PAUL REYNOLDS RIP

We are hugely saddened to hear of the passing of our dear friend and colleague, Paul Reynolds.

No words could ever express our love and gratitude to Paul for everything he brought to cricket in Leinster and Ireland at all levels.

Our deepest sympathies to his beloved Jen, his boys (Iestyn, Rhys and Ieuan) and his wide circle of friends right across the cricket community in Ireland and beyond.

Born in Crawley, England, Paul grew up in Chipping Sodbury, just north of Bristol and was heavily involved in Chipping Sodbury Cricket Club. He went to university in Aberystwyth, Wales from 1991-1994, then moved to Dublin in June 1995, and joined Leinster Cricket Club, being a member ever since.

He played for Leinster CC, mostly on the 1st XI and with some success as a wicketkeeper-batter.

Paul also took up umpiring and cricket administration and has been critical to the growth and expansion of cricket across the province. On the umpiring front, Paul rose to become one of the most respected umpires in Ireland, and part of the ICC International Umpires Panel, earning him a contract with Cricket Ireland.

Along with umpiring at international level, Paul has had numerous voluntary cricket administration roles with Cricket Leinster, including:

- Chair of the Open Competitions Committee- Executive Committee member
- Grounds Committee Chair- Cricket Leinster Company Secretary and Chair of Cricket- Leinster Cricket Union Executive- Cricket Committee Honorary Secretary- Cricket Leinster Board member

Paul was also central to the project to enter all available league & cup scorecards dating back to 1919 (the foundation of Cricket Leinster) into the central archive. This means that the historical playing records of the Leinster Cricket Union are publicly accessible through the Cricket Leinster website.

All of this work was done by Paul on a completely voluntary basis. At the same time Paul was raising a family, playing, coaching, helping run his own club and umpiring to an International standard.

His roles as Chair of the Cricket Committee, member of the Board & Company Secretary at Cricket Leinster have been vital in terms of contributing to the good governance of the game in the province. He brought to the Board an up to the minute knowledge of the club game and competition operations, as well as well over 20 years of club administration experience.

Paul has been a critical part of the volunteer workforce of Cricket Leinster.

Paul leaves behind a huge legacy in cricket in Ireland and in Leinster in particular. His dedication to the game never wavered during his illness and the vast majority of people wouldn’t even have been aware that he was unwell for so long. It is a testament to his character and fortitude that he continued to serve the game, as both an administrator and an umpire, until shortly before his passing.

Whilst Paul’s contribution is beyond measure, he will be best remembered as a great friend to so many, a listening ear to all and as a fair, decent, kind and engaging human being. Paul lived by a set of values that embodied equity & inclusion and leaves a brilliant legacy for all to follow.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.