Forum

Re James Senior Cup Final

I would have to disagree with your comments about Strangford Road, it is not as you put it "a traditionally wet ground" and there have not been "issues there for the last few years". The ground was in as good a condition if not better than most grounds in the country on the weekend of the cup final.

Anyway why would you move the cup final to Stormont, you don't get a big crowd for international games, how would this change for the cup final.

The sponsors are from the Downpatrick area and i'm not sure if they would continue to support the event if it was moved away from Downpatrick.

Speaking to alot of players from various clubs in the NCU, they were annoyed that they wouldn't get a chance to play at Strangford Road this year because of Downpatricks relegation unless they reached the cup final.

While we’re on the topic of cup final venues, is the NCU going to use some common sense and move the Senior Cup final to one of the drier grounds available.

There is no doubt that Downpatrick did a good job this year getting the fixture completed but are/were those the conditions we want the premier cup final to be played in. It is a traditionally wet ground and there have been issues there for the last few years. If it had been a league game they wouldn’t have bother turning up. Although tense, the entertainment value was low and we want more spectators don’t we?

Surely it must be moved to either Stormont (if they give it due importance, unlike before) or Comber (if they sort out their groundsman problem!), it would make for better cricket…

Re Junior Cup Final

North Down regrettably informed the Union on June 18 that due to unforeseen circumstances, we would not be able to host the Junior Cup final as previously agreed. It was with respect to the importance of the competition that this decision was made.

Our groundsman of many years informed us at the beginning of May that his services would no longer be available and despite an extensive search, at the time no replacement had been found.

We felt that since we might not be able to supply a pitch and ground at our normal high standard, it would be best not to let ourselves and the competition down by hosting the fixture in these circumstances.

This position changed in the second week in July when we were able to appoint a temporary groundsman for the remainder of the season.

We subsequently hosted a match in the U17 European Championships and practice sessions for the ICC World Twenty20 (both competitions we were not involved in) and the NCU U15 final.

NDCC

Mark

I am not going to deny that I am cynical - as Gary says, do you honestly believe that Comber would not have been playable if North Down IIs had made the final? You ask anyone associated with Templepatrick and Academy how they felt being let down by the North Down initially and the NCU for not being a bit more prompt in arranging a new venue and I am sure they will not be glowing remarks!! I do not speak for any of these clubs by the way.

Re Andrew

I think Paul said it all in his reply, a club in your position is very fortunate that it can pick and choose which cup finals it wants to host and which one's it doesn't !!! Many clubs would be extremely proud and privileged to have the chance to host a cup final. I understand fully and appreciate the work that all volunteers contribute but what you're saying demeans this cup final. I'm sure most clubs would be able to pull in resources to accomodate such a fixture let alone a club such as yours that is comming down with players and administrators !! I still believe as I said in my initial posting the reasons why the Junior Cup wasn't hosted by yourselves, I know no-one fom North Down will ever admit that. Maybe when the NCU are choosing venues for cup finals next season your posting is taken into account and that they are selected accordingly - those clubs who have the resources to host finals !

Paul, if all the clubs took that approach where would the finals be played? Right now a few clubs are asking themselves why are we doing this? Certainly not for the money or the glory as there's neither when hosting a cup final or representative match. When unions pay for services cynics like you can voice your criticism when clubs don't deliver but until then ask yourself are you being fair with your snide remark?

Andrew

Well then dont put your name forward for cup finals if you dont have the resources.

Re Gary

North Down were able to hold the Under 15 Final, due to alot of hard work put in by a number of hard working volunteers, that we are very lucky to have at our club - producing even an average grass wicket over the last couple of weeks has proven extremely difficult for alot clubs who have full time groundsmen within their ranks.

The fact that we could not host the Junior Cup final was down to the fact that these volunteers are exactly that (volunteers) and cannot be available 24/7 throughout the summer months!

Word has reached me that Dundrum Pro Manni Fernando who has become increasingly disillusioned with the Summer weather has been trying to earn a wildcard place on Faldo's Ryder Cup team for the match in Kentucky. However, Manni's gross score of 150 has failed to impress the selector's. What Dundrum wouldn't give for a similar score this Saturday!

Let's see some NCU supporters up in Strabane on Friday supporting our northern team. We've had to listen to a lot of crowing from the Leinster people in the last four years so its time for everyone to get behind the wheel.
Good luck Donemana.

Jeff,
Playing or praying is a good choice of words. Let's hope they don't come back to haunt you.
Well done on getting the grass cut. Is Ronnie's canoe marooned on the outfield?

ryan, if the person you refer too is me then that is wrong! I am match sec & dont have the power to make a decision that is not mine too make what i did agree too was that if our ground wasnt playable i would put your request too the first team that they go too seapark myself & the captain agreed that it was good idea but the team voted that they wanted too wait on the 2nd game at home i also told roger bell that at the time if we agreed that we would switch & i still think in my opinion that it was a risky call but not my choice. lets also be real if holywood had been 4 points ahead of us you would not of offered us a switch but too end this matter if i had been my decision i wood have made my team go as id rather take my chance playing instead of praying on the weather. ps we got ground cut & had 10 working tonight raking & lifting grass so dont think for 1 minute that we dont want too play & pitch getting cut a further two times this week so we hope too play on sunday but if the forecast is right their is too a lot off heavy thunder showers this week with just RAIN between the showers on friday.ps taito .dont spend it all.

Stevie Max.
Maybe your right, its funny I just had a conversation with someone and I asked what Holywood would do if we were in Dundrums position. I would like to think we would travel to a playable ground - but probably would do the same as you.
What I found amazing was I was told by a Dundrum person that if your ground was not playable - Dundrum would travel to Seapark and the league secretary was told the same. Didnt happen in the end.
But as someone said, you do whats best for your club interests. I just hope your ground is ready and the game is played on 20th as I know both teams want to play.

yes jeff hopefully you get it fit for sunday and you's can give it a go and maybe get a couple of wins to stay up. I wouldnt say we are safe yet, one win out of the three games we have at the weekend would do it but it isnt for sure yet.
Unless your coming to bermuda jeff i doubt you will see me on saturday!! but if we lose again you will get your money.

Gareth i can assure you that we did not underestimate any side in section 2. We knew it would be a tough legaue and i dont think i would be wrong to say we under performed in many of the games which has left us where we are.

Depends which experts you were paying attention to I suppose, I think pretty much everyone expected Ballymena to streak away with Section Two, although most would predicted a more stern challenge from Lurgan and Downpatrick. Perhaps the latter were guilty of underestimating a lot of their opponents.