...but looking below the surface his dilemma may be shades of things to come for other local players in the future.
Haire is very capable of speaking for himself but it's no secret that some young local players now see limited opportunities in the Ireland set-up down the line with so many foreign players able to qualify. Brace yourself Ireland because the economic attractions of the Emerald Isle are such that there are plenty of foreign nationals coming our way and that includes cricket employment opportunities. Most professional cricketers in Ireland are foreigners and more and more of them will qualify to play for the national team as they settle long term, much like the strong contingent within the current Ireland team. This may be good news for Irish cricket as the standard is likely to be higher given that professionals have the time to train and practice that amateurs don't have. But it will certainly change the culture of the team and perhaps the days when there are no Irish players in the national team are not as far off as we think!
National Coach Phil Simmons has already set out his stall by demanding 100% commitment from selected players, but aspiring young amateurs will need a benevolent employer if they are going to figure in his plans. Quite simply, whether the Ireland team goes professional or not, the Irish squad is going to be made up of club professionals, students, self-employed, unemployed or those "sponsored" in some form or another.
Ryan Haire is a well-educated astute young man looking to secure his future and settle into a career that will offer him long-term security and stability. He's also a very talented young cricketer at the peak of his form and if players of his ilk are being driven out of the Ireland set-up then we have to ask is this the way we want to go and is this the price we have to pay for success?
