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I too would like to say congratulations to Andy McCrea on winning the prestigious ECB coach of the year award.

Amongst much of the good work both himself and his colleagues do, I happened to be at an 11yr and under N.C.U tournament up at the marvalous setting of his home club (T.C.C.) last August, with my own young fella and it was a great success, plenty of talent on view and most importantly, thoroughly enjoyed by all who participated.

And prior to that at the beginning of last season, again I had a go at an ICC introduction to cricket course he organised and coached, what impressed me most was that amongst the large attendance present were a couple of lady school-teachers, very keen to learn and pick-up ideas about cricket to take back to their classrooms and pupils.

Great innovative and pro-active work indeed, just a pity his fello Co.Antrim man Mark Allen couldn't emmulate Andy and win snookers U.K. open competition last night, but he made a great fist of it anyway.........Plenty of talent in this 'wee' country, and men like Andy can find it and channel it in the right direction....Well done again.

maybe you're right Dan - I suppose I'm getting too old. Of course you could be attending the Umpires Course so that you can replace me. Keep your eye on the site as i'm sure Keith Smyth will be posting the dates in due course.

Andy McCrea - ECB Coach of the Year.
On behalf of everyone associated with Templepatrick Cricket club I would like to congratulate Andy McCrea on last night being named the ECB Coach of the Year. This is a fantastic award for Andy and completely deserved.

Simon. re decisions in Junior cricket.
I fully agree with the sentiments and have always sent my teams out to play hard but fair.
However I think it's important that players realise just because it hits the pads it doesn't mean it's out. If a guy is running a quick single and there's a direct hit it doesn't always mean the batsman didn't make his ground.
I don't think in the last 10 years and probably having played maybe 150 games below Senior level in that time that there was ever a game that the umpiring decisions would have put me off playing or do I know of a player who has even mentioned this to me as a reason for quitting.
What is more off putting is the attitude of the fielding team when you turn down a run out or an lbw. In the last match I played for Muckamore 3rds at Ballymena against guys I thought were friends I got into a real barny with one of their players who called me a cheat after turning down a run out (he was fielding at mid on and I was standing at square leg)and another one asking out loud of the wicketkeeper " how far out was he ?".
On that day (a) in my opinion the batsman was well in and (b) I couldn't get a proper view as the keeper had his back to me.
At no time in my decision making process that day or any other day have I thought that I can't give him out he's "one of ours".
If you play this game long enough you learn to take the rough with the smooth. Umpiring is part of the game at 3rds and 4ths level but players maybe should all attend at least a one night umpiring course to help them understand the laws of the game.
It's the same with leg side wides. I am very strict on those with young players and I think it's very unfair NOT TO BE. We all hope these guys will move up to play at a higher level but it's up to us to prepare them properly for that step up. It's also very unfair on the batsman who might only have 30 overs if a bowler is "allowed" to bowl a couple of balls an over he can't reach.In the league our 3rds play in next season there are six 2nd XI's. Is it fair on a young bowler getting away with it in the 2nds and then moving up and getting called by the official umpires simply beacuse he got away with it last week.
If we show respect for the game we will all be ok. Even the Test umpires get it wrong at times. I have been at the non striker's end when one of my teammates has given the guy at the other end out lbw when you know it wouldn't have hit another set or he was hit away out side the line. So bite your tongue and get on with it.
I don't believe cheating is rife in NCU Junior cricket.I suppose if every club had a panel of half a dozen umpires ( even they only did a beginners course) who would do Junior Games on a rota basis ( maybe 4 a year each) that would help. So if you love the game and for some reason don't want to play any more give something back in another way. Walking around the ground at a 1sts game criticising those that are playing "isn't actually putting anything back in to the sport".

Just read the Umpire Article on the site---enjoyable read and i agree with the sentiments.

Just one question---who is Richard Smith?? I've never encountered that name in many a year playing Prem League Cricket?

Clarence
Excellent article on the Irish National Cup. As you say it is a great opportunity for players to experience new locations and develop new relationships.
I've always enjoyed traveling to play games in Dublin and the North-West, and I know that when Holywood travel to Kilcock this summer, I'll be volunteering to either play or "do the book".

I hope that everyone involved will embrace the competition as an important means of helping to spread the game throughout Ireland.

And a good opportunity for a bit of "elbow exercise" afterwards as well!!!

Having played junior cricket for years and experienced "cheating" from "own" team umpires i can understand the frustration of blatant poor decisions. In my opinion this enviroment can put off former first eleven players from playing down their respective clubs. especially if they have been used to neutral umpires.

Captains should tell their players to be honest. Give fair decisions in the spirit of the game and walk if you "nick" one.
This should be communicated to the opposing captain at the toss so that both teams understand that the match will be played in the manor it is supposed to.

Andy, maybe the men in white coats should come and take you away!!

The problem with speed-reading is that the odd letter gets missed. Bit like the problems that arise from hiding behind an "alias" - maybe there are 2 Andy Kennedys (perishthe thought!). So to whichever Dan posted about my retirement I can only say that it must be a while since he was at a senior game as we have been wearing blue coats for the past 2 seasons!

well said bruce having had umpires over the years it takes away the blatant cheating of teams and captains telling players give nothing i have had plenty of words with captains and players over this and am not afraid to air my views umpires will make mistakes but they stand for 100 overs and i thank them

Also Andy, Jareth wrote CSI, not CI!! Your eyesight is also struggling too, so time to hang that white coat & specs up me thinks!!!

Andy K, you are really showing your age on this forum. ABU stands for Anyone But United, with that being a "statement" I wasn't aware my grammar would matter so much, but obviously it does to a dinosour like yourself!! Also, I ain't the self proclaimed lawyer, that was someone else, but maybe your going a little senile in your old age, so maybe you should consider retiring from umpiring...

RE: Clarence - Umpires & Irish National Cup

Could not agree more with your sentiments expressed in the last 2 articles. I am looking forward to a trip to Burndenett in the Irish National Cup as I have never played there before.

I have noticed an increasing lack of respect for umpires over the last few years which is not good for the game. I actually did my level 1 umpires exam a couple of seasons ago and found it challenging and certainly learnt a thing or two about the laws of the game and game management. Thanks to all those umpires who give up so much of their time for our game.

moi - an ABU? (note spelling Dan "an" before a vowel!) absolutely! Could be "Super Spurs" year alright. Does that mean your making an offer Dan - or are you still poring over the law books!?? As for Jarleth - CI on channel 5? - whatever you're on mate could I have a pint of it!!

Bonjour mes amis en Irlande du Nord,
I'm writing this at my study at home in Nantes in the west of France, looking forward to 5th indoor nets of the season with Nantes CC. I read a lot on this forum of the difficulties of running and maintaining a cricket club (and my experiences over many years with Ballymena CC confirm that it's not an easy job) but, since moving to France in September and getting involved with my local club, I have to say that NI clubs don't know they are living. I wonder what would be said if, like Nantes CC, your nearest away game was over 1h30 away. What would be said about the pitches if you were having to play in the middle of a race course? If you had no club house, no machinery, 1 small sponsor, no youth cricket set up and no guarantee of there even being a club this time next year! Life for a little French club is hard but it is also a lot of fun and folks are very committed. At a recent AGM over 90% of players were present, there is a tour every year (NI is being talked about for 2012), we're trying to start up all-female team, the first in France, and every year the club's 1 team will play as many as 20 games, mostly against touring teams but others against "local" (ie from anywhere in France) opposition. The standard is mixed with a few very good "overseas" players and a good number of promising french players who would not look out of place on my old Ballymena 3rd XI. Of course, the best part of the game here is the weather and of course the teas. Ballymena Teas were good but Nantes teas are on another level. No struggling to find the "ham" hidden in the margarine here. So, if you're holidaying in the west of France or looking for a venue for a tour, why not think of coming to Nantes, an hour's flight from Dublin. You'll be assured of a warm welcome. So it's off to nets I go, wishing you joyeux noël et bonne année.
AL
You can visit the club website at http://www.nantes-cricket-club.com/#!__nantes-cricket-french