Forum

to ger siggins if he reads the Ulster Cricketer

how do you know the qualities of the ireland c team, have not seen you up north watching any league games before.
dont remember playing against you in the 70s or 80s at inter pro level, hope your not another of these guys who think no southeners in the team = team no good.
ps.was looking out for you stu d. at stormont recently ,only to buy you a drink of course. maybe see you at the irish cup, 40 seater bus leaving north down 9am sharp 5 sept. if your looking a lift.

I see old Stu Daultrey is at it again stirring the pot over the Ireland A team selection and the venue for the Irish Cup final. Usual anti-north nonsense cloaked around his bizarre rants but just as usual are the apologists who then defend him. Obviously on the same intellectual wavelength - nutters!
Of course 'we are all entitled to our opinion.'

Have to agree with Ivan that something has to be done and he has put forward some good ideas. However, who will take responsibility? Is it the ICU or the NCU and exactly who is the person? Everyone reads this site so the union men know about the problem but until someone takes ownership there's not going to be a solution. It's a sad day when the Ireland players have to go to the clubs and ask them to come and support them but maybe that's what it will take.

I can't speak for the crowds against Norway, Italy etc but I was down for the Scotland match at Clontarf and for a very wet Thursday and the game not getting underway until nearly 3pm I thought the crowd was ok. That doesn't take away from the attendance on the Saturday and Sunday for the T20. The distinct lack of club players and supporters at the weekend is something that Cricket Ireland need to address. Do the officials need to get around the clubs and sell the vision of Team Ireland more? Would it help if the international players were asked to visit schools and clubs and hold coaching clinics? Would this help people identify closer with the squad? Rather than selling tickets through Ticketmaster would it help to make tickets available from the clubs with maybe deals for parties of ten or more? Why not make an announcement that those attending the Kenya ODI's on 24th, 25th and 27th August at Stormont will be given first preference to the England game in 2009 or for T20 World Cup tickets? Just a few suggestions from someone who enjoys attending cricket matches and is baffled why more don't attend. The saying “build it and they will come” is taking a long time to bear fruit for international cricket in Belfast.

Can anyone clarify, is it true that the crowds in Dublin for the Europeans were crap?

You're right Ronnie, it's not a perfect world. If it was KP would be playing against England! Anyway the ICC sets the rules and we have benefitted as much as any country with qualified players. But your point on lack of support is a concern. It doesn't seem that grassroots NCU and North West cricket fully supports Ireland and we don't appear to be able to attract the neutrals like Dublin. Crowds are important so when it comes to the big matches they should go to where the best crowds attend. We can't argue against it any more.

look, these guys have a living to make, in a perfect world they would all play for ireland but the world ain't perfect, if it were K.P. would play for south africa etc. etc. and ireland wouldn,t have half the players they do. so stop griping and be happy for our team and their success.by the way it was sad to see the lack support shown to our national side at stormont this week.........maybe you were all too busy airing your views on this forum, get a life!!!!!!!!!!!!

James,
if he continues the way he is playing it won't matter as he'll be playing for England. But let's be honest we aren't that strong to turn down an established county player. It's a bit like not picking George Best after some of his no shows and antics. There's no point shooting yourself in the foot even although his judgement seems flawed. Someone should sit down and talk to him.

I enjoyed the T20 at Stormont but was miffed not to see Morgan in action for Ireland.
This was not mickey mouse cricket, or a FPT group game or even just an international,it was a World Cup event, where was he?
His place in the Middlesex team is secure so he just plain put them ahead of his country. He should not be considered for selection again.

Cricket Ireland sponsored by a university?
Is this for real? Carnegie this and carnegie that but is real money involved or is this a partnership of convenience or genuine sponsorship? The Cricket Ireland press release told us little and to say there were 'strong links' because William Porterfield went there is a bit rich. They are going to brand well but how much cash have they brought to the table that's what we want to know?

I hope a few people from the NCU make their way to the North West tomorrow for the cup final as it should be a good game weather permitting. We should support our finals both ways.

Anybody know what happens if the Ireland v Scotland game is a washout?

Were no Leinster players available to play for the A team against MCC? We have to assume so because although I'm sure the selected players are there on merit I can't believe there's not one Leinster player good enough to win a place.
I thought 'political' decisions were a thing of the past?

I am sure that all cricket lovers will join me in expressing symapthy to Andy McCrea of Templepatrick C.C. on the tragic death of his brother. Our thoughts are very much with the family circle at this sad time.

We are fortunate we have some truly beautiful grounds around Ireland, my home ground The Mall is a special place to play cricket but unfortunately as it is a public ground we have suffered a lot of vandalism with our articical wicket being destroyed in the past and the wicket covers being wrecked also. Do any other clubs suffer from these mindless vandals?