Forum

re Wayne Horwood - I have no problem with the paid players and I am aware of the contribution that they have made to the game at several levels. My point- and I have made it on many occasions- is that we have seen a reduction in the numbers of sides being fielded year on year in the NCU - and yet we heard, each year at the NCU ASGMs during the debates on the usual Waringstown proposal re pros, that clubs were hiring first rate coaches and the number of kids being brought into cricket, etc. when the reality was very different - and I'm talking about 25+ years. Think of the amount of time that would have been saved at the AGMs if people had "let the cat out of the bag" sooner! Maybe I'm still "bitter" after all these years that Sunny Singh didn't win the Senior Cup for Ballymena against North Down all those yoears ago!! You see I am really old!!

Re Andy Kennedy. I take it from your email you are not a supporter of professionals or paid players in any form? I think Clarences article sums up the position well and worth a read. On another note each person has their own views on pros etc. I think the impact of professionals and "non-locals" has had a phenomenal impact on the local game. Where would Irish cricket be now without their impact? Would we have reached a world cup? Would we have as many players in county cricket etc? All I can comment on is what I have witnessed in my own club. The impact Ewen had in the last 3 years has been phenomenal and hopefully the youth system in CSN will be a testament to his work and our investment in that period. Similarly Nigel and Regan have brought a professionalism and will to win that has encouraged others to train harder, improve their game and not be carried. What do we benefit from it? The club is stronger, the team spirit better and hopefully we have solid foundations for the future generations. In the same vein CI have worked ever so hard since the days of Section 3. Great bunch of loyal lads and it is fantastic to see them want to progress and improve. Good luck to them.

so the cat is finally out of the bag!! The postings about CI's finances and Carrick canvassing for a wicket-keeper - makes one wonder about all that money spent over the past 20+ years on professional coaches!!
Clearly the prize is the holy grail of the Section 1 title. And of course it's not just the enormous prize money - it's all the other benefits that flow from being NCU champions such as players in the international "shop window", automatic entry into Europe, etc., etc.!
Of course it has nothing to do with the Abromavitch syndrome of massging the egos of a few guys with a few bob!! of course it's not!!

couple of topical tips . eway STUMPED & THE WICKETKEEPER.my eway yankee is cathredral rock, rodrigo gonzales.issaquah.in step. nap is dee ee williams

A response to several postings:-

I will not be joining the group of mature talented players at Belmont.

With regard to the lack of genuine fast bowlers I've decided to go back to my longer up, bend the back (more wd40)and return to my lean mean bowling machine action of the 1980s.
Two bouncers, a beamer and three dream balls will now be my stock over.
Or should I just bowl six on the spot and let the batsman get himself out!!
Looking forward to another season and maybe taking my 1500 wicket. Wonder who the unfortunate batsman will be!!

RE CIYMS

Has someone missed something here - CIYMS have only been able to offer incentives to players due to the hard work of the young committee and due to gala dinners which as far as I am aware would keep the clubs 'pros' funded for 2 to 3 years. It is not from friendly sponsors. You are more than welcome to come to our next gala dinner - however you would need to be quick as they are normally sold out!

Stop the jealousy lads and the fact is it would be an injustice to NCU cricket if with its facilities at Belmont that CIYMS wasnt a Section 1 club.

Also it is rumoured that they have a South African quickie who will scare a few openers next year.

Dan Marks:

Hi Dan,

No apology required mate..

As i said previously it is up to the clubs themselves as to what they do with their money...though i will maintain that having good facilities is paramount before opening the chequebook to entice players...and to be honest ive never played at CI so i cant comment on their wickets/covers/outfield etc etc though they do have the best clubhouse for sure!

Your right,there are generally more player movements than ever before...the big clubs that have the top top players though will tend to ensure that they are looked after in some manner shape or form!

Good luck to Coops at CI...I was amazed when i heard this story the other day..just always thought he would have finished his career at Carrick...good player and good lad into the bargain!

Russeller

Thanks for all your support guys, it means a lot to hear it! It was good to get some things out in the open about what CI are all about and what we're looking to develop over the next 5, 10, 20 years...

We'll hopefully see you all up at Belmont over the summer either in a playing or social capacity. Good luck to all for the season ahead and make sure to stretch well after the first few winter net sessions - they can be a killer!

Re : Russeller

Apologises, it was the previous Instonian's connection I was getting myself confused with. Was just making the point that many club's squads are made up of players who aren't purely one club men, which is just the nature of cricket these days.

Re CIYMS

Can I just say that if a few more clubs in the NCU had the drive, determination, desire and ambition that CIYMS have shown over the past few years then the game would be in a much better state.

Yes, the fact that they probably have a lot more money than most other clubs is beneficial but it takes more than money and sometimes having all the money in the world doesn't mean you'll be successful.

From what I've seen and heard CI seem to have the right mix of people driving their club forward. The general consensus is that CI have paid their way to the top. I played against them last year and the only players that were deemed top players were Heasley and Hewitt (Paul McCrum getting on a bit ;) ) however you could argue that Hewitt hasn't had a great deal of experience in the top section (I could be wrong so dont batter me for it).

My point is they have moved forward on the pitch with most of their own players and it is those players that have formed the nucleus of the team for the past few years.

I have nothing but admiration for CI as a forward thinking club because they will not cease until they can push the club as far as it'll go and I like that attitude. At Dundrum we thought we would never get a Pro because of cost and other reasons, we thought we'd never get to section 2, we thought we'd never get to the quarter final of a senior cup. With a great deal of determination and ambition and, may I add, a very small bank balance we achieved those goals.

If we show the same ambition this year I believe we will continue to improve and who knows what will happen in the future.

As the old saying goes, "You only get out what you put in"! So I say good luck to CI on their journey to the top.

P.S Taito, being captain gives you all the more reason to get in to debates on the forum (and trouble). Thats why I give it up this year!!!

Lets face it, what club wouldn't invest in signing high-quality experienced players if they had the resources to do so? If those guys can return some of the money to the club in the form of coaching time with a busy youth section then even better. I think a degree of the bitterness towards CIYMS is probably based from jealousy, I have always found them a decent and welcoming side to play against at any level.

Dan Marks..

Hi Dan,
FYI im a born and bred ND man...and have played at ND from i was around 10 years of age! I aint a blow in as you have alluded too! All be it i went to Instonians just at the end of my school days at Inst to play senior 1 cricket for a couple of years and laterly spent a really enjoyable season in the NW with Glendermott...a season in the NW was always a wish of mine...glad ive done it...but damn glad in back at home with my mates at "The Green"!

Some interseting debate's goin on re CIYMS...my tuppence worth...good luck to them...they have a superb club house and from what Michael has stated they also seem to have a thriving youth section which is vital to the future...if they have money to spend and they decide it's best spent on some "experieced" players then that's their decision...absolutely nothing to do with anyone outside CI. One hope though is that they have put good money into Good wickets!!!

I for one wish them all the best..

Russeller...

Re Dan
There is no way Colin 'Pro' Andrews will be making the move across east Belfast. His beer allowance alone would bankrupt the club.

Kirstie& Micheal, JEALOUSY is a wonderful thing as most of the people that knock your superb club either dont play or HIDE behind assumed names!!! CIYMS have made it from section 3 ( maybe 4) by real hard work from STALWARTS Adams. Macilwaine, Sleith , Hughsie. too name a few & their club is a credit too all junior clubs proving that section 1 is not a closed shop. I will tell you personally that Dundrum lost heavily too them in the challenge cup but they treated us superbly & their after match craic was top drawer( not sure if johnny winning a PINK shirt for a chancless ton would agree). CIYMS have some of the most hard working lads that you will meet & think their is far too much stick being levelled at their great club .Also have too say that they havent changed 1 bit from when they were in section 3 as they play hard & fair & think they deserve every success they have achieved & think theirs more too come & good luck too them. ps on sky sports KAKA going too fortress belmont.

Hinky, cheers mate , but you know all i did was increase the bar takings, which may have helped with signings afterwards. So maybe i did play my part lol.

I have told myself that now i am skipper i have to stay out of these debates. So i am not saying anything else on the matter apart from good luck to CI and i am glad to hear things are going so well at the club.