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My last word on this:

My opinion is that a new club whether it be through a merger ( DonacloneyMill CC ) , reintroduction of a club ( Portadown / clogher / drumaness etc ) or a start up ( Maghrefelt CC - fictional club) should always enter a league at the bottom...I do not believe past performances / facilities etc should come into it.

It is unfair of the current teams within the leagues who have struggled through and survived and then to see that they are leapfrogged in the pecking order so to speak by a new club. - and yes this merger has created a new club which will have a new club badge , new committee members etc

Jim, I did say in one of my last posts that possible the NCU might have had some input in regards to playing position as the assumption is that they are playing in section 1 next year

Mark
Rangers were punished through relegation and were in division 3 before the new Sevco were formed.
Wimbledon were renamed MK DONS, relocated but remained in the same league as Wimbledon . AFC Wimbledon were a completely new club formed
Did you ever pause to think maybe Donacloney / Millpark asked the question of what league they would play In before their proposed merger ??
I hope the merger is a success and people see the bigger picture of how local cricket will benefit and not bicker over what league they are made to play in !!

Brian,

I dont really follow scottish football but yes Rangers FC started in 2012 I believe...as a new club to scottish football ( some would say they were not new ) they had to start in the bottom tier as did AFC wimblebon in england.

Unfortunately any new club has to start at the bottom whether it be through a merger or a liquidation of a club...there has been instances where this has not occurred but my opinion is that is not fair on other clubs..I dont think past performances / facilities etc should come into it.

I have to say that I do not have any Ill feeling towards any of the clubs who I have mentioned and that what ever league they play in it will not effect me at all...my main point is that I feel everyone involved within the merger have a presumption that the new club will continue on in section 1 - as this is where doncloney play..and it seems many posters here concur with this conclusion.

I came across this article ( copy and pasted from another site)...

For Millpark Paul McCart says that the club's difficulties have been known within the cricket fraternity for a couple of seasons and has during that time sought advice from a variety of clubs and individuals as to a way forward.

He adds:
"We have always got on well with Donacloney, part of that may have been that we were never really rivals in playing terms. We have played mostly in the bottom section but have three or four players who are capable of playing in Section 1 and this merger will give them the opportunity to do that"

Jeff , I have pasted this for you as I am not the only one who feels Millpark have only a couple of players capable of section 1 cricket...

from this statement I assume the clubs involved must have had some input from the NCU already in regards to where they will be playing their cricket...as it stands with Millpark in section 3 why not play in this section why does it have to be section 1

My opinion still stands that any new club should still start at the lowest level and work their way up as this is only fair for the other teams within section 2 and 3...lets think about those clubs in section 2 who missed out on promotion this year...they see millpark relegated but due to the merger some of the players are then given the opportunity to play at a higher level..I know this would penalise Donacloney players at playing at a lower level but I am sure within 2 years they would be back within this section again.

One poster mentioned that I was disrespectful in saying that probably the players would leave and ply their trade elsewhere...unfortunately with mergers comes player transfers...think about the players who are playing section 1 cricket now for DCC and next year along comes 3 or 4 MCC players who take your spot and you are relegated to Junior cricket possibly junior 9/8/7...also for the mIllpark players who cannot get into the team are moved to junior cricket ...yes some players wont mind but there will be others who will.

' Who want be UMPIRE with this DRS as its making most them look poor in a tough job and going be fun in INDIA with them getting DRS for first time. '

Got to disagree there Jeff,

If you cut out the very occasional 'howler' which can happen to anyone (human nature), then I reckon the DRS system actually highlights how good these umpires are at the job, and how their split second judgement and decision making is so often verified and vindicated by the replays.

Let's bear in mind that however accurate one believes the DRS system to be, it's still a computer based result, which factors in coordinates, angles, trajectories, velocity and all that sort of technology but at the end of the day, it's still not, nor can it be, the the definitive outcome!

However, I would concede it's probably correct 99% of the time, but here's the point; if/when there's any doubt involved, even that 1% of doubt (to quote computer stats if you like) then discretion must come into the equation and like it or not...Computers don't do Discretion and that's a fact!

So that said, yes, it's a positive improvement and assists the umpires, players and ultimately the game itself, but it's not 'the be all and end all,'....That privilege must surely always lie with the on field umpires themselves?

( Agree though on the recent Bangladesh/England test match game, great for associate nations and great for cricket fans in general )

Mark do you play ? and what section dont matter which club and no sweat if you dont play just trying to understand your reasons for wanting see them put down two sections? And i agree your entitled your opinion . I played in section one and two at 55 years young took 4 for 32 including 4 of the top 5 inc pro at the superb batting track at Woodvale and Billy Dale a young 60/65 year ls still taking lots wickets in section two , means ive played in both and the standard (apart from fielding )is no were near as good as 10/15 years ago .But apart from boasting example i can safely say there is far more than 2 or 4 players that play for Millpark its just facts that they play local and as ive no doubt they will prove me correct by making there new club even stronger .Have to say that the divide in premier standard and the rest is getting UNREAL and i still think the premier should be 14 teams (yes it will be same as now only 4 can win it ) but id play 13 fixtures allow proper sat for the T20 cup make it barbi /music coloured clothing family spectator friendly each club invite sponsors etc .Make cricket more fun enjoyable not this present set up up sat and sun double headers with family life ruined with 200 overs in weekend, as lots clubs play the sunday game with understrength teams . I DREAMED that a business man (Hughes insurance comes mind )comes up with money and plans run T20 LEAGUE AND CUPS teams pay 500£ entry x 20 teams (16 teams x 750£ )nice 10 /12 grand prize money to be played for as its only matter time before it happens over here I no it might not please everyone but we heading into the hardest chapter for cricket as Ireland looking for test cricket and now inter pros first class so the game will have be more professional in the north or we will fall behind .. ADD Woodvale/Downpatrick/Derriaghy/Armagh/Derriaghy/ and one other make premier 14 teams feel free to post if ive got brain damage again

Mark - So just to move the discussion on then ....... you would be in the "Glasgow Rangers was only formed in 2012' camp would you?

Anyone know when the cup draws are due to be made?

Junior Cup could be interesting as possible ties include:
Ballymena v Ballymena II
Waringstown II v Waringstown III

In fact I don't think there's a senior team out there who will fancy playing Waringstown III. Real 'banana skin' potential.

Jeff,

I am not being disrespectful in regards to Millpark players...they have 2-4 cricketers who could play in section 1 - whether they prosper in that league I am unsure especially when you consider that the whole team struggled in section 2 last year ( could be due to holiday / player availablity / injuries etc )

From the couple of posts I have read everyone thinks that it would be unfair that Donacloney drop 2 sections but we are not talking about just donacloney anymore this is a new club who will have I assume a mixture of players from both clubs playing for the firsts.

As it stands Millpark are relegated to section 3 and donacloney are high end section 1...maybe a compromise of section 2 to start off with then...who knows

Mark,

In relation to the Merger

I find your points Disrespectful in relation to most of players would probably leave and ply their trade elsewhere.

Just to confirm one thing!!

If we were made to play in section 3, i would guarantee you now that not one player would leave the club and seek to play any were else, that's a FACT

Perhaps in future before making statements like this on a forum you could contact the players you have in mind and ask them the question!!!!!

You clearly have not been in or around are Changing room so i suggest you leave the players out of this!

Brian,

Firstly I must point out that I am FOR any mergers etc that are going to make cricket stronger in Ireland.

two clubs have decided to merge to create a new club hence the old clubs will cease to exist...they are not going to run 3 clubs otherwise what is the point....as of next year if the merger is completed Millpark CC will not exist unless they run it as a social / taverners side

At is stands this new club - DonacloneyMIll CC does not exist in the eyes of the NCU as it is new and with all clubs that are new they have to apply to the NCU for consideration for acceptance into the league.

I have spoke to two players from a section one club this morning and they are also in the belief that any new club that is formed should also start from the bottom and work their way upwards...it is only fair on the existing clubs within the leagues.

In regards to the ed comments in reference to other mergers and placement in leagues that is a valid point...whether I agree or not.

what happens when or if Drumaness rejoin the league...are you suggesting that they drop straight into section 2 again?

As stated it is a tricky situation which everway you look at it...happens all the time in football - take for example Wimbledon...a new club was formed and they started in the lower leagues as they were a new club .

Also I find your comment in regards to my opening sentance being 120 words long rather sad...this a public forum which everyone has the right to voice an opinion whether it is right or wrong

Mark . North or Ireland premier or old section one joined Civil Service section 2 or 3 and became CSNI and stayed in top section and rightly so as it wont benefit anyone that Donahcloney are made to drop down 2 sections. I think its a brave and superb decision for both clubs and can only be good for the Banbridge area and the NCU as we all are trying to promote a game that is way behind soccer/rugby and gaelic in players and support over long days sat and sunday .Millpark were relegated(every section some team goes down doesnt mean they not decent club ) but believe me they have far more that 2 or 4 decent players and its disrespectful to say otherwise and they have lots good all rounders and some very good young players and also both clubs will become stronger and very good cricket grounds .Dundrum cricket club wish both clubs all the best and i think it will be massive success in there ammalgamation.I support England but pity Bangladesh didnt win that test as would been great result for associate cricket and maybe let the powers to be see that its important to give more games to the so called minnows .Who want be UMPIRE with this DRS as its making most them look poor in a tough job and going be fun in INDIA with them getting DRS for first time .

Re: Mark, Ed. , WJ Smyth

Mark - to disagree with the Editor is permissible but you cannot nor do you deny the correctness of his post.
The NICC / Civil Service merger is the precedent, there may even be another - Cooke / Collegians?
Indeed I note that you do not make any reference to the point he makes.

For you to state as a fact, that Donacloney and Millpark will cease to exist and that they will HAVE to apply for entry to the NCU is a nonsense.

I hesitate to label your post a 'rant' but given the fact that your opening sentence is 120 words long suggests it would perhaps be hard to get a word in if we were to talk it out face to face.

I'll simply say that your post is based on a false premise and as such while it represents what you WISH was the case, it is simply not so.

WJ Smith,

What nonsense am I peddling?...by your theory if this new club is allowed straight into section 1 why are you suggesting that their 2nds / 3rds etc go into junior 10 why not into junior 3 or 4 surely they will be far too strong for junior 10 as the bulk of the players will be from Millpark old first team who played section 2 cricket last year.

By the way this is not troubling me at all...i just believe in fairness all round who ever the club may be

Sorry Ed , but I have to disagree...once this merger is ratified neither Millpark or Donacloney will cease to exist other than in the history books and a new club will exist who will have to apply to the NCU for entry into the leagues therefore they should have to start at the bottom and work their way up as any new club who enters the NCU has to do...put it this way what happens for example if Portadown or Clogher decide to rejoin the leagues...do they go into section 2 as they are perhaps to good for section 3...I think this will open a can of worms if this new club is allowed into section 1.

I believe in fairness all round and the clubs in section 2 who slogged it out in the past season and did not get promoted would feel a bit miffed in my opioin...

By all accounts Millpark have 2-4 decent cricketers who could play in section 1 but these same cricketers could not help the team stay in section 2 and from the records I believe they only 1 game in the league last season but with this merger they are now hoping to jump into section 1 cricket....on the other hand donacloney finished high up section 1 but do you think that their players want to play in section 3...most of the players would probably leave and ply their trade elsewhere.

it is a tricky situation which everway you look at it