Resilience of the RUC Club
Perhaps inevitably the RUC Cricket Club has borne the major brunt of the civil disorder campaign since 1968. Ironically the club enters the 1987 season in a position of unparalleled strength and prosperity than during their 38-year history but it has been earned the hard way, especially during the difficult times of the seventies. It speaks volumes for the club and its loyal officials that success has been measured against such odds, as its members have been the target of numerous attacks and assassinations. Repeatedly during the past decade the volatile security situation placed increasing demands on the RUC, and the capacity of the cricket section to fulfil their programme was regularly under threat. Opposing clubs and sympathetic unions showed considerable compassion and understanding to ride the crisis, while the members themselves went to great lengths to ensure teams fulfilled fixtures if at all possible. Their success story is one touched with sadness. Former all-rounder Tom Harpur was gunned down by the IRA in Strabane while stalwart John Craig survived nine assassins’ bullets and still features in the First Eleven. In his long struggle for life, the prayers of all Ulster Cricketers may have tipped the balance in his favour; such was the depth of feeling for this popular veteran of local cricket. Other clubs have also suffered from the bullet, mostly of members associated with the security forces. The Armagh Club, situated in the bandit territory of South Armagh, has suffered most from these attacks, but has shown tremendous resilience and continues to prosper at the Mall. Few families have escaped the chilling reality of the Ulster situation and the effect of the callous assassin’s gun.
