13 years of age and, in the decade since, has remained an integral part of the Irish setup, playing a vital role in the team’s development and success. In her 94 T20I appearances, she has scored 2,318 runs, the highest for Ireland in the format. With 1,648 runs in ODIs, she is also the highest run-scorer for the Ireland national team overall.
Also included is Orla Prendergast, a dynamic right-handed batting all-rounder and right-arm medium pacer. Since her debut in 2019, she has become a cornerstone of the Irish side. At just 23 years of age, Prendergast ranks third on the list of highest run-scorers for Ireland in T20Is.
Educational contracts have been awarded to promising youngsters, including seamers Ava Canning and Georgina Dempsey and spinner Aimee Maguire. The list also includes Amy Hunter, the youngest cricketer, male or female, to score a century in an ODI. She reached the milestone against Zimbabwe at just 16 years old.
Ireland Women Centrally Contracted Players for 2025-26:
Full-time contracts –
Alana Dalzell, Laura Delany, Sarah Forbes, Arlene Kelly, Gaby Lewis, Sophie MacMahon, Jane Maguire, Cara Murray, Leah Paul, Orla Prendergast, Freya Sargent
Educational contracts –
Ava Canning, Christina Coulter Reilly, Georgina Dempsey, Amy Hunter, Louise Little, Joanna Loughran, Aimee Maguire, Rebecca Stokell, Alice Tector
Casual contracts –
Abbi Harrison, Kia McCartney, Jenni Jackson, Lara McBride, Ellie McGee
