BBC SPORT | Cricket | Counties | Ireland | Irish bosses aim to attract fans

Irish cricket bosses are introducing a new ticketing policy in an attempt to attract more spectators to the country's home games in 2008.

A buy-one-get-one-free offer will be in place for the home Friends Provident Trophy games which start with the clash against Nottinghamshire on 27 April.

Offers also include free admission for all for the Intercontinental Cup clash against Canada at Clontarf in August.

There will also be a discount for senior citizens at all games.

Despite Ireland's heroics in the World Cup, there were low attendances at matches last summer and there was a perception that high ticket prices had been a factor.

Cricket Ireland bosses will hope that their new ticketing policy will attract increased numbers of spectators.

The busy season starts with the revamped Friends Provident Trophy, which will see Ireland participating in the Midlands Section, along with Nottinghamshire, Warwickshire, Leicestershire and Northamptonshire.

Ireland begin their campaign with the home tie against Nottinghamshire at Clontarf on Sunday week.

Two of their Friends Provident home games will be played at Clontarf with two other home clashes being staged in Belfast.

Ireland will defend the European Championship title in Dublin in late July and spectators will be able to watch all 15 games in the tournament, including the host nation's five matches, by purchasing a ticket for £15.

There will also be special offers available for the the ICC Twenty20 World Cup Qualifiers in Belfast (August 2-4) and the three one-day internationals against Kenya in late August.

2008 Ireland Fixtures

27 April : Ireland v Nottinghamshire (Friends Provident Trophy), Clontarf
4 May : Leicestershire v Ireland (Friends Provident Trophy), Leicester
5 May : Northamptonshire v Ireland (Friends Provident Trophy), Northampton
16 May : Ireland v Warwickshire (Friends Provident Trophy), Stormont
18 May : Ireland v Leicestershire (Friends Provident Trophy), Stormont
25 May : Warwickshire v Ireland (Friends Provident Trophy), Edgbaston
26 May : Nottinghamshire v Ireland (Friends Provident Trophy), Trent Bridge
28 May : Northamptonshire v Ireland (Friends Provident Trophy), Clontarf
1 July : Ireland v New Zealand (ODI), Aberdeen
2 July : Scotland v Ireland (ODI), Aberdeen
9-12 July : Netherlands v Ireland (Intercontinental Cup), Netherlands
25 July : Ireland v Norway (European Chams), The Hills
26 July : Ireland v Denmark (European Chams), Leinster
28 July : Ireland v Netherlands (European Chams), Clontarf
29 July : Ireland v Italy (European Chams), Malahide
31 July : Ireland v Scotland (European Chams), Clontarf
2-4 August : ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier, Belfast
6-9 August : Ireland v Canada (Intercontinental Cup), Clontarf
11 August : Ireland v Canada (ODI), Clontarf
21 August : Ireland v Kenya (ODI), Belfast (TBC)
23 August : Ireland v Kenya (ODI), Belfast (TBC)
25 August : Ireland v Kenya (ODI), Belfast (TBC)