Limavady secure home draw in Irish Cup
Thursday, 6 November 2008
LIMAVADY have been handed a home draw in the second round of next season's Bob Kerr Irish Senior Cup.
The local side will host CYM on May 9, 2009.
Last season, the Roesiders defeated the much fancied Railway Union and North Down on their way to a semi-final loss against Merrion in Dublin.
Speaking to the Northern Constitution this morning, Limavady Chairman Johnnie Hunter said: "At this stage it seems like a long time between now and the new season, so all you can hope for is a home draw. Fortunately for us, we've got that. The Bob Kerr Cup is a special competition as it brings the best teams from the NCU and the Leinster Union into the mix and it's always good to test yourself against the top players in the country."
In the other fixtures involving sides from the North West, Killymallaght will host Pembroke in the first round. In round two, Donemana travel to Malahide, Glendermott make the trip to Railway Union, CIYMS welcome Eglinton, Lisburn take on newcomers Coleraine, Bready lock horns with Warringstown and Fox Lodge visit Leinster. Strabane will face the winners of the first round fixture between Cork County and YMCA.
Speaking at the draw, Bob Kerr's wife Hope said: " I am very pleased to be involved in this competition for the third successive year. Bob worked tirelessly to promote the all-Ireland dimension of cricket and saw this competition as important in the continuation of good relationships between clubs north and south.
“I welcome the opportunity to help to continue that spirit in Irish cricket and I welcome in particular the fact that this year, for the first time for several years, two teams from Munster are being entered. I wish all the teams well."
Meanwhile, the NWCU held it's AGM at Eglinton Cricket Club last Thursday evening.
Fixture Secretary Robin Glenn gave his last report to an appreciative audience and informed delegates that Coleraine were to enter a third team to the league in 2009, and Charlie McElwee provided a detailed grounds report and advised that the inspection committee would work with several clubs to help them get required work done in time for next spring. Brian Doherty gave an in-depth round up of the region's coaching campaign whilst Gavin Craig spoke about the Development progress.
The election of officers resulted in little change to the top table, President (Alan Montgomery), Chairman (Joe Doherty), vice Chairman (John Pierce) and Secretary/ Treasurer (Jim Lindsay) all returned unopposed. Charlie and Mary McElwee were proposed to replace Robin in the Fixture/ Appointments secretary roles and were also elected unopposed. There were several slight changes to the various committees, notably Eglinton's Brian Allen and Creevedonnell's Brian Dougherty replacing Lexie Miller and Sam McConnell on the protest and appeals and Davy Watson joining the grounds committee.
There was also plenty of discussion around the various proposed rule changes and two notable amendments that found approval were in relation to scorers and scorecards. A proposal from the Umpires Association that games in Divisions 1 and 2 must have scorers from both clubs in place before they start received the necessary two thirds majority. The amendment now means that any club without a scorer has to nominate a player who will then be unable to field during the game.
