March-April News

Matches Called Off  

You would know the cricket season is here when the rain comes. Both matches scheduled for this weekend have fallen foul to the weather. There will still be a "Decades Disco Night" with fancy dress, plenty of prizes and a late bar this Saturday. All welcome!

Season Due To Start This Saturday

The 2009 season kicks off this Saturday with the 1sts and 3rds due to host Drumaness and Saintfield respectively weather permitting of course. Both games will get under way at 1pm which sees Charu Kulkarni captain Armagh for the first time. This Saturday evening in the Pavilion the Ladies Team are running a “Decades Night Disco” with fancy dress, plenty of prizes and a late bar after the first match of the season. The following Thursday night the 30th April, there is a quiz in the Pavilion Bar, with all members and teams welcome to enter to take on quiz-mistress Andrea Hamilton. Both events start at 8pm and all support is appreciated.

Season Preview

     Armagh start off the 2009 season in the third tier of the Northern Cricket Union for the first time since the early seventies, but still look to go into the campaign with plenty of optimism as they seek to erase the painful memories of their relegation last September. With Armagh Cricket Club celebrating its landmark 150th Anniversary in the 2009 summer, the players are anxious to ensure that the progress on the pitch isn’t overshadowed by the events off it.  

     As well as the historic Anniversary, Armagh are making a change from tradition in appointing their overseas player to be team captain, with the returning Charudatta Kulkarni taking over the reins from Andrew Bratten. The affable pace bowling all-rounder from Pune in India returns to the Mall in 2009 after making a decent impact after his late arrival after the mess following the departure of PT Shahane. However, arriving in Northern Ireland in the week leading up to the first scheduled match should give Charu an opportunity to get together with the team and let them know what he expects this term. Charudatta arrives in the province this Wednesday.  

     In the period before his arrival, Charu has appointed wicketkeeper Gareth McCarter as the vice-captain for the 2009 season, and he has been busy co-ordinating the practice which has been ongoing at the Royal School since late January. “I would imagine we were probably practising before most of the Premier League teams” admitted Gareth; “but the feeling with the players was that we wanted to try and get the 2008 season out of the system and get back to things as early as possible. Turnout has been decent despite the odd Champions League night getting in the way, but by on large the team has committed itself well and we will need plenty of that kind of effort throughout this big year. Plenty of players didn’t have a great season last year and will be looking to put that right in 2009 with lots of runs or wickets and hopefully in my case catches and stumpings”  

     By on large the Armagh squad should be quite similar to previous seasons with a clear emphasis on getting young players into the teams throughout the club, mixed with a few more experienced older heads. Mark Elliott and Joe Thornbury have moved on to Downpatrick and Waringstown respectively and both are thanked for their great service to Armagh Cricket in recent years and will always be more than welcome to return in the future. To balance that, a couple of players are returning in 2009 to bolster the first team squad. Seamus Crowe returns from Dungannon and should play an important part in the middle order while Harry Doyle is back after a couple of years at Waringstown. The younger of the Doyle brothers is an improving batsman and a speedy left arm bowler who should link up well with Kulkarni to take the new ball. Members will hopefully be delighted to see two talented and popular players returning to play at the Mall.  

     The rest of the side should be the same as last year with Colin Russell, Michael Villiers, Philip Doyle and Lloyd Hamilton all hoping to score plenty of runs while Mark Stinson, Alan Whitcroft and Harry Boyd should offer good bowling support to Kulkarni and Doyle. Add that to the all-round contributions that Andrew Bratten, Gareth McCarter and David Bullick can offer and Armagh should be set up to have a good season. The opening fixture sees Armagh hosting Drumaness this Saturday on the Mall with a scheduled 1pm start.  

     The rebranded Section Two sees Armagh face some unfamiliar opponents that will undoubtedly provide a very stern challenge to any aspirations of promotion. Saintfield will be favourites for the league, but Academy, Templepatrick and Larne will pose tough tests. Add some fairly unknown quantities in Cregagh, Drumaness and Belfast International plus the local contenders from Portadown and Donacloney makes any route back towards the second tier one that will be anything but easy. “We have to use relegation as a positive thing” admitted Kulkarni. “Staying up when we weren’t good enough for it wouldn’t have helped the team, but hopefully in 2009 the club can regroup, play some good cricket and see where that takes us. We have plenty of ability in our team and if we can mix that with a bit of discipline and confidence then we will be competitive.”  

     The second eleven will hope to be slightly more competitive in 2009 after a season when they were hindered more by the elements than by any opposition. William Carberry takes over the captaincy in 2009 and will hope to lead by example in a tough league section. He will see Paul Scowcroft and young star Matthew Steenson as his main batsmen while a bowling attack of Simon Cardwell and Reg Stinson will surely strike fear around the rest of that division.  

     The third eleven were another team that had a tough time of it in 2008, with their relegation from the top level of third team cricket coming from a lack of luck rather than a lack of skills or effort. Paul Wilson continues the captaincy and will hope that the experiences gained from last season will stand his players in a good stead. Paul McCord and David Nicholson will hopefully be reliable sources of runs while a young bowling attack should prosper after some hard lessons last season.  

     The fourth eleven were arguably the success story at the club last summer with an entertaining campaign that only lost out on league success in late September as they were pipped at the post, much to the anguish of Club President and Team Mentor George W. Breakey. However, promotion was gained and they will face off against the thirds in two games that are sure to be memorable spectacles, in the selection room as well as on the field! Keith Wilson will captain the side in 2009, ably assisted by leading batsman Ryan McCarter and the evergreen seam bowler Arnold Courtney.  

     The Armagh Youth Academy continues to flourish under George Breakey, Gareth McCarter and Paul Wilson with great success last season for the under 15, under 13 and under 11 teams with league section victories over all of the local rivals, some thrilling matches and some hot prospects for the future of the Club. If you, a family member or a friend are interested in taking part in junior cricket at Armagh, everyone is more than welcome to join in with qualified coaches helping to ensure that children enjoy learning the game in a fun and safe environment.

     Cricket in Armagh isn’t just for boys either, as Armagh Ladies CC hope to continue with their small steps into the game after their first practices in the summer of 2008. As well and practising and looking to play some matches later in the season, the girls play a vital part in the social aspects of the club and again everyone is more than welcome to get involved. If you want to give cricket a go, contact Natalie Wilson on 07912564310 for more information. Five of the girls group are undertaking the Belfast Marathon this Mayday and are running a number of fundraising events to support the Armagh Cricket Club 150th Anniversary Fund which benefits the Wooden Spoon. This Saturday evening in the Pavilion they are running a “Decades Night Disco” with fancy dress, plenty of prizes and a late bar after the first match of the season. The following Thursday night the 30th April, there is a quiz in the Pavilion Bar, with all members and teams welcome to enter to take on quiz-mistress Andrea Hamilton. Both events start at 8pm and all support is appreciated.

Clean Up Morning

With the new season just around the corner, a lot of work needs done around the club including a clean out, score house, changing rooms and showers etc all ready for the new season. All help is welcome so if you have spare time be at the club on Saturday 11th April at 11am for a few hours work.

150th Anniversary Preview

With the season just around the corner the 150th Committee have been working hard planning the events for this remarkable occasion. Gareth McCarter has complied a preview which will be appearing in the local papers this week. The preview consists of the dates and events which have been planned which asks members past and present to get involved and contribute as much as they can. The preview can been found under the 150th Anniversary page. 

Armagh Teams Up With Lion Sports

As you can see there is a new banner displayed at the bottom of the homepage on the site. For everyone who clicks on the link and then purchases new gear off Lion Sports the club will get 5% commission back which will be used for various stuff including cricket balls for the new season. Why not purchase the new Ireland Cricket Top which will be available shortly. Any questions just email the webmaster.