We at Lismore Cricket Club have just wrapped up another brilliant year of our ‘Smash It’ programme for 5–9 year olds, and what a success it has been!
Smash It, one of Cricket Ireland’s flagship youth programmes, is all about giving boys and girls their first taste of cricket in a fun, inclusive, and energetic environment. Every Wednesday evening our ground was buzzing with activity, as children learned batting, bowling, and fielding through play, discovery, and plenty of laughter. Thanks to Cricket Ireland’s support, our young players also received bats, balls, t-shirts, and backpacks, which added to the excitement each week.
Since launching our first Smash It camp last year, we’ve gone from strength to strength. Our Club Secretary, Dan Dixon, summed it up perfectly:
“We’ve completed another fantastic year of Smash It, and it’s been a real success. A big thank you to Cricket Ireland for their support and for providing the gear and drills that help us run the programme. It’s brilliant to see the club so vibrant on a Wednesday night.”
Smash It has also opened the door to even more youth cricket in Lismore. Building on its success, we’ve run our own training sessions and grown a fantastic group of players at U13 level. Many of last year’s Smash It graduates, along with their siblings and friends, have joined our “Lismore Knights” U13 team. Thanks to this growth, we were able to enter the MCU U13 Cup for the first time in years – a massive milestone for us as we move from being a single-team club to looking ahead at fielding a 2nd XI, U15s, and a regular U13 side.
The Munster Cricket Union have also been hugely supportive. Their National Programme Co-ordinator, Glenn Brokenshire, had this to say about our progress:
“Lismore is a shining example of how to tap into the resources and training available from both the MCU and Cricket Ireland. The energy and drive of the new youth section under Dan Dixon is remarkable. To see 25+ children running around the pitch – alongside parents and members braving the rain – was a fantastic example of community spirit. Lismore has turned a real corner and is becoming a beacon for other clubs in the region.”
And we’re not done yet! To close out the season, we’re hosting a Youth Hardball Camp on Sunday, 31st August. This is the third camp organised by MCU Board Member Sukhi Byrne and Dan, and it’s open to children from any club – not just Lismore. It’s a great opportunity to learn, improve, and share the love of cricket together. Registration is just €5: Register here.
That same afternoon we’re also running a FREE Smash It Blitz (1.30–3.30pm) for all 5–9 year olds. Whether you’ve been part of Smash It before or want to give cricket a go for the very first time, it’s a perfect chance to come along, play games, and join the fun.
We couldn’t be prouder of how far our youth cricket has come in such a short time – and this is only the beginning. The future of Lismore CC is looking very bright!
