I first met Michael in the Seventies, playing against Waringstown when the Villagers dominated NCU cricket. He was capped in 1969 when Ireland trounced the great West Indies at Sion Mills dismissing them for a paltry 25 runs and the news spread all over the world. His career reached another level when he was capped a further 43 times for Ireland and starred in the Interprovincial games for Ulster Country and Ulster Town.
His Waringstown achievements are well documented, but suffice to say, he also won a plethora of NCU League and Cups for 20 years.
Despite his great achievements, Michael was a modest person and a role model for many aspiring youngsters. In those days North Down struggled to reach 100 and the annual league match at The Lawn was more like a pilgrimage to meet the masters of Irish club cricket. At least, that’s how we felt and most clubs the same. Several of their team were ‘designated’ to drink with the opposition in the Planters Tavern at the end of the game and Mike was a willing recruit. Like most of our team, we enjoyed the camaraderie, and friends were made and cemented, at least for me.
North Down was ambitious in the Seventies as a new generation cast aside the great North Down of over 50 years. Unfortunately, post-war brought a slump, and North Down craved success. We needed a Professional and we felt we could do it with a local. Michael Reith ticked all the boxes.
Waringstown didn’t like it but the coup was arguably the best business of any professional. As usual, Michael gave it 100% and history proved it was the catalyst that sparked North Down to another ‘golden era ‘of the club, probably their greatest. It was certainly a great time for me as I became good friends with Michael and his wife Margaret.
Michael was our Pro for three years from 1980 to 1982 and he was loved by the players, members and their supporters. He was the ultimate Professional as Coach and player, and he told me to take my cricket more serious. I did! Unfortunately, Lawrence Hunter took ill and Mike gave me the opportunity to open the bowling with him. He took his cricket serious too, and those three years were very special. He also brought respect from other clubs and of course, he brought success. In 1981, we won the NCU Senior Cup and several other competitions. We knew it wasn’t forever, as his heart belonged to The Lawn and when he returned against us, the players and supporters still loved him. Mike is a Legend at Waringstown, but also at North Down.
Our friendship never waned throughout the years. Despite my domicile in Barbados, we met every year at the Lawn and had lunches at the Plough Inn with Margaret and Pamela until Margaret took ill. He was a Trojan to his wife throughout. They were a lovely couple.
I have a host of memories of a wonderful man. It was a privilege that he called me one of his best friends.
JCH
