Forum

I get a bit perplexed when I read that cricket is dying at a rapid pace. The work involved to even remain at the current level is tremendous. In Dundrum we have a lot of kids practising on a Monday evening, upwards of 50 at one session! We (I should say Jeff Maguire) have introduced cricket into 4 schools in our area, 3 in Newcastle and 1 in Clough. To do this takes a whole lot of work, ringing PE Teachers, head Masters/Mistresses, liasing with parents, etc. We have now had 2 of the schools playing each other in a friendly. A summer scheme has been provisionally set up for children of all ages for the July Fortnight too. To get the results, you need to put in the effort. Jeff and his Youth Committee are doing that in Dundrum and are focussed on the future. Jeff is non-relenting in the prssure he exerts unto the schools and it is now paying off. This is only the beginning of the hard work but we are confident that there will be talented cricketers once again emerging from South Down area - hopefully plentiful amounts of them!

Clarence/ editor surely someone in the NCU can post a ball park figure as too how much the senior challenge cup costs aprox too sponsor ? Then id gamble that their be a few interested as if NCU do answer even at this late stage how much too sponsor cup final day as depending on how much i no a few would be up for covering it if the price is right . ps my £ is on the underdogs CIYMS but not with TAYTO and by the way its a DISGRACE that its not on a sat an a blank day in the NCU as then we all get a chance too partake in the showpiece, and id say quite a few clubs would try too support the day.

Sam, I believe the wee lad gave up golf after becomming disillusioned with the game when he had to give 30 shots away to a duffer and lost by a couple of shots at Hilton.

There's a guy who drives up the Ballygowan Road in a Lamborghini who looks like him though.

Alrite Vic?? Just disagree with you on one part of your post regarding the cheating ive played most games for our 2nd eleven this year and one part of 2nd eleven cricket is the inconsistency in the umpiring now im not talking lbws here im talking about getting wided harshley and on more than one instance run outs given not out when the batsmans been out a couple of feet or more, to edges behind not given ive witnessed three times (all the same team) a batsman edging it behind and starting to walk having a look up to see if the umpires given it which in this case there was no finger up and the batsman turned and walked back into his crease now keep in mind here that the umpires a member of his own team ...... is this cheating???

CI Supporter, why not post your name, there was nothing controversial in your comments? As a North Down man, and past NDCC committee member, I hope we win the Cup, but I am pleased that CI have reached the final. In the past I was a member of the excellent CIYMS Golf Society and they are a great bunch of lads. What ever happened to that curly haired 10 year old kid who played in the Society, I think his name was McIlroy? Is he still playing golf?

Totally correct, location doesnt in anyway represent club allegances! Just giving my opinion that cricket in this country is dying at a rapid pace.

Sure as long as the Premier League has clubs with 3-4 overpaid stars no one seems to care.

"CI supporter" says one thing. Paul McCormick & Sam Magill say something else. I s'pose the truth the truth is somewhere in between.

As club secretary at Lisburn I would be interested to know who we are paying exactly. I seriously doubt "Davy" is a Lisburn Cc person, the problem with the way this website is set up is that it asks you for a nominal location. If I write Stormont when I am posting during my lunchbreak, it doesnt mean I am a CSNI person.

No problem with ciyms and their policy from LCC, good luck to them, but we are happy with the way our youth is being developed under yasas tillakaratne and the future should be bright enough at Wallace Park.

I reckon of all the great high profile sporting events, cricket must surely be commended for being at the forefront in using technology, (albeit just the desired amount); in keeping with the fast changing pace of popular demand, but not allowing the laws or the continuity of the game to be broken up or changed too much !
Hope it stays that way and the antics and cheating that goes on in other sports, never creep into Cricket.

Harper, could you not spell that 'wee' six letter word that links Best & Higgins ?
Don't worry I'll help you out...... GENUIS !

Re: Saturday

I am a CI supporter and was at the game on Saturday. Firstly, well done to the lads getting to the Final, should be quite a game in a few weeks.

In terms of the game on Saturday, all who were there would I'm sure agree that it was played in a wonderful spirit. Both Clubs have formed a fantastic relationship since the Final back in 2006 and there is genuine warm and friendship between players & supporters alike.

In terms of the comments regarding Craigs ton, any Waringstown supporter I seen was very appreciative of the knock as were the oppostion players, so I'm not sure where some of these comments come from (particularly as I don't recognise any of the names as being CI supporters)

Davy :

I think Lisburn have a little more than just one paid player at the moment too...

RE Davy
Perhaps your post should have read 'Lisburn are buying success, its their choice of course but I really fear for the future of their club when the current spending culture ends'

Re Davy

Sorry to read your comment re pros in our league. Didn't hear comments from Lisburn when Mr.Strydom was scoring so many runs

RE: Davy

It would probably make more sense if your facts were correct.

Cliftonvilles only pro is Phillip Von Below.

Hope this makes more sense to you now.

I think a lot of cricket followers are resentful about the way CIYMS are buying success, its their choice of course but I really fear for the future of their club when the current spending culture ends.

I now see why people think professionals shouldnt play a part in cricket here. Like examples Cliftonville- no ground but 2 pros? Doesnt make sense to me.
Muckamore buying success also, Carrick... the list could go on.