Arguably one of the most beautiful settings for a cricket game anywhere in the world, the Mall was the birthplace of cricket in the cathedral city some years before the local club was founded in 1859. Games were mostly played against local schools, and neighbouring towns in the early years, and the close connection between the club and Royal School Armagh was nurtured and gradually became a sporting marriage of huge mutual benefit to both parties.
Armagh Cricket Club must be congratulated on reaching its sesquicentenary year in such a strong position, and it matters little whether the club is in the premier division in playing terms, because it is in the top echelons in every other aspect of its development and status. Four Saturday teams are regularly fielded in NCU competitions, and the list of events planned for this special year shows the club’s commitment to making it a celebration to savour.
Armagh has a very special place in the history of Irish cricket. As one of the oldest clubs it featured in many of the early games that marked the spread of cricket through Ulster. The great Na Shuler nomadic club visited the city to play challenge games en route to play in Belfast, and annual matches against Lurgan Demesne, Keady, Monaghan and Dungannon featured in their embryonic years.
The best years were probably between the wars when the senior league was won three times, and although the club won it way to the senior cup final on a number of occasions, they were never able to capture the trophy.
Armagh has produced some exceptional players and colourful personalities over the years. Topping the list are the great Barnes brothers Jackie and Bobby, both exceptional sportsmen at cricket and rugby. Sadly Jack lost his life in the Second World War. There was also Ivan Anderson, later to distinguish himself in Waringstown and Ireland colours, who was a product of both club and the Royal School. Lloyd Armstrong the outstanding Ireland all rounder played for the club in the early fifties. In later years the club had some colourful characters like the affable Hammie Ewart, local bard and former fast bowler Ivan Foster, and of course the much-loved and sadly missed Joe Vaughan, the grand old master of cricket umpiring in Ireland.
The current club is not without its characters either, and the 1st Eleven captain in this historic year will be Indian professional Charu Kulkarni, with wick-keeper Gareth McCarter vice-captain, and the hard-working Ryan McCarter as secretary. At he helm will be President George Breakey, still an active player and very much a hands-on club official, determined to make this a year to remember.
The club has set out its stall in some style with a series of events that started with a sponsored walk on St. Patrick’s Day. The other events are spread over a wide variety of age groups and activities, including a golf classic, invitation matches, Six-A-Side competitions, and a big celebrity game on 12 August followed by a gala dinner at the Armagh City Hotel, with former England test player Geoff Miller as the guest speaker.
One praiseworthy aside to their impressive list of events is the club’s commitment to making a sizeable donation to charity at the end of the year. The charity chosen is the Wooden Spoon Charity that does so much for disadvantaged children.
As a cricket historian I’m very pleased that the club will mark the occasion in print. Club historian and 1st. XI scorer WB Weir has been working diligently for years on the subject, and the culmination of his endeavours will be “Armagh Cricket Club 150 not out, a Story of Cricket in an Ulster City” due to be published later this season and a must-buy for any serious cricket enthusiast.
Ulster Cricket should be very proud of this milestone in the history of one of its founding members, and everyone should join in congratulating the club on reaching it in such strength, and celebrating it in such style.
Congratulations Armagh Cricket Club
Clarence Hiles
Editor
