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Thanks Dick. I knew you would have a story or two about Mullingar, and probably every other town in Ireland. It couldn't have been the Sabbath as it was 3-30pm on a Sunday afternoon and you could hardly get a bet on as the lines were full of local padre!
Actually we met some of the bookies later in the local hotel and they said we has "pulled off a coup and we had better be on our way!" Nice fellas bookies when they lose.
Good to hear from you mate and Happy New Year.
Best wises,
Clarence

great to see Ivan Reid out & about on Friday - and looking so well after his operation. Looks good enough to be back in the blue coat in 2012

YOUTH CRICKET - PROPOSED CHANGES

The Youth Committee recently met to consider a number of issues that have been raised regarding cricket at under age level. In short:-
� That there is too little competitive cricket
� That teams are discouraged from entering competition or remaining in competitions if they find they are �out of their depth�
� That the NCU representative teams are not as competitive as they once were
� That the league system has become somewhat �stale�
� The perennial problem regarding the different age group qualification in the NCU as compared with the rest of Ireland.
We have taken the views of league officials, team coaches, interested parents and representative coaches. This was by no means everyone with an interest in or input into youth cricket. Nevertheless it has allowed us to put together an outline plan for the future of the youth game �
1. A new entry level league for �new� teams, returning teams, �B� teams and teams who would benefit from playing at an entry level � likely to consist of around 8-10 teams.
2. Current regional-based structure to remain for 2012 � likely to consist of 4 groups of 5 teams with 8 league matches on a home and away basis. (20 teams)
3. A system of relegation/promotion for 2013 and thereafter � with a definite aim to reduce the first division to 16 teams (two sections of 8 teams) with similar numbers in the second division.
4. Teams from both divisions in the Graham Cup.
5. League age qualification to remain as is � the school year.
6. Graham Cup age qualification to change to the September 1st date as with the rest of Ireland.
7. To permit teams to re-arrange fixtures (by agreement of both teams) on Sundays to play longer matches of up to 40 overs.

All interested parties were invited to a 'roadshow' kindly hosted by Derriaghy CC on December 8th. After very positive discussions it has been decided to recommnend the proposed changes at under 15 level for the forthcoming season, with the likelihood of further roll out to under 13 and under 11 cricket the following season.

It is very important that all those with an interest in youth cricket take the time when the full rules are issued to digest (assuming passed by the Management Committee)

The new set-up should make it more attractive for clubs not currently fielding an under 15 team to enter the league, possibly for the first time.

I will be happy to respond to any posts concerning the new set-up. If the discussion at committee and the 'roadshow' is anything to go by - there may be a few.

Happy Christmas to everyone involved in Cricket Ulster and to all in NCU cricket.

Winter well.

Neale Matthews

That's you, Clarence, lovely piece on the All Ireland "Shield".
Running a North Down horse on the Sabbath (albeit down south)..really Cl.!
Your/our beloved Grasshoppers did a "world tour" to Mullingar one weekend, led by Muckamore's own Andy Clement(S.P.).Team included P.Weir(j.p.), "The Reluctant Blazer"(Harte)& Waity(50*).

Merry Christmas everyone.
Clarence and Peter

mark maybe your correct but some of the squad are not regular first eleven players and most did not do a lot when they played and nathan burns scored a lot more runs than any of them

Matthew I'd imagine it's because he is playing 2nds cricket

irish u19 squad why is nathan burns not in the squad? any selector care to say?

Seasons greetings Clarence and to all forumites!! Heres to a sunny 2012 with plenty of NCU success.

"Get away Andy ! Would you believe it" ?

I see the young Northern-Irish league player may be signing for Liverpool now.....more talent heading across the water !

Anyway to you, Paul McCrum, the Ulster cricketer Editors and all the contributators & readers...Merry Christmas and a Happy & safe New-year.

sorry to spoil your poem Caleb but it looks like they might be allowed back in on a technicality - just shows if Sir Awick fell into a barrel of t*ts he'd come up sucking his thumb!! Glad to hear that you've started on the ground already.

Sincerely Wishing all cricketers in Ulster & Ireland a peaceful joyous Christmas - excluding the faceless/nameless few on the forum who's gift from me is some much needed courage & bottle....

Dan,Dan the Man.U man,why he follows them I don't understand,
He gets excited... about United
Cause they'll be live,Thursdays on 5,
Dumped out of Cup..oh what a pity,
along with their rivals,Manchester City!

Dan Dan, says he's also a cricket man
But I don't know, he hasn't a clue,
Thinks NCU umpires, wear white not blue
And when Andy Kennedy told him so,
All he could reply was " Abu Abu" !

Now Dan Dan, who are you man?
Come out of yon place,show us your face
I'd like to know,afore we play cricket
I reckon I'd easy, take your wicket!

( A little poem that just came to me while I was out picking the remains of last summers dandilions for our pet bunny rabbit ).

you're right David but it sure it passes the long evenings up here in icy Buckna. Flossie can't even get out to get a wet battery for the wireless! Best wishes to you and all the guys at Queensway - even Mr. Angry!!

re Andy and Dan

Andy. Is it possible that Dan has concerns over your eyesight but that the real problem is that you can't see him because he's hiding behind a fake name?