David O'Connor appointed new Cricket Ireland president
O’Connor, who served as the mayor of Fingal from 2015-16, recently stepped down from his Council duties after serving for almost 19 years, to take up his new role for the 2019-20 season.
Speaking at the Annual General Meeting, which was held on Sunday at the Ballymascanlon House in Dundalk, O’Connor said: "I'm very proud to represent my club North County, Fingal and Leinster cricket by becoming president of Cricket Ireland. It will be an exciting year ahead, and one which I’m looking forward to watching Irish sides – men, women and underage – at home and on the world stage.
The Cricket Ireland AGM was held this morning in Dundalk, an occasion which included the announcement of the new President.
— Cricket Ireland (@cricketireland) April 28, 2019
We welcome Mr David O’Connor in the role for the next 12 months, and congratulate outgoing President @AideenRice for a wonderful 12 months. #BackingGreen pic.twitter.com/o6uOUnIjzY
"While it's indeed a great honour personally, I'm very conscious of the footsteps I'm stepping into and am delighted to be following our first-ever woman president Aideen Rice. Aideen has done a fantastic job, travelling Ireland and the world to represent us all. She had a lovely style and panache about her, she threw herself fully into the role. It was particularly great she was there for our women cricketers, and I hope I can continue to represent all cricketers - international and local - across Ireland as well as Aideen did."
Rice, the outgoing president, was appointed last year, as Brian Walsh's successor, for the year 2018-19. She was the first woman to hold the position since the organisation's inception in 1923.
Last day wearing the blazer for @Irelandcricket and @IrishWomensCric It's been quite a year! Best wishes to my successor David O'Connor. pic.twitter.com/0ntSUi7e0m
— Aideen Rice (@AideenRice) April 28, 2019
Rice reflected on her 12-month journey that included Ireland's historic Test debut, against Pakistan, and the ICC Women's World T20 in the West Indies, saying: "There were so many highlights from the year – for me in the role, it started with the first men’s Test Match. Just the sheer scale of everything about it - the media, the hospitality, even the match itself, it swung around like a good Test match should.
"The two T20Is against India – two 10,000 sell-out crowds – were also great occasions. And I was, of course, delighted to be in Guyana at the World Cup to represent a women's team on the world stage."