5 Do you feel the Belfast and Dublin men still treat North-Westers as country cousins?
While that was certainly the case in the past, I don't think it's now the case. The various teams are now picked on merit, and that is shown by the number of NW based players in the various under-age international teams. There were some disgraceful episodes of Dublin/Belfast bias in the past, but I'd like to think that those days are long gone.
6 Why has the standard of club cricket down the M2 declined in the past decade?
I think the mid-80s to mid-90s was a real golden period in North-West cricket, and recent players are suffering by comparison. When we select 'fantasy' teams on the Forum, most people still select the Mc Brine twins, the Gillespie and Cooke brothers, Dekker Curry, Ian McGregor, Stephen Smyth and Richard McDaid. Five of them are around the 40 mark, while the rest are all the wrong side of 30! There are some good young cricketers around, but too few. Clubs aren't being encouraged to develop cricketers, as rivals waving a cheque -book too often poach them. That must be so annoying for the likes of Donemana, who see all their hard work being wasted. However, I don't blame the players - if clubs/individuals are foolish enough to offer big money, then they have bills to pay. I'm encouraged by the work that is currently being carried out by Brian Allen in these parts. He's going into schools on the West Bank of the Foyle that have no cricket tradition, and he’s getting a great response. With no teams on the city-side, and a population close to 100,000, that's a great untapped market. Hopefully Ardmore will get a few future stars out of it! Bready has made a super investment in their facilities, and are seeing record numbers of members so hopefully their new indoor centre and international ground will be a great success. It's also encouraging to hear that Glendermott is getting serious about youth development as they have a big catchment area, but haven't used it in recent years. If they get it right, they have the potential to become a huge club.
7 North-West cricket has always had more characters and personalities than anywhere else in Ireland . Why is this and who are the great characters that you have enjoyed most?
It is one area that we do appear to punch above our weight! There does seem to be a great sense of humour up here, and we do like to have a laugh or two. I think it's because it's such a small part of the world, and everybody knows everyone - especially in the cricketing community. We share all our experiences, both good and bad, and we aren't afraid to laugh at ourselves. Overall we don't take life too seriously. I enjoy going around the grounds on a Saturday, and plan my itinerary with as much precision as the D-Day landings. Each club has their own characters, and I enjoy having my ear bent by most of them. They say the 'best hurlers are in the ditches' and that's certainly the case with cricket watchers. I've made many friends through cricket at all clubs, but I better not try to list them all for fear of leaving somebody out. Being from Ardmore I've enjoyed Connie McAllister and George Brolly the most. They're a great double act, and have been arguing over whose round it is for over forty years! Connie has always a story to tell, and I never tire of hearing them. We were both part of a very successful quiz team for many years, and he has a great brain to back up his talk. George is only happy when he's complaining about something, but he also has a great sense ofhumour . Both like a drink and a song, and many a happy night I've spent in Mc Courts singing the hits of the 60s!
8 You’ve travelled the world watching cricket. What has been your greatest experience to date?
I'm writing this in Dubai , having enjoyed a superb three weeks in Malaysia at the Under-19 World Cup - if you ever get a chance, visit there. I've done a quick count, and since January 2007, I've been to 17 different countries with cricket. I've enjoyed them all but obviously the World Cup Caribbean experience will always be up there at the top. St Patrick's Day in Jamaica after beating Pakistan was the undoubted highlight - if you ever get a video of that game, look out for me running around the pitch taking photos, being chased by two security guards! The win over Bangladesh in Barbados was in my opinion an even better win as we totally outplayed them. I got a bit of stick back home for parading around with the team on the lap of honour after that game, punching the air! 
With John Elder and UlsterWeb having the contract to cover the European tournaments, I've also been able to visit some cricketing outposts as well. I really enjoyed Spain last year, and had a quite surreal experience this year covering indoor cricket in Finland , where the temperature outside was well below zero!
9 Realistically do you feel Ireland can move to a higher tier in world cricket?
They can, but it will all come down to finance. I think not only the Irish, but Scotland , Kenya and the Netherlands have all the capabilities of doing it. I'd like the ICC to set up a league with two divisions of eight countries in each and give the smaller countries the incentive to improve. We saw what can be achieved when players train and play full-time. I even saw the improvement with the Under 19s at the end of their four weeks away. Hopefully the ICC will encourage these countries by providing fixtures and finance, but I think the attitude of some of the leading test nations leaves a lot to be desired. They are just plain selfish and greedy. I'm told that we are on the verge of signing a major new sponsorship deal, and that is really good news for Irish cricket.
10 If you could change one thing in Irish cricket at the flick of a switch what would it be?
The parochialism that still exists throughout the country. People still can't see beyond their own individual clubs. I'd like a better climate, better facilities, and more time and resource spent on development. I think the future is bright for Irish cricket, but a lot depends on the ICC Trophy next year, with only four places up for grabs, and Kenya included. It is without doubt the most important competition in recent years; perhaps even more so than the World Cup. Success means extra funding and another four years of ODI status. Failure means oblivion.
