Ireland has announced a further programme of national youth fixtures, including the return of the Celtic Cup and a youth tri-series to begin next week.

Albert van der Merwe, National Pathway Manager for Cricket Ireland, said: “It is fantastic to see the return of the highly competitive Celtic Cup between Ireland’s and Scotland’s under-17s boys squads.

While this has become a keenly followed series at the underage level, we haven’t been able to play the fixtures over the last two years due to the pandemic. The hosting of the series typically alternates each year between countries and this year we welcome the Scots to Bangor and Stormont.

"For many players, the Celtic Cup is their first taste of international cricket and touring life, so the value of the competition in a player’s early development is immense.

“We are also fortunate enough this year to be able to avail of two true legends of Irish cricket – Andre Botha and Jeremy Bray – who will coach the squad. The amount of knowledge and experience that Andre and Jeremy will be able to call upon will make this an additionally valuable week for the players.

CELTIC CUP – Fixtures and Squad

Fixture schedule:
Monday 15 August - Bangor Cricket Club (50-over match; 10.45am start)
Tuesday 16 August - Bangor Cricket Club (2 x T20 matches; 10.30am start / 2.45pm start)
Thursday 18 August - Stormont (50-over match; 10.45am start)

Ireland Under-17s squad:
Mohammed Aahil (Instonians)
Eoin Birch (Balbriggan)
Macdara Cosgrave (Pembroke)
Aaron Doyle (Malahide)
Harry Dyer (CSNI)
Daniel Forkin (Merrion)
Ryan Hunter (CSNI)
Finn Lutton (CSNI)
Carson McCullough (CIYMS)
Aaron McGeehan (Clontarf)
John McNally (Clontarf)
Gavin Roulston (Bready)
Luke Thomson (Clontarf)
Donncha Tucker (Pembroke)

Coaching Staff:
Andre Botha and Jeremy Bray