Forum

this is DEFINITELY my last word on this subject ahead of the England q-final. If they get beaten will they be producing a video along the lines of the rugby Grand Slam winners? Oops - whadda mistaka da maka! Eerie beeping noise in Dublin on Saturday night - the sound of Martin Johnston's open-top bus reversing back into the garage! My old grandpappy used to talk about enumerating chickens prior to hatching!!

Surely its about time that cricket here acted on the success that Ireland have had at the past 2 world cups!!

It most be about time that cricket in the NCU moved with the times. If we want to achieve increasing participation numbers then surely steps need to be taken.

Unless I'm mistaken there is no 4 day or test cricket played in this country so that only leaves 50 over cricket in the Senior Leagues and less over in the Junior Leagues. In that case should we not be jumping on the Ireland World Cup band wagon and be playing in coloured clothing, using white balls, fielding restrictions, powerplays etc...

These steps might help boost numbers but surely one major benefit that it would have would be to help boost the number of NCU cricketers that could potential be included in future Ireland squads due to having played the type of cricket they would be playing at ODI and World Cup qualification level.

Just a thought......

YES good luck to the grasshoppers touring team. anyone know who the squad is ? tayto RUMOUR had it you paid the 40£ you owed me but it was also bull$hit. dont you fear about Dundrum as we love beating yous .Just like add our sympathy too the Taylor an Mccann family circle on the death of Davy Taylor a stalwart at Dundrum who was a very underrated opening bowler who will be remembered my all at the club for being a gentleman on an off the pitch . RIP Davy Taylor

Like to wish The Grasshoppers a thouroughly enjoyable and successful 17 nights in Antigua and Barbados. Especially Neil Russell who i know has put alot of organizing into this trip, whilst not forgetting the others who have put work in behind the scenes and to the guys who helped with some fundraising efforts.

jeff.
so bassett away, i heard big lee isnt playing any truth in that? (im sure the big man will turn out against us especially) and i heard joel is working saturdays?? Three best bowlers potentially not playing, or is it just the rumour mill again?

Surely the day that anyone wants stop a player young or old wanting too play at the highest level is madness as thats why most people play sport .i personally love loyalty but think its every individual right too try play at premier level an wish them well. Neville and Alan Neill left us to join downpatrick an fair play they showed everyone that even junior clubs can supply top class players and i hope and pray that some of our juniors go on to play in the premier or ireland or Dundrum as thats why i give up my quality time as we have a duty to supply players for all levels of a sport we all surely love an i have no doubt that NCU an irish cricket has improved bigtime an the next decade will be the best standard we will watch .ps good luck Andy Bassett who has joined premier club Lisburn from all at Dundrum cc

Dear All
As a now former cricketer and as someone with more than a passing interest in this debate on player movement I put this to you.
Firstly, Irish International cricket has moved on considerably....and for the better I hope you'll agree.
Second, Cricket Ireland has put in place a structure to identify and nurture elite talent and invests time in our youngsters from an early age.
These kids for the first time can now be motivated by a true aspiration to play professional cricket...can you believe it....how great is that !
Where that talent starts is one thing and as someone who has coached kids I understand the personal effort from clubmen everywhere to grow clubs through their youth but please don't let the notion of loyalty create a barrier for the crop of talented young cricketers to play at a club which is necessary to give them the appropriate opportunity to improve their skills and prove that they can aspire to play cricket at the highest level.
Quality teenage talent should be helped to develop by their 'friends' at their home club......and if that means they must move to test themselves in the premier league then wish them well and hope they come back someday to sign autographs for your new crop of youngsters......

Totally agree with James Marshall - referring to Paul McCrum & Derek Heasley most inappropriate - two players who delivered wherever they played.
Both tremendous cricketers & popular at every level - dedicated, professional, warm, genuine men & great ambassadors for the game of Cricket as are Simon Corlett, Steven Warke & Michael Shannon - wherever they played at home or abroad. I'm sure all their team mates at international, inter-provincial & club level would agree........perhaps it's the odd 'bigot/opponent' who doesn't with all entitled to their opinion and thankfully the game is bigger than us all!

Andy K - it was Michael Shannon who mentioned driving lesson's. Maybe you could use that lure at Muckamore?

driving lessons? now's there's a interesting concept! Perhaps Mr. Marshall hs inside info!!

Feel I must agree with Michael and Simon on this. I do however know that lots of people do move for one reason or another and sometimes this is for career progression. I have no problem with the likes of DK going to North Down before moving back to Ballymena for example. This is nothing new.

I do however bemoan the people who do go for financial gain.(whether they are good enough or (in a lot of cases) not).

Guess each club has to get their own coaching and finances in order to encourage their own individual talent to stay. Maybe some clubs have been guilty of perceived poaching but that is the nature of blind ambition whether founded or not in our amateur sport.

The fact that I personally have stayed at the same club does fill me with a sense of loyalty and real friendships gained and am happy now to try to help that club out for the next generation hoping they will benefit.

I do feel sorry that people feel the need to move and that sense of club or loyalty or belonging is lost. Guess there are lots who do this and more than likely will not be involved after their playing days are over.
Finally a couple of points on 3 International players.

Michael Shannon - hounded to move around the time of your Irish cap and didn’t – good on you
Simon it was probably easier for you as North were always a top club in your time.
Another personal example at our club was Stephen Warke who stayed with Woodvale when we got relegated at the height of his International career. A decision I know he is proud of.

Each to their own though.

I would like to make a final appeal for anyone interested in attending the NIACUS Dinner to contact me as soon as possible. It has been noted that support from the clubs has been quite poor and we would remind you that without us you could not play on a Saturday. We are an essential part of the local game and your support for our Association would be much appreciated. This is the highlight of our social calendar and we have Andy Kennedy and Niall Crozier as our speakers. So if you are free on Friday 8th April why not contact me and come along and meet people from the sporting family and enjoy a good night's entertainment.

People have to stop bringing Derek and Paul into these debates! Both are well respected cricketers and have done a lot for their country..
On the other hand who has evidence that these young players are being lured away with money/driving lessons etc?
Just let it go that these young players want to move onwards and upwards! Moving to bigger premier league clubs gives them better coaching oportunities than they get at lower league clubs with players that have playing experience at the top level!

Alan...

Really, i don't know where to start with your comment...

As Michael Shannon has already alluded to - if you are a talented youngster or in Kyles case (The future ireland captain FGS)...nobody has a problem...
The two others mentioned, may well have "Good Memories" well after their very respective Ireland careers - but ask yourself, where do they call home - does anyone care really...?
With the greatest respect to Lurgan, is Pollock Park now "Home" for Derek...?
Certainly CI was last year...? (no.?)

where will it be next year...?

Just as in all walks in life, there is a massive difference between friends and aquaintences...And with regard to memories they are always individual and personal...

I agree with Mr Shannon
Its become obvious to me that jnr clubs have no chance of getting into the prem lge. Any jnr club with good youngsters have them lured away with "royalties" before the club has had the chance to push forward.
Ive no problem with talented kids moving when the time is right, but not before.
Whats worse is when average players are lured away with promises and ego massaging only to be served up with reality and 2nd xi cricket.
Unless your club has money you have no chance. The buying power of bigger clubs doesnt allow for the development of jnr clubs and thats why the prem lge is a closed shop.
my point is proved by the same teams being promoted and relegated each year.
It will only get worse with the 1 up 1 down senario we had forced upon us.