6 Some people feel you could make a big contribution to the union inside the structure rather than outside it. Is this something that you have considered?
I would love to be involved. When the union appealed for new faces to join the new Directorates after the AGM I volunteered my services but never even got an acknowledgment. That, despite playing for 38 seasons, and captaining teams for nearly half of those years at both senior and junior level. Also I have probably watched as much cricket at all levels over the past ten years as anyone, I have run my own business for over twenty years employing over 100 people, and have numerous business contacts. Maybe people like me are seen as "trouble” but different opinions are important. Or perhaps some people think Staffy and I couldn't be in the same building at the same time! Now there is a guy that "thinks outside the box” but this is important for progress. I certainly feel I could make a positive contribution.
7 Muckamore Cricket Club has remained on the fringe of the premier section of NCU cricket for a long time yet it has so much to offer. What's stopping the club from getting back to the top of local cricket?
I think people confuse having a nice setting with being a top club. In our 134 years history we have shared the Senior League title once (1970) and won the Senior Cup once (1963) in the era of the legendary Archie McQuilken. For most of our history we have been a junior club but I think the building blocks are now in place to do better with Andy Clement in charge of youth development, and important funds being raised from selling off some unused ground. We have spent six of the past twelve years in the top flight, nearly as many as in our whole history. However, things will improve. Watch this space!
8 You have played with and against many great characters over the years. In your opinion has the fun gone out of the game, and do we have similar characters in the modern game?
I still think there is fun in the game. Gone are the days of playing and then staying in the club to the next morning when a lot of characters were made. If even half the stories were true who cared? We still have plenty of characters today like Russeller, Dazzler, Whitey, Uel Graham, Charlie McCrum, Michael Glass, Johnny Terrett, the Turk, Decker, and Johnny Thompson. I'm not from the “it was better in our day” school as time moves on and inevitably characters are different.
9 You have followed Ireland for many years but realistically what are sensible goals for the national team going forward?
I think we should aim to get into the county championship and hopefully stop players like Ed Joyce and Eoin Morgan's having to leave Ireland to get that level of cricket. After all, Ireland is not much bigger than some counties. All this talk of ODI and test status is nonsense. I think we could be competitive in the county circuit and by moving the games around the island we would attract more people along to see the likes of Shane Warne and Mark Ramprakash playing.
10 Are there any cricket ambitions still to be fulfilled by Ivan McCombe?
Yes there are! I have lost two stone this winter and hope to lose another two before the season starts, so my first century is still a burning ambition. I would also like to be part of the off-field team that will make Muckamore a permanent fixture in the top flight of an Ulster League, and I would like to get involved in the decision-making process within the game. I have a strong passion for cricket and I can't imagine it not being a big part of my life.
Thanks Ivan. Cricket needs guys like you to be involved at every level of the game. Keep up the good work!
Clarence Hiles
Editor
