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I am disappointed with the response to Paul playing yesterday for his club who spent many years helping to develop him into an amazing local cricketer.

Paul simply wanted to play with his mates and give something back to his club.

Unfortunately some of the opposition didn't try their hardest as in their eyes they couldn't get him out. We all know you only get one chance as a batsman and anything can happen. A young kid Ben Mackey set the example, bowled really well and rose to the challenge unlike others.

At the risk of being 'spoken to' again but having read the comments on here and on the social media, I recall a couple of occasions in the past when clubs were denied signing players that the NCU decided we're too good to drop down to a lower club. One was, I think Paul McCrum, going to Armagh and the other was Jonathan Craig who was leaving Ballymena to return to his home town to play with his Larne mates. And had the recent Directive on young players been enforced in the past then I would have been denied the real thrill of playing with Michael & Jonny in their first official club games. Sometimes the theory of 'the back of a cigarette packet' comes to mind! I know the mantra will be posted over and over again about 'improving by playing against the best' but I would surmise that wouldn't find much support in the vicinity of The Mall this morning.

Just for clarification and before anyone asks "how would you feel if it was you or your club". I played twice against Paul at Moylena and on both occasions they were Section 1 games and both times he didn't get a big score and we won both games so he didn't impact the result. It did however leave an impact on me as a very average cricketer as I always enjoyed the challenge of playing against top quality cricketers. Footnote to this is on both occasions Trevor Neill dismissed him which still gets a mention at our club gatherings.

Gareth Evans: Those with 1st class experience who are prevented from playing are prevented by UK Home Office rules because they are non-EU citizens. Paul is EU, obviously !!

Asked and answered.

Re: Paul Stirling appearing for Cliftonville. I would draw clubs' attention to Serial 5 at the NCU's AGM last October. This serial was proposed by Dr Power on behalf of the NCU Management Board and was defeated by a substantial majority

SERIAL 5 – Proposed by Management Board Competition Rule A16: delete first bullet point, second bullet, and ‘in respect of players who are not currently eligible to play for Ireland in all ICC men’s competitions in which it participates’ [This would bring players eligible to play for Ireland within the scope of the Registrations Committee’s power to refuse or withdraw the registration of a player considered to be of much too high a standard for the competitions for which registration is sought] DEFEATED

Re: Paul Stirling playing for Cliftonville v Armagh.
For the record: I believe the NCU put forward a motion at last year's NCU AGM to give the Registrations Committee the power to refuse the registration of players eligible for Ireland if deemed to be of too high a standard for the Section in which the team plays in.
It was not passed by the NCU clubs.
[It was Serial number 5]

Today was a first for me in thirty odd years in cricket. Arrived at Shaws Bridge (top ground) to be told that with the approval of the NCU all bowling had to take place from the clubhouse end in case the ball was hit onto the road!!?? Must admit I was happy enough not to have to change field position. But still, surely there are smaller boundaries and busier roads around the grounds!?

Gareth

Now pardon me if I am incorrect. I can recall it was Armagh themselves in the 90's who tried to sign a then current Irish international who was living in the city , however this signing was refused by the Union as he was deemed too high of a standard. Armagh and the player then sought a rule change ( which was successful) to allow those who are residents / U.K. Citizens to play for a local club and the following season this player turned out for Armagh and went onto gain several more Irish caps.

To Ed - if any of this is factually incorrect it is not intentional and please withdraw my comments -

Paul Stirling plays for Cliftonville in Section One , yet when I asked could Jarred Barnes play for Muckamore 2nds in Junior One I was told "no he would be deemed to good as he's played inter pro's last season ".
Strange to say the least .

Great game at waringstown today ci 2nds vs waringstown 2nds! Was a well fought competitive match which was unfortunately spoilt by a crucial (match changing) dismissal. Never have I ever been out when I block the ball to mid on along the turf and get caught on the ring. Took taking the fielders word to a whole new level! #weneededumpires

Re. Jonny

With all due respect it's got nothing to do with Paul wanting to play for his hometown club on a weekend off.

But it's got everything to do with him being a 1st class cricketer in a league where clubs are not allowed to sign 1st class cricketers.

Your point about bowlers regaling people about how they got him out, if indeed this were to happen, is frankly irrelevant.

Can someone please explain how come Paul Stirling, a 1st Class cricketer, is allowed to play in Section 1 given that Section 1 clubs aren't allowed to sign 1st Class players?

Surely this is a contradiction in terms as regards the NCU rules?

I've no axe to grind with Paul, if he gets something out of having a mow against Section 1 bowlers then good luck to him.

However after all the preseason shenanigans re. Pros in Section 1 all the Clubs want is a level playing field.

Cliftonville v Armagh today was clearly not a level playing field.

Imagine the controversy if Paul turns out for Cliftonville in a late season game where relegation or promotion is at stake??

I'm sure Armagh shall be asking similar questions of the NCU.

Seems to be a bit of disquiet from some concerning the availability of a current Irish International and well established county cricketer in the slightly lesser leagues of our great Union. I believe it has been referred to on social media as a farce???? I'm baffled as to this rationale. Firstly, fair play to this man as he obviously still cares about grass roots cricket in our country to bother to make himself available, but secondly why bother to put himself in the firing line against a bunch of mainly social cricketers who will possibly (as we all have done in the past) slabber at him from close quarters. (And I mean that in the lightest possible term) I mean c'mon, surely catching him at point or having him plum LBW will be something to talk about at the end of year club dinner or at the NCU dinner in 15 years time. Let's not make this about a result on the day but enjoy the fact that one of our own has decided to play when others simply wouldn't.

Rant over.

Late cancellations - just wondering if brinkmanship comes in to? Waiting to see if the other team cry-off first! Surely that wouldn't happen!

Walkovers don't have to be walkovers . They can be postponements and rearranged .
Last Friday Colin Latham told us that Templepatrick 4ths couldn't field a team to play Muckamore 5ths .
Never did it cross my mind to "claim the points " but immediately to look for a new date .
I've always considered myself a cricket lover first and foremost and a Muckamore lover after that .
Let's all aim to avoid walkovers and talk to the opposition about finding another date .
After all when you "claim the points " you deprive 11 members from your club of a game of cricket which is after all why they pay membership .