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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

trust you mccready... dont post anything about cricket all year.. but you dont miss a chance to stick the boot in you scouse rat lol

Man Utd and the new series of CSI have something in common - they are now both on channel 5 in the new year

No surprise that Andy Kennedy is ABU!!!

NIACUS December Open Meeting and Christmas Quiz is scheduled for Monday 12th December 2011 at 7.30pm at Stormont. All members and friends are welcome to attend. Christmas refreshments will be served to all.