Ireland cricket: How important was the historic weekend against India and West Indies?

Three matches. Two groups. A historic weekend.

On Friday, Ireland’s men created history by beating reigning T20 world champions India in Belfast.

Then, 24 hours later, Ireland claimed their first victory in the Women’s T20 World Cup when they Beat the West Indies by six wickets.

Back at Stormont, Ireland weren’t done there either, as the men suffered their first T20 series defeat to India since 2023. A dramatic second win by one run on Sunday.

While there have been some important individual triumphs in Irish cricket over the years, has there ever been a better weekend – and what does it mean for the future?

“Sometimes it feels like we play in a bit of a shadow in international cricket, and we’re hoping we’ll be front page news after that,” Lorcan Tucker, who captained Ireland in the win over India, told BBC Sport NI.

“It was a great weekend for Irish cricket, especially with the women’s win against the West Indies and we hope there are lots of kids who will be inspired by that and take up the cricket bat.”

It was perhaps Ross Adair who summed it up best at the weekend, who said the most famous “it’s got to be there” in Irish cricket.

“The women won yesterday, probably the best weekend we’ve had, Friday, Saturday and Sunday,” he said.

“I’m delighted to be a part of Irish cricket history.”