Cricket club enjoys unprecedented double

Ballyhaunis Cricket Club has renewed its push for a dedicated cricket ground in Ballyhaunis after the club has for the first time in its history reached the Connacht final in both senior and junior grades. The senior side took on the University of Galway on Saturday, August 8, while the Ballyhaunis junior team faces Galway Shamrocks on Sunday, August 16th.

“It’s the first time our junior team has reached the final since the Junior Cup has happened in Connacht,” explained the club’s public relations officer Hamza Yousaf.

The club has had a fantastic record in the Connacht senior cup “as we always reach the finals and win as well,” said Hamza.

“The last time we won the senior cup was in 2023, lost the final in 2024 and lost a semi-final in 2025.

“Our main concern is to find a cricket pitch. Being the most successful club in Connacht and still not to have a pitch can be challenging. I’m heavily involved with Cricket Ireland and have raised concerns with them as well recently.” The unprecedented success of Ballyhaunis Cricket Club in reaching the Connacht junior and senior finals is “a true testament to the hard work and dedication of our players, coaches, and supporters week in and week out,” said the club’s public relations officer.

Hamza added: “We want to say a massive thank you to all our players, parents, and local supporters who back us on and off the pitch every single week. We’re incredibly proud of both squads for earning their spot, and we can’t wait to get out there and give it everything we've got for Ballyhaunis.” Hamza told this reporter earlier that the club is looking for a six-to-eight-acre site for a new playing ground in Ballyhaunis. The club was this spring forced to play two games back-to-back in Galway over a single weekend due limited availability of grounds in Connacht. The club has been lobbying local authorities and politicians for some time for a ground of its own in its hometown.