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Barry seems to have his ear close to the ground (no pun intended!) about the alleged mismanagement of the pitch preparation down there! I don’t think it’s innuendo for those with the inside track. I share your optimism - maybe in my lifetime too! I’ll buy the 1st round that day!!

Barry Chambers refers to.the radio interview with the head of CI - I too heard the interview and I was delighted to learn that we will have a national stadium “soon”! No other info so it reminds me of the mantra we hear that “we are following the data” but we never hear what the data indicates. I understand that the Abbottsford project may be tied up in legal proceedings so sounds like serious problems!,

The late Duke and the Queen herself, indeed the greater royal family circle, always enjoyed watching and still do the game of cricket when their busy schedules permitted, here's my tribute to HRH the late Duke in remembrance and of course, the great lady herself who remains a fan ..
The secret of her success ..

In the year of our Lord 1926, 21st April, a baby princess, born
into an everchanging, unforgiving world,
salutations, adulations, adorations, celebrations, indifference
privileged upbringing, yet, modesty unfurled

Through bloody war, ever stoic, loyal to King, country, throne
nation of evacuees consolidated, fortified,
morale-boosting address, 'let's not relinquish, accede to duress'
teenage valour, united, emboldened, dignified

A noble suiter, Prince Philip, consummate couple, married 1947
no clandestine wedding, in attendance the press,
though a country, economically defaulted, its citizens exalted
royal bride traded coupons, buy material for dress

Heir presumptive, coronation glory, somewhat premature, 1953
upon coiffed, auburn locks, royal, jewelled crown,
highest office of kingdom, air, land and sea, 25yr old Queen
steadfast by her side, Prince Philip, consort renown

Befitting of love, four, fine children, nature's blessed gift
monarch and mother, who balanced the scales,
weighed equal, demands of nobility, maternal devotion
if she felt lowly, loving hubby, steadied her sails

Years passed as do people, time waits not even for Queens
trails, tribulations, tempered by happy times,
despite castles and titles, life, not a manicured, bed of roses
she weathered every storm, held tight her lines

Fast forward 2021, grandmother-great, a proud patriot
who rightfully, still remains on the throne,
silver, golden, diamond, sapphire jubilees, 73 yrs married
now her Prince passed on, monarch alone..

solemn words to the nation, his death; " left a huge void in my life"
though his legacy, his loving spirit, evergreen,
her wish to be judged, traits of loving husband, with humour, gentleness, understanding; Elizabeth II..
" God save the Queen! "

One of the targets in the Strategic Plan is to "improve facilities at the National Sports Complex". If I read between the lines of Barry Chambers' postings on the "other" site correctly, there appears to be a considerable amount of expensive and time consuming remedial work required. Is anybody going to put their hand up over this apparent mis-management?

DUBLIN – Cricket Ireland has today released a revised fixture schedule for the men’s Inter-Provincial Series 2021.
While all matches are subject to approval from sporting and health authorities on both sides of the border, approval has been given from both Sport Ireland and Sport NI to restart training at the inter-provincial level (under strict protocols), and it is anticipated that on-field action will proceed as scheduled below.
Speaking about the revised schedule, Richard Holdsworth, High Performance Director for Cricket Ireland, said:
“With no competitive club cricket expected in the Republic in the short term due to COVID-19 government directives, we have made several revisions to the 2021 Inter-Provincial Series to ensure our men’s national players are as prepared as possible before the World Cup Super League matches in early June.”
“This new schedule maximises playing time for our players that will be heading to The Netherlands for the those key matches, and we sincerely appreciate the support of those clubs who have been able to accommodate these changes.”
START
01/05/2021
IP50
Leinster Lightning vs North West Warriors
Pembroke
10:45
04/05/2021
IP50
Leinster Lightning vs Northern Knights
Pembroke
10:45
06/05/2021
IP50
North West Warriors vs Munster Reds
Eglinton
10:45
16/05/2021
IP50
Northern Knights vs Leinster Lightning
The Green, Comber
10:45
18/05/2021
IP50
Northern Knights vs North West Warriors
Stormont
10:45
20/05/2021
IP50
Leinster Lightning vs Munster Reds
Pembroke
10:45
21/05/2021
IP50
North West Warriors vs Northern Knights
Bready
10:45
22/05/2021
IP50
Munster Reds vs Leinster Lightning
MCU Region
10:45
25/05/2021
IP50
North West Warriors vs Leinster Lightning
Eglinton
10:45
27/05/2021
IP50
Munster Reds vs Northern Knights
MCU Region
10:45
10/06/2021
IP50
Northern Knights vs Munster Reds
Stormont
10:45
15/06/2021
IP50
Munster Reds vs North West Warriors
MCU Region
10:45
18/06/2021
IP20
Leinster Lightning vs Munster Reds
Pembroke
18/06/2021
IP20
Northern Knights vs North West Warriors
Pembroke
19/06/2021
IP20
Leinster Lightning vs Northern Knights
Pembroke
19/06/2021
IP20
Munster Reds vs North West Warriors
Pembroke
20/06/2021
IP20
Leinster Lightning vs North West Warriors
Pembroke
20/06/2021
IP20
Northern Knights vs Munster Reds
Pembroke
25/06/2021
IP20
North West Warriors vs Northern Knights
Ready
25/06/2021
IP20
Leinster Lightning vs Munster Reds
Bready
26/06/2021
IP20
North West Warriors vs Munster Reds
Bready
26/06/2021
IP20
Northern Knights vs Leinster Lightning
Bready
27/06/2021
IP20
North West Warriors vs Leinster Lightning
Bready
27/06/2021
IP20
Northern Knights vs Munster Reds
Bready
17/09/2021
IP20
Northern Knights vs North West Warriors
NCU Region
-
17/09/2021
IP20
Leinster Lightning vs Munster Reds
NCU Region
18/09/2021
IP20
Northern Knights vs Leinster Lightning
NCU Region
18/09/2021
IP20
North West Warriors vs Munster Reds
NCU Region
19/09/2021
IP20
Northern Knights vs Munster Reds
NCU Region
19/09/2021
IP20
Leinster Lightning vs North West Warriors
NCU Region

DUBLIN – A new three-year Strategic Plan released today by Cricket Ireland aims to strengthen Irish cricket from grassroots to international levels – with a particular focus on supporting the club game, increasing opportunities for women and girls, and introducing new mass participation programmes to position the sport for a period of growth across Ireland.
The Plan, titled: “Creating a Cricket Island” sets out a staged approach to growing the game of cricket across Ireland. The next three years will see a consolidation of the sport’s achievements over the last decade, strengthening the foundations of the sport, and positioning cricket for a planned period of growth from 2024-2031.
Amongst the key headlines of the Strategic Plan, Cricket Ireland will aim to:
Roll out three new national participation programmes to engage kids and provide schools with resources, training and access to advocates for the game;
Significantly increase opportunities for women and girls to play cricket - including new programmes, club supports and increasing the visibility of the women’s game;
Invest in the performance pathway and further support men’s and women’s international squads to seek on-field success and regular world cup qualification;
Work with Provincial Unions to ensure every club across Ireland has a development plan that reflects the needs and capacity of the club;
Implement a sustained investment in coaching to increase the number and skills of those involved;
Deliver proactive programmes that further increase diversity and inclusion – aiming to make cricket one of the most welcoming sports in Ireland; and
Improving training facilities within Provincial Unions and to progress the National Stadium project at the National Sports Campus in Dublin.

Sad to see on the list of recent transfers that 6 players are exiting Downpatrick .
What is the current situation?
A once great club and I loved playing at Downpatrick and some epic encounters are in my memory bank.
Hope things improve at Strangford Avenue.

Incredibly sad news about the tragic death of David Edwards - an absolute gentleman and a fine ambassador for Derriaghy. Condolences to his family in particular and the wider cricket community at Queensway

Interesting to read on the CI site £130k for car leasing! Barry makes some interesting points!!

having played with Jim Carson at donacloney I am not surprised to read that Jack is making such progress

As I sit here this morning I was reflecting on the good book and the hope that it provides all at Easter. Rev Rea says a new season is in the air. God’s blessings to all my friends. Does anyone know if the NI programme fair is on this year? Jason

Great to see Waringstowns Jack Carson named in Wisdens six under 23 players to watch on the county circuit ! A very talented young player that has all the tools to make it to the very top. Sure many of a certain age will remember his father- an outstanding 1st eleven player for the Cloney and great person as well. A big loss to NCU and Irish cricket but I like many others wish him all the best.

A merger ? With the news about Claremont Road, what about a merger between YMCA and CIYMS ?

Any rumours floating about regarding more club mergers, and clubs trying to find clubs to merge with ?

DUBLIN – Cricket Ireland has today announced that William Porterfield and Gary Wilson have respectively been appointed in coaching consultancy roles within the national set-up. Additionally, Porterfield has been appointed as Assistant Coach for the North West Warriors, which he will combine with his playing role.
Porterfield appointments
William Porterfield, current centrally-contracted player and former international captain, has today been appointed as a Consultant Fielding Coach for Ireland. He will work across senior men’s and women’s teams, and will additionally work within the national pathway system. This new role will be combined with his playing role within the senior squad.
Porterfield has concurrently been appointed by the North West Cricket Union as Assistant Coach with the North West Warriors, working alongside newly appointed Head Coach, Gary Wilson. This role will also involve working with the Emerging Warriors squad and pathway players in the NWCU. Similar to his national coaching role, Porterfield will combine these provincial coaching duties with his existing playing role with the Warriors.
Wilson appointment
After his retirement from professional cricket last week - and his subsequent appointment as Head Coach of the North West Warriors - Gary Wilson has today been appointed as a Consultant Wicket-Keeping Coach for Ireland, working across senior men’s and women’s teams, and will additionally work within the national pathway system.