Forum

Guys
We need to have names with posts please so if you have made one and it is not on, thats why.
Ed

I read with a lot of interest regards player movement in the NCU this winter and in particular at North Down.

I believe from rumour and some fact that the following N.Down players have all been approached for their services;
David Kennedy,gone home to ballymena.
Marty Dalzell, gone to glendermott.
Ryan Haire and Ralph Coetzee made serious offers to go to CI but neither have yet made their minds up due to the serious offers in place?
Peter Connell approached by a NW club,with a good offer and has also not made up his mind?
Neil Russell was made a very good offer from the NW but it seems he is the only player at this stage to show "loyalty" to his club and hence renaged on the offer? Fair play to him indeed if this is the case.

Seems with success these days there will be a lot of clubs now willing to open the chequebook. North Down have been the premier team for near on a decade now in the NCU and whilst i find it shocking the supposed money being offered around it comes as little surprise that other clubs have targeted a serious number of the ND players.

I also hear a couple of the Waringstown youngsters have also been approached?

It will certainly been interesting to see who is with who come mid-april.

Hi Taito. Ok so they have a new clubhouse which is shared and you know what that means. Anyway it's their money that's playing best right now. You asked for names so what about Coetzee and Ryan Haire for starters? North Down offered five grand if they took Da Haire but they declined! Just joking Robin. I don't want a kicking next time I'm in Comber. Seems like the CI and Glendermott hitmen did their homework and discovered North Down aren't a bad team.

i think that is a harsh statement about belmont, CI have put a lot of work in recently on relaying the sqaure and have a wonderful new clubhouse which would rival most in the country. I would say there are many many worse places to play , i wont name them because i wouldnt want to offend anyone. I am intrigued about the rumours of player movements, any names??

The rumour machine is out of control and CI seem to have taken Glendermott off the headlines. I think you have to pay players to play on an open rugby pitch during the summer but if the money's right then some people obviously don't care. Different sort of a challenge going to Belmont that the Rectory.
I wouldn't even go there to watch a cricket match.

I can't believe the money being touted around NCU and North-West cricket for local players but it is a difficult thing to stop. I think your editor's suggestion of club contracts may be the only way forward as that's what happens in local football. Similar approaches happen in Leinster but not all clubs are involved which I suppose is much the same as up north. Will it buy success?

Re Paul.

Have to agree with Clarence's waryness in respect of paid players also. Am aware (via rumour) of a number of younger players at the top NCU clubs who have recently been offered large sums (5-8k +) to relocate to a certain up and coming side. Is this healthy for our game ?

Clarence, I was very pleasantly surprised to read your article regarding player payments and indeed having the courage to talk figures in what is generally a murky world. I hope that someone of your standing will make some people stop and listen to what you have to say without the usual vitriol that comes in my direction when I try to say, albeit not as eloquently, the same thing.

RE 2008 Movements ?

Has the forum any more on the players "on the move ?". With new and not so new pros (of all shapes and forms)a plenty, do we have any genuine locals on the move ?

Congratulations to Roy Torrens and Brian Walsh on their Belfast Telegraph Sports Awards. It's tough for cricket to compete with majority sports in this type of arena so it makes the awards all the more satisfying not just for these two seasoned old stagers but cricket in general.
Well done guys. Cricket is proud of you.

i dont know anything about any other clubs, but unless something has happened without me knowing there is no exodus from downpatrick, we will have the same old faces there this year

Re Michael.

Not too sure about North Down...know that is South Down movements are being muted ! A D Ptrick exodus on the cards as money talks...Saintfield strengthen as do Dundrum ! NDCC stronger ? maybe some forumites know better ?

Stevo, you have your ear to the ground so what's the story at North Down? Rumour has it there may be other players on the move. If so there might be an opening for Staffy without him having to go to Muckamore, Ballymena and Larne!
Mind you North Down will still have a good team in 2008 but how good?

Ivan, I don't think your suggestion that clubs should make public their 'development officer' coaching schedules will get anywhere as you are entering into the realms of employment law and I'm not even sure that you believe it would lead to transparency. At the end of the day the smart clubs are already policing their coaching programs and those that aren't won't get any short or long term benefits. I agree with recent correspondents who say it is their own business and every club has the right to make their own call.
Interesting question - How many trophies won since 1979 (the return of the pros) can be identified as hired gun successes? I assume the success of hired guns is measured in trophies?

Well said Michael. I think you have hit the nail on the head with your comment as most of the anti-pro brigade are only looking out for themselves. Wayne Horwood laid it out very clearly and very fairly on the other channel. Let's get down to cricket and stop telling other clubs how to run their business!