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Further to the recent article, posted by Clarence Hiles, in relation to my research into members of the forces who died in the Great War and who had a cricket connection with Ireland at some stage of their lives, I wish to acknowledge with sincere thanks the assistance which has been given to me by readers of the forum and also the new leads which they have provided. On the 99th anniversary of the start of the Battle of the Somme, I have learned much in the six months since I started my research, not least being that it was principally men from the Ulster Division who gave their lives on that first fateful day.

Yes Nile and that's exactly why I pose the question, how much of that billion plus revenue I refer too in my previous submission will filter its way down to the lower leagues and grassroots of the NCU ?

The sport here is played by the majority for fun and recreation but that's not to devalue or decry its relevance and importance. The Australian & New Zealand economies have been boosted by huge sums of money thanks to the success of the cricket world cup of which Ireland were a contributing member, to which the NCU contributes, to which I, like so many others, voluntary contribute every Saturday afternoon!

I just hope Clarence can get some positive answers from either of the two aforesaid gentlemen ?

BTW.. I'm not personally expecting anything myself but I wouldn't say no to a new cricket bat, mine seems to have developed a nasty hole in the middle!

The objectives of NCU cricket should be wider than your club winning a league or cup though that is an essential component. The main objectives should be (1) improving all players to their full potential (as many as possible to Ireland standard) and (2) generating more players.

If we can agree that these are our goals, it follows that we agree that “player producing” clubs should be incentivised by the system ahead of “player recruitment” clubs. For the avoidance of doubt I am not writing about any particular clubs here and not on behalf of any clubs.

So would there be sufficient consensus to introduce a form of regulation to NCU cricket by requiring that each club had to select say 8 players developed from that club’s youth system in their 1st X1? I suppose it would all turn on the drafting of the regulation but perhaps a “gentleman’s agreement” would be a start.

To all the free marketers I say have a look at the “land of the free” and observe how American Football and Baseball operate heavily regulated draft systems – they recognise the need to keep leagues competitive.

Well said Macca ( and Peter). I think these forums are great for stimulating debate but let's not all be in agreement all of the time. The last thing any group looking to progress needs are loads of " Yes" men.
As for nasty and nice. Some of the nastiest people I played against are some of the nicest people I know off the pitch and certainly would be the ones I would seek out for a yarn if I'm watching a game because I know we share a passion for the game .
I can remember being called a " fat b****** " on at least two occasions and remember having a fair few pints with the same guys after the game.

Clarence, if you get a moment or two would be kind enough to enquire from Mr Richardson or Mr Harnden, how much of that $1.1billion generated by the unprecedented success of the recent cricket world down under, will actually filter its way down to NCU junior league 9 ?

Would be most curious to hear their answer !

As Neil Gill rightly says the views that I have posted over many years are my own personal opinions. I have never purported to be anything other than someone who has a deep love & concern for the game that we all love. I have always respected the views of others who post on this forum but I must confess that I place less value on anonymous postings! Perhaps the recent input shows the dichotomy that exists between those who measure success by winning trophies and those who see success by club development. Ivan has eloquently stated the Muckamore ethos - a club in which I hold no office but one of which I am honoured to have been elected a vice-president a couple of years ago. One Premier club is currently benefiting from the past coaching of young players at Moylena and we are delighted at his success. As I said in a previous posting I believe that the wider NCU cricket is in decline if not meltdown and I would encourage everyone to read Michael Taylor's blog regarding the 8-team league on the "Northern" site on the CI webpage and then waken up & smell the coffee!!

Fair enough Andy , take your point. I guess it's no real concern of mine what happens at any other clubs . Apologies to any offended

A lot of tit for tat postings on here regarding clubs, umpires, and regrettably the ability of junior players. Isn't it about time all clubs in the NCU started to concentrate on their own clubs, and then perhaps we wouldn't be losing teams throughout the league. I had many happy years at Muckamore, I am now enjoying playing and trying to develop young players at Cliftonville. I enjoy healthy competition between clubs but let's leave it on the pitch, surely we are all here to try and improve Irish Cricket. Stop the petty posts and if people have something to say have the strength of conviction not to hide behind false names,and if you know who the keyboard warrior's are name them.

re: Ivan
I don't see the need to be nasty on the pitch. Perhaps we should all take a leaf out of New Zealand's book who proved that it is possible to reach a World Cup final while being 'nice guys'. League cricket would be much more fun if we all lay off the sledging.

re pete who is at his work i joined muckamore this season and can say they are very much a nice bunch of blokes the facilities are second to none now i ask myself what is wrong with ambition if i was in your shoes pete take a look in the mirror and ask yourself am i just a hint jealous and obviously you are ashamed to reveal your club let alone your name well thanks anyway because your comments will be put up on the changing room wall and used as an incentive for all five teams at moylena by the way my comments are my own

Can I also say that any views from Andy Kennedy are views of his own and not that of Muckamore CC as he has stated many times on the forum!

Giller

Re Peter,

Again another coward who will abuse a club without being man enough to put his full name up. Although I have a fair idea who it is and I'm glad his own club are such a superb club with there fantastic youth setup that has got them absolutely nowhere over the years!

I'm not going to get into all that is going on at Moylena. Andy Clement is free to say whatever he wants, he is a past player but doesn't have any role at Muckamore so his prediction of us winning 18 out of 18 is a view of his own and not that of the 1st Xl or anyone at Muckamore. I've played enough seasons in Section 1 to know that it's a competitive league and anything can happen on any given day.

As Ivan said we have a pro who is injured, our opening bowler Gary Nicholl is also injured and we have been missing Sam Gordon for past couple of weeks due to holidays. We will bounce back don't worry about that. Bangor beat us in a 20 over match and fully deserved it and Woodvale beat us yesterday and beat us well, 2 good sides who will be right up there at the end of the season but plenty of teams will have a few defeats in Section 1 this season.

So Peter common are you going to share with us Moylena lads who you are??

I honestly do not know how with the financial outlay at Muckamore that a top 4 finish would be deemed a success. In fact was it not the NCU chairman who said in that pre season video that he fully expected 18 wins out of 18?

Good to see a couple of Muckamore defeats got the typewriters going again. Better to be in the news than be forgotten about. If anyone care to go back to early May you will find a post from me saying that winning Section One this season wasn't going to be easy given our decision to field such a young team. The recruitment of Ryan Haire was to assist in their development and already we have had Sam Gordon score an Irish Senior Cup fifty and Calum Weir take a five for as well as quite a few other wickets while Aditya Adey has made telling contributions with the bat and ball and those three are 17. Craig Drummond has 300 runs including a century and he's 21 while Jay Hunter and Jamie Magowan have both got runs at stages and they are only 20. We have been missing Gary Nicholl our left arm opening bowler ( 22) through injury for about a month . Gary has already featured in Knights training squads and now our pro is injured . However these things happen and at Woodvale yesterday they absolutely wiped the floor with us and I think Bangor won easy midweek.
However this is part of the learning curve fir our young players as we look to Ryan and Neil Gill and his brother David to get us back on course. As I said in that earlier post a top four finish and young players developing will be a good season.
Peter's rather sarcastic comment about "nice guys" is really a big compliment. When I thought I was going to play a "nice " team I expected to win. Give me a team of horrible , nasty guys when we cross the rope but then a few pints afterwards when everyone knows they gave it their all. Lots of great matches ahead including the T20 Qualifying tournament at Stormont and two great cup finals at the end of July at Comber and Eglinton.

Geoffrey Boycott was often critised as a player, yet was one of the best opening batsmen England ever had, and indeed, as a radio, TV and sports columnist/pundit etc. he is equally forthright and opinionated and certainly not one for making a silk purse from a sow's ear.

You will however note, he's never out of work nor short of offers.

Say what you see and say what you mean or don't say anything at all!