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Congratulations to my old cricket and rugby team mate and current NCU umpire Simon Burrowes on receiving an OBE !

Very well deserved Lar !

Ed - Congratulations from all at the Ulster Cricketer to Simon and to Andy McCrea, Templepatrick CC, who was awarded a BEM

Ton up for mighty Munster, while flashy Lightning secure first win
The Munster Reds completed a perfect weekend winning three from three as they beat North West Warriors, while Leinster Lightning secured their first of the Inter-Provincial T20 Trophy by defeating hosts Northern Knights.
This is Day Three of the first of three T20 Festivals for 2022 with the weekend’s fixtures being:
27/05/2022 Northern Knights v North West Warriors (Warriors won by 7 wickets)
27/05/2022 Leinster Lightning v Munster Reds (Reds won by 6 wickets)
28/05/2022 North West Warriors v Leinster Lightning (Warriors won by 1 run)
28/05/2022 Munster Reds v Northern Knights (Reds won by 3 wickets)
29/05/2022 North West Warriors v Munster Reds (Reds won by 100 runs)
29/05/2022 Northern Knights v Leinster Lightning (Lightning won by 39 runs)
Game 1: Munster Reds v North West Warriors
Both sides started the day undefeated.
MATCH SUMMARY
Munster Reds v North West Warriors, Inter-Provincial T20 Trophy, Comber, 29 May 2022
Reds 206-5 (20 overs; T Kane 53*, G Delany 40; C Olphert 2-34)
Warriors 106 (17.4 overs; J Wilson 72*; T Kane 2-6, G Delany 2-8)
Munster Reds won by 100 runs
Game 2: Northern Knights v Leinster Lightning
In the second game of the day, Leinster Lightning completed a comfortable 39-run win over the Northern Knights to conclude the first IP20 Festival of the summer.
The fixture concluded an action-packed festival of cricket over the past three days, the next of which will take place at Bready in two weeks time.
MATCH SUMMARY
Northern Knights v Leinster Lightning Inter-Provincial T20 Trophy, Comber, 29 May 2022
Lightning 176 (20 overs; A Balbirnie 58, S Singh 40; M Adair 3-40, Pretorius 2-23)
Knights 137 (17.5 overs; J Lawlor 19; S Singh 4-21, G Hoey 3-17)
Leinster Lightning won by 39 runs

Drama-filled day as North West Warriors win by barest of margins and Munster Reds stay top after win over hosts
North West Warriors pulled off a remarkable victory and Munster Reds down the hosts to stay top on a drama-filled day in the race for the Inter-Provincial Trophy at The Green today.
This is Day Two of the first of three T20 Festivals for 2022 with the weekend’s fixtures being:
27/05/2022 Northern Knights v North West Warriors (Warriors won by 7 wickets)
27/05/2022 Leinster Lightning v Munster Reds (Reds won by 6 wickets)
28/05/2022 North West Warriors v Leinster Lightning (Warriors won by 1 run)
28/05/2022 Munster Reds v Northern Knights (Munster Reds won by 3 wickets)
29/05/2022 North West Warriors v Munster Reds (start 11am)
29/05/2022 Northern Knights v Leinster Lightning (start 3.30pm)
Game 1: North West Warriors v Leinster Lightning
The first game of the day will go down as one of the most dramatic in Inter-Provincial Trophy history, with the North West Warriors prevailing by the barest of margins.
Needing 10 runs to win off the last 12 balls with two wickets in hand, the Lightning lost Jack Carty for 2 in the 19th over, before Greg Ford top-edged a bouncer from Hume over the keeper’s head for a boundary. Four was needed off the last over with one wicket in hand, and the North West’s never-say-die skipper McBrine chose to bowl himself for the last over. Two singles ensued from the first three balls, before the Warriors captain squeezed a yorker under O’Reilly’s bat and knocked back middle-and-off to earn the Warriors a nail-biting one run win – the first-ever result by that margin in Inter-Provincial Trophy history.
Hume’s telling contribution with bat and ball was rewarded with Player of the Match recognition, but McBrine’s decision to take the last over and his ability to prise out the last wicket will be a memorable moment that those spectators will remember for years to come.
MATCH SUMMARY
North West Warriors v Leinster Lightning, Inter-Provincial Trophy, Comber, 28 May 2022
Warriors 159-5 (20 overs; S Doheny 46, G Hume 29*; G Hoey 3-30)
Lightning 158 (19.4 overs; L Tucker 44, H Tector 41; G Kennedy 3-30)
North West Warriors won by 1 run

Game 2: Munster Reds v Northern Knights
In the second game of the day, the Munster Reds made heavy weather of a small run-chase but secured the points with a three-wicket win over the Northern Knights.
With 10 overs gone, the Reds were 73-7 – the sun was out, the crowd was growing, and the home side sensed an upset win. But the Reds were in no mood to roll over, with Matt Ford (15*) and Hand (21*) first navigating a tricky period to stabilise the innings, and then gradually they took control saw out the run-chase without further loss of wicket with Player of the Match Hand hitting the winning runs with a six.
MATCH SUMMARY
Munster Reds v Northern Knights, Inter-Provincial Trophy, Comber, 28 May 2022
Knights 108 (18.1 overs; M Topping 27; G Delany 3-10, D Delany 3-13)
Reds 110-7 (16.2 overs; G Delany 22, F Hand 21*; J Manley 4-34)
Munster Reds won by 3 wickets

Game 1: Northern Knights v North West Warriors
In the first game of the day, home side Northern Knights fell to a seven-wicket defeat after the North West Warriors won the toss and elected to bowl first in cool but dry conditions.
MATCH SUMMARY
Northern Knights v North West Warriors, Inter-Provincial Trophy, Comber, 27 May 2022
Knights 149-8 (20 overs; R Pretorius 40, M Adair 39; G Hume 3-29)
Warriors 152-3 (16.3 overs; S Doheny 74*; J Manley 1-16)
North West Warriors won by 7 wickets

Game 2: Leinster Lightning v Munster Reds
In the second game of the day, the Munster Reds, are today sitting in top spot of both the 50-over Cup competition and now the T20 Trophy competition after a devastating display of power-hitting.
MATCH SUMMARY
Leinster Lightning v Munster Reds, Inter-Provincial Trophy, Comber, 27 May 2022
Lightning 188-6 (20 overs; T Tector 62*, S Singh 40; C Campher 3-49)
Reds 190-4 (14.4 overs; K O’Brien 64*, T Kane 62, G Delany 42; J Carty 2-13)
Munster Reds won by 6 wickets

Warriors winning warning to rivals as Trophy defence begins in earnest, but Reds' show credentials with six blitz.
Defending Inter-Provincial (T20) Trophy champions North West Warriors started their 2022 campaign with a convincing seven-wicket over their northern rivals, Northern Knights, on the first day of the first Inter-Provincial T20 Festival at North Down Cricket Club, but it was Munster Reds’ devastating assault on Leinster Lightning’s bowlers in the second game of the day that grabbed the plaudits.
This is Day One of the first of three T20 Festivals for 2022 with the weekend’s fixtures being:
27/05/2022 Northern Knights v North West Warriors (start 11am)
27/05/2022 Leinster Lightning v Munster Reds (start 3.30pm)
28/05/2022 North West Warriors v Leinster Lightning (start 11am)
28/05/2022 Munster Reds v Northern Knights (start 3.30pm)
29/05/2022 North West Warriors v Munster Reds (start 11am)
29/05/2022 Northern Knights v Leinster Lightning (start 3.30pm)

Clear Currency Irish Senior Cup and Clear Currency National Cup second round draw
Last weekend saw 50 cricket clubs around Ireland competing in the first round of the Clear Currency Irish Senior Cup and Clear Currency National Cup competitions – the action marked the return of these two much anticipated events after a two-year hiatus.
You can watch (or embed) a First Round Review here that discusses the best, worst, eye-catching and eye-watering results and performances. You can also see the first round scorecards on our match centre at: https://www.cricketireland.ie/general/match-centre-club-cup-competitions.
The first-round winners in the respective cup competitions are now joined by those clubs that received a first round bye, and the second round draw has taken place as follows:
Clear Currency Irish Senior Cup – Second Round Draw
To be played: 19 June 2022
The Hills v Cork County
Phoenix v North Down
Merrion v Clontarf
Lisburn v Donemana
CIYMS v Newbuildings
YMCA v Pembroke
Balbriggan v Instonians
Leinster v Waringstown
Clear Currency National Cup – Second Round Draw
To be played: 19 June 2022
County Kerry v Ballyspallen
Derriaghy/Ballyhaunis v Glendermott
UCC v Ballaghaderreen/County Galway
Rush v Midleton
Strabane v Railway Union
St Johnston v North County
Limerick v Cregagh
Bonds Glen v Terenure

Underdogs Munster Reds go clear at the top of the table despite sensational Adair century
After a pulsating match that saw Mark Adair strike his first List A century, the Munster Reds moved four points clear of second-place Leinster Lightning with a 19-run (DLS) win over Northern Knights at The Mardyke today – the Reds’ first win at their home ground since joining the 50-over Inter-Provincial Cup competition in 2021.
A 92-run partnership between Irish internationals Kevin O’Brien (66) and Gareth Delany (63) rescued Munster Reds from a poor start after the home side won the toss and elected to bat first. The Reds lost four early wickets, finding themselves at 38-4 in the 11th over, before O’Brien and Delany set about the recovery.
The Northern Knights’ paceman Josh Manley (3-56) was the early destroyer, removing Murray Commins (2) edging to first slip and Curtis Campher (0) cleaned up by an outswinging yorker. Knights captain Mark Adair accounted for his opposite number PJ Moor (7), trapped in front LBW, and suddenly the competition’s bottom-ranked side had the competition’s top-ranked side on the ropes.
The two sides left the field on a number of occasions with brief showers interrupting play and reducing the game to a 49-over a side affair. Such breaks may have a habit of interrupting a batter’s concentration, but O’Brien brought his attacking intent to the fore and registered his half-century from 61 balls, going on to make 66 from 75 balls (including seven fours and two sixes). While an impressive innings, O’Brien will be disappointed with his mode of dismissal – checking a lofted off drive straight to Manley at long-off from the bowling of Ben White.
At 130-5, the Reds’ innings was still looking precarious, but Gareth Delany dug in and found support from Fionn Hand (30) with a 42-run stand for the sixth wicket, following this up with a 32-run partnership with his cousin David Delany (31*). David Delany got off the mark with a sweetly-timed on-drive off Matthew Foster for four, and took the lead aggressor role during the partnership, however, when Gareth Delany was trapped LBW - giving Manley his third wicket - the Reds 204-7 in the 42nd over.
The Knights’ bowlers may have felt that a good death-overs bowling effort would have them in a good position at the innings break, but the Reds’ Liam McCarthy had other ideas. McCarthy joined David Delany in a 61-run partnership from the last 47 balls of the innings. Whilst batting in the tail for the Reds, McCarthy bats four at club level and showed his full repertoire with the bat in an unbeaten 40 from 26 balls. He struck two eye-catching maximums – both over the legside boundary – and the Reds finished their 49 overs with 265-7.
With his tail up after a solid contribution with the bat, David Delany steamed in with the new ball and soon had two wickets to his name. The two dismissals remarkably similar in nature - both Ross Adair (4) and Ruhan Pretorius (4) were beaten by the pace and movement and had their stumps knocked backwards.
James McCollum (41) and James Lawlor (14) put on 37 for the 3rd wicket, but the introduction of Campher to the bowling crease saw the end of Lawlor – edging a ball to O’Brien at first slip.
Ani Chore joined McCollum and the pair set about stabilising the innings, both batters looking increasingly confident as their respective innings’ progressed. But with the score on 96-3, it was McCollum that fell first, playing across the line from left-arm spinner Mike Frost and was caught at short third by Campher. In an almost carbon copy dismissal, Chore fell for 38 soon after to the same catcher/bowler combination and the Knights slipped to 137-5 in the 27th over.
With the game seemingly slipping away from the visiting side, Mark Adair began to counter-attack. First, he preyed upon the spin of Frost and Gareth Delany, then increasingly took the game to the Reds pace attack. The Irish all-rounder struck eight fours and six sixes in an innings of 108 from just 78 balls. His half-century came from just 35 balls, and while he was relatively becalmed for a 20-minute spell around his fifty, he once again accelerated his scoring rate and powered his way to his first List A century from just 69 balls.
Neil Rock (5), Matthew Humphreys (0) and Manley (0) came and went – to the increasing desperation of Adair – but a 24-run 9th wicket stand with Ben White (13) gave the Knights a glimmer of hope.
On 108, Adair pulled a Campher half-tracker to David Delany who took a diving outfield catch at deep square leg, and the hopes of a remarkable run-chase were extinguished with the captain’s fall.
White was bowled soon after and the Knights finished on 246 after 45.2 overs – Adair was named Player of the Match, but it was the Reds who will be the most pleased as they now sit four points clear at the top of the table.
MATCH SUMMARY
Munster Reds v Northern Knights, Inter-Provincial Cup, The Mardyke, 24 May 2022
Reds 265-7 (49 overs; K O’Brien 66, G Delany 63; J Manley 3-56)
Knights 246 (45.2 overs; M Adair 108, J McCollum 41; C Campher 3-57, M Frost 3-57)
Munster Reds won by 19 runs (DLS)

Clear Currency Irish Senior Cup and Clear Currency National Cup return
this weekend after two-year hiatus
This weekend the Clear Currency Irish Senior Cup and Clear Currency National Cup competitions return to cricket grounds all over Ireland after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Last year saw the return of the Clear Currency All-Ireland T20 Cup, but the Irish Senior Cup and National Cup competitions were last held in 2019, with Pembroke Cricket Club and Railway Union Cricket Club the respective defending champions of the two competitions.
New Match Centre
As a new feature for fans, thanks to a partnership between Cricket Ireland and NV Play we will have a livescoring match centre available to follow: https://www.cricketireland.ie/general/match-centre-club-cup-competitions
Title sponsor returns
Clear Currency will continue their sponsorship of both the Irish Senior Cup and the National Cup in 2022. They have been Cricket Ireland’s official currency exchange partner since 2017, and in 2018 became title sponsor of both the Irish Senior Cup and National Cup competitions. Clear Currency is part of Clear Treasury - an Irish owned business founded by ex-treasury bankers with offices in Dublin and London. It is a boutique treasury and risk management company bringing insight and stability to an uncertain environment. More: https://www.cleartreasury.co.uk/about
Paul Reilly, Chief Commercial Officer with Clear Currency, said:
"It's fantastic to be involved with another exciting season of Irish cricket. Best of luck to all the teams involved with the All Ireland T20 matches for men and women, plus the Irish Senior and National cup fixtures."
FIRST ROUND PREVIEWS
Clear Currency Irish Senior Cup
The Clear Currency Irish Senior Cup is now 40 years old. Beginning in 1982, it is a 50-over competition for the top-ranked clubs in their respective provincial unions. The teams compete for the much sought after Bob Kerr Trophy (named after former President and Chairman of the Irish Cricket Union who passed away at the 2007 Cricket World Cup).
Cup-holders Pembroke, along with fellow semi-finalists in 2019 (Waringstown, CIYMS and Phoenix) receive a bye into Round 2.
One of the ties of the round will take place at Clontarf, with the home side taking on CSNI at Castle Avenue. Both sides are flying high in their respective leagues and are full of highly-talented players – Clontarf features PJ Moor, David Delany and Fionn Hand, while CSNI features Stuart Thompson, Marc Ellison (current Northern Knights assistant coach) and Luke Georgeson.
Coming off the back of a superb 125 against Cork County last weekend, Harry Tector and his YMCA team-mates will host a Bready side who were recently impressive seven-wicket winners over Strabane in the Long’s SuperValu 40-Over league. It will be a big occasion for YMCA as it’s the first home game back at Claremont Road in over a year (read backstory).
Cork Harlequins will face a daunting round-trip to face Ireland international Andy McBrine’s Donemana side in the opening round. Meanwhile, Malahide, who have been struggling early in the season, will travel north and hope to pull off a victory over high-flying Lisburn. Malahide will rely on young Leinster Lightning pace bowler David O’Halloran for wickets, while Lisburn have a talented line-up with the ball that includes Northern Knights duo Josh Manley and Matthew Humphreys.
The first-round draw:
Clontarf v CSNI
YMCA v Bready
Leinster v Eglinton
Merrion v Coleraine
Lisburn v Malahide
Woodvale v Balbriggan
North Down v Brigade
Fox Lodge v The Hills
Newbuildings v Carrickfergus
Ardmore v Instonians
Cork County bye (as opponent withdrew)
Donemana v Cork Harlequins
The following clubs received first round byes: Pembroke, Waringstown, Phoenix, CIYMS
Clear Currency National Cup
The Clear Currency National Cup is a 40-over competition featuring the next-tier of clubs across all five provincial unions and is now into its 10th year. The cup-holders Railway Union and Bonds Glen have received byes into the second round (Bonds Glen drew the bye in the first-round draw after previous National Cup runners-up Ardmore moved into the Irish Senior Cup draw).
Muckamore (from County Antrim) make a 1,000km round-trip to the Oyster Oval in Kerry – possibly the longest trip of the round.
In an all-Connacht clash, Roscommon’s Ballaghaderreen will host County Galway. In their most recent outing Ballaghaderreen had a big victory over Merlin Woods, with Owais Ali scoring 154 not out, and was ably assisted by Zohaib Haneef with 94. County Galway are coming into this game on the back of three straight victories in the Leinster league, the latest of those a three-wicket win over Clontarf 3s with Khizar Mehmood taking 5-22 with the ball.
The game between Derriaghy and Ballyhaunis has been moved to the reserve date of May 29th at the request of the away side.
There are also three North West v Leinster clashes as Strabane host Civil Service, Burndennett play North County and Glendermott take on Athlone.
The first-round draw:
Rush v Saintfield
Laois v St Johnston
Knockharley v Midleton
Cliftonville Academy v Terenure
Cregagh v Killyclooney
Derriaghy v Ballyhaunis
Strabane v Civil Service
Burndennett v North County
Ballyspallen v Templepatrick
Glendermott v Athlone
Limerick v Wexford Wanderers
County Kerry v Muckamore
UCC bye (as opponent withdrew)
Ballaghaderreen v County Galway
The following clubs received first round byes: Railway Union, Bonds Glen

Dixon Rose
It is with great sadness that I have to inform you that Dixon Rose died yesterday. He was truly a Legend in Ulster and Irish sport, and was honoured in the Queen's Birthday Honours with a deserved MBE in 2008.
He was a Colossus in Irish cricket and hockey and was President in both codes. He played Interprovincial cricket for Ulster Town and also played for Ulster and Ireland hockey. He was a tireless administrator for both the NCU and Irish hockey and sat on numerous committees for both. To say he was a workaholic is an understatement as he was at the helm in many events that carved the history of his club and Irish cricket and Irish hockey. As director of Harris-Marrian Insurance he introduced sponsorship into Ulster cricket and it is a great mystery how he had the time to work at his beloved Shane Park with his brother Carson for many years. Yes, he ruffled a few feathers with his no-nonsense straight talking, but he got things done and will always be seen as an Icon in Ulster sport.
Our sincere condolences to Joan and the Rose family.
Rest in Peace, Dixon

JCH

Knights win in the rain

North West Warriors v Northern Knights, Inter-Provincial Cup, 12 May 2022
Knights 123 (44.5 overs; A Chore 48; G Hume 4-18, R Macbeth 3-29)
Warriors 61-5 (23.2 overs; A McBrine 15; R Pretorius 3-21)
Northern Knights won by 12 runs (DLS)

Knights lose to Munster at Stormont
Despite being put into bat by the Reds under cloudy skies, Knights openers Paul Stirling (35) and James McCollum (53) put on 76 for the first wicket.
The pair batted patiently early on, scoring just 22 off first eight overs, before racking up 54 off the next 38 balls before Stirling chopped on to the impressive Mike Frost.
The slow left armer bowled tidily during the middle overs, dismissing Pretorius (14) caught and bowled for 14, in claiming 2-27 from his ten overs.
Although James McCollum fell to Hand with Campher jumping full-stretch at cover to claim a difficult chance at the second attempt on the cusp of 30 overs, the Knights were well placed on 134-3. Hand (2-28), Tyrone Kane (2-55) and Campher (2-48) each claimed a couple of wickets, and at 194-7, it was Ross Adair who injected impetus into back-end of the innings. He hit six fours and an imperious six that landed on the sightscreen to finish unbeaten on 47 off 32 balls as the Knights closed their innings on 248-9.
In the end it wasn’t quite enough to get the Knights over the finish line. IP50 action continues at Bready on Tuesday, 10 May where the North West Warriors host the Knights.
MATCH SUMMARY
Northern Knights v Munster Reds, Inter-Provincial Cup, Stormont, 5 May 2022
Knights 248-9 (50 overs; J McCollum 53, R Adair 47*; M Frost 2-27
Reds 249-7 (48 overs; M Ford 71*, P Moor 48; R Pretorius 3-30
Munster Reds won by 3 wickets

New President of Cricket Ireland
David Griffin has been confirmed as the new President of Cricket Ireland following today’s Annual General Meeting, replacing Philip Black who has been President since 2020.
Player, administrator, umpire and Board Director – these are the titles that David has collected over the last 50 years within Irish cricket. Now he can proudly add: ‘Cricket Ireland President’.
David’s long and distinguished career within cricket – on and off the field – began in 1972 when attending Trinity College Dublin. He played for 12 years for Pembroke Cricket Club, becoming the Honorary Secretary of the club from 1976 to 1982.
His professional career then took him to Cork, where he joined Cork County Cricket Club in 1985 – eventually rising to captain of the 1st XI in 1989 and 1990, and playing a further decade for the club before his playing retirement after the 2000 season. Following retirement from playing, David umpired in Munster Cricket on a regular basis up to 2019.

Brian MacNeice has assumed the role of Chair of the Cricket Ireland Board following today’s Annual General Meeting, replacing Ross McCollum who has been Chair since 2012.
MacNeice was announced as Vice-Chair in 2021 and worked closely with McCollum over the last year as part of a transition process. He is currently a Managing Director at Teneo with more than 30 years’ experience in consulting across a range of industries, as well as acting as a strategic advisor to major businesses and sports organisations in Ireland and overseas. He was formerly the President of Clontarf Cricket Club, and was appointed to the Board of Cricket Ireland in 2020.

Well Ed here is my choices for Week 2 of the season following on from some good choices last weekend
LEINSTER
Following on from last weeks encounters I will say welcome back to April after 3 years away due to Covid and it could'nt have been better Balbriggan winning from the dead v YMCA, North County just holding on to win v The Hills same with Rush against Leinster and Malahide tense 1 wicket win v Phoenix. The University beating Railway might cause alarm for the Park Avenue side
Section A Senior League Cup
Merrion V YMCA - HOME WIN
Rush V Cork County - HOME WIN
Clontarf V Leinster - HOME WIN
North Kildare V Balbriggan - AWAY WIN
Section B Senior League Cup
Pembroke V Dublin University - HOME WIN
Phoenix V The Hills - HOME WIN
Terenure V Railway Union - HOME WIN
Malahide V North County - AWAY WIN
NCU AREA
Following on from last weekends openers seen both Paul Stirling and Luke Georgeson record good tons and J Gibson 6-23 and 39 with the bat and J Hunter 5-30 and 64* with the bat were candidates but Luke just gets the nod over his ton being crucial for CSNI win v Instonians
Easy choice of Player of the week in League 1 S Gordon of Muckamore 4-23 and 93 with the bat in the win v Bangor
Player of the week in League 2 is between M Burns 4-8 for Laurelvale v Dunmurray or A Gray 4-8 for Victoria v Larne credit to D Sinton 96* for Laurelvale v Dunmurray but the nod goes to A Gray as Victoria only defended 190 and won by 125 runs
Robinson Services Premier League 30th April
Cregagh v CIYMS - AWAY WIN
Lisburn v Cliftonville Academy - HOME WIN
North Down v CSNI - AWAY WIN
Waringstown v Carrickfergus - HOME WIN
Woodvale v Instonians - AWAY WIN
Robinson Services League 1 30th April
Derriaghy v Bangor - HOME WIN
Lurgan v Donacloney Mill - HOME WIN
Muckamore v Ballymena - HOME WIN
Saintfield v Armagh - AWAY WIN
Templepatrick v Dundrum - AWAY WIN
Robinson Services League 2 30th April
Ards & Donaghadee v Holywood - AWAY WIN
BISC v Monaghan - HOME WIN
Downpatrick v Cooke Collegians - AWAY WIN
Drumaness Superkings v Larne - HOME WIN
Dunmurry v Belfast - HOME WIN
Victoria v Laurelvale - HAS BEEN POSTPONED
NWCU AREA
50 Over Cricket season starts here following on from last weeks T20 action after Ryan Curry 7-14 bowling and 37 in Bonds Glen win making him my NWCU Player of the Week, T20s will be now played on Friday nights like in the NCU area
Group A
Ardmore v Brigade - HOME WIN
Bonds Glen v St Johnston - HOME WIN
Bready v Strabane - HOME WIN
Glendermott v Fox Lodge - HOME WIN
Group B
Killyclooney v Eglinton - AWAY WIN
Burndennett v Ballyspallen - HOME WIN
Newbuildings v Coleraine - HOME WIN
BYE for Donemana

Well Ed here it goes the tipping is back and normally the opening weekend is the one I look forward to but with the Irish Senior and National Cups back that is the one now after 2 year absence and I will start by the following
PS Ed who are you tipping this year and dark horses and relegation candidates
LCU REGION
League Cup A 23rd April
Balbriggan v YMCA - HOME WIN
Clontarf v Cork County - HOME WIN
Rush v Leinster - AWAY WIN
Merrion v North Kildare - HOME WIN
League Cup B 23rd April
Pembroke v Terenure - HOME WIN
Malahide v Phoenix - AWAY WIN
North County v The Hills - HOME WIN
Dublin Uni v Railway Union - AWAY WIN
This is a new comp in Leinster with numbers 1 & 2 playing in Semi Finals and Final. The League proper starts on Monday 06 June Bank Holiday in the Republic
Interesting umpire appointment with Albert van der Merwe a former Ireland player standing in Malahide v Pheonix at the Village
NCU REGION
Robinson Services Premier League 23rd April
CSNI v Instonians - HOME WIN
Cliftonville Aca v North Down - AWAY WIN
Carrickfergus v Cregagh - HOME WIN
CIYMS v Lisburn - HOME WIN
Waringstown v Woodvale - HOME WIN
Waringstown, CSNI, North Down top 3 in my opinion with Cliftonville Aca and Cregagh cannon fodder, Woodvale should have enough whilst others placing 4-7
Robinson Services League 1 23rd April
Armagh v Derriaghy - AWAY WIN
Bangor v Muckamore - AWAY WIN
Dundrum v Lurgan - AWAY WIN
Donacloney Mill v Saintfield - AWAY WIN
Muckamore should win here but Lurgan and Bangor could run them close whilst Saintfield, Templepatrick, Ballymena and Donacloney Mill battling out relegation

Robinson Services League 2 23rd April
Belfast v Downpatrick* - AWAY WIN
Cooke Coll v Ards & Donaghadee - HOME WIN
Holywood v BISC - AWAY WIN
Larne v Victoria - AWAY WIN
Laurelvale v Dunmurry - HOME WIN
Monaghan v Drumaness S'kings - AWAY WIN
Women's Premier League 26th April
Muckamore v CSNI - AWAY WIN
North Down v Lurgan - AWAY WIN
My order is as follows CSNI, Lurgan, North Down, Waringstown and Muckamore. CSNI are the side at the minute but if Lurgan could find a good run could pressure them but the others are no where near
NWCU REGION
T20 Cup Group A 23rd April
Brigade v Burndennett - HOME WIN
Fox Lodge v Killyclooney - HOME WIN
T20 Cup Group B 23rd April
Donemana v Glendermott - HOME WIN
Strabane v St Johnston - HOME WIN
T20 Cup Group C 23rd April
Donemana v Glendermott - HOME WIN
T20 Cup Group D 23rd April
Ballyspallen v Coleraine - AWAY WIN
Bready v Ardmore - HOME WIN
League proper starts next weekend