Cricket Ireland forced to call out beekeeper after unexpected swarm delays domestic clash

A beekeeper had to be called out to a domestic fixture in Ireland today (June 7) after a swarm settled on the fence surrounding the playing field, causing an almost two-hour delay.

The swarm, which contained around 20,000 insects, crossed over the pitch during the 11th over of the match between Munster Reds and Northern Knights in the Cricket Ireland Inter-Provincial Trophy in Mardyke in Cork. All of the players on the field, along with the umpires, hit the deck to avoid the insects as they passed over.

However, the bees seemed to take a liking to their surroundings as they flew towards the pavilion and around the side of the club house, eventually settling on the fence in front of the dressing rooms. With the continued presence of the bees meaning it was too dangerous to continue, given the ball could hit the hive and cause the bees to attack those around them, play was suspended.