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Re Ivan McCombe and Knights Selection.
Have you checked that the players you mention that are not being picked have made themselves available for selection?
It is my understanding that Johnny Thompson for one does not wish to be picked for the Knights. Anyone from CIYMS confirm this?

I have just found this post on the Enniskillen Cricket Club Facebook Page, it relates to a basic introduction to cricket skills evening they are holding. Imagine of all 30 odd NCU clubs organised one of these evenings in their local Leisure centre, community hall or church hall. Do this twice a year for the next five years and I reckon the numbers playing Saturday cricket would probably double.
PS If you are ever in Enniskillen call in and get a pint in Pats Bar who are sponsoring this event.

Hi Folks we have decided to run this night in the New Year just to gage the interest for the sport in the Enniskillen area. Everyone is welcome, this night will consist of running through the basic skills in cricket and getting newcomers to grips with how to play the game, obviously a more established player will already know all these skills, however it does no harm to brush up on them on occasion and with 2 qualified coaches on hand you will have plenty of opportunities to enhance your knowledge of the game. No equipment is required and kindly the cost of the hall has been covered by our title sponsor Pats Bar so all we need you to do is turn up. In this particular session we will be focusing on the senior team so I therefore ask if only people above the ages of 16 and upwards attend.
As ever if you could spread the word both like and share this post with your friends.
And finally on behalf of the Enniskillen Cricket Club we wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, hope to see you in 2016.

Re: Andrew Lytle - Ireland shirt
Sorry Andrew I didn't get back to you but have been dealing with death of close family friend.
Glad to hear that you have got sorted out though - surprised to learn that the "offical" suppliers couldn't help, wouldn't have happened in LS days.
Good luck with your tour next year.
John

Have been wracking my brains lately for material to pen a tribute poem in respect of another recently retired, legendary former player from my club, and then like a bolt from the blue, I was truly inspired....

Farmer Fred

A burly bunch of northern cricket players
sought a credulous cash cow,
so headed south to procure purveyors
not even taking time to say 'chow'

Stopping at a village quintessential
resplendent in flowering decor,
impressed by its apparent potential
for it was steeped in cricket lore

In order to attain premier top dollar
first, they must exhibit ware,
so from rooftops, loudly did holler
'We'll easily beat your team on yon square'

News travelled quickly of this bold impugn
and folk rallied to the cause,
their kinship collective and commune
just as it was, back in both world wars

Next day on green village square
large crowds congregated,
to watch their heroes debonair
face off, against northerners migrated

The toss fell favourably for north's skipper
straight off, electing to bat first
and with both openers looking chipper,
the home side began to fear the worst

But when involved in bloody, bitter battle
men of guile and guts come fore
and Fred, a farmer of purebred beef cattle
was called upon, to check advancing score

A most unusual, unorthodox slow bowler
he made that cherry dance like a fairy,
and in the mould of Audley's portly controller
assumed command, denying batsmen chance to parry

Both openers fell flatly, one after other
as did the rest just like collapsing cards,
for when Fred's on form, nothing's a bother
an exceptional bowler, between any strip of 22 yards

Despite oh so encouraging beginnings
the journeymen were soon skittled out,
and as for chasing such a paltry innings
Fred stood aside, as his colleagues completed the rout

So the moral of this tale is clear and primeval
grass always looks greener, when viewed far ahead,
and lure of easy money, oft causes unpleasant upheaval
especially if up against a wily bowler, in the form of farmer Fred !

Pete
With regards to the Northern Knights selection policy it's difficult to understand if there is one. Chris Dougherty gets selected but Johnny Thompson or Trevor Brittany don't. Getkate gets selected so why wouldn't Soronsen. For a start he's more likely to play for Ireland again while it's questionable if Getkate will.
Andrew White is selected yet his international days are over and others get selected who haven't the desire or discipline to go that extra mile to play at the highest level.
So it's difficult to understand the criteria the selectors use. I think it will lead to a better competition and a better yardstick on wether a player has what it takes to play for Ireland if each Union simply picked the best team from those available playing within their jurisdiction with the current restrictions on overseas players remaining.
That way if a young player emerges he does so on merit and has proved his ability against his peers in league cricket. Why selection would be any other way in any competitive sport is beyond me. Warren Duetrom made a passionate plea a few years ago at an NCU AGM for an eight team Premier League using the " best v best " arguement. Maybe it's time he used the same reasoning with the Inter Pro selectors .
I think it's a great shot in the arm that people like Graham McCarter wants to play in the NCU and it's not about the money I'm pretty sure. I'm sure there wouldn't be a lot to separate the deal he had at Coleraine with what's on offer at CSNI . The NCU PL next season has top class professionals backed up by some of the top NW talent plus plenty of homegrown talent. I also think it's great to see a young player like Robert Smith make a move to a Premier League club and test his talent at the highest level. Let's hope the Northern Kinights selectors give us a team reflective of the quality available and then we may get more and more out to watch.

Why such an exodus of NW players moving south, do they prefer a more temperate climate ?

So another north west player has decided to come over the Glenshane Pass to play in the Premier League. Great signing by CSNI of McCarter from Coleraine.

Will the Knights selectors now select the best XI and pick the likes of McCarter, Sorenson, and Thompson

Andrew if you need any help contact me at jeffreymaguire6@gmail.com and ill help you with sorting out three games and accomadation at very reasonable prices in either Dundrum or Newcastle .Or you can get me 02843751442 (not after 9pm ).

Re shirt, got it sorted thanks. On another matter, my club here in Nantes is planning to tour in Ireland, North and South, from 9th - 16th July 2016 and we are looking for clubs to play both men's and women's teams. The standard is a decent 3rd XI. In terms of my old club, Ballymena, we have players in Nantes CC who would be good enough for Ballymena 1s and players who wouldn't be good enough for the 4ths so there is a full range. The committee are keen to do half the week in Dublin and half the week in the North so maybe 2 games in Dublin, 3 in the NCU area or even NW. So maybe you'd like to think about hosting this club of mostly French players and if anyone has contacts in high places for some coaching, or civic welcome for what must surely be the first French club to tour in NI.

there is a brand new with tags on ebay uk ireland shirt £16 if that helps andy be quick though might bid myself someone in poland has it do they even play cricket haha

Can anyone help me get my hands on a replica Ireland cricket shirt. The official suppliers don't have any so I'm not sure where to turn. have left messages and sent emails to Lion Sport but have heard nothing.

I've just come from a meeting with Gareth Jenkins Muckamore's Youth Cricket Coaching co-ordinator last night ( I was getting information for this week's cricket article in the Antrim Guardian ) and I was amazed at how structured youth coaching has become. Kids from 5 year old are getting coached on the basics of the game and there are now numerous courses organised by Cricket Ireland / NCU for for helpers and those who want to become qualified coaches. Soon a club like Muckamore will have ten active ECB Level 2 coaches and if this is typical of what's happening at all clubs then cricket will not only grow in the numbers playing the game but the quality of players will keep improving.
This behind the scenes work by Cricket Ireland and the Unions is maybe forgotten about with a lot made of the dream of Test cricket , the inter Pro's but I think we should applaud the governing bodies for putting the structures in place to safeguard the future of the game.
Listening to Gareth last night I realise that coaches are really enjoying these new resources and all want to learn more and move away from "baby sitting" to give youngsters a real love of our game and an ability to play as part of a team.

CHRISTMAS COMPETITION IS LIVE.

Go check it out. All details in the post.
Good luck all.

Prizes for top two!!

Terry
The back page headline on Tuesday's Antrim Guardian was " Anyone ( else) for cricket?" It's an article appealing for exactly the guys you are referring to. I think this has a better chance of succeeding on a " per club basis " .
That way they can make friendships , understand the ethos of the club and get coaching .
The last time we did this appeal in 2012 we got enough interest to be able to start a 5ths and now we hope to be able to start a 6ths.

Neil
I think all the entrants in this year's Irish Senior Cup play Sunday cricket and this now allows other members to get along and support and might draw bigger crowds.
The inter pro's are now part of our calendar and an important cog in the drive for Test cricket . It's worth remembering it was a Ballymena man John Caldwell and his development committee who drew up the first blueprint on developing Ireland as a Test nation. I'm not sure even John and his team expected the successes we have had along the way with World Cups, victories over Test nations, Irish guys captaining county sides, Irish guys playing for and captaining England, Irish Ladies reaching a World Cup, more people playing the game, more coaches, development officers, and a top quality Premier League in all three Unions.

Of course that should have said Sunday, not Saturday. Apologies.