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I see the latest NCU Knights training squad has been announced. Congrats to all but interesting to see Alex Haggan of Carrick included, someone who's played quite a few games for Carrick 2nds in 2016 in addition to almost all in the Premier League.
Interesting starring which I hope will be changes in 2017.
http://www.cricketeurope4.net/DATABASE/ARTICLES2016/articles/000024/002458.shtml
Hello everyone
I have played for donaghcloney cricket club for 5 years . And I'm available for upcoming season .
Ed...
Mansingh,
You should add some details.
He only played the two competitive games last season, yet still he left a favourable imprint on those involved and spectators alike. And even if old bones will groan, creek and may someday even give way, his enthusiasm still abounds...
Fight the good fight
As an unassuming, energetic lad, he enjoyed a bit a craic
never gleaned or nurtured, like privileged Etonian stock
his upbringing less kid gloved, he carried his own sack
and sidestepped idle talk, preferring more to walk the walk
That chosen path was cumbersome with many a jagged edge
but his gait was ever forthright, purpose in his stride
and if the way was blocked, he'd always find a wedge
to help remove the obstacle, then journey on with pride
Born of competitive spirit, he played the gentleman's fine game
indulged in victory's adulation, reverent in defeat
aware that when the crowd had gone, it was a moment's fame
and they'll judge not if you win or lose, but how you did compete
Faced down the aggressive tyrant, affording him scant regard
the thief he had no time for, chased him from the place
as for the sly old fox, spouting innuendo, conceit and canard
he silenced him in one fell blow, when he said it straight to his face
And now a chivalrous octogenarian, still, he has guts and soul
adversity he obliterates, from a self-effacing, humble turret
with truth and virtue by his side, he has but one treasured goal
to onwards fight the good fight, knowing, if the flesh should wane...
willing is the spirit!
Re : Stuart Nelson
Lovely piece about this talented youngster on the Cregagh website about young Stuart and his decision to leave and move to Comber.Obviously they are very disappointed to see him go but wish him well and hope he does well.
Had he already been playing for a Premier league club,been well acquainted with one of the coaches or his father been a high ranking official within the NCU I'm sure he would no doubt be involved with one of the winter training squads.Worrying to hear that he was overlooked because he had been forgotten about !
Perhaps if he had been given the opportunity to be involved with one of these squads the lure of Premier League cricket would not have been so great !
Best of luck to Cregagh for the 2017 - will be watching with interest to see how this exciting young team develops !
From one of the Red Sox across the road !
Looking at the end of season stats not good reading when guys who are coming to the end of their careers win the 3 main awards in the ncu.
Hopefully 2017 will see some young talent coming through.
Did anyone notice cricket was played in 2016? The Cricket Ireland awards didn't notice either at their big do.
Ed...
It wasn't completely missed on the 14 Awards as Jacko entered into the Hall of Fame. Only 20 years later!
Does a penalty imposed in one Union carry over in the event of a player transferring out of that Union? If the answer is in the negative then does that penalty remain 'on the books' in the event of that player transferring back to the Union that had earlier imposed the sanction? Now that the NCU and NWCU are having a dialogue about competitions, would this be an item for further discussion.
Ed...
Yes.
Mark
If Donaghacloney were to be relegated two divisions to merge with Millpark then the merger would not have taken place. Why would Donaghacloney members vote for it?
In that circumstance there is a very good chance Millpark would fold in the near future. Is that what you want?
The new club offers members of both previous clubs an opportunity for a new beginning, more players, adminisrators and sponsors not to mention a second ground too and both very picturesque.
I have no doubt that Donaghacloney, and probably Millpark, sought assurances from the NCU before any merger took place regarding the league position.
Plus there is precedent too. Im pretty sure that Cooke Collegians did not start at the bottom again when their respective clubs merged some years ago.
No matter what way you argue it, or what the rules may or may not say, this is a sensible decision by the NCU and in the best interests of cricket.
Its Armistice day this Friday, when we pay respect and remember the legions of courageous men & women who served their country so heroically in the face of grave adversity. Tragically, many paid the ultimate sacrifice never to return home to families and loved ones, yet, it's down to these selfless, brave souls that we today enjoy our freedom. A fact that must never be forgotten or taken for granted!
So with this in mind, I thought it rather fitting, even somewhat ironic that only now, I should stumble upon this quite extraordinary and brilliant poem by Sir Henry Newbolt 1862-1938...
They should make the sport of CRICKET a compulsory subject in every school throughout the land !
Vitaï Lampada
There's a breathless hush in the Close to-night —
Ten to make and the match to win —
A bumping pitch and a blinding light,
An hour to play, and the last man in.
And it's not for the sake of a ribboned coat,
Or the selfish hope of a season's fame,
But his Captain's hand on his shoulder smote —
"Play up! play up! and play the game!"
The sand of the desert is sodden red —
Red with the wreck of a square that broke;
The Gatling's jammed and the Colonel dead,
And the Regiment blind with dust and smoke.
The river of death has brimmed his banks,
And England's far, and Honour a name,
But the voice of a schoolboy rallies the ranks —
"Play up! play up! and play the game!"
This is the word that year by year,
While in her place the School is set,
Every one of her sons must hear,
And none that hears it dare forget.
This they all with a joyful mind
Bear through life like a torch in flame,
And falling fling to the host behind —
"Play up! play up! and play the game!"
( Vitaï Lampada is Latin for 'torch of life ' )
Following my recent posting, it was interesting to listen on 5live about the University of Portsmouth research results that 50%?of umpires surveyed report abuse and 40% were considering packing it in.
Does anyone know when the league structures for 2017 will actually be confirmed?
*im sure there is an NCU meeting and its all detailed on their website but i much prefer coming on here to read the real views and opinions from people actually playing ha
Donaghcloney and Millpark Merger
Following the recent merger between Donaghcloney and Millpark an application for affiliation to the Union from Donaghcloney Mill was approved.
The Board confirmed that the new club would take Donaghcloney’s place in Senior League 1 and wished it well.
Bryan Milford
General Secretary
I hear what you're saying Andy, but I doubt those in the corridors of power will be ?
Reminds me of the Maze project debacle some years ago, and all that valuable real estate the Government were very keen to ' give away ' along with a serious pot of money if any of the main local sporting organisations were willing to compromise and share it, but they weren't interested, so, not wishing to see a golden opportunity go begging, I implored that representatives from cricket Ireland should immediately get themselves down to the 'big house' and put up a genuine case for it to used as an International cricket venue, and build a world class stadium that could accommodate the very best that cricket has to offer in terms of ODI 's, T20 ' test cricket etc. But alas, no one listened and who got it in the end ?
The farmers !
Quote...
Donaghcloney and Millpark Merger
Following the recent merger between Donaghcloney and Millpark an application for affiliation to the Union from Donaghcloney Mill was approved.
The Board confirmed that the new club would take Donaghcloney’s place in Senior League 1 and wished it well.
Bryan Milford
General Secretary
Quote...
Donaghcloney and Millpark Merger
Following the recent merger between Donaghcloney and Millpark an application for affiliation to the Union from Donaghcloney Mill was approved.
The Board confirmed that the new club would take Donaghcloney’s place in Senior League 1 and wished it well.
Bryan Milford
General Secretary
