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Northern Knights away to Leinster Lightning
The Northern Cricket Union has announced the Northern Knights squads for the 2018 Hanley Energy Inter-Provincial 50 Over Series (IP50) fixture against Leinster Lightning, at The Hills Cricket Club, Milverton, Skerries, County Dublin, on Monday June 4th.
The Northern Knights will be captained by Shane Getkate, with Mark Adair returning to the squad.
June 4th (Monday): IP50 - v Leinster Lightning at The Hills Cricket Club - 10:45 am
• Shane Getkate (Captain)
• Mark Adair
• James Cameron Dow
• Marc Ellison
• Gary Kidd
• Graeme McCarter
• James McCollum
• Jacob Mulder
• Neil Rock (Wicket Keeper)
• James Shannon
• Nikolai Smith
• Harry Tector
All requests for interviews should be made through the Angela Platt, NCU General Manager (028 90 522664 / 07713512315) or Northern Knights Manager Andrew Rose (07967580122).

Schools Cup Final
Methodist College Belfast (MCB) will play in their first Ulster Bank Schools' Cup Final after defeating Belfast Royal Academy (BRA) by 17 runs. Methodist College scored 151 for the loss of eight wickets, with contributions from James Hunter (32), Adam Reid (30), and Matthew Humphreys (20). James Hunter took three BRA wickets, including the vital wicket of Max Burton (64), as Methody bowled BRA out for 134.
Holders RBAI travel to the North West, to play 2013 winners Limavady Grammar School, for the right to meet Methodist College in The Ulster Bank Schools’ Cup Final, which is to be played on the Friday 15th June at Moylena, home of Muckamore Cricket Club.

Ulster Bank Schools’ Cup Semi Final
The future stars of Ulster cricket are only one game away from the prestigious Ulster Bank Schools’ Cup Final. The semi final draw was made by Mr Trevor Robinson, Principal of Lurgan College.
Holders RBAI travel to the North West, to play 2013 winners Limavady Grammar School, and there is a Belfast derby between Methodist College and Belfast Royal Academy, winners in 2015 and 2016.
• Limavady Grammar School vs Royal Belfast Academical Institution (Monday 4th June, at Limavady, 1:30pm)
• Methodist College Belfast vs Belfast Royal Academy (Friday 1st June at Pirrie Park, Belfast, 4pm)
The Ulster Bank Schools’ Cup Final is to be played on the Friday 15th June at Moylena, home of Muckamore Cricket Club.

Holders CIYMS of the Premier League will play Downpatrick from the league below in the quarter finals of the Northern Cricket Union’s Gallagher Senior Challenge Cup. Downpatrick - so far undefeated in the Section 1 League after three games - will have home advantage when the sides meet on Saturday week (June 9)
Only one of the four ties brings together two Premier League sides with North Down travelling to Civil Service North.. Current Premier League leaders Waringstown and Instonians find themselves away to Section 1 sides Derriaghy and Holywood respectively.
The draw is:
CSNI v NORTH DOWN
DERRIAGHY v WARINGSTOWN
DOWNPATRICK v CIYMS
HOLYWOOD v INSTONIANS

The Northern Cricket Union has announced the Northern Knights squads for the 2018 Hanley Energy Inter-Provincial 50 Over Series (IP50) fixture against North West Warriors, at Stormont, Belfast (CSNI CC), on Monday May 28th, and the Inter-Provincial Championship fixture against Leinster Lightning at The Green, Comber (North Down CC) on Tuesday 29th May to Thursday 31st May.
The Northern Knights will be captained by Shane Getkate, with Adam Dennison (IP50 only), Marc Ellison and James Magee (IP Championship only) named in the squad for the first time this season.
May 28th (Monday): IP50 - v North West Warriors at Stormont, Belfast - 10:45 am
• Shane Getkate (Captain)
• Adam Dennison
• James Cameron Dow
• Gary Kidd
• Graeme McCarter
• James McCollum
• Jacob Mulder
• Neil Rock (Wicket Keeper)
• James Shannon
• Alistair Shields
• Nikolai Smith
• Harry Tector
May 29th-31st (Tuesday to Thursday): IP Championship - v Leinster Lightning at The Green, Comber - 11:00 am
• Shane Getkate (Captain)
• Chris Dougherty
• James Cameron Dow
• Marc Ellison
• Gary Kidd
• James McCollum
• James Magee
• Jacob Mulder
• Neil Rock (Wicket Keeper)
• James Shannon
• Nikolai Smith
• Harry Tector
All requests for interviews should be made through the Angela Platt, NCU General Manager (028 90 522664 / 07713512315) or Northern Knights Manager Andrew Rose (07967580122).

Keith,
At this stage it can be difficult. Four were predictable, but there were three surprises, although CSN, Holywood and Downpatrick were confident. Depending on the draw there could be others to follow if the big names meet together.
Cup cricket can be exciting. The draw will take place on Wednesday at 6pm.

My Predictions in the Gallagher Challenge Cup are
Bangor v Downpatrick. Home Win
CIYMS v Armagh. Home Win
CSNI v Carrickfergus. Away Win
Derriaghy v Lisburn (12noon). Home Win
Holywood v Muckamore (11am). Away Win
Cregagh v Instonians (at Shaw's Bridge). Away Win
North Down v Donacloney Mill. Home Win
Waringstown v Woodvale (11am). Home Win

Can I also congratulate Hannah Grieve of Lurgan on her century v Waringstown which I believe was the first centurion in the Womens game in the NCU and how she is not even in the Super 3s is amazing.

Win for the Taverners in the border league season opener at Dungannon park.
A fantastic sunny evening for a cricket match.
Portadown Taverners won by 3 wickets.Luke Flannigan leading the charge with a tasty 30 runs.

Ed you must not have gotten my message re the predictions and how it turned out be a good day for the NCU sides with Muckamore and CIYMS beating LCU sides in Malahide and North County respectivly in the Senior Cup. In the National a shock in Templepatrick beating Terenure and others in Creagh and Lisburn also winning all of which I did not predict so Ed you must have been relived unlike your colleages in the NWCU were yet again they had a shocker. Time for an overhaul I would suggest. 19/25 matches right and roll on Saturday in the Gallagher Challenge Cup.

PS I read on this forum there is a new border league as mentioned by Alan in his posting what year did it start and where could I find results of the season ongoing

The Northern Cricket Union has announced the Northern Knights squad for the 2018 Hanley Energy Inter-Provincial 20 Series (IP20) fixture against Leinster Lightning, at Shaw’s Bridge (Instonians CC), Belfast, on Friday May 25th.
The current Hanley Energy Inter Provincial 20 Series champions are Leinster Lightning.
The Northern Knights will be captained by Shane Getkate, with James Shannon unavailable due to injury. Nathan Smith and Robert McKinley were unavailable for selection due to injury. Peter Eakin is the only change to the squad which was named for last weeks Twenty 20 opener against North West Warriors.
May 25th (Friday): IP20 - v Leinster Lightning at Shaw’s Bridge, Belfast - 5pm Start
• Shane Getkate (Captain)
• Mark Adair
• Peter Eakin
• Nigel Jones
• Gary Kidd
• James McCollum
• Jacob Mulder
• Neil Rock (Wicket Keeper)
• Alistair Shields
• Nikolai Smith
• Harry Tector
• Greg Thompson

Result predictions welcome (Keith)

23 May
Dungannon V (Portadown)Taverners
Monaghan V Clogher.

I noticed that Cavan recently beat Monaghan II.
Looks like another team for the Border League could be on the way.

Alan

Well Ed it is a while since my posting, a downer after those qualifiers in Zim to be a happy one after the Test it is now on to the cups and here are my predictions

My predictions in the Irish Senior Cup are as follows
Armagh v Balbriggan. Away Win,
Bready v CSNI. Away Win
Carrickfergus v Coleraine. Home Win
CIYMS v North County. Away Win
Clontarf v Brigade. Home Win
Cork County v Strabane. Home Win
Donemana v Merrion. Away Win
Eglinton v Leinster. Away Win
Fox Lodge v North Down. Away Win
Malahide v Muckamore. Home Win
Phoenix v Ardmore. Home Win
YMCA v Cork Harlequins. Home Win

My predictions in the National Cup are as follows
Bonds Glen v Lisburn. Home Win
County Kerry v Ballaghaderreen. Home Win
Cregagh v Newbuildings. Away Win
Drummond v Derriaghy. Home Win
Holywood v Sion Mills. Home Win
Laois v Killyclooney. Away Win
Laurelvale v DLR County. Away Win
Limerick v Longford. Home Win
Midleton v Knockharley. Away Win
Rush v Cliftonville Academy. Home Win
St Johnston v North Kildare. Home Win
Templepatrick v Terenure. Away Win

Railway Union v Burndennett game has been awarded to Railway Union

Ireland successful Test debut in many ways
Ireland may have lost by 5 wickets to Pakistan in their Test debut, but it can be viewed as a success in many ways. Finance apart, the players played their part and the Malahide ground was superb. Kevin O'Brien's century was magnificent, Stuart Thompson's half century and Ed Joyce stood apart with their batting, and the pick of the bowlers were big Boyd Rankin, Tim Murtagh and Thompson the impressive all-rounder. In truth, all the players had magical moments, although the hapless Andrew Balbinie had a nightmare. He bagged two ducks and a dropped catch might have changed the result in the closing hours. Alas, it was spilled, and the opportunity that Ireland dared to dream for a fleeting moment was gone. However, it was thrilling that Ireland might just have won against the formidable opponents of seasoned Test players. The world was watching!
Ireland has moved a long way in cricket, and we can proudly sit at the top table of international cricket.
Now we need to build a better bright future and maximize on this opportunity.

The Northern Cricket Union has announced the Northern Knights squad for the 2018 Hanley Energy Inter-Provincial 20 Series (IP20) fixture against North West Warriors, at Stormont, Belfast, on Friday May 18th.
The fixture was originally to be played at Middle Road, Carrickfergus, however due to the persistent rain in recent weeks the match has been transferred to Stormont. The NCU appreciates Civil Service Sports Association taking the fixture at short notice.
The Northern Knights will be captained by James Shannon, with Nigel Jones making a comeback in Twenty 20 cricket. Nathan Smith and Robert McKinley were unavailable for selection due to injury. Mark Adair returns to Inter Provincial action following his spell in England with Warwickshire County Cricket Club.
New additions to the Northern Knights squad for 2018 are former Leinster pair Harry Tector and Neil Rock. Both players represented Ireland at the Under 19 World Cup in New Zealand at the start of the year.
The current Hanley Energy Inter Provincial 20 Series champions are Leinster Lightening.
May 18th (Friday): IP20 - v North West Warriors at Stormont, Belfast - 5pm Start
• James Shannon (Captain)
• Mark Adair
• Shane Getkate
• Nigel Jones
• Gary Kidd
• James McCollum
• Jacob Mulder
• Neil Rock (Wicket Keeper)
• Alistair Shields
• Nikolai Smith
• Harry Tector
• Greg Thompson
Andrew White stepped down from his role as Northern Knights selector in January, following his appointment as Chairman of Selectors for the Ireland Men’s Team. Robin Haire and Ryan Eagleson continue in their role as selectors with the Knights.
All requests for interviews should be made through the Angela Platt, NCU General Manager (028 90 522664 / 07713512315) or Northern Knights Manager Andrew Rose (07967580122).

Northern Cricket Union - Welcome to Coaching Course
The NCU in conjunction with Cricket Ireland Coaches Association are delighted to announce they are running a Welcome to Coaching Course (old level 1) on Sunday 20th May. Clubs interested are invited to register a maximum of 2 people (per club) via Callum Atkinson (callum.atkinson@ncucricket.org). Places are limited on this course so please register ASAP to avoid disappointment.
The Cricket Ireland Welcome to Coaching Course is a starting point for people to get into coaching. This course is held over one day and is ideal for Primary/Secondary School Teachers, volunteers, and assistant coaches within junior club teams. Most Head Coaches for teams in clubs would be UKCC Level 2 qualified (which is the next step from a Welcome to Coaching course).
• Participants would be expected to develop their own coaching practices, principles and philosophies on coaching.
• Further development of small-sided games and drills specific to cricket.
• Offers options on the ‘type of practice’ that can be done e.g. fixed, variable, game-based learning.
• Develop an understanding to the needs of the players.
• Raises awareness of dealing with poor behaviour.
• Shows coaches how to deliver 60 minute long sessions.
• Introduces coaches to the “Coach’s Toolbox” e.g. Instruct, Explain, Demonstrate, Analyse, Evaluate, Feedback, Questions, Praise.
• Resources and follow up notes emailed to the participants following the course.
• Cricket Ireland Certificate on completion of the course
The NCU is keen to give as many cricket clubs in the area a chance to up-skill people and prospective coaches who might be getting involved with junior club coaching.
Course Details
Venue: Wallace High School, 12A Clonevin Park, Lisburn BT28 3AD
Date: Sunday 20th May 2018.
Time: 0945 - 1700
Cost: FREE for all participants. The course costs are kindly subsidised by the Sport NI Active Clubs programme.
How to apply: Register through the NCU Development Team (callum.atkinson@ncucricket.org)
Equipment required: Sportswear and trainers as you’ll be taking part in cricket drills, games and exercises (injury/health permitting) - Cricket Ireland will provide all the cricket specific equipment that is needed on the course. Bring a pen and a notepad as well if you would like to take down some notes on the day.
Further queries: Please contact your Development Officer.