Since the introduction of competitive cricket in the North West of Ireland in 1888, the sport has progressed remarkably and today occupies a position of prominence in Irish cricket,. There is however a decided absence of knowledge about the popularity of the sport in the North West of Ireland before this time and a grey area of twenty five years exists before the formation of the North West of Ireland Cricket Union in 1888. Before 1888 there were no league or cup competitions, but clubs invariably arranged a programme of friendly games with clubs within reach.

Waterside Cricket Club, which sadly no longer exists, was one of the earliest clubs to be formed in the North West area. In August 1863 they accepted a challenge from the Dungiven Cricket Club and the occasion proved to be rather grand. Both clubs turned out in red uniforms, Waterside being distinguished by small black hats with a red band. Over three hundred spectators watched the game at Dungiven and pomp was added by the attendance of the North Limavady Amateur Brass Band at the spectacle, for spectacle it certainly was.

Waterside won the game, scoring 29 in their first innings and 61 for 8 in their second innings while Dungiven replied with 26 and 59. leaving the Derry team victors. The return game at Rossdowney in the Waterside of Londonderry was played one week later and the visitors gained some measure of revenge beating their hosts, the scores being Waterside 44 and 50 - Dungiven 46 and 51 for 6.

At the end of the 1864 season Waterside Cricket Club played Tirkeeran Cricket Club at The Cross and again the game attracted a large number of spectators. Waterside won by an innings and six runs.

Then on Thursday 20th June 1865, a two innings match between Waterside and Dunboe Cricket Club from Castlerock was played in Londonderry. The final scores were Waterside 72 and 96 - Dunboe 53 and 41. Waterside won by 74 runs. In the return game on the 7th July 1865, Waterside won again, this time by 47 runs. Just to demonstrate that perservance pays, a third match between the sides was played in Castlerock in 1866 and this time the home team won by 81 runs.

By 1867 cricket was being played throughout County Donegal and by the end of the decade had spread to many towns and villages in the North West of Ireland. This period saw an influx of new clubs in competition with each other and also against the established clubs. Military regiments were also prominent in those formative years and they generally could hold their own with the local sides. Some fixture results were as follows :- Moville 85 and 57 defeated Brigade Royal Artillery 49 and 41; Donegal Artillery 38 and 18 defeated the Swilly Cricket Club (Letterkenny) 16 and 36.