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Yes one of my first games was for civil service 3rds and George was playing. it was against Laurelvale 2s or 3s cant remember but I do remember he bowled 4 overs for 49 and that took the bad look of my 3 overs for 20 odd!!!!
Alan BAP dornan use to train at civil service in the summer months but not sure if he ever played cricket.
Probably most famous rugby/cricketer Neil Doak
in recent years...
Thanks Park-ranger,did'nt know anything of Jimmy Jones,although 1958 was away before my 'time', that would have been more around your 'vintage',my friend!!
Speaking of other famous footballers & cricketers, I remembers some years ago that Laurelvale had aquired the services of ex. Scottish & Rangers goal-keeper, Andy Gorum I think! Who I believe was a one time Scotland cricketer, if memory serves me right!!
Although I don't believe he actually came over to play ?
Can anyone verify that or was it a hoax story form the gossip mongers???
don't forget Chris Keenan of Larne who has picked up a medal or two with the "hatch men" aka Crusaders
Tommy Wright (former NI goalkeeper) played for Carrick when he was a Ballyclare High schoolboy
Re : Stevo
Great to have you back...not!!
Re Dazzler
Gary Smyth was indeed a very useful cricketer and I think he also may have played for Holywood in Section 1. George Neill did also turn out for NICS and may have played a few games in Section 3.
I bet a number of rugby internationals have also played senior cricket over the years?
Gary Smyth (Glenavon/Glentoran) turned out for Civil Service (section 3 in mid 90's) before they joined forces with Harlequins but it was only for about 6/7 weeks a season due too footballing commitments. Pity cause was a handy cricketer and could have played at a higher level had he been available
Did George Neill also turn out down the teams at NICS?
Don't forget Uel Graham who kept for Distillery back in the 70's(only kidding Grahamers) - I mean the 80's.
Mark Patterson kept goal for Coleraine in the Irish league, he was a dual international, representing Ireland at Cricket and Irish Universities at Football. Down the club , Cliftonville had Stephen Collier (Linfield/Larne) Alan Huxley (Ballymena/Ballyclare),Willie McKee(Crusaders)and The Turk would kill me if i didn't mention that he played for Cliftonville Olympic and Ballymena Reserves.
Colin Russell who plays for Armagh was a top player with Glenavon before injury put an end to that. I also think Neil Fullerton played for Ballymena United in the Irish League and of course Decker Curry played for Coleraine. I'm not so sure that summer football wouldn't affect cricket. With the amount of rugby and hockey being played now those traditional winter sports have even taken away quite a few cricketers and certainly at schoolboy level which after all is the future.
Hello Northern Ireland,
Hope you guys are not being washed away over there.I am looking for a club for one of my top players. He is a righthanded batsmen, bowls offspin and is a very good keeper. He's got an ancestral UK visa. I will highly recommend him. Pieter van Niekerk. South Africa
Good to hear from you Pieter
Stevie,
Just for that,I'll make sure I get them all on the stumps when your in batting;he,he!!
Cheers,that's another interesting bit of triva,I did'nt know about Jackie,he certainly was a great sportsman indeed!
Sounds like there were quite a few good footballers at Dundrum C.C. over the years too?
Vic,
Someone told me your wicket keeper could take Maik Tylors place when he retires. Apparantly he has had plenty of practise - similar to Alan Gordon in Dundrum. Willie Quinn who plays regularly for us in Dundrum has represented NI Schoolboys and has played at Wembley.
I think Jackie also played in the infamous match between Celtic and Linfield when Celtic had to withdraw from the League.
Stevie,
You know more than me mate! made a call to one of our more mature players and indeed your right, Jackie Denver did indeed play for Belfast Celtic around 1948 I'm told,(pre-Glenavon). Although I was wrong about him playing for NI,though it was said that he should have had many caps !
And ofcourse his son,as Clarence says Alex Denver; followed in his dad's footsteps and was also a Glenavon & Victoria legend.
Wonder who will be the next one @ Victoria C.C. ? ? ?
oops - forgot to mention the legendary Ossie Bailie who seemed to play for everybody!
