Forum

Good luck Dazzler. There's nothing wrong with a new challenge and maybe Glendermott will be the northern team to watch because the Irish Senior Cup is going to die a death if it continues to be a Leinster whitewash. I'm a Leinster cricket supporter but don't align emails with one club because I don't speak on their behalf and I don't want anyone to speak to me through a club affilation. That's the thing about the forum, you can give your own opinion and everyone is entitled to do that. I'll look out for you in 2008. Good luck.

Brendan - still a north down member.

Paul thats cause for the last lot of years the northern teams have hardly competed in competition for long enough to get noticed!! We ll not go into why not.
Regarding being known in NW don't think anybody up there doesn't know who I am by now. Lookin forward to the banter when I do play up there.
What is your team in Dublin??

Dazzler should your email 'headed notepaper' not read The Rectory Field?

Dazzler.
Don't worry about me as I'm only asking what's all the fuss about? You North Down boys are very touchy and in your case you better get used to it as I don't think they'll be as polite in the North West when they are asking the same question next season. No offence but we've never heard of you in Dublin and I only asked!

Quick question - Never mind who I am or aren't. Who on earth are you???

Not a lot happening on your forum these days while Staffy appears to be getting up a lot of people's noses with his county selections elsewhere.
Who's this guy Dazzler? He hasn't figured much in the NCU yet they are talking about him in the North-West like he's going to make Glendermott world-beaters.
Obviously he hasn't played in the Irish Senior Cup?

Has anyone got a Woodvale Centenary brochure that they are willing to sell? They are about ten years old but I've lost my copy and need to access one for some articles I'm writing. If anyone can help please email me at sportingb@caribsurf.com
Many thanks.

Michael,

There is only one player that has left to go to Glendermott from North Down and that is Marty Dalzell. ND will be firing on all cylinders come April, dont you worry. Im aware that Neil Russell was also offered but decided to stay at N. Down and fair play too him for showing loyalty to the club, the lure off good money and with his aggresive style would go down a treat in the North West, must have been very tempting.

Roll on the 2008 season

New book for the Christmas shelves just out;
"Raiders of the North-West"
by Glen Dermott

Plenty of questions to ask right now.
What's happening at North Down?
How can Glendermott actually entice players away from the best club in Ulster or is it just the money?
At least they have a strong enough squad to replace the defectors or will we see a few recruits?

All this talk about ticket prices is a load of nonsense. Apart from the test nations you could let everyone in free at the Ireland games in the north and the crowd wouldn't be much bigger.
That said, fee admission for school parties at all games should be instigated immediately. Empty grounds do nothing for the players.

Excellent comments Paul....the Clubs could be doing more to encourage support for these matches and generally the marketing and PR is poor..

Liam on ticket prices what about pegging them at 10 euro for adults for any match and 5 euro for the lesser games? Kids get in for 1 euro and school parties free?
Seating is poor at most grounds but an extra charge to sit in nicer seats once you have admittance is not a burden to most people.
Clubs should be encouraged to support matches and ticket sales through clubs could be discounted or offered with commission.
Once in the ground free draws for giveaways and entertainment would help. Music is better than a boring MC albeit there is a role for both. Showcasing kids cricket between innings looks good but doesn't put bums in seats.

Paul,in the next issue of Cover Point we will be examining what can be done to get more "bums on seats"....
Any ideas are more than welcome...

I agree one/two non-ODI matches should go to the NW until Bready is ready.

I agree with better marketing Liam but outside dropping the ticket prices and getting more publicity what can be done? The ticket prices are certainly way over the top for a cricket following that has been nurtured on low admission fees or in most cases passing the box round. Not all the Ireland matches are ODIs so keep the big games for Clontarf and spread the others up north. If the northern unions (the clubs control the unions) give the Ireland games little support they can't expect to host the big games.