One thing you can saw about Irish cricket is that it has been very quick off the mark to embrace advances in technology.
That includes assistant coach Pete Johnston's stunning array of analysis tools he brings to the Ireland set-up, and the cutting-edge training aids Phil Simmons uses to bring his players to perfect pitch.
But it is also seen in the competition between the websites that means Irish followers are as well served as any in the test nations.
The brilliant ball-by-ball coverage on CricketEurope Ireland has won it fans the world over, and last week's interpro in Trinity broke all traffic records for a domestic game.
Cricket Leinster has pioneered a Twitter-driven live score centre which brings the latest wicket from Knockharley 3rds to every fan in the province in real time - and won it a prestigious Irish Internet Association award. The union has now issued mini iPads to club scorekeepers to ensure their site is fed constantly.
And now Cricket Ireland has taken to the small screen to cover the RSA Insurance ODI Series against Pakistan. Both games at Clontarf will be streamed live on cricketirelandtv, the Cricket Ireland TV channel on YouTube. Quipu TV, a Scottish company, will be in charge of production and it all means the games can be seen all over the world - a first for Irish cricket.
The India v Ireland v South Africa triangular series in Stormont 2007 was seen on Star TV in Asia by an estimated audience of 400 million - which makes it the most-watched sporting event ever in this country, ahead of even the Ryder Cup and Tour de France.
But cricket has had a chequered history on TV here, with RTÉ reluctant to show any live games since the visit of Surrey in 1981. And when the national broadcaster finally showed highlights of the T20 World Cup qualifier from Dubai last year, a cock-up meant the thrilling final against Afghanistan was replaced by a repeat of Father Ted.
Sky Sports have already been out to Malahide to survey the new ground ahead of its debut marquee fixture with England in September.
Another great innovation this weekend will be the 50 metre giant screen which will show replays and the scoreboard in the Castle Avenue ground.
Cricket Ireland Marketing Manager Andrew Leonard said: "To get the big screen confirmed for both of the RSA Insurance ODI Series matches against Pakistan is super news for all cricket fans. I've no doubt it will add hugely to the experience for all the fans on Thursday and Sunday at Clontarf."
THERE'S no doubt that sporting skill runs in genes, as any glance at the list of those who played cricket for Ireland will show. Alan Lewis (121 caps, 1984-97) inherited some from his father, Ian (20 caps, 1955-73), and both have clearly passed them down to the latest in the line.
Alan's daughter Robyn, already an Ireland Development squad member, made her first century for YMCA in adult cricket last week - aged 13! Her father was a positively ancient 16 when he did so.
But just to show her he still has it - and he's 49 next week - ‘Lewy' made 100 for YMCA's 2nd string on Sunday.
PITY poor Richie Forrest, who made successive centuries for Trinity this month - a feat not achieved since the 1920s - and lost both games. The wicketkeeper batsman made a stunning 149 at Rush on Saturday, the highest ever score for the club in one day matches.
THE Cricket Ireland website is this season running an MVP competition across the top leagues in the three major unions. Railway and Lightning all-rounder Patrick Collins is currently top, indeed mostly because of weather nine of the top ten come from the LCU. As a measure of who's in form it seems pretty sharp, with John Anderson and Eddie Richardson completing the top three.
PERFORMANCE of the week: A target of 321 didn't daunt the evergreen Alan Butterly, who made his first senior century for Rush against Trinity at age 37. His unbeaten 136 was only 53 less than he made all last summer. Speculation that it may be the oldest maiden ton is off the mark however. The late Joey O'Meara - who would surely have been a T20 star these days - was 40 when he made his only one in 1984.
TWEET of the week: ‘@Youngy_44 Good results from my last scan! Free to get back bowling again'. Welcome news from Ireland ‘A' fast bowler Craig Young whose Sussex career has been blighted by injury.