The Ryan Bailey Column

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The Ryan Bailey Column

Ryan Bailey

Rankin return adds steel to Ireland Rankin return adds steel to Ireland ( )

DEFECTION. BETRAYAL. DESERTION. Call it what you want, cricketer Boyd Rankin has heard it all before. He’s learned to take no notice of it and doesn’t care much for outside opinion.

DEFECTION. BETRAYAL. DESERTION. Call it what you want, cricketer Boyd Rankin has heard it all before. He’s learned to take no notice of it and doesn’t care much for outside opinion.

TJ on life after Ireland TJ on life after Ireland ( )

Rewinding two years, there’s a charming photo of Trent Johnston and his young family in Dublin Airport. It’s a matter of days before Christmas and Ireland had just returned from Dubai where they completed the final leg of a prodigious treble.

Rewinding two years, there’s a charming photo of Trent Johnston and his young family in Dublin Airport. It’s a matter of days before Christmas and Ireland had just returned from Dubai where they completed the final leg of a prodigious treble.

Time for youth to deliver Time for youth to deliver ( )

Never has the issue of youth development, across all sports, been so vehemently debated.

Never has the issue of youth development, across all sports, been so vehemently debated.

The nosiy neighbours The nosiy neighbours ( )

When the neighbours are around, the good silver usually gets an airing and certainly Malahide will have pulled out all the stops but the days of Ireland bestowing a hospitable welcome on their guests have passed.

When the neighbours are around, the good silver usually gets an airing and certainly Malahide will have pulled out all the stops but the days of Ireland bestowing a hospitable welcome on their guests have passed.

Ireland at a crossroads Ireland at a crossroads ( )

Ireland’s World Cup fate had barely been confirmed before the ICC's official Twitter account had congratulated Phil Simmons' side 'for a wonderful campaign' as well as thanking them for the 'memories, passion and excitement' they had brought to the tournament.

Ireland’s World Cup fate had barely been confirmed before the ICC's official Twitter account had congratulated Phil Simmons' side 'for a wonderful campaign' as well as thanking them for the 'memories, passion and excitement' they had brought to the tournament.

Sponsorship battle a reminder of the dangers of aiming too high Sponsorship battle a reminder of the dangers of aiming too high ( )

So, when RSA decided against extending their seven-year partnership with Cricket Ireland, it was, although played down at the time, a body blow - the insurance firm had invested a seven figure sum into Irish cricket.

So, when RSA decided against extending their seven-year partnership with Cricket Ireland, it was, although played down at the time, a body blow - the insurance firm had invested a seven figure sum into Irish cricket.

No room for sentiment as golden tickets distributed No room for sentiment as golden tickets distributed ( )

Above all, it says a great deal about how far Irish cricket has come that a squad announcement, for a preparatory series against two of our Associate counterparts, has engendered such discourse.

Above all, it says a great deal about how far Irish cricket has come that a squad announcement, for a preparatory series against two of our Associate counterparts, has engendered such discourse.

The numbers don't add up The numbers don't add up ( )

Of the 25,000 children playing cricket across the island of Ireland this year, how many will still be involved in the sport in five, ten, fifteen years time? The answer - very few. The dropout rate, across all sports, currently exceeds the rate at which people are taking up sport.

Of the 25,000 children playing cricket across the island of Ireland this year, how many will still be involved in the sport in five, ten, fifteen years time? The answer - very few. The dropout rate, across all sports, currently exceeds the rate at which people are taking up sport.

Spate of injuries exposes soft underbelly Spate of injuries exposes soft underbelly ( )

What has happened to the much-trumpeted and widely-acclaimed next generation? Where have the heir apparents disappeared to?

What has happened to the much-trumpeted and widely-acclaimed next generation? Where have the heir apparents disappeared to?

Home from home Home from home ( )

Do you ever find yourself, when on foreign soil, trying to envisage what it would be like to live in that particular city or country?

Do you ever find yourself, when on foreign soil, trying to envisage what it would be like to live in that particular city or country?

London Calling London Calling ( )

Ryan on his first week in London where he is spending the summer covering county cricket for Cricinfo.

Ryan on his first week in London where he is spending the summer covering county cricket for Cricinfo.

The next generation game The next generation game ( )

A look at the youth policies already starting to pay dividends.

A look at the youth policies already starting to pay dividends.

Ireland on sponsor search Ireland on sponsor search ( )

Cricket Ireland have begun the process of searching for a new title sponsor in time for next year’s World Cup.

Cricket Ireland have begun the process of searching for a new title sponsor in time for next year’s World Cup.

Never mind the quality feel the growth Never mind the quality feel the growth ( )

Accepting new clubs willy nilly represents growth but won’t improve standard in Leinster or Irish cricket.

Accepting new clubs willy nilly represents growth but won’t improve standard in Leinster or Irish cricket.

Homeward Bound Ireland seek answers Homeward Bound Ireland seek answers ( )

It’s only natural to search for answers, assign the blame and probe for shortcomings when disappointment is still the overwhelming emotion.

It’s only natural to search for answers, assign the blame and probe for shortcomings when disappointment is still the overwhelming emotion.

Aversion to failure driving World T20 aspirations Aversion to failure driving World T20 aspirations ( )

For Ireland, the perennial giant killing tag of bygone tournaments is in storage for the time being.

For Ireland, the perennial giant killing tag of bygone tournaments is in storage for the time being.

Ireland Women stepping out of the mire Ireland Women stepping out of the mire ( )

Barren eight years comes to an end when Ireland Women head to Bangladesh for T20 World Cup.

Barren eight years comes to an end when Ireland Women head to Bangladesh for T20 World Cup.

Time to confront the elephant in the room Time to confront the elephant in the room ( )

Globally, more than 350 million people of all ages suffer from a mental illness. That’s about 5% of the world’s population. One in five people suffer from depression during their life. The figures are harrowing.

Globally, more than 350 million people of all ages suffer from a mental illness. That’s about 5% of the world’s population. One in five people suffer from depression during their life. The figures are harrowing.

Hard-work bearing fruit for pioneering O’Brien Hard-work bearing fruit for pioneering O’Brien ( )

The 29-year-old has quickly become Ireland’s first global trailblazer. He’s been a Gladiator and a Saber, an Outlaw and a Lion, a Rangpur Rider and more recently, a member of the Red Steel.

The 29-year-old has quickly become Ireland’s first global trailblazer. He’s been a Gladiator and a Saber, an Outlaw and a Lion, a Rangpur Rider and more recently, a member of the Red Steel.

New Year, bigger challenges New Year, bigger challenges ( )

The challenges that face Ireland in 2014 include defeating Full Members and finding a replacement for Trent Johnston.

The challenges that face Ireland in 2014 include defeating Full Members and finding a replacement for Trent Johnston.

A team creating a sporting dynasty with little recognition A team creating a sporting dynasty with little recognition ( )

Three global titles in 2013 but still not good enough for the RTE and Irish Sports Council awards committee.

Three global titles in 2013 but still not good enough for the RTE and Irish Sports Council awards committee.

Wilson's stock keeps rising Wilson's stock keeps rising ( )

Ireland and Surrey's Gary Wilson has become accustomed to being in esteemed company.

Ireland and Surrey's Gary Wilson has become accustomed to being in esteemed company.

Continuity breeds success for Simmons and Ireland Continuity breeds success for Simmons and Ireland ( )

Success in Twenty20 originates from a regular and reliable method of which all players are accustomed and confident in.

Success in Twenty20 originates from a regular and reliable method of which all players are accustomed and confident in.

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Tournament Coverage 2016

Women's World Twenty20

Intercontinental Cup

WCL Championship

Under 19 World Cup