Please click here to leave a message.
The Ulster Cricketer reserves the right not to publish submissions written under pseudonyms or which make gratuitous personal attacks.
Ivan McCombe
Muckamore was the clear favorite to win the league at the start of the season. Derriaghy played well and deserved to win but neither them or Downpatrick were favourites.
Congratulations to Derriaghy on winning Section One and gaining promotion to the Premier League. When Muckamore beat them by nearly 200 runs in the first game of the season I'm sure neither side that evening thought that Derriaghy would emerge as champions. Looking at the teams pre season I would have made Downpatrick favourites to go up but their season never really got going.
Craig Lewis had a fantastic season but that wouldn't surprise anyone who has seen him play but it was a real team effort that saw them go on such a great run of victories (I think they lost only once in the last 14 league games).
Well done to a club who have worked hard at bringing through young players and who invest in both coaching and facilities and have done so for many years.
I think Section One in 2016 will be a really tight league with every team capable of beating each other. I think Ballymena with their mixture of players with plenty of Premier League experience and two or three very talented youngsters will be the slight pre season favourites.
Congratulations also to Waringstown on their Irish Senior Cup and Premier League success. They look a team without weakness and an age profile that could see them dominate for the next five years.
Big congrats to Waringstown! Great win
Congratulations to Waringstown on their great Irish Senior Cup win and also the NCU Senior League title. Big day in the club's colourful history and well deserved. Also, a big day for the NCU.
COMMON SENSE are the key words in your post Jeff! I certainly support separate voting but I know some clubs don't agree with this approach. Up until 1975 we had separate senior and junior committees and although the system was far from perfect it did recognize the different circumstances. I also agree the AGM needs a serious revamp as it is a dinosaur. Yes, we need the formal appointments and rule changes, but there is virtually no debate and discussion so delegates just go and vote. There is a place for the AGM to discuss all the issues you raise, but this website is a good starting point so let's hear from all the clubs or individuals on how they feel about starting times, number of overs, overseas pros et al. Not so long ago we had a few people suggesting we should bin the rulebook and start again. Maybe it's not that absurd. Food for thought.
Clarence do you agree that section 3 should vote for what the premier requires in overs and re arrangements and vice versa?Cricket needs move with the times as the AGM in my opinion is silly as every year lots clubs vote againest each other when its not in there interest its just bout a show of hands .
Id go with each section votes on what there club needs as then we would get what every club gets there needs from semi pro premier to the lower section that wants possibly 30/35/40 over games with one re arrangement being a T20 midweek or sunday. With no 22 day restriction as 99% clubs will get game replayed on date that suits them not forced on them as that would release lot more quality family life as well as take pressure of lot players and id bet get lot more extending there career .Early starts should only be when it suits both teams take the next couple weeks school rugby will stop lots great young players from playing cricket and that is a joke as if both teams want start later then COMMON SENSE should be used !
Looking at the premier league table with one game to go well done to North Down and Carrick who many people wrote off before the start of the season. North Down lost a lot of players and people thought they would struggle at the bottom end of the table but they have proved people wrong and things seem to be on the up at Comber.
Carrick winless in July have had a great end to the season with huge wins over Inst and ciyms so all credit to the middle road men. They seem to have a good mix of youth and experience and with a few more players could go from strength to strength.
have just been watching Rod Marsh delivering the Cowdrey lecture on the Spirit of Cricket - just Google "Cowdrey Lecture" and follow the link. I would recommend this as essential viewing for all cricketers at all levels and especially for club captains. He goes on to discuss Law changes but the early part of his talk is particularly enlightening.
RE: Clarence. Thanks for your kind comments. I know from working as a coach with large groups of young players that it is very difficult to find time to work with keepers and as consequence this area is often overlooked. I have now decided to focus solely on wicketkeeping coaching and hope start a long term development programme at Donaghcloney.
Well done Bruce Topping and Laurelvale for taking the initiative and setting up a wicket-keeping coaching clinic. I'm sure other clubs could make use of the concept and Bruce would be an ideal person to front it.
We found this quite cool - (Youtube Video)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gS_aprxcO9g#action=share
Impressive stuff from the Cricket Ireland Ladies!
Why do clubs sign overseas pros and then let them go before the season is over? The big matches are decided at the end of the season when they are needed most.
Wearing my North Down hat you got that right "Mick."
It may have taken a few years to work out, but eventually the 'penny dropped!' No pun intended although I think you are trying to take the 'Mick' yourself. Why don't you use your real name and man up when you post an email? Surely if you have a point to make you want to be associated with it?
Also, what exactly is your point?
north down only really starting giving more young players ago this season with players leaving and deciding not to pay 4 pros
Mick, You're email is false. Can you show your actual name or we may have to remove the post. Regards.
Good post Gary. It's great for cricket that Ards are finally getting the facilities that they need and with the 'Dee fighting back late in the season hopefully more and more young cricketers will come into the game. There are many ways Ards, Donaghadee, Bangor and North Down can help each other in promoting the game in the North Down area and the clubs need to explore these for mutual benefit going forward. Hopefully the officials at these clubs will see the opportunity for a better future. In the meantime well done Ards CC.
