Cricket Ireland (CI) has recently announced that Richard Holdsworth has stepped down from his position as Ireland director of cricket, which is the latest significant change in leadership at the organisation.
Holdsworth is the second senior person to leave Cricket Ireland in the past six months, after the departure of former chief executive Warren Deutrom. The governing body announced that Holdsworth will “step back” from his role to pursue the next phase of his career.
Ireland Director of Cricket: Holdsworth’s Journey with Cricket Ireland
Holdsworth has been a prominent figure in Irish cricketing history for almost 15 years. He joined Cricket Ireland in 2011 as the High Performance Director. He played a crucial role in improving the elite pathways and player development structures. In 2025, he took on the role of Ireland director of cricket.
Cricket Ireland recognized his contribution to the professionalization of structures and improving the competitiveness of Ireland on the international stage.
Second Major Exit Amid Leadership Transition at CI
This comes hot on the heels of the resignation of Warren Deutrom as chief executive in August last year. Deutrom has since been appointed as the chair of the European T20 Premier League (ETPL), which is set to launch this summer after being postponed in 2025.
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Cricket Ireland had earlier announced that Sarah Keane, the current CEO of Swim Ireland, would take up the role of chief executive, with Ross McCollum continuing as the interim CEO until March next year.
Holdsworth Reflects on His Time as Ireland Director of Cricket
In a statement issued by Cricket Ireland, Holdsworth said he was proud of his time with the organization and the achievements that had been made during his tenure.
“I’m incredibly proud of what we have achieved together working with a team of outstanding staff. From professionalizing our structures to supporting players at the highest level, it has been a privilege to be part of Ireland’s journey on the world stage,” Holdsworth said.
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He also welcomed the new leadership and wished Sarah Keane and the Cricket Ireland team all the best.
Cricket Ireland Pays Tribute to Holdsworth’s Impact
Interim CEO Ross McCollum commended Holdsworth’s contribution, saying that he played a crucial role in changing high-performance systems during Ireland’s transition to ICC Full Member status.
“Holdsworth will be leaving us as a colleague who is passionate about the game and has committed to providing better opportunities for Irish cricketers,” McCollum said.
McCollum added that Holdsworth’s 14-year tenure in the organization had left a great legacy that would take years to develop in Irish cricket.
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