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Bumper, I thought you had to be an all rounder to play in single wicket comps. Sad to hear about Donaghadee,s struggles in recent times but rest assured lots of clubs are in a similar state. Loved playing at the Dee in the 70s, I was playing against the Dee 1sts in 1977, batting with the great Rivelino Shields and witnessed for the only time a batsman being given out obstructing the field,Don Shields swotting the ball tennis like when he was ten yards short of his ground from an incoming throw,absolutely priceless moment,still vividly remember Rivelino with his long hair jumping to divert the ball,what a character he was, sadly not too many characters left in the game.

Trevor Sailes(RIP) certainly was a character, as a young lad playing on the same team he certainly was a competitor, That stare he would give if you dropped a catch of him, needless to say it kept us on our toes, Great memories of keeping wicket to him bowling 20 overs from one end.

Yesteryear at donaghadee.
As a youngster I recall being asked to play in a single wicket competition in the early 70s.
I drew Ronnie Elliot in the first round and was out third ball for a duck. The locals thanked me for coming down and informed me the next bus to Belfast was in 5 minutes time.
However I clean bowled him first ball and managed to reach the final where I met a true legend Stanley Hewitt. Needless to say I finished runner-up.
The prize money went into a kitty and beer and fish suppers were taken at the front beside the paddling pool.
The night ended with Sailor removing his shoes and socks and dumping a young D/dee player into the pool. He only asked 'How come you didn't make the final Sailor!! HAPPY DAYS!

to throw a few more names into Bob's mix - Alastair Kyle, big Ivan Reid & I always remember a two-nighter played to the sound of Francis Porter on an air-horn!! Things were always quiet when Sailor was about whether on the cricket or rugby field! On reflection I wonder why there are no larger than life characters in the game now. Certainly no-one comes immediately to mind when I think of the likes of Messrs. Marno, Robbie Harrison, Rex Gilliland, Billy Kirk,F.S. Hewitt, Ed Tormey et.al. to name but a few - not forgetting the gentleman from Holywood who recently discovered this forum! now there's a topic to keep us going in the dark days up to Christmas!

Some memory Simon, Rashid Israr is correct, very good batsman, maybe like a lot of the pros too good for this standard of cricket. The previos Dee pro was a more exciting cricketer, Herbie Chang, little left handed West Indian Batsmen, We did have our fair share of good players, Ronnie Elliott, Tommy Hamilton, Trevor Sailes, pity they still werent involved with the Dee

Re: Freddy Gilroy

Sad to see the demise of the once strong club. I remember the strong teams of the 80s and early 90s and it wasn't just a one man team with players like Tommy Hamilton, Ward McConkey, Trevor Sailes, Ronny Elliot amongst others.

Simon - Rashid Israr and Herbie Chang must have been two of the best pros you would have played against?

Four good teams and a certain Rashid Israr if I've spelt the name correctly. Depending on your view on pros, he ruined many a good game. Mind you, we eventually tried to - had to? - follow suit at Holywood. A conundrum perhaps. Plenty of other very good Dee players in those days, but Israr was generally good for 100.

Guys, just came across this great forum regarding cricket in Ulster. It saddens me as a lifetime member of Donaghadee CC to see clubs like ours struggle week in week out to muster 2 teams. I remember the days in the early 80s when we had 4 strong teams. Is it just our club or do other clubs have the same problems apart from it seems the premier league clubs

totally agree Jonny. At the recent NIACUS AGM Mr. Hunter was commending the work done by Michael on the Muckamore pitches so the theft of the major items of equipment is particularly sickening. Don't let the b***ards get ypu down lads.

Just off the phone with my brother who informs me of a break-in at Moylena. Some equipment/tools etc. taken and while this is a setback for him personally I know him and Moley will be back on track in no time.

Chins up lads and don't let the scumbags win.

Come on Andy-big Davy's a lamb.....unless he has a bat in his hand or a few pints on board. Only once saw him lose the 'bap' when the NICC President forgot to mention him at the Annual Dinner after he captained North to a Senior Cup win. A few pints later and it was back to normal. Great guy.

Met Davy briefly at a concert t'other week. He could be a right feisty character right enough whether on rugby or cricket pitches. He said he didn't think it was my type of music and I 'm still not sure what he meant. i got a bad lbw when he was bowling one day at Saintfield, which is probably how he got most of his wickets! did I say that? Glad to hear Claw got an award. Well deserved.

Have to agree with the comments on the NCU annual meetings and maybe there are not so many feisty characters about these days. Of course it may be the case that there have been many amendments to regs in past years that there are no further changes to be made as things are working reasonably well. Speaking of feisty characters I was in the company of Mr.David Napier at a recent dinner - definitely one for your list Clarence! We here having an in-depth discussion with Geoff Miller (who had announced his retirement the previous day) about the 'poaching' of Ireland players. Mr. Miller was advocating a 5 year moratorium - or maybe he felt a bit intimidated by big Davy!

Was delighted to read that Billy McCormick was awarded the services to cricket award at the recent AGM. As Clarence has mentioned 'the claw' has been a great servant to Holywood for many years. He was the driving force behind the clubs new facilities at Seapark, I understand. And I am sure it has all been fuelled by his love for his club.
A deserved winner if ever there was one - plus it seems that his legacy is being carried forward by young Philip who has given the club so much at such a relatively young age.
Perhaps Holywood should name the 'McCormick End" at Seapark?
Congratulations Billy and Holywood!

some complaints on other media about the number of clubs represented and lack of a photographer at the NCU dinner. I'm sure somebody has a view!!