NEWSLETTER DECEMBER 2015Club Web Site www.armaghcricketclub.co.uk

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Dear Member.

As you are aware The City of Armagh Cricket Club was founded in 1859, one hundred and fifty six years ago. The Mall has always been its home, the Club goes from strength to strength.

The 2015 SeasonThis was the Clubs most successful season in its long history.The three senior teams played 59 games losing only 4.

The Team Captains were:1st X1 Matthew Steenson2nd X1 Andrew Walbran3rd X1 and Midweek Captain Keith Wilson.Ladies: Lauren BreakeyCongratulations to all the Teams for their great performances

Achievements in 2015The 1st X1 won Section 2 and were promoted to Section 1, just one step from playing Premier League cricket. They also won the Goldblatt McGuigan Junior Cup and the Metal Technology Twenty 20 Shield.

The 2nd X1 won their Section and were finalists in the Minor Cup.The 3rd X1 gained promotion and were finalists in the Minor Qualifying Cup.The Mid Week X1 won both the Mid Week League and the Cup.

Armagh Cricket ClubThe Pavilion

35 Mall WestArmagh

BT61 9AJ

Cricket Ireland - Club of the Year Sponsored by TildenetArmagh was nominated for Club of the Year whilst not coming first we did make it into the last 5. Three of the selected Clubs were from the Dublin area, Armagh and our neighbours Waringstown from Northern Ireland, Waringstown were the winners.

The Mid Week Team

1st X1 Team that won the Junior Cup

Michael Hoey

Norman Graham the proud President of Armagh Cricket Club admires the magnificent Junior Cup,never before won by Armagh but won by Milford in 1926.Norman played his first Senior match for Armagh with his late brother Jim in 1955 ,60 years ago.Norman was Club captain in 1961 /1963.Norman is pleased to be able now to help with the Club administration and takes a special interest in making sure the Mall is in perfect for the matches.

2015 Statistics

Player Review 2015

Colin Russell 1998 - 2015 and onwardsColin first played for Armagh in 1998 after a successful career in soccer. Colin has joined an elite band of Armagh batsmen who have scored over 5000 runs. This achievement has taken 198 innings; it includes 4 centuries and 32 fours. We hope Colin continues to score many more runs in the years to come.

Jamie Rogers 2015Jamie moved to Armagh from Essex, in his first year with Armagh as opening batsman he topped the batting averages. Jamie won the Senior Batting Award for 2015 He is an accomplished stylish batsman and a good Club man. Best wishes for 2016 as we move up to Section 1. Here are Jamie’s thoughts on his first year with Armagh.

A new season at a new club, in a new place can always be intimidating, but this year with Armagh has been anything but. I will look back at the season past as one of my most enjoyable of my cricketing career for a number of reasons.

I have felt a big reason for enjoying the season so much is a huge credit to the club, my girlfriend, and her family for helping me adjust to life in Armagh. It was certainly a big change to previous, but I now feel as though I can now call Armagh home. After frequenting a few watering holes and sampling the local “culture” I can certainly see why their is a great camaraderie around the team, and why their is a great buzz around the club at current times. The club has welcomed me with open arms, from George and Norman at the first training session in mid February to sharing “a couple of pints” with the team after the Junior Cup win. To come into a club which is like one big family is a great environment for any new player, and something that I didn’t see with any other clubs we played this year, and makes me realise how lucky I was to end up in Armagh. It is great to be involved in a team with players I can now call friends off the pitch, and the friendships I have made this season will be everlasting. In terms of the cricket, I couldn’t of asked for a better first season. The standard we have played and played against has been varied at times, and we certainly won’t be “Sunday team of the year” for a variety of reasons, but it has been safe to say Armagh Cricket Club has a lot of talent and I felt we deserved to win division 2 comfortably. To beat sides such as Saintfield, Drumaness and to do the double over Hollywood and “the Vale” shows the strength of Armagh cricket, while speaking to some of the more senior guys at the club to win the Junior Cup was an unbelievable achievement and a day I would consider my most satisfying ever on a cricket pitch.

I was well informed of the talent within the team prior to starting from Gary Bell and this was confirmed after I was cleaned up by Andrew Smyth in my first training session, which convinced me that one he must be bowling from 15 yards and secondly that i was horribly out of nick, however when he did it again I knew Armagh had a tidy enough opening bowler. The team has got talent from top to bottom and to have 4 guys with over 20 wickets and another 4 with over 400 runs, shows you this club is not a one man band.

On a personal note it has been great to contribute to the success of the team, and to end up as top scorer was a great personal achievement. A lot of this success I owe to other members of the team, such as Harry Doyle and Colin Russell, both of whom have helped me settle in on and off the field, while it helps to have a guy down the other end who can “deadbat” any bowler in the league. A big thank you has to also go to the skipper Matthew Steenson who to achieve the treble in his first season as captain, is something I don’t think will ever be achieved again in the clubs history, while his bowling exploits later in the season have shown he can be considered one of Armagh’s great all rounders alongside Reggie Stinson, David Bullock and Stuart Lester. Lastly I would like to thank all the teams and all the members for contributing to a great season for Armagh cricket, and to helping me settle in to this great place. Merry Christmas and let’s make sure we do the club proud again in 2016!!

Ladies CricketArmagh Ladies cricket continues to grow in popularity. Our Ladies captained by Lauren Breakey played the NCU premier league which had 5 teams. Our Ladies finished third in the League. Well done.

Cricket Club Darts TeamOur club darts team play each Friday night in the City Centre Darts League from October to April. Under the leadership of brothers Brian and Ally McMahon they accumulate excellent revenue for the club in the winter months. They also run three memorial darts competitions over the course of the darts season. The Andy Law Memorial (January), the Freddie Williamson Memorial (March) and the Geoff Clarke Memorial (November). The club are delighted to have their continued support and wish them well for the future!

Awards NightOn Saturday night we held our Annual Awards and Presentation of trophies in the club rooms. The club has enjoyed an extremely successful year with the first XI winning the NCU Goldblatt and McGuigan Junior Cup, Ulster Bank Section 2 League and the Lagan Valley Steels Twenty 20 Shield.

The second XI also won NCU Junior League 5 and the Midweek League team won their competition to complete a remarkable return of five trophies in the 2015 season. The full list of individual prize winners were as follows :-

JuniorsThe Club fielded Under 11s, 13s ,15s and 17s. Our thanks to the Club coaches for ensuring the Club has a good stream of young talent for the future

The MallWe are fortunate to have one of the most picturesque grounds not only in Ireland but I believe in the World. It was beautifully maintained by our volunteer ground team who produced excellent wickets despite some inclement weather. We received many compliments from the public but also praise from visiting Umpires. Our best thanks to the Mall Trustees and the City Council for all their help.

Sponsors 2015Our best thanks to our team SponsorsSainsbury’s, Cycleology and Amber Green. We look forward to their continued support in 2016. We would also like to thank the Match Ball Sponsors, well done to Ronnie Anderson.

DonationsWe would also thank our special friends both in Armagh and a very special Armachian living in North East England for their generous donations during the year. They wish to remain anonymous, thank you.

Cricket TeasThe teams have asked me to say thank you to Eleanor Graham and her young helpers for all the cricket teas during the year.

2016 ProspectsYou will be interested to learn we have appointed a Professional for 2016. Indrajeet Kamtekar from Pune will join us during March. Kammy as he is known is a talented slow left arm spinner and exciting batsman .Kammy played Premier cricket with Carrickfergus since 2011 prior to that he played for Donaghacloney,Dunmurry and Muckamore

Our plan is that Kammy will not only turn out for the 1st X1 and Coach all our Teams but during the week he will coach many of the local Schools. Discussions have taken place with many of the Schools; they are looking forward to using his talents.Armagh had professionals from 1982, the last one was in 2009

Cup Draws for 20161st X1 AJG Challenge Preliminary Round v Saintfield [A] 30TH April Irish National Cup – Round1 v Terenure [H] 7th May2nd X1 Lindsey Minor Cup—Round 1 vAcademy 3rdX13rd X1 Lindsey Minor Cuo –Round 2 vVictoria 2ndX1

Yes our 2nds and 3rds are both in the Lindsey Minor Cup. They could only meet in the Final. Interesting !!!

Funding Our thanks to all the local companies for their support in helping us fund our professional. As in past years we plan to promote local businesses by displaying their logos on the Mall railings during the matches. Please see attached proposal should you wish to join in this scheme.Members, Families and Players. You can help.

Buying On LineMany of us now shop On Line, see details of a no cost scheme which contributes to your Club.

On Line Club ShopArmagh have recently signed a commitment with All-Rounder Cricket Equipment which is based at the famous Headingley Cricket Ground in Leeds.It will supply playing wear and Sportswear for the 2016 season. This will help give Armagh a professional image on and off the field with Armagh wearing the same Adidas team wear as the England International Players. The link is http://www.allroundercricket.com/teamwear/cricket-teamwear/a/armaghcc

LotteryAs you may know the Club runs a weekly Lottery and has done for for the last 25 years. Tickets cost £1.00, the draw is made in the Bar on Saturday evenings. As at Saturday 12th December the fund total is £3600.00.The Club adds in £20 .00 per week. Three numbers wins £10.00 however it takes four numbers to win the Jackpot.

Enclosed is a letter and prepayment form asking Members and their friends to subscribe to the weekly lottery draw by either setting up a Standing order or simply paying an amount in advance, this will fund your weekly draw.

Pavilion FacilitiesOur family orientated Cricket club is an ideal venue and location for all occasions. Should it be a birthday party, christening, wedding anniversary, seminar, business away day or in fact ANY family celebration we are always available and have the amenities to suit everyone.

Already we have two weddings planned for early 2016, one on site and one off site.• MembersandNonMembersarebothwelcometousethepavilion• FreeuseofFunctionHallwhenbarisopen• Entertainmentcanbeprovidedoryoucanbringyourown• LateLicencescanbeorganisedandoncertainoccasionsthroughouttheyeardrinks promotions will be available• Facilitiestokeepfoodhotorcoldorprovideyourownoutsidecaterers• BBQareaandlotsofspaceforchildren,bouncycastlesormarquees• Averypopularlocationforcharityfunctions.• PLUSWEHAVETHEBIGGESTANDMOSTPICTURESQUEBACKGARDENIN ARMAGH i.e. THE MALL!!!• ForbookingsorgeneralenquiriespleasecontactKeithWilsonon07787115160orat kwlbw@hotmail.com

Christmas and New Year in the PavilionThe club will be open on Christmas Eve from 3.00pm until 11.30pm. This evening has become extremely popular in recent years with many of the current players, ex players and those living overseas who return to Armagh for Christmas. Dress attire as always is Christmas Jumpers. From 8.30pm until 9.30pm there will be a happy hour, some nibbles and also a free jukebox to put everyone in the Christmas Spirit.

One of the longest standing of traditions is our Annual Christmas draw on Christmas morning. For around 40 years the draw has been performed at 12 noon on the 25th December. Tickets as always are on sale from the bar or any committee member and are priced at only £1.00. Last year we had over 60 prizes and it is always something that everyone looks forward to each December. So please do not hesitate to buy some tickets or contact Keith if you wish to sell some to your family and friends. The premises will be open from 10.30am until 1.30pm with last orders at 1.00pm.

The club is also open on Boxing night from 7.00pm and in recent years has also proved to be a busy night with members and guests alike who enjoy to socialise after the Christmas rush. The club will be open on New Years Eve as well from 7.00pm, however no functions are planned.

The bar team would like to take this opportunity to wish all our customers a very happy Christmas and a prosperous 2016 and also to say a big “THANK YOU” for your continued support. We hope

to see many of you over the festive season and also in the weeks and months ahead.