Forum

Mark

If Donaghacloney were to be relegated two divisions to merge with Millpark then the merger would not have taken place. Why would Donaghacloney members vote for it?

In that circumstance there is a very good chance Millpark would fold in the near future. Is that what you want?

The new club offers members of both previous clubs an opportunity for a new beginning, more players, adminisrators and sponsors not to mention a second ground too and both very picturesque.

I have no doubt that Donaghacloney, and probably Millpark, sought assurances from the NCU before any merger took place regarding the league position.

Plus there is precedent too. Im pretty sure that Cooke Collegians did not start at the bottom again when their respective clubs merged some years ago.

No matter what way you argue it, or what the rules may or may not say, this is a sensible decision by the NCU and in the best interests of cricket.

Its Armistice day this Friday, when we pay respect and remember the legions of courageous men & women who served their country so heroically in the face of grave adversity. Tragically, many paid the ultimate sacrifice never to return home to families and loved ones, yet, it's down to these selfless, brave souls that we today enjoy our freedom. A fact that must never be forgotten or taken for granted!

So with this in mind, I thought it rather fitting, even somewhat ironic that only now, I should stumble upon this quite extraordinary and brilliant poem by Sir Henry Newbolt 1862-1938...

They should make the sport of CRICKET a compulsory subject in every school throughout the land !

Vitaï Lampada

There's a breathless hush in the Close to-night —
Ten to make and the match to win —
A bumping pitch and a blinding light,
An hour to play, and the last man in.
And it's not for the sake of a ribboned coat,
Or the selfish hope of a season's fame,
But his Captain's hand on his shoulder smote —
"Play up! play up! and play the game!"

The sand of the desert is sodden red —
Red with the wreck of a square that broke;
The Gatling's jammed and the Colonel dead,
And the Regiment blind with dust and smoke.
The river of death has brimmed his banks,
And England's far, and Honour a name,
But the voice of a schoolboy rallies the ranks —
"Play up! play up! and play the game!"

This is the word that year by year,
While in her place the School is set,
Every one of her sons must hear,
And none that hears it dare forget.
This they all with a joyful mind
Bear through life like a torch in flame,
And falling fling to the host behind —
"Play up! play up! and play the game!"

( Vitaï Lampada is Latin for 'torch of life ' )

Following my recent posting, it was interesting to listen on 5live about the University of Portsmouth research results that 50%?of umpires surveyed report abuse and 40% were considering packing it in.

Does anyone know when the league structures for 2017 will actually be confirmed?

*im sure there is an NCU meeting and its all detailed on their website but i much prefer coming on here to read the real views and opinions from people actually playing ha

Donaghcloney and Millpark Merger
Following the recent merger between Donaghcloney and Millpark an application for affiliation to the Union from Donaghcloney Mill was approved.
The Board confirmed that the new club would take Donaghcloney’s place in Senior League 1 and wished it well.
Bryan Milford
General Secretary

I hear what you're saying Andy, but I doubt those in the corridors of power will be ?

Reminds me of the Maze project debacle some years ago, and all that valuable real estate the Government were very keen to ' give away ' along with a serious pot of money if any of the main local sporting organisations were willing to compromise and share it, but they weren't interested, so, not wishing to see a golden opportunity go begging, I implored that representatives from cricket Ireland should immediately get themselves down to the 'big house' and put up a genuine case for it to used as an International cricket venue, and build a world class stadium that could accommodate the very best that cricket has to offer in terms of ODI 's, T20 ' test cricket etc. But alas, no one listened and who got it in the end ?

The farmers !

Quote...
Donaghcloney and Millpark Merger
Following the recent merger between Donaghcloney and Millpark an application for affiliation to the Union from Donaghcloney Mill was approved.
The Board confirmed that the new club would take Donaghcloney’s place in Senior League 1 and wished it well.
Bryan Milford
General Secretary

Quote...
Donaghcloney and Millpark Merger
Following the recent merger between Donaghcloney and Millpark an application for affiliation to the Union from Donaghcloney Mill was approved.
The Board confirmed that the new club would take Donaghcloney’s place in Senior League 1 and wished it well.
Bryan Milford
General Secretary

recent Press coverage indicates that rugby in Ulster is in line for a £20 million windfall from the Assembly. Who is in there bidding for cricket for extra funding?

David Mack

Mark is the man for the job !
He seems to have a lot of time on his hands

( that's a joke Mark )

Mark

Think of it as a renaming of a club - Donacloney will become Donacloney Mill and Millpark withdraw from the NCU. Their players transfer through the normal routes to Donacloney Mill and hence the renamed club stay in Section 1. Does that satisfy you?

Interesting comments on the DRS. Perhaps the message will get through to a few -and a very few - local cricketers who whinge and gurn about decisions. I'm not talking about the open dissent but the huffing and 'teapot ting' that goes on when calls are not to their liking. Not to mention the mind set that some people have that because 'we're not a big club we get the wrong end of the stick'. I know that the number of disciplinary referrals was down in 2016 but but I would suggest that most of my umpiring colleagues would report an increase in 'moaning'. My contention is that, like the top umpires whose decisions are in the majority of referrals confirmed by DRS reviews as correct, we get it right most of the time. Then again it could be argued that we are never wrong because the scorebook shows the end result!! Just expressing my personal view!

Re: Previous message.

Contact number should be 07583 334977

Derriaghy CC are looking to appoint a part time groundsman for 2017 season. Anyone who may be interested in the position should contact club chairman David Mack at davidmack42@btinternet.com or on 07853 334977 for more details on the position. It is possible that someone with limited availability of hours could be employed to look after the square only.

My last word on this:

My opinion is that a new club whether it be through a merger ( DonacloneyMill CC ) , reintroduction of a club ( Portadown / clogher / drumaness etc ) or a start up ( Maghrefelt CC - fictional club) should always enter a league at the bottom...I do not believe past performances / facilities etc should come into it.

It is unfair of the current teams within the leagues who have struggled through and survived and then to see that they are leapfrogged in the pecking order so to speak by a new club. - and yes this merger has created a new club which will have a new club badge , new committee members etc

Jim, I did say in one of my last posts that possible the NCU might have had some input in regards to playing position as the assumption is that they are playing in section 1 next year