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Thanks Andy, I did see it...surprised you did!! I have been on a couple of these courses before, and learnt a lot from them, which has helped with playing. I still have a year or two in me on the playing side, and then you never know...thanks for your interest Andy and Merry Christmas!

Re NCU Senior Cup book by Clarence Hiles. I think I've mentioned before but if you haven't got your hands on this yet then go on do yourself a favour and treat yourself this Christmas.The detail and history is incredible and would make a great present for any cricket fan.Clarence Hiles might be living in Barbados but he's more in touch with NCU cricket than most of us living here. A must read.

there you are Dan - details of the course now posted!!

Jeff - copies of book available in Premier Sports, Comber. Any problems email me at hiler@btinternet.com or give me a ring on 07802925898 and hopefully we can arrange collection.

Looks like excellent appointments to the Development Officer posts. Good luck Nigel and Brian.

NIACUS Umpire Training Course to be held on weekend beginning Friday 3rd February 2012 and finishing on Sunday 5th. Training will be facilitated by NIACUS Training Officer, Keith Smith and Chairman Alan Neill. If interested in attending please contact Jonathan Lyttle as soon as possible. Training will take place at St Johns Training Building, Knockbracken. NIACUS would encourage clubs to make a big effort to support this training.

John ill take copy for club dundrum then players can get look after in pavillion, can you keep it or illl get down Comber if Peter has any in shop?
Andy Mcrea congratulations as he is without doubt one the nicest hard working people ive ever met on and of the pitch and Templepatrick have some the best coached talent in the ncu so fair dues Andy and all at his fine club Templepatrick

NCU Senior Cup Book
Just a quick reminder if anyone is looking for a cricket book Christmas present then email me at hiler@btinternet.com as we are running out of time.
Great value at 20 quid! Remember this is a limited edition and values will go up.

RE Andy McCrea
Here here Clarence...Andy has been working away from many years as is now gaining the recognition he deserves for his part in developing cricketers from all club backgrounds!

Russeller,
Paddy doesn't make mistakes!
In Bajan slang "'nuff said!"
(Ref his 9 December posting).

Hiler,

I wonder if Paddy is referring to Keith Smith?? I definitely have never heard of a Richard Smith on the umpiring scene!

Finally, a massive congratulations to Andy McCrea on his recent accolade. Well done.

Russeller

Russeller,
Re: Richard Smith
I hope Barry doesn't lynch me for pinching a quote from Umpiring Guru Paddy O'Hara's recent email...
"Richard Smith lived and worked in Europe for a number of years, where he made his reputation as an umpire. He is now back living in Northern Ireland and a member of NIACUS".

Andy McCrea
I think we should all congratulate Andy on this wonderful achievement. It is great to see club stalwarts get the recognition they deserve irrespective of who their club is.
Another boost for Templepatrick on their continuing rise to the top of local cricket. Well done.

I too would like to say congratulations to Andy McCrea on winning the prestigious ECB coach of the year award.

Amongst much of the good work both himself and his colleagues do, I happened to be at an 11yr and under N.C.U tournament up at the marvalous setting of his home club (T.C.C.) last August, with my own young fella and it was a great success, plenty of talent on view and most importantly, thoroughly enjoyed by all who participated.

And prior to that at the beginning of last season, again I had a go at an ICC introduction to cricket course he organised and coached, what impressed me most was that amongst the large attendance present were a couple of lady school-teachers, very keen to learn and pick-up ideas about cricket to take back to their classrooms and pupils.

Great innovative and pro-active work indeed, just a pity his fello Co.Antrim man Mark Allen couldn't emmulate Andy and win snookers U.K. open competition last night, but he made a great fist of it anyway.........Plenty of talent in this 'wee' country, and men like Andy can find it and channel it in the right direction....Well done again.

maybe you're right Dan - I suppose I'm getting too old. Of course you could be attending the Umpires Course so that you can replace me. Keep your eye on the site as i'm sure Keith Smyth will be posting the dates in due course.