The English brought cricket to Ireland. The game was introduced to Ballinasloe in the early 1800's. The first Irish team took to the field in 1855. The match was vs.The Gentlemen of England in Dublin. The spread of cricket continued into the early 1880's. There were many setbacks to cricket, but cricket prospered. There was a great change in the game of cricket. It is not very popular today. In 1998, there were 22 games played. Ireland has played 203 matches in all.
Rugby is a popular sport in Ireland, just like soccer, hurtling, and Gaelic football.