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have to agree with Dr. Doom and the lessons from the "professional rugby" scenario that are there to be learnt. In the late 80s/early 90's the AIL was the "big" thing - when Shannon played Ballymena a CIE train brought supporters and this was replicated all over. Crowds no longer attend rugby in those numbers and having been round most cricket grounds in the past 3 years the "audience", with a very few exceptions, is 3 men, 2 kids, 2 women (who are there to make the tea) and a dog. The growth of "Club Ulster" and the increase in paid players & admin staff has had serious implications for "club rugby". Bangor, Ards, CI, Malone etc. have suffered and while there is enthusiasm in junior rugby such as Limavady, Coleraine and Ballymoney - there is little support from Ravenhill for the junior game. The recent demise from European rugby means that there will now be a scramble to arrange meaningless fixtures to boost the Ulster revenue. Players are chasing the £ e.g. Issac Boss heading to Leinster. Cricket Ireland has moved to contract players and this will affect their club availability. As I have posted before the situation has to be handled carefully if club cricket in NCU is to survive. The proposals by Andy Clement's committee were a step in the right direction - has there been any progress?
Ref.Dr Doom (and gloom)?
Well if the posting just above yours is correct from the Belmont-man, it looks like 'Dooms-day' for you! He's on his way!
Anyway,your post does'nt hold any weight! I assume from your point of view, it's alright to have a 'Pro' play for your club, but not just any 'Pro', 'a wee ordinary one' is alright, but not a big, well known one??
Get with the times man, either you have these guys onboard or not! What's it to be??
Personally it's a great coup for CIYMS and an excellent coup for the N.C.U. and our cricket loving public.
"Its gonna be a hot-summer", folks!!
Ref.Craig McMillan
Can't see how the N.C.U. would refute McMillan and CIYMS a chance to join up and compete in the Premier League and cup matches etc.
I'm no authority on it, but don't all those club 'Pro's' or most of them anyway, play or have played to some degree at International level for their respective countries!
"Bring it on", I say, will be great for the N.C.U. and watch the opposition clubs & their 'Pro's', raise the standard so to not be 'outdone'!
And not forgetting the bigger crowd attendances, gate revenue and publicity etc. ??
Holywood must be one of the favourites for the drop if they are losing at least 4 players for the coming season - time will tell if these rumours are true - where did these people hear about them? Armagh will have some momentum with them after good performances last years and i feel that they will be okay this time round. Everyones favourites for the drop is bound to be Laurlevale and who will get the runs required to keep them up? I take Woodvale to win it closely followed by Derriaghy and Muckamore. Don't know why Cliftonville are being billed as candidates for the drop I think they will be fine although most batsmen in the section won't be to disappointed if the fine sand wickets of Dundrum are to feature in section 3 next year !
Surprised by the lack of support for Bangor making an immediate return to the top flight, some very talented young guys there?
editor . it never bothered them years ago kiwi micheal clarke played section 3 carrick i think over 10/12 yrs ago never forget him scoring chancless not hundred in dundrum his 1st game in section 1 ( premier ) he hit another not out century for north down againest waringstown who i think if right had 3 irish bowlers playing? so what chance had our section got im not complaining as i love watching good players bat ( not so much when i was bowling ), but ill say this IN MY OPINION CRAIG MCMILLAN SHOULD BE ALLOWED TOO PLAY as can only improve our beloved sport in every aspect , but it will be a tough call as dundrum wernt allowed too bring back our sri lankan professional manoj fernando who scored 320 runs average 29 because he played first class ,surely the easiest way would be to let anyone play for one season an then monitor the player no matter who he is ? ps ill bet anyone 100£ but not TAYTO that CLIFTONVILLE DONT FINISH IN THE BOTTOM TWO ??????????????
Jeff, Michael Clarke was the following year deemed too good for section 3 I believe?
Although I do agree that McMillan should be allowed...
RE: Roy
I too heard that Holywood have had a few retirements, Maxwell and Cardy as well as Shannon, Sharkey home already
They may struggle alright.
I reckon Muckamore have it in the bag, between them and Woodvale
Laurelvale down, maybe scrap two wins maximum, closely followed by Dundrum without Bassett
Re Armagh fan.
Hello there, nice to know we do have some support out there! I wouldn't be so quick to write off Laurelvale personally, while the two guys who are expected to miss out are quality players and sure to be a massive loss if they actually don't play; I'm sure the rest of the squad will show plenty of fight and make themselves hard to beat throughout the season.
Has the makings of an interesting season with Muckamore and Woodvale playing so many away games early on.
My 1st time on the forum, but wanted to fan a few flames. Certain people have made predictions for section1.
My thoughts are that Bangor must be favourites to go back up. Also with them Woodvale should be too strong. See that Holywood may be without Mike Shannon who is retiring. The talk is that Sharkey is going back to Australia. Everyones favourites must be Laurelvale for relegation, missing Pearson and Topping is too much. Ray McCavery is in talks with a move away from Saintfield - Bangor or Holywood?
Adam, Don't you go believing all you hear from Mr Maguire regarding practise. Yes Andy is away until end of May, but Dundrum survived in Section 1 without him and we can survive a month or so without him too!
Following this footballer /cricketer theme. Apparently the great Peter Doherty when manager of Doncaster Rovers spent a few Saturdays one summer walking around Moylena trying to persuade Archie McQuilken to sign for him.
Archie was happy just to stay and play cricket at Muckamore with his mates and play football for Ards and Chimney Corner. He was good enough to get capped at both sports and apparently could also rattle off 100 breaks at snooker.
I was fortunate enough to be setting out in my Senior Cricket career just as Archie was retiring but even then he was still a class act. I recall a two night game against a very good Ballymena team when we had to bring him out of retirement when he took 5 wickets including two Goodrich's , McKenzie and Ridge and then on the second night scoring an unbeaten 50 to see us home.
One of the great amateur sportsmen this country has ever produced. Liked a fag and a beer as well. Unfortunately he was taken from us when only 58 knocked down by a motorbike when getting off a bus.
another name to add to the list - Ballymena's Trevor Halliday who played for Queen's & Glenavon and also played for the N.I. amateur side
Billy and Mark Patterson(Cliftonville CC) . Billy played for Cliftonville FC and Mark for Coleraine.
Re footballers
Denis Guy & John Guy (father and son who have played at Lurgan and John still does) have both played Irish League Football. Any other father and sons ?
Have'nt forgot about that one either Jason, thats you, Stevie Max. and that guy Frank (if he plays cricket?) on my list for the new season!!!
that was as good as the jimmy white one i got you with vic
