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Saddened to learn of Tom McCloy's death. One of a remarkable family who were lynchpins of the vintage Lisburn teams. A true gentleman and a cracking player.

34 year old SA Level 3 player/ coach looking for another stint as player/ coach or club coach abroad. have over 10 seasons experience of playing& coaching in UK& Ireland. updated Sporting CV available for your perusal. get in touch.

Sincere condolences to the family of top North-West umpire Eric Cooke on their sad loss. Eric's popularity extended far beyond his native North-West as he was well known and respected throughout Irish cricket.
May he Rest in Peace
JCH

Dear all

RE - coach education

Just to let you know of a few spaces still available on the Cricket Coach Education course below.

You do not have to have previously taken a Level 1 qualification to be available for this course.

This is a good opportunity for you or your club to progress coaching knowledge.

CERTIFICATE FOR COACHING YOUNG PEOPLE & ADULTS ( replacing old level 2 )

Week 1 - 25th Jan,
Week 2 - 1st Feb,
Week 3 - 15th Feb
Week 4 - 29th Mar

All sessions are 0930-1630 at University of Ulster, Jordanstown

You must be 17 or over on the first day to attend this course.
Cost = £200

If interested - please contact Stephen Moreton on stephen.moreton@cricketireland.ie
For more info use the link below
http://www.northerncricketunion.org/database/2013/news/articles/article342.shtm

Happy New Year to everyone associated with the NCU.
A date for your diaries.

Ballymena Cricket Club Golf Day at the wonderful Galgorm Castle Golf Club on Friday, July 4.
Afternoon tee times available - £30 per person. £120 per four ball. £10 for members of Galgorm Castle Golf Club.
Great course, great prizes, some special guests and hopefully some great weather! Food available on request.
To book a tee time or for more details contact Neil Fullerton on 07866511746 or Simon McDowell on 07984547333.
See you all in July! Thanks

Andrew,
You might be right but my comments were more out of disappointment than criticism and I'm sure he was also nervous. The injury was later diagnosed as cramp but his bowling second time round wasn't all that good either as detailed by the commentators. It's the highest platform you can reach so there is nowhere to hide. We all wanted the big man to succeed but like most of the team he didn't turn it on. I hope he gets another chance or figures in the ODIs but I'm not so sure. Some of the commentators were bemused that he got the nod in front of Tremlett, Bresnan and Finn and these guys are close to the decision-makers. I'd prefer to see him back for Ireland!

Boyd Rankin isn't the only one who looks out of his depth. These England performances are no longer a joke but are now pathetic. Even Flossie says 'they don't seem to be very good'. If this was a boxing match the ref would stop it now. Botham now describes it as embarrassing!

Think you being a tad harsh on Boyd Clarence. 8 overs is hardly enough time to determine whether or not he is good enough for this level, his first couple of balls to Watson and pace up to 88mph means they have plenty to work with, he should have been picked to played at the WACA. On your logic the great Shane Warne wouldn't have had much of a test career Ha !!

Congratulations to Boyd Rankin on winning his first test cap. It justifies his decision to opt for England in recent times although there will be mixed feelings throughout Ireland. Unfortunately there was no silver lining as Boyd looked very ordinary at this level and suffered further ignominy when he injured his hamstring and looks likely to struggle to play any further part in this game.

There's always someone looking !

Mrs Most the perfect host, loved to boast,
of her lifestyle celebrity
Cordon bleu, through and through, preparing food,
in front of all and sundry
Then for dessert, a speculative flirt, with something inert,
made from an illicit tree !

But, 'my o my', a passing fly, got rather high
and told a busy bee
Whose clear dismay at this affray, did not delay,
rightful expediency
It informed the press, about this sordid mess and the rest,
as they say is history !

P.C. Plum liked to beat his drum, no one’s chum,
when on patrol
On road or street, never discreet, had targets to meet,
promotion his only goal
He reported his Aunt Annie, his Uncle Danny even his Granny,
a vigilante, without heart or soul !

Then after duty, all smug and snooty, not on footie,
drove to a public house
At the bar, he drank more than a jar, then returned to his car,
like an unprincipled louse
But an angry wasp, told an albatross who notified his boss,
now Mr Plum has no job or spouse!

Little Lord Fauntleroy, a spoilt boy, foul play his deceitful ploy,
to win every game
Batting at the wicket, playing cricket, he thinly nicked it,
though remained without shame
But the umpire had no doubt, it was a worthy shout and gave him out,
so his lordship, called him a nasty name!

Then a watching toad from a nearby road, told a crow to dispatch its load,
most unceremoniously
it landed dead on his lordship’s head and nothing more was said,
rude or pretentiously
so take heed, no matter class or creed, beware the perils of weed
and never concede, your moral integrity !

Whether cooking or booking, bowling or hooking,
keep your dignity intact, as here's a fact, there’s always someone looking!

With the new year almost on us the rumour mill seems to be very quiet particularly in the Premier League.

Are CI the only ones to have announced there signings or is there any others out there? Any other pros confirmed?

With apologizes to Caleb K Boomer...

Time to reflect
Think of our place in the world where we live,
And reflect on the things we should ask to forgive,
Think of the future and a better place,
For our friends and our family to enjoy and embrace,
Think of the things we too often neglect,
For in the journey of life there’s no going back,
Think of the Great Man when he measures our worth,
It won’t be in dollars or the width of our girth,
He’ll look at our virtues and what we gave others,
Our friends and our family, our sisters and brothers.
Think of yourself and some inner spring cleaning,
If the message of Christmas has any true meaning.
JCH

Merry Christmas to everyone from Peter and Clarence

If England are imploding, fight fire with fire;

No better time then to unleash the mighty Bready man on the marauding Aussies, would love to see it happen !

Frank;

Unorthodox indeed but stay at the crease as long as you can !

It was wonderful to see 2 of the doyens of Ulster cricket out and about at the Europa on Wednesday past and looking so dapper. They were clearly good form - Cecil Walker was looking forward to being back at Wallace Park and Billy Boyd looking forward to Muckamore beating them! On a separate note - is the England team imploding? Maybe they will be back to trawl in Irish cricket!

Caleb Kirkpatrick Boomer

Please, please, please.

(read as telegram for the uninitiated)