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C BOOMER.....don`t you worry yourself, when a handout comes to the cricketing fraternity [0.0015% of Norn Ireland population]similar to that given to Football,gaelic and rugby you will be ok........our first purpose built cricket ground with covered spectator accomodation,practice areas,underground heating/irrigation systems, restaurants, powered wicket covers and press/administration centre will meet all your needs. There will be probably free admission if you come with your own dog.
In the meantime, just keep putting the fertiliser on the square and outfield whilst JT and any others of nomadic tendancies move around `cos in the real world of cricket it doesn`t matter.
23RD Feb and the annual JT rumour to NCU raises its head-only difference in this years post that it didnt mention, he is going to NDCC, the editor brought that in lol.
Our game v Glendermott is in April, not in March! That would be a bit early.
What a game of T20 that was. Ireland pulled it out of the bag with their bowling and fielding!!
Hats off to Mooney for that last over, as well as Dockrell, White et al for clawing that back!! Nail biting stuff watching the ball-by-ball updates.
On the note of pre-season, Victoria are travelling to Glendermott on 14th March, and are hoping to host a local T20 Tournament involving Lurgan and Donaghcloney, with one team left to be confirmed on 21st April.
Clarence,
You are correct, I am totally delighted to be included in this team of inter pro and international rugby players.
My brothers are most jealous!!!
On the cricket front of things and with only 9 weeks to go to the start of the season, what pre season games have been arranged?
I know we are playing Donemana at Lurgan on 21st April
Sometimes I worry that Ireland may never become a Test playing cricket nation! Why?
Well it could be beyond mere mortal man's control, the white elephant in the kitchen that nobody dare mention, even if the powers within the I.C.C. were all singing in harmony from the same hymn-sheet, for Ireland's inclusion within the top-tier of the sport.
I don't for one second doubt our own players ability and there's still more talent out there!
We possess great cricket coaches both at club and N.C.U. level to unearth and bring further forward even more new players to raise the bar yet higher again.
The playing standard of our home pitches and venues would be good enough if not yet world class, BUT this bleedin climate we all live in is 'unreal' and hardly conducive to one day cricket at times, let alone 5 day cricket. And it doesn't encourage the spectators to come out and watch either !
Warmer today in mid February than it was for quite a few weeks last July/August and we've had less rainfall sofar this winter than all of last summer, doesn't make any sense at all!
So how the heck could we play Test cricket either at Belfast, the North/West or in Dublin if the inclement theme continues season upon cricket season?
And please don't get me wrong, I'm as keen and ambitious as anyone for it to happen, I still harbour as do many, aspirations myself to reach the pinnacle of the sport....although I'm fast becoming an anxious man !
Jt going no where , not so sure about mc keegan or britton , both left to beg for last years money which has just been paid.
Bit much to say nw best players all going to ncu, c doc the only one do far. Cann't count Butterworth as he is a nomadic pro who will follow the money with no loyalty.
And I can confirm that he is not coming to CI.
Is johnny Thompson moving to ncu this year? If so wat club is it ciyms or north down ? North west going to the dogs all there better players going to ncu.
I can safely say it isn't North Down!
Another few pieces of info on Woodvale players in relation to their participation in the NCU Challenge cup and their other sporting achievements.
Sammy Walker who was vice captain in the 1933 side was also the 1938 British Lions captain.
Sammy Smyth, wicket keeper of the 1952 side and a Northern Ireland International footballer scored for
Wolverhampton Wanderers in the 1949 FA Cup final when they defeated Leicester City 3-1 .
Biilly McCleery Captain in the 1948 and 1950 had cup final success for three different clubs. Lisburn 1929 Ulster
1930 and Woodvale 1933, 1937, 1939, 1941, 1948, 1949 and 1950. He also played for Northern Ireland and
Linfield at football winning 9 caps between 1930 and 1933.
George Millar a 1952 Senior Cup winner won an Irish Cup Winners medal with Dundela when they defeated hot
favourites Glenavon 3-0 in 1955.
The Reverend RG Craig who played in the 1940s and 1950s Cup winning sides was also an Irish Rugby International.
Jackie Smyth a former club captain broke his arm taking a difficult catch in the 1952 final. As a sixteen year old
he had been sub-fielding for his brother Sammy who had been called back for pre season training with Wolves.
Aaron Kerr Cregagh - Wolves, Walsall, Tonbridge Angels!!, Ards, Ballymena, Crusaders, Northern Ireland Under 21s.
Colin Coates Cregagh - Crusaders and Norn Iron!
R Cooper Cregagh - Belfast Celtic
Stevie Max , Mike Dillon did play for both Spurs and played for NEW YORK COSMOS along with the great GEORGE BEST and played for both Dundrum firsts and seconds as me and him shared last wicket stand 34 to win a game and his words after hitting the winning runs was it was as exciting as anything he done in sport personally i told him he was crazy , Mike has a shop in Newmarket and is fit and doing well . ps the player that is confusing you was kiwi Brent Condon who done the HAKA in changing room in Templepatrick that scared living daylights out have our very young side that ill never forget .
David Armstrong Cooke CC,Cliftonville FC,Crusaders,Glenavon & Ballyclare Comrades
Re Mike Dillon
I remember playing alongside Mike Dillon but I'm 99% sure its not the same one. The Mike Dillon in Dundrum had, I think, a Kiwi accent!
Well done Andrew White 199 caps for Ireland!!It has been my privilege to watch Andrew develop from a young 16 year old coming into the North Down team to where he is today. At 16 I rated
Peter Shields, Ryan Haire and Alan O'Prey as better prospects but look who deservedly has the caps.
An accomplished cricketer and a wonder
ful young man! Well done Whitey!!
