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Most importantly, congratulations to Ireland, a superb effort in the tournament and all credit to big Phil and his people on winning the World Cup qualifier so convincingly. I'm sure a lot of people thought that the bubble might burst when Adrian Birrell left but we have carried on and dare I say it, got even stronger since the glory days of 2007.

But, important also to point out that Scotland didn't go out of the qualifier because of an Irish selection, they went out because in too many matches they just weren't good enough. Compare their top order batting with ours and you will find the reason that we are going to the sub-continent and they aren't.

Have to say what a bunch of whingers some of the Scots are for blaming Ireland for not winning against Kenya and helping their cause. They can't be serious?
Scotland played poorly in this tournament, and punched well below their weight. End of story.

To misquote Lady Bracknell - "To lose one husband could be considered unfortunate, to lose two must surely be carelessness!"
Having lost one Development Manager in Belfast, Cricket Ireland are advertising for a replacement. Not so with the second.
That makes the loss of the Development Officer in the North West seem not just careless, it's criminal!

It was very sad to learn of the passing of Railway Union cricket and hockey stalwart Des Byrne. He was a real gentleman in every sense and a fine ambassador of sport. Des had been in declining health for some time, but still travelled to the Caribbean to support Ireland in 2007 where his close friends at Railway looked after him in the way real friends always do. We'll miss his friendly smile and bubbly personality, but those who knew Des will have a host of good memories of one of the finest wicket-keepers of his era.
Rest in peace dear friend, it was an honour to know you and always a pleasure to be in your company.

Congratulations Ireland on another superb victory. Any win is superb in this tournament as anybody can beat anybody and only Afghanistan has beaten Ireland. Back to the drawing board for Scotland which must be a big disappointment.

JUST 1 PLACED , AH WELL WE TRY GET £ BACK .. FAIRYHOUSE 435 EWAY MOURNE RAMBLER , GUS MCRAE 535 DREAMY 4OO, CALLOW LAKE 325

IRISH GRAND NATIONAL . EWAY RARE BOB/ DRUMCONVIS BEST OUTSIDER VIC VENTURI 66 1 , GOOD LUCK

anybody have a pre season game on saturday that was not called off. if so tell us the result!

interested to see the lack of comment about the influx of players to Carrick -lots of postings about CI last year when money was spent - speaks volumes for the youth policy at Middle Road but fair enough - if the moneys there why not spend it!!

Not long to go now guys and good to hear some local stuff coming on the site after all that Eoin Morgan stuff. He looks a good player but he's not as good as Ed Joyce yet and look where he's in the pecking order now. There must be about 20-30 Eoin Morgans and Ed Joyces around English cricket so why would they need our players?

Can't get any closer than last year Frank!
I think you mean more teams will be in contention but haven't we heard all that before? One thing that's good is that some of the weaker teams are trying to bridge the gap but others are doing nothing so the Big Three will still be the teams to beat and the rest will be fighting off relegation. Good luck to Carrick and CI if they buck the trend.

Some interesting developments at Middle Road, with the Stirlings, Haire and Turkington all joining up as well as 2 South Africans with a good pedigree.

So the silence has finally been broken... big andrew bassett has signed for dundrum!! that local derby sure will have a wee bit of extra spice.

Also noticed on the carrick website they are announcing their 8 new signings and profiling them including a current irish international. might they be the surprise package?

Certainly looks as though the premier league will be the closest on record now!!

ref:andy

If only REAL cricketers ran the game here eh?

Robin Haire

Davey cheater has left waringstown and is back in new zealand!