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Today was a first for me in thirty odd years in cricket. Arrived at Shaws Bridge (top ground) to be told that with the approval of the NCU all bowling had to take place from the clubhouse end in case the ball was hit onto the road!!?? Must admit I was happy enough not to have to change field position. But still, surely there are smaller boundaries and busier roads around the grounds!?

Gareth

Now pardon me if I am incorrect. I can recall it was Armagh themselves in the 90's who tried to sign a then current Irish international who was living in the city , however this signing was refused by the Union as he was deemed too high of a standard. Armagh and the player then sought a rule change ( which was successful) to allow those who are residents / U.K. Citizens to play for a local club and the following season this player turned out for Armagh and went onto gain several more Irish caps.

To Ed - if any of this is factually incorrect it is not intentional and please withdraw my comments -

Paul Stirling plays for Cliftonville in Section One , yet when I asked could Jarred Barnes play for Muckamore 2nds in Junior One I was told "no he would be deemed to good as he's played inter pro's last season ".
Strange to say the least .

Great game at waringstown today ci 2nds vs waringstown 2nds! Was a well fought competitive match which was unfortunately spoilt by a crucial (match changing) dismissal. Never have I ever been out when I block the ball to mid on along the turf and get caught on the ring. Took taking the fielders word to a whole new level! #weneededumpires

Re. Jonny

With all due respect it's got nothing to do with Paul wanting to play for his hometown club on a weekend off.

But it's got everything to do with him being a 1st class cricketer in a league where clubs are not allowed to sign 1st class cricketers.

Your point about bowlers regaling people about how they got him out, if indeed this were to happen, is frankly irrelevant.

Can someone please explain how come Paul Stirling, a 1st Class cricketer, is allowed to play in Section 1 given that Section 1 clubs aren't allowed to sign 1st Class players?

Surely this is a contradiction in terms as regards the NCU rules?

I've no axe to grind with Paul, if he gets something out of having a mow against Section 1 bowlers then good luck to him.

However after all the preseason shenanigans re. Pros in Section 1 all the Clubs want is a level playing field.

Cliftonville v Armagh today was clearly not a level playing field.

Imagine the controversy if Paul turns out for Cliftonville in a late season game where relegation or promotion is at stake??

I'm sure Armagh shall be asking similar questions of the NCU.

Seems to be a bit of disquiet from some concerning the availability of a current Irish International and well established county cricketer in the slightly lesser leagues of our great Union. I believe it has been referred to on social media as a farce???? I'm baffled as to this rationale. Firstly, fair play to this man as he obviously still cares about grass roots cricket in our country to bother to make himself available, but secondly why bother to put himself in the firing line against a bunch of mainly social cricketers who will possibly (as we all have done in the past) slabber at him from close quarters. (And I mean that in the lightest possible term) I mean c'mon, surely catching him at point or having him plum LBW will be something to talk about at the end of year club dinner or at the NCU dinner in 15 years time. Let's not make this about a result on the day but enjoy the fact that one of our own has decided to play when others simply wouldn't.

Rant over.

Late cancellations - just wondering if brinkmanship comes in to? Waiting to see if the other team cry-off first! Surely that wouldn't happen!

Walkovers don't have to be walkovers . They can be postponements and rearranged .
Last Friday Colin Latham told us that Templepatrick 4ths couldn't field a team to play Muckamore 5ths .
Never did it cross my mind to "claim the points " but immediately to look for a new date .
I've always considered myself a cricket lover first and foremost and a Muckamore lover after that .
Let's all aim to avoid walkovers and talk to the opposition about finding another date .
After all when you "claim the points " you deprive 11 members from your club of a game of cricket which is after all why they pay membership .

Scratching games and claiming the points.....about 30 years ago when I was captain of Lurgan 2nds, I had to ring Hugh Linehan who was the captain of Downpatrick 2nds and tell him despite my best efforts, we couldn't field a team. Hugh said no problem, let's find another date and play the game. Hugh told me he didn't want to claim the points as he wanted to play cricket. We went on to play the game, can't remember the result. I think if every club played with this spirit, it would make people want to play the game. Hugh was a gentleman of the highest order and had the right attitude, it was so refreshing. Hopefully instead of claiming points, I would hope that everyone should realise that although the world has moved on and with all the pressures that attach now, is it not better to rearrange and play games rather than claim the points?

Walkovers again.

After taking a wee look at when walkovers have occurred in the previous couple of seasons, it looks as if August is the winner. So wouldn't that make the school exams excuse a non-runner?

CIYMS 3rds have already forfeited their cup game this weekend - why has the players from the 4ths who are not playing , not playing - surely they can get 10 / 11 players from 2 teams to play

I think there is too much emphasis on quantity rather than quality - Junior 8 has 13 teams - absolute crazy situation.

Why not have it where each club is restricted to either 3 or 4 teams ( senior teams - can have as many underage teams as they wish ) - surplus players who are looking to play cricket could move to another club - there are a few clubs out there who would welcome a second or a third eleven for their club.

I can't speak for the state of things this year as I am studying across the water at the minute, but having captained a junior league side last year I can guarantee you that every effort is made to get games played. I think far too many people on here need to get off their high horses. How can you possibly slate another club for not being able to field a team without having a clue what lengths they have gone to to get a team out? Regularly I would have to contact 30+ people to try and field a team, which is only made worse around exam time, and I know from chatting with opposing captains that pretty much everyone is in the same boat some weeks. Yes, it's annoying for the club that is ready to play, but it is equally as frustrating for the guys who have to concede - they wanted a game of cricket too!

I'm sure other people would back me up when I say that junior participation (or lack of due to exams) isn't necessarily the most important issue - as has been posted previously, there is a massive lack of adult players. This can cause massive problems in terms of transport, and I know that without the kind support of a parent there are at least 2 games in the last couple of years that would have had to be played with less than a full quota simply for the reason that 11 people couldn't be transported in the available cars. People are all too happy to take a weekend at the coast, or on the golf course, or whatever, and then come on here and have a go.

Here's hoping some decent weather convinces some of the "old boys" to dust off their whites and get out there again.

As with almost all topics brought up on here, there are always multiple sides to a story and it's best to cut each other some slack.

We all know it can be frustrating to find out the team you're meant to play tomorrow has forfeited the fixture when you're ready to play. However, a summer sport that is sandwiched between rugby and football seasons, and overlaps exams and summer holidays just has to come to terms with the fact that such things will happen.

Punishing clubs is not the answer. It's far better to have clubs be aspirational at the start of the season and try and get as many people playing as possible, than worry about fines and scrub a team, thus reducing opportunities for their players. In the end, the junior leagues are not primarily designed to craft the next Irish international, they are there to allow people to play and enjoy the game.

As annoyed as some may get about exams getting in the way of cricket, I don't begrudge anyone prioritising their education over cricket. I also don't mind that our junior leagues are underpinned by youth players. I would rather have that and the odd walkover than a league that get older every year and no new talent being injected in.