Forum

My feelings are the same Neil but when you mention and I took it from your post "this from a club that had no youth policy 10 years ago".

What club is that aimed at? Most people would know the name David McCormick and his association with Cregagh.

As you say Clarence, a sad day for cricket and all the more poignant when we remember Mr. Lamba. Your posting meant the running "old videos" in my head of those times and the characters who were around, Rex Gilliland, Billy Kirk, Ernie McCleary, Topper Devlin, wee George McKillen, Trevor Jacques, Ivor Marno, not to mention the Comber "mafia", Millar O'Prey, Jimmy Galway, and others (including your good self) to name a few who feature in those memories. Is it my age but did the sun not shine more in those days?! With regard to Mr. McKinstry - I think that "barking mad" is a bit strong but I'm happy enough to leave that to others to decide. I fail to see how the holding of strong views on club facilities affects my impartiality as an umpire but perhaps you would clarify. I note your "threat" to report me to the NCU. In a previous employment I was subject to threats on an almost monthly basis and indeed on one occasion I survived a murder bid, so you will appreciate that your intention to take this further doesn't exactly fill me with dread or trepidation. You have, of course, the right of free speech, a right that you would clearly deny to me.

Graham

I don't know David from Adam and show me once where I have even mentioned Cregagh. I have only defended my club. I expected better from someone I know and get on with to be honest.

Re Graham

I admire your passion for Cregagh and the youth success the club had last year - let's hope that they stay at your club and stop you being a team that goes up and down leagues like a yo-yo

I don't see what your gripe is with Neil L and his comments to David McCormick as he never mentioned the kids at your club, but perhaps David would be better focussing on your club and their kids than not those up the road at CIYMS.

My own view on the Hiles rant was that it was bang out of order and that's coming from a former Holywood supporter! As for CIYMS each to their own I say

Agreed Neil.
The death of Phil Hughes brings a perspective to everything in life and as part of the international cricket family we share that loss and send our condolences to his family and friends including Sean Abbott. It brings back memories of the late Raman Lamba.
Gone but not forgotten
Rest in Peace.

I for 1 am happy to be riding a juggernaut (as florence described CI), which I am used to. Onwards to the Premiership title !!

Good luck to Matchy and the guys !

Enjoying my winter in Malaga !

Neil maybe you should take some of your own advice and do some of your own research.

Yes at Cregagh 10 years ago we didn't have a youth section after coming out of a period of history that threatened our very survival.

However, if you wish I can show you photos of under 15 teams from the 30s and 40s.

We haven't always had a youth section throughout our long history but I dont see what that has to do with David voicing his opinion

Re Andy Kennedy barking mad buckna

You have pointed out the comments you have made about clubs as not made in your capacity as umpire. Unfortunately as Andy Kennedy, forum poster, and Andy Kennedy, umpire, are the same person your comments about particular clubs call into question your impartiality when umpiring Premier League fixtures. I will be writing to the NCU to put in an official complaint.

Any petty squabbles over paid players takes a back seat today.

Absolutely stunned to wake up to hear the news about Phil Hughes. The one thing that unites us all is a love of cricket and to die playing the sport we all love is heart breaking. Spare a thought for Sean Abbott too. The guy will struggle to get over this. RIP Phil.

David B

Whether you buy it or not is irrelevant. I expect all four to get plenty of game time next year in the Premier League, providing of course they make themselves available. Where they bat and bowl will be up to the coach and skipper. I can't imagine either will take much heed of a non member posting on an Internet forum.

There are plenty of clubs who would be delighted to have one kid touring South Africa never mind three.

David McCormick - Well Said

However everyone just needs to agree not to play them and simply forfeit the fixture - citing the fact that as an amateur team, we refuse to play a professional one.

See what the NCU does then

The Northern Knights are going to have some team this yr with all the Nor-westers entering the Ncu. Any truth in the rumours that R.west,z.rushe and N.russell are being tapped up by the juggernaut??

For the benefit of the "Belmont" poster - the accepted spelling is "alickadoo" and is a term used in rugby. It is credited to the late Ernie Crawford who used it to describe an individual of limited ability who never achieved anything on the playing field but has managed to cajole their way into positions of authority in a club. This would be back in the day when CIYMS was a senior rugby club and was known affectionately by other sides as Come In Yer Ma's Shouting. Indeed, a former CI player who achieved the top rank in the RUC/PSNI would still refer to this. As Belmont "Alackadoo"(sic) has decided to hide behind a nom-de-plume I can only assume that he falls into this category. My point has been made on many occasions and has not only been directed at one club - see my postings about lack of facilities at other Premier grounds. I am only reflecting the views expressed by many others around the NCU circuit. As I always have maintained, my "views" are my personal opinions and I speak only for Andy Kennedy. And as anyone with a basic knowledge of NCU knows, there is no such entity as a "senior" umpire - we are all equal. As for my knowledge of the LBW Law, well I'm sure there are many throughout the game would say that this lack applies to every Law! But then again, I only took up umpiring when a serious eye defect meant that I could see properly to play the game!

Re Neil

I got a bit of a rebuke from Clarence for my posting on young players a few weeks ago and must apologise to CIYMS for forgetting about Ben Smith opening the bowling last season but could you just confirm to me where Ben will fit into a bowling line up of Jones, Dunn, Thompson, Britton, Van der Dussen and the 2nd overseas player whose transfer has surprisingly not hit the airwaves yet. That makes him 7th bowler behind 6 paid players so I imagine will not turn the arm over very often and in reality will not play much.
Can you also let me know where Jack Beattie and Aaron Johnston will bat amongst Doc, van der Dussen, Jones, Matchett, Clarke, Thompson, Britton, 2nd overseas player, Dunn and any others that they might sign between now and April. I’m guessing pretty low down if at all.
I notice that the young man you mention who played away to Ballymena is not in the SA touring squad at u15 or u17 and in fact the several that you mention going on the tour is actually 3.
Nice job trying to convince yourself that CIYMS has a youth policy. The rest of us aren’t buying it.

RE: Andy Kennedy

Clearly you cant read but how about when you go to Specsavers over the winter and learn the LBW rule then CI will get new sight screens for you.

Absolutely ludicrous that a senior umpire from NIACUS can come on a public forum and openly criticise one club