It’s close of play for Drumaness cricket

It’s close of play for Drumaness cricket

20 April 2016

DRUMANESS Cricket Club have pulled the stumps on their season before a ball has been bowled in anger.

The proud village club, which has been in existence for nearly 90 years, has withdrawn from the NCU’s Section 2 because they are unable to field a team.

Drumaness were to have opened their league campaign at home to Cliftonville next Saturday, April 30.

The club has received many offers of support from various organisations, including the NCU, but a statement released on the club’s Facebook page confirmed that the only course of action open to them was to withdraw from the league.

“Drumaness Cricket Club have withdrawn from the NCU and competitive cricket. This is due to a number of reasons and naturally there is huge disappointment that this decision had to be made,” the statement said.

“However the club would like to thank its supporters, sponsors, past and present players for the effort put in over a number of years. The club have enjoyed playing competitively against many clubs in the NCU and wish them well for their upcoming season and the future.”

The irony and finality of it all wasn’t lost on club secretary Brendan Gelston who has been with the club for 44 years and still played on the odd occasion.

“It is definitely the end of an era and a desperately sad day for the club,” he told the Recorder last night.

“We tried everything to stay afloat, but we just haven’t the playing numbers available to turn out every week.

“Some players have moved on to other clubs and others are tied up with work commitments. We felt that it was time to call it a day.”

Gelston was hopeful the club may rise again, but stressed that the future lay in attracting a major influx of young players. 

“Getting young ones to commit to giving up eight hours on a Saturday and Sunday almost every week was getting harder and harder,” he continued.

“We tried getting local schools involved in the game, but there are just too many sports available to kids nowadays and cricket just doesn’t appeal to them.

“Evert club needs a feeder section and we don’t have that. The NCU joined with us in trying hard to get young people from the area involved in the sport, but when the interest isn’t there, there is not a lot you can do about it.

“We have had many great days at Drumaness, none more so than when winning the Junior Cup back in 1952 and 1988 and also taking part in the coveted Senior Cup, but I am afraid those days have gone.”

He added: “My hope is that we will return one day, perhaps at a lower level, but the game has to become attractive to young people who don’t want to give up so much time on their weekends.

“We have always enjoyed the support of everyone in Drumaness and surrounding area, the local council and businesses and I would like to thank them all for their support and encouragement over the years.

“Although things don’t look good at the minute, I still fervently hope that we will return.”