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just like too say that some class articles on ulster cricketer, esp cricket in finacial overdrive! like too take this oportunity too welcome all the clubs in section 2 too the ONE AN ONLY MEADOW in dundrum, our club has come along way since being being burnt down twice which is testement too all the hard working members. we didnt receive HELP OR £ FROM THE NCU OR NORTHERN IRELAND OFFICE, so it really is quite a success story. we have a beautiful ground with a river that runs past (and not the first time that the opening bowlers have too get their feet wet which believe me usually fires them up) & the hardest working UNPAID GROUNDSMAN in tommy curlett . we would like too extend a warm welcome too all clubs &spectators as dundrum can now boast too having some finest restraunts in COUNTY DOWN!! so if any one wishes too find out more please contact me on 07730334479, ps maybe thats why paul stafford went up west doesnt like getting his feet wet. lol

The new board of Cricket Ireland has met and appointed Joe Doherty as chairman of the cricket committee. Warren Deutrom has confirmed that two of the tasks before this committee will be to review the gap between club and international cricket and the development of elite performers. This is a very positive news and hopefully the committee will seek the views of some of our correspondents who have put up excellent suggestions. Joe, it's time to bring the game to the people and build a new era of cooperation from the grass-roots up. Good luck.

Nile,to get Aughnacloy and Super into the same sentence takes some doing!

Are you playing this year? If so Muckamore probably have the best two wicketkeepers in Section 2.

Altogether now, 'Ten German Bombers....

I wonder if Dazzler and Russeller will do a 'Speightstown' at the Rectory?

Staffy
With your move to brigade are you reverting to type with the perpetual complaint of the Derry-wans that the NW is not connected to the rest of us? Not true.
For you I bring tremendous news - the road authorities North and South are co-operating to build a new super-highway from Derry to Aughnacloy and southwards to Dublin!
Yes - your rarely-seen straight one and your sweeping trap from leg to off (bring-them-over-gradually) will continue be appreciated across the land!
PS I too remember the 3Ws Oval - but to be fair you were one who did NOT bowl FAR TOO SHORT!!

Clarence, I can see it's going to be difficult to get you home. Sounds like a great day out. I'm sure those appointed to the top jobs also have the best interest of Irish cricket at heart. As I think does every single poster on the local websites. Things seem to be quiet from the leadership at present. My own feeling is that 110% effort is being put into clinching a major sponsorship package. I would think if that doesn't materialise or doesn't materialise to the extent needed that we will have some very difficult days ahead for Irish cricket. The NCU under Billy Boyd (Lurgan) did much good work with a series of roadshows getting grassroot feedback and this can also be gleamed from the websites. I would love to see more ideas and opinions but they don't have to be nasty or personal. They are just opinions but it certainly is good to hear conflicting views. On the NCU front Section One is going to be tighter than ever. Despite losing three top players North Down will still be hard to beat. Joe Montgomery, Andrew Haire and the Turk will all have a bigger role to play. Any word of any inward movement to The Green?

Paul Hatton
An All Ireland league has merits. Belfast to Dublin or Belfast to Derry are comfortable distances but Derry to Dublin is a long way. It could be fair when you leave but off 3/4 of the way there. Not sure it would work.

Reading some of the recent postings why is there no mention of an All Ireland League these days? Perhaps the new administration is going to shy away from club competitions and concentrate on their youth teams and maybe this will have the best long term benefits.
Maybe.

Ivan, even that task is beyond me!
I think there has been enough speculation and interest to rouse the unions so hopefully they will take all the views on board and come up with something positive. It has to come from the top or it won't work.
Tomorrow I'm entertaining those three wise men Torrens, Linehan and Walsh for a day in the sun in the company of Sir Everton Weekes with a little golf thrown in before lunch. I miss the everyday rumble of local cricket but Barbados has its 'perks.'

Clarence, maybe to get things moving we need to elect a committee of One with a remit to improve club, regional and international cricket over a five year period.The One needs to be strong enough to not let the internal politics side track his plan. If you ever think of coming home you would be that One.

Ivan it came from a previous posting by you and Staffy's reply. He is a top bloke and I'm not an idiot so keep your comments to cricket and cut out the personal stuff as you sometimes sound like one of those North West ranters. On more important matters the editor's latest blurb probably sums up the situation best but it doesn't offer us much hope for change if the big guys don't give their views. Is there anyone out there from the new boards of the old ICU and NCU who could give us some indication of their thinking? We all want better cricket.

Mark, I don't know where this idea that I don't get on with Paul Stafford comes from. I don't know him really. I played against him once or twice, anyone who knows him tell me he's a top bloke. We just had different opinions on somethings. It doesn't mean that I now have to take the opposite opinion to him every time. We probably have many opinions in common.

Mark
You are absolutely right that the same leagues & cups will be there in 2008 as the fixtures are set. Any change will have to be brought before the AGM in October 2008 for 09 so it is extremely unlikly any significant change could be made until 2010. That's assuming that there is any appetite for change which isn't certain.

Following up on the Jesse Ryder article it seems he's become a real personality with the Kiwi public. In tune with his passion for a drink or two, it seems the young people in New Zealand now talk about having a Jesse' or a 'half Jessie.'
Is that the Irish equivalent of getting 'full' or 'half full?'

Ivan if you read my email carefully you'll see you have agreed with what I said regarding Staffy! Strange that you are defending him after some things you wrote earlier. Don't rant at me because it wasn't my generation that scrapped the interpros. I'm not against other ideas but looking back at some previous postings you seem to have a problem with it. As for looking outside the box try climbing out of it with something practical yourself.
Smile Ivan as all the same old leagues and cups will be back on parade in 2008 as websites don't change anything.
PS
My name is not someone! Do I need to list a surname to have an opinion?

When I looked at the first Ulster League proposals from the Development Committee I thought,'Here we go, another Cup competition just with more travelling.' However a real, proper Ulster League might just work.
Its 20 years since anyone outside the big 3 won the NW league and NCU have only 2 top teams. Sure that might change this year but only if they become weaker because their best players might be bought, not because others have improved. If you don't want an Ulster League then tell us how you are going to invigorate and improve cricket in the NCU and NW?