This week marked the start and the end of this summer's ODI action for the Ireland men. Not that you would tell from the attendances. A pitiful figure of 2,500 people came through the gates at Clontarf across the drawn series against the West Indies. Have people switched off from Irish cricket, or is Cricket Ireland guilty of underselling its main product? Ally McCalmont and Nathan Johns discuss this pressing issue while offering a general review of the summer's first international action.

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The start of the international summer is upon us. Top tier cricket has finally returned to Ireland's shores. Ally McCalmont and Nathan Johns preview Ireland's ODI series against the West Indies. Will we see any debutants? Are the interpros finally providing decent international prep? What do these games mean to World Cup prospects? PLUS an exclusive chat with Ireland 'keeper Amy Hunter as her stint with Surrey continues.

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We all remember Carlos Brathwaite's name, thanks in large part to Ian Bishop's memorable commentary of the final over heroics that saw Brathwaite guide the West Indies to the 2016 T20 World Cup. What a few people might forget, though, is Brathwaite's far more illustrious achievement of winning the Irish Senior Cup with Leinster back in 2009.

With the West Indies coming to town next week, Carlos joins The Irish Cricket Podcast to reminisce on his time in Ireland, look at how the experience saw him make his West Indies breakthrough, and of course look forward to the upcoming Ireland games.

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This week sees the start of Ireland's domestic professional competitions for both men and women's sides. But, compared to last year, it's much harder for fans to follow. A sign of the dwindling status of 50-over cricket or a more concerning trend? Do the players themselves truly care? How do we get fans to buy into their regional teams?

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Two Irish players are currently playing T20 cricket in Pakistan, Josh Little and Curtis Campher. Their bowling coach, Cath Dalton, is a former Ireland international herself. Another coach with Irish links, Ian Butler, is working with Islamabad United.

Given his work with the Northern Cricket Union, coaching players on the Irish development pathway, and the amount of commentary on how Ireland manages to develop young players, we spoke to Ian Butler on this episode of the Irish Cricket Podcast. Is the country any good at bringing young players through? How are we working past the financial and facility issues?

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Amy Hunter was recently announced as an overseas signing for Surrey CCC. But the county's admin used a tricolour, not the official flag for players representing the entire island of Ireland, in the social media post announcing the signing. Does this innocuous error really matter? Ally McCalmont and Nathan Johns discuss the dwindling role the island's politics plays in cricket.

The end of the women's qualifiers and the ongoing Wolves tour are also up for discussion, as is the upcoming club season in the NCU, NWCU and Leinster.

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Ireland women's World Cup qualification campaign went up in smoke inside six days. The Wolves side lost by an innings in their sole red ball game against Afghanistan, while the U19s struggled in Zimbabwe. At senior and junior level, the defeats are piling up for Irish cricket teams. Ally McCalmont and Nathan Johns conduct a postmortem.

Where has it all gone wrong? Why is fielding such a concern for the senior women's side? Who are the youngsters still standing out? Are there any green shoots to suggest things will improve? Should we just turn into a golf podcast instead?

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On Wednesday, Ireland's women's team starts their bid to qualify for the ODI World Cup with a clash against Pakistan. Ally McAlmont and Nathan Johns come to you slightly earlier in the week than normal to preview their chances. We also have an exclusive interview with former captain Laura Delany. Have Ireland's chances been overly depleted by injury? Why is this side more comfortable in T20 rather than 50-over cricket? How has Delany adjusted to being back in the pack once the captaincy was given elsewhere last year?

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Over the next few weeks, Ireland women, Wolves and U19s all play in an important series of fixtures. With the U19s starting first, Nathan Johns and Ally McAlmont pick through which players are worth watching as those most likely to progress through to international level.

We also chat through the upcoming start of the club season and how grounds around the country are getting ready for the summer ahead. Is there a disconnect between cricket people in the north of the country and the national sides?

Get in touch on Twitter @irishcricketpod or email us at [email protected]

How will the European T20 Premier League actually benefit Irish cricket? Which Irish players will be involved? Who might miss out? Where has Cricket Ireland's club money been spent? What is the best Irish Test XI of all time?

Listener questions answered in this week's mailbag/Q&A episode.

Get in touch via Twitter @irishcricketpod or email [email protected].