Going to “Headquarters” every season was a special treat and I feel genuinely sorry for the modern players who have never enjoyed the experience. EveryUlstercricket ground has its own character and its individual ambience, but none matched the atmosphere of Ormeau and the lofty status it held in the history of cricket in Ireland. Just walking up the steps into the clubhouse gave you goose pimples and to sit in the same changing room where some of the greatest crickets that ever lived sat many years before, was an experience to behold. WG Grace walked though those same doors, the great Bart King, Hedley Verity, Norman Yardley, Richie Benaud, Garry Sobers Sunil Gavaskar et al? And looking at all those old photographs of former teams sitting proudly behind the senior cup and senior league trophies left an indelible imprint that these were the finest cricketers and sportsmen of their time.
The Ormeau pavilion was steeped in nostalgia and history and there was a special place for its wartime memorial, a chilling reminder of the many brave members who made the ultimate sacrifice in two horrendous World Wars.
Everybody loved to go to Ormeau and without doubt it was the highlight of the season.
North of Ireland Cricket Club had a proud heritage, and if the members down the years felt a certain aura about themselves, then it was all part and parcel of the character and traditions of this famous Belfast club. After all, theUlstergame was nurtured at Ormeau from as far back as the 1850s, and at one time its membership stood at over 500 and it included the richest and the most famous people in Ulster society.
The ground itself was unique as a city ground, and although for many years it was situated in a lovely Belfast suburb, the inevitable urbanization of an industrial city at the turn of the 20th century eventually transformed its environs into working-class terrace housing and a much different neighbourhood as we moved into modern times. The Troubles killed the heart of the club and a friendly neighbourhood became a hostile area, and at its worst the members and the clubhouse became innocent victims of Ulster’s self-destruction. The decision to move was sad, but after so many years of intimidation and abuse it was inevitable.
North produced some of the finest sportsmen in Ireland and they excelled across a wide range of sporting disciplines as the club offered plenty of choice in its early days. Eventually rugby and cricket dominated, and not surprisingly, many of the leading players in both codes achieved the highest representative honours. The debonair Charles Stelfox was a huge favourite in the 1870s, but many other superstars followed in his wake. Legends like Willie Vint, Oscar Andrews, Willie Pollock, Stuart Pollock, EDR Shearer, Sonny Hool, Jimmy McKelvey, big Stanley Hewitt and then into the modern era of super Simon Corlett and the ebullient Paul Jackson.
In our time, visits to Ormeau meant a welcome from “Topper” in the foyer, a ‘dismissive’ glance from the inimitable Pat Rogan, a thoroughly sporting game of cricket win or lose, and a great night in the bar thereafter. Pat Rogan was a wonderful character, a dedicated scorer, raconteur and lifelong supporter of Celtic Football Club. He excelled in every role. The players from North and North Down got on well with each other but it would have been difficult not to have enjoyed their company. Their team was full of talent but winning wasn’t everything and their camaraderie was much in evidence during and after games. Everyone seemed to have a nickname and over the years christian names seem to disappear in preference to Bilko, Jacko, the Commander, Growler, Badger, big Rex, Crooksy, Snapper, Tardelli, Vanburn and many others. It was a stark contrast to the days when rank and file team members had to virtually tip their caps to their seniors! The late Fred Allen once told me when he made his debut for the 1st. Eleven, EDR Sharer was captain and he was greeted by “Congratulations Allen on your selection. You are batting number eleven!” Fred duly thanked the great man and got on with the game.
Sadly when the members left Ormeau much of the North of Ireland Cricket Club died but happily the club has re-invented itself in association with Civil Service after a painful experience at Deramore, which all but killed the old club.
In time, the new club and its members will create their own history, but for cricket dinosaurs like us driving past “Headquarters” will always have special memories and to see a building site where once the finest cricketers in Ireland plied their trade, is a modern sporting tragedy.
Farewell to Ormeau.
Clarence Hiles
Editor
