CRITICISM OF ROLE OF PROFESSIONALS
Roy feels the possibility of an all Ireland, or an Ulster league would also help, as North West teams would be competing on a regular basis against the best clubs in Ireland. He’s undecided as to which would best serve a club interest, although the formation of an Ulster league might be a practical halfway step, without the heavy time commitment and expense of travelling to and from Dublin. But with typical realism, he would like to see all the facts and figures before any decision could be made. There’s also one other area of the North West game, which greatly disappoints the veteran all rounder. It’s the use of overseas professionals…’I feel the professionals have not helped the game develop, as too many of the younger players are now content to let the ‘pro’ perform, rather than take individual responsibility. And look at the way they have taken over Division Two cricket. But my biggest fear is that someone bowling very fast will be hired, and on a poor wicket, could do a lot of physical damage. I don’t think that will do much for the local game.’ Roy’s concerns are echoed throughout Ulster cricket, but he is not against their use as coaches, and despite his comments, he still relishes the challenge of facing the ‘hired gun’.
ALL IRELAND DREAM REMAINS
Roy McBrine is a traditional thinker on the game, and lists amongst his boyhood heroes that brilliant opening bowling partnership of Brian Statham and Fred Trueman, augmented by stylish batsman Ken Barrington. On a local front Roy admired the talents of three distinguished servants of Ulster and Irish cricket. “Tommy Harpur and Roy Harrison combined their great ability with grit and determination. I’ve always respected the
m, and of course, the all round brilliance of Ivan Anderson.” Despite his concerns about some trends in the modern game, Roy McBrine remains as enthusiastic and as committed as when his father Alex took him along as a toddler to watch him play. It was hardly surprising that the twins later followed a similar path, making Alex McBrine a proud, yet modest father. And as this outstanding trio seems destined to continue to dominate North West cricket, Roy has one ominous message to his opponents… “My ambition is to win the All Ireland cup, but even then I won’t be thinking about retirement. I’ll play ‘til I drop!”
