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Paul,
I agree on paper Instonians should push the big two. First two games are Waringstown and NorthDown both away. R.McCann, A.White,J.Shannon, R.West, J. Stevenson, S. Wells, E. Moleon-that's some top seven.Eight points from first two games and the belief will be there! Maybe a big 4 league don't forget the mighty Derriaghy!!
Billy Dale.
I don't think Downpatrick will struggle I just think they won't challenge unless they get some new blood. I think Instonians will push the big two, and not just because Whitey's back. I feel Regan was strangely off colour last year and they have a top man in John Stevenson as Captain. If their young players like Rory McCann and James Shannon keep improving and perhaps if Neil Carson plays more this year I honestly feel they could win the league.
staffy, i usually predict lurgan to go down because its either that or predict ourselves which i am never going to do. yeah if we dont get off to a good start we could struggle but somehow we always manage to do ok.
great performance by ireland keep it rolling tomorrow.
naming and shaming... did you see leni (paul lenihan) and his girl babs whelan at the end , she was shedding a few tears of joy , we are going to have to slag her a bit when they get back to downpatrick. Great to see so many familiar faces in the crowd. Just made me jealous i wasnt there
Fantastic effort by Ireland. Both sides can look back and feel they could have won it but what a match.
Realistically Ireland have to beat Pakistan to qualify now. West indies will beat Zimbabwe to qualify with 4 points and Pakistan will win against Zimbabwe too. That means that even if Ireland beat the Windies in the last game it will be too late.
The lads showed great character tonight and it's a great day for Irish cricket.
Should Ireland consider splitting up our left-handers at the top of the order, the Zim bowlers got the line and we struggled?
Does anybody want to name and shame any of the Irish supporters that were featured on Sky Sports today?!
Well done Ireland, that will have a few people thinking before they speak next time.
Was anyone really shocked at Ireland's poor fielding?
i realy fancy if ireland beat zimbabwe they could peat pakistan and qualify. does anyone know what price ireland are to get out of their group because i have a wedding to pay for and it might be worth a flutter. it would at least pay for a lapdance on my stag. Well staffy any new blood at lurgan this year? i know you are much like ourselves its always the sae old faces.
the league could be seriously close this year between third and last, it will as usuall depend on which teams get off to a good start.
Webmaster: Ireland 200-1 to win Group D, not sure about qualification.
PS: Taito
I don't care what anyone says Ireland are underdogs for this game. However they can win it and if so I believe they can qualify if they can win one of their last two. So if you can afford to lose it, Ireland are 11-8 to beat Zimbabwe and I reckon A Botha at 6-1 to be Ireland's top scorer are worth a punt.
Regarding Downpatrick same old faces means same old results with a marginal decline as some players age. I know this from experience only too well. Downpatrick are 2 quality players light and if they could find them they would definately challenge.
Lurgan have Craig Irwin and David Haire returning and Neil Anderson has been practising again and is talking of playing this year. I am still hoping to strengthen before the season starts. I hope to make a little more progress up the league for 2007. But I do agree there is not a lot between teams 3 to 10 and with 2 down this year its going to be a big pressure season.
PS: It's usually around this time of year you tip Lurgan for relegation!
Just spotted the Irish guys in the crowd at the WI/Pakistan game. Thankfully as the camera dwelled on them Tony Cozier also knew them and gave them an honorable mention
Staffy,
No need to be nervous ! The Zim team are getting worse each year.. and Ireland keep improving we are hitting the ground running ! No Mid Ulster controversy stirred up yet as Forum Editor ?
Am I the only one nervous over the Zimbabwe/Ireland game? Everyone expects us to win yet despite their problems we are playing against full time professionals who are used to this level. This is our world cup final. If Ireland can beat Zimbabwe we have a real chance to qualify. Anybody any predictions?
Best of luck with the new website gents, always good to see another local cricket website on the go, lets hope theres some content from Section 2 as well.
Re. an Ulster League, I hope the NCU give their new "2up-2down" proposal a few seasons at making cricket more competitive as intended rather than bringing it in for one season before changing everything again. Are the Clubturf Ulster Cup and White Horse Ulster Shield big enough successes that they should be extended into a Saturday league? I wouldn't be entirely convinced.
PS: Gareth, 2 up 2 down has one problem. Those clubs wanting promoted want it in. Those fearing relegation don't want it. However once promoted the same club wants it back to 1 up 1 down and the club relegated wants it to stay 2up 2 down so they can get back up. Then it will be all change again.
An Ulster League is still a pipedream. Inter-Union competitions work best as cup matches.
To all our Forum reader’s, we’re delighted to inform you that for the next month or so, Lurgan skipper Paul Stafford will be the guest editor for The Ulster Cricketer Forum.
good luck peter with the website & good luck to the ireland team in the west indies. lets hope the supporters all survive the heat!!!
Congratulations on the site, it's looking great, another good addition to Ulster cricketing info!
