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Well done the NCU in getting the Ulster Bank on board with the senior cup sponsorship and well done the Ulster Bank to see the commercial and community benefits in supporting cricket.
Some people are quick to have a pop at our NCU committee men so let's give credit where it is due!

hi my name is craig mckinley and im a umpire from the lurgan area and if any club is looking a umpire for any pre season game please contact me on 07514575936 and ill happily umpire ur pre season game

Any one interested in the below - still some spaces left. Spread the word.

Cricket Ireland are delighted to announce that there are ICC Introduction to Cricket Courses being run with the support of the ‘Pepsi ICC Development Programme for Europe.’ One of these being mentioned below.

Wednesday April 27th 5.30pm till 9pm in Northern Cricket Union at Templepatrick Cricket Club, Ballyclare - cost £10

Contact – Andy McCrea mccrea.a@sky.com

The course is designed to bring in new people into the game, and has been made accessible through Regional Funding Support from ICC Europe.

To provide participants with:
A basic understanding of the game of cricket and a basic education in three important components of the game: Coaching, Umpiring, and Scoring.

The skills and resources to conduct/assist a cricket session with children.

It would be envisaged that this session would predominately include game based activities, but also some coaching components.

Target Market: Predominantly teachers, tertiary education students, parents and youth workers with little or no understanding of cricket. Also current players and cricket interested people, with little or no coaching, umpiring or scoring experience.

Bryan,
Possibly his two sons. We'll check out. They are very talented young cricketers and gave a terrific batting display. The Grasshoppers also met an old Cooke friend of yours Carl Broome at their golf outing at Rockley and he sends his best wishes. He told them a few stories about his days in Northern Ireland including representing Junior Ulster.

I was interested to read about Clint St Hill getting runs for Pickwick against the Grasshoppers in Barbados.

When Cooke played there in 1992 I captained our side against Pickwick at the Kensington Oval. Clint St Hill was the Pickwick captain. He was a great bloke and played for us in some of our other games.

Am wondering however if the Grasshoppers played aginst his son. Looking forward to hearing from the guys on this.

Car Insurance for oversea's professionals.

Hughes Insurance have an agreement again this year with AXA Insurance. If you require cover for car insurance for the period your pro is over, either Email myself or ring me on 07793 490157.

Cheers.

I just want to concur with all that has been said by the supporters of the game's development. It is indeed a travesty that the ICC in its "wisdom" could proceed with that decision on the heels of such performances by both Ireland and The Netherlands. Surely winning is not everything but spare a thought if Ireland for instance had another win and made it through to the quarter finals. The role of the ICC is to enhance and promote the global game. I dear say the decision has derailed an associate's train that was winning more and more neutral support for the game. Hopefully enough has been done by Ireland at the last 2 World Cups to keep the game alive not only in Ireland but amongst all the associate nations.

It's interesting to see that the ICC's website has no mention of the 2015 World Cup Debacle. Are they embarrassed? Interesting to hear Porterfield talking today about the Test Playing Nations support which he thinks may help.
For those of you like me, who are well travelled, perhaps you will come across the ICC ambassadors during the summer and a question to them may go a long way to support Irelands cause. ICC ambassadors listed below:-
Kumar Sangakkara
Michael Clarke
Paul Collingwood
Simon Taufel
Virender Sehwag
If like me, you are going to a summer Test in Blighty, Sangakkara and Collingwood may hear your calling!

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.