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Have left this for a week or so to let the situation around the Muckamore v Carrickfergus quarter final last Saturday settle a bit.

I have been asked by the Carrickfergus club to post on the forum their thanks to all at the Muckamore club for the understanding on the day and the messages regarding Gordon etc since last Saturday; Also to those medically trained people who were at the ground acted swiftly and professionally throughout. Mention also to umpires Michael Foster and Gary Blair who acted impeccably, being completely fair to both teams and despite the importance of the game, assessing the situation appropriately.

One of the consequences of the difficult events was that a dampener was put on the day that the Muckamore club had put in place. Congratulations should be sent to the Antrim club for attempting to raise the profile of our game by having such an innovative event as the ‘Ladies Day’. Competitions, great food, promotions and music, there was so much going on and the effort put in was first class.

Finally Carrick would like to thank Muckamore for generously donating around £120 that was raised by their tennis ball challenge during the tea interval. They kindly agreed to donate this money to the Carrickfergus Charity partner for this year Pretty’n’Pink and the charity have also reiterated thanks for this superb gesture to a fantastic cause.
Best of luck to Muckamore in their efforts both on and off the cricket field.

I realise that there is a marked difference between outlets such as this forum and the so-called 'social media' and I have, in the past, been chirped at for some of my postings on this site. This causes me no concern because I feel that strong debate is of value. So that makes me ask 'is it fair for colleagues to be commenting on other sites about decisions being made by fellow umpires in games in which they (the posters) are not directly involved'? A couple of instances of criticism over the weekend and there was me thinking we are all on the same side!!

Graham Cup Rearrangement

The final will now take place (weather permitting) at Wallace Park on Tuesday 28th at 4-30pm.

GRAHAM CUP FINAL

Is between Lisburn and Derriaghy and will start at 3pm at Lisburn CC on Friday 24th.

Saturday's incident at Moylena was certainly unprecedented and it's great to hear that Gordy is making progress.
Great credit must go to all concerned, from the umpires, captains, players and officials, including Andy Clement, who all had to face a very difficult set of circumstances.
The decision to abandon the match was the correct one and having spoken to some of the Carrick players it's clear they were in no frame of mind to play on. The 'game' became a secondary consideration...
Above all else, Gordy's health is the most important aspect arising and all, I'm sure, would wish him a speedy recovery.

Northern Knights wouldn't beat current Waringstown side!! Class apart.

re Arron Robinsons comment...
Seem to remember a couple of seasons ago a north Belfast side close to both our hearts travelled to the north west TWICE to play the same cup fixture. they were promised remuneration for their travelling expenses......last I heard they are still waiting, so don't hold your breath on those ideas

Tomorrow Muckanore host Carrickfergus in the A J Gallagher NCU Senior Cup quarter final and it's going to be a real carnival atmosphere . We are promoting Ladies Day at the Cricket with prizes for best dressed lady and best dressed couple , a marquee for 250 people with hot buffet , strawberries and cream and a glass of champagne for £10 a head . We also have about a dozen VIP tickets available for our 3 course lunch and champagne on arrival at £20 each. Meal deserved at 3.30pm. The match starts at 12 noon and at the interval we wil have a "nearest the stump " competition and a raffle . There will be entertainment and Carrick's Ally McCammond will be helping spectators from the PA system. The weather is forecast to be sunny and warm so why not come along to Moylena for a great day out as we aim to "make cricket mainstream "

The exhilerating live draw really went to great lengths to breathe life into the Irish Senior and National Cup...I jest! It is my belief that both of these competitions need to be given more of a chance to thrive by changing every round of fixtures through the competitions to Saturdays. This will ensure that games have more chance of being fulfilled which has been a problem to say the least, moreso in the latter competition. The Saturday fixture would give the competitions prime position in the weekend fixture list with Sunday being filled with a league fixture or allowing a break after some exhaustive travel. It seems difficult to ask sides to play on a Saturday, travel in the early hours to a destination possibly 4 or more hours away, travel back that night with work commitments the next day and the change of day may also bring forward a sponsor which proves the current dwidling interest. This is not a sure proof way of making these competitions more successful but may bring them into the forefront of clubs agendas otherwise their existence ought to be reconsidered.

1st time posting on here. Should the ICU help pay for clubs travelling for Irish cup/national cup fixtures? Either by petrol money, overnight accommodation, mini bus, dare I say it even flights!!!

Graham Bryans:
24.1(a) is pretty simple.
The umpire at the bowler's end must first up ask the bowler what his mode of delivery will be. Then the umpire tells the batsmen what the mode (left or right hand, over or around the wicket)will be.
If the bowler then changes his mode of delivery without first informing the umpire/s of the change, then that will/should be called a noball.

Ryan McBeth reportedly 'No-balled for not telling the umpire his mode of delivery'!!
No limit how far an umpire will go to prove he really does know the laws it seems.

I would like to remain anonymous but would like to back up Mark Shields in the Ulster Schools debate. My son is clearly not good enough for US selection - 100% fact.
As a parent, sometimes you have to accept that your child is not good enough for selection - sometime regardless of their surname! The schools selection committee simply trial the boys proposed by their schools and select a team from this. Perhaps there is some loyalty deep down, but I believe that the group simply pick the strongest team based on what they see.
So the Co Armagh stalwart needs to wise up and accept the team - or perhaps get involved in schools cricket, rather than sling mud anonymously on this forum.

Andy Kennedy correctly points out that the readership of this forum exceeds those who contribute. I have considered this forum a mechanism to allow concerns to be aired and debated for those who would not otherwise have a voice.
Posts from 'Co. Armagh Stalwart' and 'disgruntled' might have had the ability to stimulate a debate on this forum in relation to whether individual performance in trials (good or bad) influences the team ultimately selected. If trial performance is not relevant to selection then this needs to be indicated upfront; the logical debate that might follow is if this approach contributes to ensuring the strongest team is selected or if having a narrow focus results in non-inclusion of promising players.
We must encourage future participants when posting to loose the anger or there will be no debate. Respondents need to recognise that debate is actually healthy and could stimulate ideas with the ability to improve systems, even those that are working well. Wishing all of our young players selected success.

Hello Co. Armagh Stalwart

Another critical anonymous post....

A group of 7 teachers (representing 7 different schools and 6 different clubs) and a chairman without affiliation to any school or club picked the schools trials teams from proposals made by schools (not all good players were proposed by their school).

Don't often disagree with '100% fact' but the team to play the MCC has 9 different schools represented (only two players come from schools represented on the committee that pick the team)...doesn't seem that much evidence of picking one's own to me !

Also, the Ulster Schools picks pupils from Form 5 upwards to ensure that as many players as possible are given the opportunity to play. Jack Carson is only Form 4 and so was not proposed by his school (Banbridge I think), though I strongly suspect he will be in the frame next year.

Hope this clears things up....