In the world of sports, few individuals manage to excel in more than one discipline. Mary Waldron, a former member of the Irish Women's Cricket National Team, has defied norms by making her mark not only in one but two demanding sports – soccer and cricket. Waldron represented the Republic of Ireland women's national football team before committing to cricket, and now holds the record as Ireland's most-capped cricketer. With a tenacious spirit and an unyielding passion for both games, Waldron has proven that dedication knows no boundaries.
We had the privilege of chatting with Mary Waldron on the HerSport Show. Waldron takes a trip down memory lane as she looks back through old photographs from her time on the Irish Women's Cricket National Team.
Mary Waldron - what a legend. #BackingGreen #ThanksMary pic.twitter.com/8O1w0be97P
— Ireland Women’s Cricket (@IrishWomensCric) July 28, 2023
Waldron grew up playing soccer, earning nominations for the FAI Under-18 Women Player of the Year in 2001 and 2002, and a sport scholarship to University College Dublin in 2003. Her impact was felt on grand stages, most notably in the 2004 FAI Women's Cup final at Lansdowne Road, where she played a pivotal role in UCD's resounding victory over Dundalk City. It was during this time that Waldron made her UEFA Women's Cup debut, marking the inception of her journey on the international stage. Her unwavering commitment and undeniable skill set the foundation for her transition into cricket.
Waldron's switch to cricket was rather unconventional, but she comments that it felt like a "natural evolution". A friend of Waldron's, who loves cricket, introduced her to the sport and at the age of 25 she started wicketkeeping. Although she had not anticipated the pivot from representing Ireland in soccer to representing Ireland in cricket, Mary was drawn to the tactic side of cricket, as well as the etiquette and nuance of the "unusual" sport. She brought her expertise from the football field to the cricket pitch, honing her skills as wicket-keeper; Waldron played both soccer and cricket for about 3 years, until she was awarded a part-time professional contract in July 2020 by Cricket Ireland and was named in Ireland's team for the 2021 Women's Cricket World Cup Qualifier tournament in Zimbabwe.
Waldron was one of seven members of Ireland's Women's Cricket team to be awarded a full-time professional contract in 2022. The full-time contracts were critical for Ireland, as other teams in World Cricket were becoming professional and Waldron, who was involved in many of the negotiations for the contracts, felt Ireland "would have been left trailing behind." Additionally, the ICC announced that they will be awarding equal prize money for men and women's teams going forward.
Waldron is an undeniable trailblazer for the growing popularity of cricket in Ireland in recent years. She has made 184 appearances and has amassed over a hundred caps since her debut in 2010, but Waldron still accredits her long-term cricketer teammates as the true trailblazers of the sport. The lengthy tours and games in cricket foster strong team bonds and lifelong friendships, says Waldron, who refers to the comradery as a "massive cricket family."
Waldron announced her retirement from international cricket on July 27, 2023. As she embarks on a new chapter, her legacy continues to inspire countless athletes, both present and future, to embrace their passions and push boundaries. HerSport is honored to have shared this glimpse into her remarkable career, and her story will undoubtedly reverberate as a source of inspiration for athletes to come.
You can watch the full episode with Mary Waldron on our Youtube channel:
