Bennett Construction backs future of Mullingar Cricket Club

When work is required on a prestige sporting venue, then it’s a prestige firm that is brought in for the project.

Thus it was that Mullingar enterprise Bennett Construction came to be the contractor engaged when significant works were required at the hallowed Kia Oval cricket ground in London – including construction of the Peter May Stand, upgrades to the OCS Stand, and works to the Pavilion.

Locally, too, however, Bennett Construction is helping progress the sport of cricket: it has just announced a new two-year partnership with Mullingar Cricket Club, becoming the club’s main sponsor as it continues to grow cricket in Mullingar, Westmeath and the wider midlands region.

To mark the partnership, representatives from Bennett Construction and Mullingar Cricket Club recently travelled to London to visit the Kia Oval Cricket Ground in London. It was a fitting setting in which to celebrate Bennett’s connection to cricket, from major stadium construction to supporting grassroots sport in Mullingar.

According to Bennett’s, the partnership reflects their commitment to supporting local sport, community development and long-term investment in places that bring people together.

As a business supporter of the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan, Bennett Construction will also collaborate with the club on their pollinator plan as part of its new pitch development at Cullion, supporting biodiversity and helping to create a more sustainable environment for players, members and the local community.

Founded in 1971, Mullingar Cricket Club is one of the foremost cricket clubs in the midlands of Ireland. The club currently fields multiple senior teams, including men’s and women’s sides, and has a growing youth section for players aged 8 to 15. The women’s team returned in 2022 for the first time since 1996 and continues to prosper within Cricket Leinster.

The partnership comes at an important stage in the club’s development. Mullingar Cricket Club is progressing plans for a permanent new home at Cullion, including a new cricket pitch, practice area, clubhouse, changing rooms and function room. The project is designed to support the long-term growth of cricket in the area and provide a welcoming sporting facility for the wider community.

Paul Bruton, Joint Managing Director at Bennett Construction, said: “We are delighted to support Mullingar Cricket Club as main sponsor for the next two years. This partnership is about more than jersey sponsorship or signage. It is about investing in a club that plays an important role in its local community, supporting participation across men’s, women’s and youth cricket, and helping the club as it develops its future home at Cullion. We are also particularly pleased to collaborate with the club on a pollinator plan, which reflects Bennett’s commitment to sustainability and community-focused development.”

Robert Delaney, Mullingar Cricket Club, said: “On behalf of Mullingar Cricket Club, I want to thank Bennett Construction for its support over the next two years. This partnership will make a real difference to our players, our volunteers and the wider community as we continue to grow the game in Mullingar and develop our future home at Cullion.”

Mullingar Cricket Club has provided cricket to hundreds of people in the local community since moving to St Finian’s College in 2011. The club is proud of its diverse membership, with players and members from a wide range of backgrounds and nationalities. Its future plans at Cullion aim to create a facility that will support cricket development, youth participation and community engagement for generations to come.

The sponsorship will be officially launched in early July, with new Bennett-sponsored jerseys, pitch-side branding and further partnership activity to be shared across Bennett Construction and Mullingar Cricket Club channels.

Charity match

Meanwhile, a special charity cricket match takes place on Friday the 10th of July at 5:30pm. The game will be at St Finian’s College and it will be a charity match between Mullingar Cricket Club and Mullingar Hospital Emergency Department, with proceeds going to Pieta House.