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Thanks Ed.& Wylie,

Well then if it turns out that N.R.R. settles the bottom of the premier league fair enough, but from a neutral's perspective, it would be great if the game on 11th. Sept. Lurgan-v-D'patrick was not just 'a dead rubber' so to speak !

Surely what would be a tasty treat for cricket fans, would be D'patrick vying for a last chance of survival in the top status and Lurgan in front of home fans, out to prove that this season's poor showing was only 'a blip' in form and go out of the premier league (temporarily), in 'a blaze of glory' !

Who knows what the out-come maybe ? I'm not a betting man, but if I was I'd bet on this one sure winner, Donaghcloney, Millpark, along with Lurgan all playing against eachother next season in section one, will be great for local cricket and cricket enthusiasts,fans etc. from all around the local surrounding areas !

These games will all be played as practical 'derby' matches and should be thoroughly entertaining, so I do hope as the last poster states, no minor technicalities prevents either team from taking up their rightfully earned mantle in the higher section !

Even better, with 3rd. spot there for the taking this Sat. in section 3, maybe Victoria C.C. could be joining our 'slightly' more illustrious neighbours in a couple of seasons !!

(What's the odds on that one ?)

hopefully if there are any issues with donacloney and millpark clubs in the leagues will assist in the same way they have cville, muckamore, woodvale etc over the years and allow fixtures to be played away from home if needs be. it would be ludicrous for teams not to be relegated or promoted due to ground technicalities.

Well spoken Keith.
I played at the Factory ground nearly fifty years ago and it was always a good cricket place with plenty of atmosphere. I'm sure it is still the same so good luck on your return to a higher section. I'm sure the NCU committee will help your club and from what I read on this forum you have an expert just a few miles down the road in Neil Hunter who continues to do a lot of good work on ground improvements.

If Donaghcloney's ground is not fit for section 1 then it is the first we have heard of it. We have been given a list of criteria such as covers, sight screens etc.This will mean a lot of hard work and fundraising. We cannot apply for grants as the ground is not yet signed over to us but hopefully this will be soon. It would be a pity for both clubs not to be able to compete in a higher league as the grounds are two of the few cricket only greens in the province. The fact that both clubs would be playing Lurgan next year is quite an incentive.It would be great if the NCU could give both clubs assistance and advice and help ensure that both teams rightfully take their hard earned place in the higher league

could any1 enlighten me on the situation regarding donacloney and millpark have heard the ground arent fit for section 1 does this mean laurelvale and armagh will remain if the situation isnt resolved? or will templepatrick stake theyre claim surely armagh and laurelvale would be remain as templepatrick in my opinion are not as good of a side?

Vic/Andy

Lurgan host Downpatrick on the 11th September as well

Andy, it's clear enough what the outcome will be next Sat. at the top of the Premier-league, depending on who wins or loses; but what's the case at the bottom of the table, if Ballymena lose and D'patrick win, then we have both teams tied on 20 pts !

Who stays up & who goes down then ?

so the Premier season is going to go down the wire at both ends of the table with one set of games to be played. Also some teams going to have to spend a bit of money on covers, etc. with promotion ahead.

I agree Ryan, that indoor-cricket is definitely worth its value when it comes to much younger people and is certainly worth pursuing in order to attract and market the game, for those not familiar with how it is played and as an alternative to other sports.

So yes indeed great work, good-luck and I hope it proves to be a success, but it's a tough old job you have when you're competing against football at a time when it's being played as well.

That was the point I was making, an example being ofcourse, alot of our players (Me excluded) are already 'cock-a-hoop' that Glenavon are sitting pretty at the top of the Irish premier league !

That's all you hear about from them at present, but I seem to remember something similiar last season and then it all went horribly wrong.. !

However that's just a little scenerio from our particular area, obviously it's a much bigger picture over-all, with the Man. Utd. Liverpool, Chelsea and the Arsenal outfits etc. all distracting people from Cricket !

This is the problem and anyway, seems to me that even footballers themselves don't like playing the game, cause when ever I hit the T.V. when there's a game on Ronaldo falls over !!!

Jeff - the Waringstown v Lisburn fixture is a 50 over game. The original game was postponed due to Waringstown's participation in the Irish Senior Cup Semi Final, so it is a Match One, commencing at high noon at the Lawn.

Vic / Indoor Cricket

Indeed Vic the idea would be to initially start with senior cricket indoors regionally to prove its success.
However as the scandinavians have shown it can be the "creche" system for learning the game in a comfortable environment.
I feel that for girls cricket and indeed youth cricket it could be a great way to market the sport.
As for competition Vic well what can we do? We simply have to make the game more appealling as Im sure the stats arent good for youths who start and then leave the game within their first year.

clarence

Excellent article on gary. i have had the pleasure of watching gary grow up and from days of taking his first catch in senior cricket as a sub fielder. A top bloke, a hard working and dedicated athlete and a genuine pleasure to be around. I forget he is only 24 and i wish him every success in the years ahead at surrey and ireland.

Paul McConville
I have to agree well done CI Colts and I also agree CI has come a long way in the last five years. Well done in that respect as well.
This is an open forum and therefore it attracts opinions from everyone and anyone so don't be surprised when some people don't share the vision. All I can say from the UC is that we accept differences of opinion and encourage everyone to express them in a fair and honest way. I sincerely hope people respect your comments in this vein but I doubt if it will change their opinions. We have strong camps on professionalism that go back 31 years and I don't think many people have changed their minds over those years. CI are looking after their own interests and their Colts team has done them proud. That's the most important thing at the end of the day. Good luck going forward.

YES great see CIYMS junior section thriving and winning a trophy . ANY sunday fixtures ? is Waringstown v Lisburn 50 overs or 20/20 sunday .

Congratulations to CIYMS on winning the Colts Cup by beating North Down.

Not bad for a club that less than 5 years ago didn't have a youth section and is much criticised on this forum.