Forum

Time for some predicting with a bottle of red in me.

Premier

CIYMS
Instonians
Waringstown
North Down
Carrick
Muckamore
Lisburn
CSNI

CIYMS bound to get it right eventually? Surely? CSNI lost too many (price of paying too many).

Section 1 -

Derriaghy
Holywood
Woodvale
Bangor
Downpatrick
Cliftonville
Armagh
Academy
Donacloney Mill
Lurgan

No pros will shuffle the mid to low part of the league about. C'ville coming out on top of the lower pile as they haven't been reliant on a pro for a few years, and won a lot of games last year. Lurgan and Cloney the big losers in the pro deal, the fuss being made only confirms this. Holywood recruited well, predict a massive rise from 2nd in section 2 to 2nd in section 1, but not strong enough to beat the aghy! (See note on CSNI, apply to Holywood in 2 years time)

Section 2

Cregagh
Ballymena
Laurelvale
Templepatrick
Saintfield
BISC
Larne
Cooke
Dundrum
Donaghadee

With another couple of CIYMS imports Cregagh must now be capable of coming out on top. Ballymenas rot will be halted, and they will enjoy a bounce back season. Donaghadee start as favourites to go down. Jeff's post on the Situation in dundrum has led me to slip dundrum just below Cooke and Larne! But it will be tight!

Will be interested to see how that looks come September. Won't be too far wrong. Or the now bottle and a half may be clouding my judgement!

Dundrum Cricket Club face their toughest season for many years this year, and with no overseas coach and many of the younger players sitting exams the club may well struggle to field both of their senior teams in all matches. The club also expects to lose some of their younger players when Down High School go on their rugby tour to America.
However, the club has a thriving youth section with minis (U9s) and teams in under 11/13/15/17 competitions so it will be looking to give some of their talented youngsters a chance to play for the senior teams. The club are actively looking for new members of any age or skill level and everyone is welcome to come along to practice nights at The Meadow. The club can provide players with the necessary equipment and all sessions are arranged by experienced qualified coaches. If everyone could spread the word to parents and friends in school that would be appreciated as the club needs as many new faces as possible. Free tea and coffee is available for any parents wanting to stay and watch their kids or you could simply go for walk to nearby Murlough nature reserve. There is free Wifi throughout the ground if anyone wants to work in the pavilion.
The First Team start the season away to Saintfield and will be captained by Terry Hutley. The club are building for the future so the emphasis will be on youth and enjoyment and no doubt if the captain can get a good turn out from the talented U17 team that have been on successful tours to England and Scotland in the last three years they can be competitive .

The club started coaching in schools over 7 years ago and it has been very successful. The hard work put in by the club is starting to bear fruit and young players to watch out for this season are all rounders Stuart Campbell and Greg Hutley along with Eoin Moag, opening bowler Harry Hitchins and the super talented Ulster Rugby young player Andrew Foster.

Of the older players, the club have always had seriously good all rounders and, in that tradition, Joel Maguire and Byron Woodruff can surely have a big impact this season. If seasoned players Gavin Mcnerlin and Lee Connor are available then competition for runs and wickets will be keenly contested and I’m sure last year’s leading wicket taker, Scott Symington, will not go down without a fight when home from University.

After relegation last year, the Second Eleven begin their new season on 13th May with a match against Civil Service NI. Any new faces that would like a game should contact the club or come along to practice. It’s a great way to meet new friends, keep fit, and play competitive sport. Most of the Second XI games take place on a Sunday and are usually 25-30 overs per side.
The club are still going into 10 schools for 4 week FREE cricket coaching with finals day at the meadow.

Dundrum are again planning a 3 day Colts tour to Telford and will be hosting Midas Touch CC from India as they push forward with developing cricket in County Down and St Georges cc Telford will visit the village . They are also hoping to run a trip to Scotland for the u13/15 select team. Other plans for the season include organising a hard-soft ball league involving local sports teams from Gaelic, Rugby, Hockey and Soccer teams with money being raised for local charity. Our successful Schools Coaching Programme will also be continuing – where the club run free coaching sessions for 4 weeks in local schools together with a finals day and presentation in The Meadow. There will also be a summer coaching scheme for youngsters during the school holidays. To raise much needed funds there will be a sponsored walk by the juniors on Monday 29th May and the Dundrum CC Golf Classic is at Downpatrick GC on Friday 23rd June.

The club would like thank all the very loyal sponsors which help the club to run lots of the coaching. Anyone looking to join the club, sponsor match balls, or get their business signs up at the club please contact Jeff Maguire for any information on 07730334479.

Practice for seniors is on Tuesday evenings 615/830 pm
JUNIOR PRACTICE is as follows for boys and girls:
U-11 Mondays 615/745 pm from 24th April
U-13/15 Wednesdays 615/8 pm from 26th April.
MINIS Mondays 615/745 pm from 1st MAY ages 5 to 9

UNLIKE YOU IM MAN ENOUGH TO POST MY NAME . First of all both players are cleared to play and i dont make the rules we are not in section one but all the clubs now againest them all had coaches and loads with the BROWN ENVELOPES so whats changed ? no money ?
This is my personal opinion NO OVERSEAS COACH inc premier should EVER been here unless he was working in schools as outside the premiership clubs are on the ropes. 75% juniors outside the NCU squads want shorter game as we are fighting againest other sports that take considerably less time and the overseas help going into schools is crucial for small clubs unless your lucky to have volunteers that dont work.
Lets take Dundrum we have been in schools last 7 years coaching in at least 10 schools FREE of charge and still always under pressure but even without the overseas coach we still are going try again altho we have had to cut the scheme from 8 weeks to four = the kids miss out and i fear next year we might have cancel it = who loses out the kids Dundrum NCU and the game of cricket that we are trying to promote . Look at Gaelic got the best set up in sport in all there primary schools as they got the money and the forward thinking as thats how you build clubs every club has the right to run there own affairs and unless im mistaken time will tell who is right or wrong as the clubs bringing overseas are both involved with over 18 schools that i ADMIRE and id think and BET that they have had legal advice and discussiion with the NCU.
I AGREE that i no nothing about the law as left school at 14 with a SPIRIT LEVEL but ive played 45 years and worked for my club FREE all my life missed my sisters wedding to play cricket and dont regret it.
But ill tell you this we got rid of a SUPERB player that scored 1180 runs and 29 wks as we didnt think he put even close to the effort we require in schools and juniors altho im not after a match winner i want sumone who can improve and motivate kids that want play club cricket . . I WONT BE DEBATING with anyone that cant post his name or club as your entitled to your opinion but man up and post your name as i can only defend the game i love and happy to discuss the way forward to get more people playing as thats what Dundrum are trying very hard to do and will hopefully continue

.PS If you can tell me even in cockney slang that you think the clubs involved have not read the the ncu and home office guide lines as lot smart men in both clubs

Interesting to see Dandekar coming back to NI as an unpaid cricket player. He must love our wee country....

Although given the NCUs quick decision making on such matters his registration may be declined in July!

Would say it is inevitable that this bad blood will spill onto the field of play this year.

Man up and play 11 locals. It's funny to see clubs accepting their elevated position in leagues is because of a man they fly in every summer. Calls for some club members to put back into their clubs, so what? The majority are happy too to help out their clubs.

As for Mr Maguire. You must be getting solicitor advice from the back of Del boys Van. It's on the interweb, read it!

Calling Ivan Lapsley

Ivan,
My name is Harry Tait.
I used to come to St Johnston many times.
How's your brother Arthur?
We met some years ago when he lived in Perth.
Cheers.

Wilfy,

Ok so Dandekar is coming over on a sports visitors visa to play cricket for no money and just visit our great country after being declined a tier 5 visa to play as a professional for Muckamore? (He cannot offer coaching services even for free under that visa)

I'm also struggling to understand how the cloney pro is going to be registered by the NCU given he is clearly making a living from the game and will be coaching which again he cannot do under the SVV.

i feel sorry for both pros that were rejected but Lurgan and Armagh Were aware of the rules on the matter, 7 other clubs also offered reminders...

NCU should reject these standard visitors visas to avoid any controversy, like I said before things could get very messy.

Wilfy
I think there may be a bit of winding up going on in your post. The ncu surely could not accept the registration of dandekar as an amateur under a standard visitor visa when he was initially applying For a tier 5 professional visa? Therefore admitting he is a professional cricketer and in breach of the standard visitor visa rules. So whether he gets that visa or not the ncu would know he is in breach of the visa. Can't happen surely. Since I have injured my knee it will not affect me this season but I just cannot grasp clubs trying to get around these new laws it's not ideal for all the clubs not having primarily a Cosch but get on with it and play eleven locals against eleven locals for this season. Even playing field.

I would like to express my sympathy to the Wiseman Family upon the sad news of the passing of Jim Wiseman.
Jim was a gentleman whom I held in high regard. I regularly chatted to him about cricket whilst travelling to work on train and he was a very pleasant and kind man. He was also an excellent umpire and as Paddy stated in his piece on Cricket Ireland officiated at many matches. It was always good as a scorer to have him in middle as he appreciated your job and the work that you and your fellow scorers put in.
My thoughts and prayers are with Jim's family and indeed Lisburn CC at this very sad time.

Due to a cry off. Muckamore 2nds are able to host any section 2 or 3 clubs and any 2nd eleven on sat this week. And clubs looking a friendly contact Richard keates on 07790005260

As an ex pupil of CIYMS Chris Beattie can i offer my thoughts with all at ciyms and the cntire beattie family. Chris was an absolute gentleman throughout my time at school and also after on the pitch playing against him. Enjoyed a few pints with him also. Terrible loss

My point was that some teams that have decided to abide by the law were breaking the law for years

But at least NCU have made a statement on who can play as an amateur under the visitor visa and it will be great to see Dandekar back playing for Lurgan
However a bit disappointed for Niranjan being blocked after 15 years of promoting cricket in the Lurgan area
Ps
As for breaking the law ! I would love to see the PAYE records for all clubs in the NCU.

As usual the NCU have shown no leadership on the overseas issue. These guys have played in this country for over a decade and now they aren't eligible because of their first class careers that ended in the early 2000s. At least the NCU committee men that led the meetings got their way in the end.

NCU Statement on Home Office Visa Applications & Player Registration
NCU Domestic Cricket Directorate
Statement from Neil Matthews on behalf of the NCU Domestic Cricket Directorate

"Within the past two weeks, the Union has been made aware that the Home Office is interpreting 'professional cricketer' as including anyone who has ever played First-Class cricket, regardless of how long ago, or how many or few times. In these circumstances, the Union has concluded that it cannot permit the registration of any such player who is in the United Kingdom on a Standard Visitor Visa."

"Clubs should understand that if a registered player has his SVV revoked for reasons of which a club was, or should have been aware, then the Union is likely to consider the Club to have committed a disciplinary offence for which the potential penalties are set out in the Disciplinary Bye-laws."

Wilfy

We're going round in circles here, it is not a legitimate visa to coach and play cricket that's the problem! Those who have bought overseas are not on a level playing field with those who have decided to abide by the law.

You cannot argue that what these clubs are doing is illegal and it is a shame for NCU cricket as a whole, I can only see this ending badly.

I cannot help but feel that if this was a premier league matter the issue would have been resolved a lot sooner.