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Folks

The News Letter are again doing a preview pull-out on the NCU and North West ahead of the new season. The plan is for a April 28 publication date. To provide a comprehensive preview I'm keen to get more info from NCU Section One, Two and Three.
If clubs could email me their captain, overseas pro (if applicable) and any player moves in and out over the winter to busheajb@aol.com it would be appreciated.

I agree entirely with Wylie about the decision to cancel NCU fixtures thereby encouraging club cricketers to watch Ireland. I too generally prefer to play rather than watch cricket but this is different. If we don't get off our backsides and support the Irish team then there will be no more international cricket played in Belfast.

The Irish cricketing community is a small one and most of us have grown up watching or playing with/against players like Porterfield, Stirling, White, Wilson, Jones, or other fringe players. For me, that makes their performances for Ireland, particularly at the World Cup all the more pleasing. It gave me, at any rate, a sense of belonging.

After such an impressive WC and the outrageous decision by the ICC to prevent Ireland from playing at the next WC, I believe that we should give strong support to the Irish team and show that there is interest in top-class cricket in the NCU. Not to mention of course the chance to see one of the world's top sides, Pakistan, in action. It's a free world but if you care about cricket and in particular Irish cricket then surely you'd want to be there? As an aside, I know it doesn't suit all clubs but our 1sts will play instead on Sunday 29th which should mean the best of both worlds.

Despite Ireland's Call the ICC's Global Development 'plans' died today with their backward & unjust decision to decrease the World Cup to 10 teams 2015. RIP

What are the ICC trying to do to the 'minnows' of cricket? Ireland especially, have proved they can mix it with the big boys. I fear the ICC are now doing to cricket the opposite of what Kevin O'Brien and fellow countrymen did when they beat my side! Shame on you ICC, shame on you.

Andy Kennedy: "The only "drawback" about Stormont is meeting the "Ballygomartineers" or the Victoria guys!"

Wouldn't matter if the game was ast Stormont, Clontarf or Lurgan Park... You'd meet those Victoria guys! And no doubt, it would be a pleasure!

self-interest & the emphasis on "the bottom line" holds sway. What sort of message does the ICC send out with today's announcement?

On the 17th April I will be running The Virgin London Marathon this time in aid of The Lord's Taverners.
The Lord's Taverners is an organisation which is the offical charity for recreational cricket and the UK's leading youth cricket and disability charity. Sport and recreation are essential for young people and the Taverners mission is to give a "sporting chance" to those in need.
In Northern Ireland The Lord's Taverners have assisted many clubs with grants for non turf pitches and Kwik Cricket equipment and provided mini buses and other equipment for children with special needs.
So i am making this appeal to local clubs and individuals to support a worthy cause.
You can do so by donating to Justgiving.com/john-torrans62 or you can find a link on Derriaghy CC web page.

Roy
That would be a shame then and a slap in the face to the Irish players playing their first ODI since the World Cup, for those helping to make the arrangements for the matches and to the touring Pakistan team.

If there is a low turnout I wouldn't be surprised if Cricket Ireland say “enough is enough” and host all the major games in Dublin. And who would blame them. There is already a perception within Dublin cricket circles that all major matches are better attended when played anywhere but Belfast!

And what will happen? The same people who do not turn up to support matches in Belfast will complain loudly and vociferously about the Southern bias towards hosting games and wonder why no games are held in Belfast.

What should the NCU have done Roy? Should they have allowed the Challenge Cup, Junior cup, Junior league games, etc to take place?
In my opinion by cancelling the fixtures there is a good chance of quite a number of playing cricketers taking the opportunity to turn up to Stormont to watch ODI cricket. And since we live in a free country they can choose to do something else as well on that free date if they so wish.

Just completed my Level 1 ECB umpire's training course this afternoon and a very worhtwhile and enjoyable weekend and Friday evening it was.

Under the excellent tuteledge and instruction of established N.C.U. umpires Keith Smith & Alan Neill,
it certainly taught this grass-roots cricketer alot more than I thought I knew about the game and I would strongly recommend anyone with an interest in cricket to give it a try, even if only to broaden your knowledge & confidence within the sport!

Best thing I've done in a long time!

Bet there will be a big turn out of club cricketers at Stormont on the 28th May for the Pakistan match !!!!!!!!!

Most will spend a day with their family for a change or perhaps arrange a practise match/BBQ at their own ground !!

I know my local club probably will

totally agree with the positive comments re the Pakistan game - I still recall a fantastic game at Downpatrick where the WIndies gave a superb display. Flossie still talks about it and the boys remember the "crowd-friendly" visitors. As for the cost -comparable prices 90 euros to watch Ireland playing rugby and Mr. McCarter has detailed the cost at Windsor Park. The only "drawback" about Stormont is meeting the "Ballygomartineers" or the Victoria guys! Then it gets dark early! With the regard to the Cup Final being a "closed date" I doubt if there would be a lot of support. I recall making a proposal at an AGM some years ago that would have allowed the "lower" teams of the finalists to rearrange. The most vociferous opponents were from the "Markets" club!!

Jim, the other countries you mention are established test nations with a huge cricket following, if Ireland are to progree to ODI status the game in the country has to reach as wide an audience that is possible. With a free weekend in the NCU this means that the local cricketers can support the games, and if they are to bring friends or kids that have never been to a game of cricket before surely this is getting the game to such an audience. Irish cricket needs to show it has the infrastructure to progress, part of which will be attendances and creating revenue from some fixtures. If everyone has your attitude Irish cricket is doomed as you say, but gladly most people do not.

The NCU has had a lot of negative press in the last few years, and at times i have been right up there giving it out, but praise where praise is due a very positive step.

Jim... stay in the past & your back yard then!

That point of view thing again!

£25 for a days cricket isnt all that bad and cricket ireland have to make their money somewere!

especially when u see ticket prices for internationals in England and also for 90 minutes of 2nd division standard international football at Winsor Park for £40!

Re. Cricket Ireland ticket pricing.

Surely £40 is terrific value for two days of ODI cricket? My ticket for the Northern Ireland v Slovenia match on Tuesday night was the same £40 so Ireland v Pakistan certainly doesn't have much to beat entertainment wise!

I think the idea to have a closed weekend in the Union is completely right as well. Attendances for the Bangladesh matches last year were awful and unless they improve you would assume that Belfast will be left waiting for their next matches.

Hopefully the NCU public can give these games and the Ireland team the support they deserve.