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10th November 2019

🏏 Paying Our Respects

16th October 2019

🏏 Premier League Grounds

Armagh Cricket Club were delighted to receive recent confirmation from the Northern Cricket Union that the Mall has again received a Premier League rating for the 2020 season. Despite the difficult weather conditions through the 2019 campaign the hard-working voluntary grounds team on the Mall were able to present the pitches to the highest possible standard. The Cricket Club committee wishes to record its thanks to the expertise and dedication of all of the helpers who help maintain the Mall as one of the finest places to play across the Northern Cricket Union, a sentiment regularly expressed by our visitors. The Armagh Cricket Club groundsteam are Norman Graham, Ian Mitchell, Kenny Gordon, Allenby Burgess, David Courtney and Eric Davidson.

The club are always on the lookout for willing and able volunteers to assist on the Mall. Please get in touch if you feel you have the time and capability to join in this hugely enjoyable and rewarding activity.

5th August 2019

🏏

A return of a legend to the Mall this evening, always great to see our former pro Basharrat Ullah back in Northern Ireland and looking fit and well!

13th July 2019

🏏 1st XI

A welcome win for the first XI at home to Downpatrick.

DCC 127 all out - R.Smyth 57. H.Doyle 3-28 R.Karanjkar 3-31.
Armaghc CC - R.Karanjkar 33. M.Steenson 23 N.Gelston 21.
Armagh win by four wickets

7th July 2019

🏏

They say miracles don’t happen in sport but we might have seen one on the Mall today. The 2nd XI were 26-5 chasing Derriaghys 150 and won the game off the last ball thanks to a sensational six from Ben Mackey. Harry Boyd with an unbeaten 79 also played his part!

On the back pitch, a spirited effort from the 3rd XI was not enough to overcome a strong Instonians 3rd XI who progressed in the Lindsay Minor Cup by 8 wickets.

28th June 2019

🏏😡😡😡

At the end of another glorious day on the Mall it’s so disappointing to report yet another case of disgusting vandalism against our club. The artificial wicket has been maliciously burnt by a group of local youths. The PSNI have been notified and we wait to see what they will come back to us with.

23rd June 2019

🏏

A major stats milestone from yesterday’s brilliant win against Ballymena was that Colly Russell became just the 9th Armagh player in history to make 250 senior appearances. Some achievement!

11th June 2019

🏏

The Armagh Under 13’s that defeated Donaghcloney by 7 wickets this evening. Sam Mason led the way taking four wickets with 2 for Ollie O’Neill and one each for Matthew Wilson Aaron Scott and Archie Johnson as Donaghcloney posted 46-9. Armagh easily passed their total as Aaron Scott plundered 20 not out.

29th May 2019

🏏

Super Samuel Wilson in control in the middle from Sunday’s game against Cregagh…

16th May 2019

🏏 U13s

Armagh CC under 13s that defeated North Down by 2 runs on the mall tonight.

4th May 2019

🏏

First home game of the season as Armagh 2nd X1 host Downpatrick 2nd X1. Match will commence at 1.00pm

23rd April 2019

🏏 IDIOTS

Incredibly disappointing scenes on the Mall this morning where our volunteer groundstaff were met with mindless vandalism on the back pitch and artificial. Numerous broken bottles not only represent a danger to our players of all ages but to all the local families and their pets that use the Mall. Our advertising banners and nets have also been burnt in areas too as well as the usual use of the covers as a climbing frame / trampoline.

No-one benefits from this type of anti-social behaviour and while it is thankfully rare, these incidents are happening more frequently. Please help us in our work to make the Mall the stunning setting that it can be.

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11th December 2016

🏏 Armagh 1st XI 2017 fixtures released

Armagh Firsts will start the 2017 season with a trip to Derriaghy on 29th April

The first home fixture will be against Academy on 6th May

The final league fixture is scheduled for 9th September with a game against Donaghcloney Mill on The Mall

4th December 2016

🏏 Congratulations

Special Congratulations to our current Vice President and long serving former President George W Breakey and his wife Stephanie on celebrating their 40th Wedding anniversary today. Last night they had a special party in the clubrooms attended by many family and friends which was organised by their daughters Donna, Claire and Lauren and son Adam. George, as you will know, has been an inspiration on and off the pitch for decades to many people having captained the seconds, thirds and fourths at various times. Since his illness 10 years ago he has diverted his attentions to managing the youth cricket teams and carrying out the duties of President for a record number of years in the post war era. We hope you both had a good night and wish you many many years of future happiness.

4th October 2016

🏏 Looking back on a successful year

Armagh CC made a successful mid-table return to Ulster Bank Section 1 Cricket in 2016, following up their imperious 2015 treble winning season and building on that success with the club's highest league finish in over a decade.

Central to Armagh's season was undoubtedly the addition of Indrajeet Kamtekar. The popular Indian all-rounder requires little introduction amongst NCU circles and did not disappoint in Armagh, leading the club batting with 727 runs at an impressive average of 51.9 with his best contribution being 118 in Armagh’s 352-6 at home to Bangor which was the first time in history an Armagh XI had passed 350.

Other significant contributions were scored at home to Woodvale, home and away to Ballymena and away to Lurgan, three of those four games being won by Armagh. Equally influential with the ball, ‘Kammy’ took 28 wickets at an average of 12 and an economy of just over 2.

Season highlights would certainly include that brilliant home win against Bangor and also a significant away win at Downpatrick, the club's first win against that opposition since the 1950s and the first win at Strangford Road since 1934. Armagh had limited participation in knockout cricket with an encouraging one-wicket defeat against a quality Terenure outfit in the Irish National Cup, a poor defeat at Saintfield in the Challenge Cup and two away ties in the t20 Trophy. A bowlout win against Killyclooney in the O’Neills Ulster Shield was followed by a disappointing performance at home to Templepatrick who were full value for their win.

Next best batting wise was Harry Boyd who had his best ever season with 304 runs including a career best 92* at home to Donacloney with an average of 25. Neil Gelston scored 282 while Colin Russell accumulated 274 with a high score of 94. Stuart Lester also passed 200 runs while Matthew Steenson and Jamie Rogers with 184 and 182 runs respectively will be hoping for more in 2017.

In the bowling, off-spin bowler Neil Gelston was the star of the show, eclipsing even Kamtekar as he took 32 wickets at an average of 12 and an economy of 3. Harry Doyle contributed 20 wickets at 22 while Lester was a strong all-rounder with 15 wickets. Also in double figures was promising young paceman Robin Sinton who will certainly have more to offer in 2017.

Armagh's sixth place finish in Ulster Bank League Section 1 was a competitive showing, but one which could have been better with three home games being voided, two due to inclement weather conditions in a frustrating summer and another when the NCU backed Academys decision not to travel to the Mall in September for a rearranged fixture. Other milestones reached by Armagh players in the 2016 season included Colin Russell's 200th appearance and Harry Boyd's 100th appearance. Captain Matthew Steenson passed 2000 first team runs while both Stuart Lester and Harry Doyle completed the impressive double of 1500 runs and 150 wickets.

With the 2nd XI winning Junior 4, the 3rd XI sharing Junior 6 and the midweek league retaining their trophy, hopes should remain high for a good 2017 campaign.

3rd October 2016

🏏 Armagh CC rounded off a successful 2016 campaign with their end of season awards night on Saturday 1st October

There was plenty to celebrate with a strong midtable finish for the 1st XI as well as league wins for the 2nds and 3rds plus the midweek league team retained their trophy. The focal point of the evening as usual though was the success of the young cricketers at the club who received trophies for their achievements and improvement over the 2016 summer. Pictured is youth conveyor George Breakey with award winners Rory Lamb, Ben Reynolds, Adam Wilson, Ben Scott, James Sloan, James Hazelton, Jack Walbran and James Ballantine.

The other main club awards were also given out with the Rose Bowl for top score going to Peter Hazelton for 158 v Ards 2nds while the Milford Cup for top bowling went to Phil Rodgers for his 7-20 that destroyed Laurelvale in the 2nd XI derby. The Captains Cup was given to Harry Boyd, the Presidents Cup to Keith Wilson and the Billy WIlliamson Memorial Cup for Clubman of the Year deservedly went to Ivan Todd for all of his hard work. The club also made presentations to the numerous volunteers who help with the grounds and teas, without them the club could not function so successfully. Armagh CC would like to thank the players, parents and supporters for all of their help in the 2016 season.

26th September 2016

🏏 Time to celebrate the successes of 2016

Another successful season came to an end for Armagh Cricket Club after the harsh weekend weather conditions meant that Sundays rescheduled Ulster Bank League Section 1 game against Downpatrick could not take place.

Regardless of that game, an excellent 4th place finish had already been sealed for the 1st XI on their return to Section One, a performance of which Matthew Steenson and his team can rightly be proud of.

The 2nd XI under Andrew Walbran had wrapped up the win in Division 2 Section 4 a long while back while Keith Wilson's 3rd XI have secured promotion from Division 2 Section 6 and may still win the league title. Add to that the success of Matthew Brownlee's Midweek League team and it was another good year for the club. A full review will follow in the weeks ahead.

This Saturday evening October 1st sees the Club's Annual Awards night in the Pavilion from 8pm.

6th September 2016

🏏 Good weather for ducks if not cricket!

Appropriately on another damp weekend with no cricket playable at the Mall, Armagh Cricket Club held their fundraising Duck Race at Shiells Bar supporting Southern Area Hospice Services and kindly sponsored by Woolsey Cattle Slats.

The prizes went as follows:

• 1st June Wilson

• 2nd Southern Area Hospice Services

• 3rd Hilary McKennell

The club would like to thank our generous event sponsors Woolsey Cattle Slats and all customers and supporters for their backing for this event. Thanks to Ryan McCarter and Harry Boyd for organising the event and to Michael Hoey, Harry Redmond and Andrew Hoey for braving the conditions in the river to get the ducks out!

10th August 2016

🏏 Midweek League

Some pictures from the Midweek league team that won the NCU Midweek league final at Muckamore last Wednesday. The side had previously won their seven group A games and enjoyed a resounding semi final victory over Instonians on the mall on Wednesday 27th July. Last week they retained the trophy, they had also won in 2015, by defeating Muckamore Casuals by 60 runs. Well done to Matthew Brownlee and his team.

26th July 2016

🏏 Midweek League

The mid week league team pictured after their resounding victory over Waringstown at the lawn last Thursday. The Armagh side have won all seven of their group matches and host Instonians in a semi final tomorrow evening, Wednesday, on the mall at 6.15pm. The ACC side are the current holders of the NCU trophy.

7th June 2016

🏏 Midweek League

It has been a great few days for the club. Despite the 1st XI defeat to Academy on Saturday there were resounding wins for the 2nd XI and 3rd XI's in the Lindsay Minor Cup which sees them progress to home ties in the quarter finals on June 25th. The 1st XI bounced back on Sunday with victory over Saintfield at the Demesne and the under 13's enjoyed a great win at CIYMS last night. Tonight the under 11's host Lurgan on the mall.

28th May 2016

🏏 Results

Two extremely convincing wins for the seconds and thirds on the mall today as they easily defeated Ballymena Thirds and Victoria Seconds respectively.

Unfortunately the first XI lost to Muckamore by 44 runs. They will look to bounce back tomorrow, Sunday, with a 1pm start with Bangor on the mall.

24th February 2016

🏏 U11s & U13s Practice

Armagh CC under 11s tonight practicing at the RSA under the watchful eye of 1st XI captain Matthew Steenson. Excellent turnout this evening. Come along every Wednesday 6.00pm until 7.15pm. Under 13's also practice at the same time. Everyone Welcome.

1st January 2016

🏏 Happy New Year

Happy New Year to all our players, members and supporters. The outgoing year of 2015 was one of great success on the field with a tremendous haul of 5 trophies. Unfortunately as many of you are aware towards the end of the year we suffered two horrible break ins to the pavilion which has left a lot of destruction and loss of funds. However we start 2016 with very exciting times ahead and the signing of new club professional Indrajeet Kametkar from India. Once again best wishes to everyone and a BIG Thank you to so many for their ongoing support.

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25th December 2017

🏏 Happy Christmas

Happy Christmas to all our members supporters and Facebook friends. Today marked our annual Christmas morning draw and Many thanks to all who sold tickets for it and congratulations to those who won prizes. A special thank you to those who were involved in today’s proceedings in organising the bar and draw, Gareth McCarter, Harry Doyle, George Breakey, Keith Wilson and Estelle Johnston. Many thanks for all your hard work.

22nd December 2017

🏏 Happy Christmas to all of Armagh's Players and Supporters in Armagh Plus all over the UK and Around the World

2018 will bring many exciting and demanding new challenges for the club with a long awaited return to Premier League status.

Below is a handy guide setting out all the home and away league and cup fixtures dates.

10th December 2017

🏏 Armagh Drawn Against Senior Cup Holders CIYMS

In the the first round of the Arthur J. Gallagher Senior Challenge Cup Armagh face a tough away assignment in Belfast to holders CIYMS.

The cup features the 8 Premiership and 10 Section One clubs and there was only one other tie featuring teams from the top flight with CSNI at home to Carrickfergus

23rd November 2017

🏏 Review of 2017 Season

League and Cup Double for Firsts

The 2017 season at Armagh Cricket Club was one of unprecedented success as the 1st XI won a league and cup double, in doing so marking their first return to the top level of NCU Cricket in 60 years. It might not have looked as bright at the start of the season as a late technicality with visa regulations meant that the Northern Cricket Union refused the registration of overseas player Indrajeet Kamtekar despite their earlier assurances. While this was undoubtedly a sad end to a legendary career in local cricket, Kamtekar was still to play an integral role through the season as a mentor for the team providing expert advice and opinion to players right through the club.

Undeterred, Armagh began the season in stunning fashion with a remarkable away win at Derriaghy led by 140 not out by Neil Gelston then backed by a superb bowling and fielding effort. Academy were dispatched on the Mall thanks to a solid half century from captain Matthew Steenson and a five wicket haul from the returning Alan Whitcroft. An under-par performance led to defeat at Lisburn in the AJG Challenge Cup before a comfortable win against Lurgan in the T20 Trophy. More controversy followed as Cliftonville beat Armagh at Mallusk thanks to a century from current Irish international Paul Stirling before Armagh lost a closely contested game at early pacesetters Woodvale despite great batting from Jarred Barnes and Andrew Hoey.

At this point Armagh’s season could have been at a crossroads but there followed a set of impressive victories through June. Bangor were well beaten on the Mall as Colin Russell scored 74 before the bowlers led by Harry Doyle and Ben Mackey skittled them for 70. Lurgan were turned over at Pollock Park despite 88 from their overseas player Dandekar as Mackey and Gelston took three wickets each before a great partnership of 152 between Gelston and Russell gave Armagh an eight wicket win. The same combination were too much for Holywood on the Mall as Gelston scored 89 and Russell 71 not out in a wonderful Armagh score of 269-6. In reply Holywood were never in contention all out for 80 as teenage bowling sensation Ben Mackey took a brilliant 6-21 and in a sign of things to come, Jarred Barnes took 3 wickets in his first bowl. Armagh romped into the LVS T20 Trophy final with comfortable home wins against Cliftonville and Bangor respectively.

A setback followed at Donaghcloney Mill as a poor performance with bat and ball was capitalised upon excellently by the strong home team but any doubts were answered with another strong home win against Derriaghy. Tough conditions meant that Armagh had to dig in and post a competitive score with Michael Hoey leading the way with 54 then the bowling of Mackey and Doyle ensured the points stayed at the Mall. Academy were smashed again as dogged batting from Gelston and Hoey got Armagh up to a decent target between the showers before Barnes and Whitcroft ensured Academy wouldn’t get close as they were dismissed for a mere 27.

The following day saw Armagh travel to The Lawn Waringstown to play Woodvale in the LVS T20 Trophy final. A super following from the city supported the team who put in a wonderful performance with the ball and in the field to restrict Woodvale to 91 in their 20 overs. Neil Gelston got Armagh off to a great start and Man of the Match Jarred Barnes saw the team to the target to seal the trophy for a delighted Armagh.

Back to business in the Gardiner Brothers League with another Home win against Cliftonville who struggled to 121 which was knocked off comfortably for a six wicket win. The following day Armagh managed to beat Downpatrick and more importantly the elements as the rain threatened to intervene as a strong score led by 70 from Colin Russell was backed by some brilliant fielding and bowling led by Barnes.

The next home game against Woodvale was billed as a title decider by the Ulster Cricket media and they weren’t to be disappointed in a thrilling game. Armagh struggled to 96-7 but a fantastic fighting partnership between Samuel Wilson and Gareth McCarter saw Armagh to a competitive 180. Woodvale were reduced to 28-4 in reply with Mackey again causing damage but a brilliant fightback from Irwin and Gibson put the Belfast side in pole position. Armagh’s attitude came out on top and inspired bowling and fielding saw the pendulum swing in their favour as Alan Whitcroft took the crucial final wicket and the team celebrated wildly knowing what the win meant against their nearest rivals.

This was backed up with another strong win against Bangor with Barnes and Michael Hoey scoring important runs before the big South African bowled with pace and skill to destroy the Home batting for a mere 75. A dogged Donaghcloney Mill provides stern opposition on the Mall, posting a competitive score despite early wickets from Mackey and Barnes. A determined half century from Russell was enough to lead the Armagh chase.

The final game of the season turned out to be at Downpatrick. Inclement Autumn weather led to a green wicket but Armagh knuckled down to post a score, helped by a Gelston half-century to take him past 600 league runs for the summer. In response Downpatrick couldn’t compete as Ben Mackey and Barnes got Armagh off to the usual great start. When Gelston bowled Magowan to seal the Armagh win the team could celebrate knowing that a remarkable league triumph had been sealed. A tremendous source of pride for Armagh captain Matthew Steenson was that he led a team that all contributed and had someone to stand up and do the business when required. When the team was met with difficulties and setbacks they generally bounced back when they needed to.

The Premier League will present huge challenges both on and off the field but they are ones that Armagh will hope to embrace with the support of everyone in the club and the city.

22nd August 2017

🏏 Armagh Pip Donaghcloney Mill to Stand on the Verge of History

Not a perfect performance but a good result…

Despite a stuttering performance Armagh had just about enough to seal a 4 wicket win against Donaghcloney Mill in the Gardiner Bros NCU League. The Mall was looking in excellent condition despite a consistently poor week of weather so credit to the ground team for their efforts. Cloney opted to bat first after winning the toss but found themselves in trouble with a wicket offering pace and bounce to the Armagh opening pair of Jarred Barnes and Ben Mackey. The former struck first when visiting captain Derby was spectacularly caught behind by Armagh wicketkeeper Gareth McCarter off the inside edge. Not to be outdone, Mackey dismissed Warren with another edge to the keeper. Barnes was on spectacular form and took a classic fast bowlers wicket when he beat Lyttle with pace and bounce and offered an easy catch for Harry Doyle. Michael Hoey took a good running catch to dismiss Hanna off Mackey and when Talbot gave McCarter his third catch and Barnes his third wicket the visitors looked in trouble at 45-5. Armagh somehow seemed to take their foot off the pedal a little and to their credit the Donaghcloney middle-order batting showed a bit more resolve, although McCart did fall to the trap set by the bowling of Alan Whitcroft and gave a catch to Mackey. Neil Gelston picked up a wicket with his clever off-spin bowling when he removed the younger Lyttle brother. When Barnes returned to the attack and clean bowled McCart (and breaking the stump in the process) the visitors were 94-8 and struggling. What followed was a frustrating period for Armagh as Stevenson and Simpson to their credit batted really well and added a great partnership of 54 for the 9th wicket. Thankfully Doyle broke the stand when he bowled the resilient Stevenson for a well played 39 before last man McClure went without scoring, caught by Hoey off the bowling of Mackey who claimed his third wicket. Donaghcloney were dismissed for 149, a decent effort after where they had been but still a target that Armagh would be confident of chasing on a decent batting pitch.

Armagh started with a new opening pair of Gelston and Doyle who started in decent fashion however quick wickets of Gelston lbw and Steenson caught behind left Armagh 36-2 as Colin Russell came to the crease. The Donaghcloney bowling was generally accurate but the pair were content to add steadily and run well between the wickets when the opportunity arose. The partnership was approaching fifty and drinks were about to be taken when Doyle tried to smash McClure over mid-off but could not clear the fielder and departed for 32. Jarred Barnes joined Russell and immediately the rate of scoring increased with Barnes being particularly harsh on the spin of McCart, striking 3 sixes in an entertaining cameo before being trapped leg-before wicket to the wily Hanna for 22. Colin Russell passed his half century with three boundaries and two sixes before retiring with cramp for a well played 52. This led to a slightly chaotic period as both Michael Hoey and Sam Wilson departed cheaply with Armagh just short of the winning mark which was reached when McCarter knocked the spin of Hanna through a gap to pick the run that was needed as Armagh won by 4 wickets. With the result in the other big game coming through that Downpatrick had beaten the other nearest challenger Woodvale it meant that Armaghs lead in the Section one table was 12 points with only 3 games left, meaning Premier League cricket was remarkably within touching distance for the city side.

After the game, experienced Armagh batsman Colin Russell commented that 'today was all about keeping the run going and we did that. The bowling early on from Jarred Barnes and Ben Mackey was excellent and even though Donaghcloney Mill maybe got more than we should have allowed them we still done pretty well. We paced our chase pretty well and got the job done. If we can play well next week at Holywood then that would be hopefully be enough'.

Thanks to William Magwood and Flo McCarter for their sponsorship of Saturdays match ball and as mentioned, Armagh travel to the Seapark Oval this weekend to take on Holywood. The game starts at noon and if Armagh can win then they will seal the Gardiner Bros NCU Section 1 title and promotion to the Premier League.

17th August 2017

🏏 One Step Closer for Armagh After a Great Win at Upritchard Park

Armagh travelled to Bangor for a game that would surely have crucial implications at both ends of the Gardiner Brothers NCU League Section One. Armagh were two wins clear at the top after their memorable win against Woodvale while Bangor were struggling at second bottom in the table. Bangor won the toss and elected to bowl first on a strangely soft wicket for their Upritchard Park home. Armagh openers Neil Gelston and Colin Russell began relatively well but both fell in quick succession with the score in the 20s. Harry Doyle looked to rebuild with Jarred Barnes having to work hard with conditions favouring the bowlers. Barnes was the more fluent of the two before Doyle was caught out with the partnership just short of 50. Armagh captain Matthew Steenson cane to the crease and immediately looked to attack, striking 6 boundaries before he was bowled by one that stayed low from home skipper Nixon. Dangerman Barnes had struck 7 boundaries in his 38 before he was removed lbw to former North Down legend Taimur Khan with Bangor celebrating wildly and perhaps even over the top. Last weeks hero Sam Wilson and debutant William Hazelton both fell cheaply and Armagh looked well below par at 131-7 but thankfully for Armagh Michael Hoey looked in fluent touch and was supported by Gareth McCarter in a useful stand for the 9th wicket. Hoey had top-scored with 43 featuring 7 boundaries when he was bowled by the spinner. Alan Whitcroft was perhaps harshly given lbw to Khan before last man Ben Mackey was able to smash a free hit to the boundary and Armagh could add a few more vital runs before McCarter was last man out as Armagh scored 179, a more than satisfactory effort in tough batting conditions.

Bangor were about to find out just how tricky the batting conditions were and in Jarred Barnes and Ben Mackey Armagh had the perfect pair of men to exploit them. Barnes struck first when a superb off cutter bowled Burns in the very first over before his prolific opening partner Mark English also went without scoring when a Barnes bouncer was brilliantly caught behind by Armagh wicketkeeper McCarter. The procession continued as the brilliant Barnes had far too much for the defences of McCollum and Parker. Bangor captain Nixon provided some limited resistance before being completely fooled by a superb slower ball that gave a fifth scalp to the tall South African. Khan was doing his best to provide Bangor with some hope, surviving a tough chance to Hazelton off the bowling of Mackey but was receiving virtually no support as Gelston bowled out McCusker before Doyle claimed the wicket of Grossett caught behind. Fraser was clean bowled by the hard-working Whitcroft attempting a slog before Khan was 9th out, caught smartly on the boundary by Doyle off the excellent spin bowling of Gelston. With one wicket remaining, Steenson brought Barnes back into the attack and it only took him one ball to seal the Armagh win and a Gardiner Bros NCU award for a six wicket haul as Prince edged behind to the safe gloves of McCarter as Armagh celebrated a comprehensive 104 run win to remain in the driving seat in the Section 1 table.

Armagh vice-captain Harry Doyle was more than content with another solid all-round display from the team. 'We had to dig-in with the bat because it wasn't easy but getting to 180 was important. Bangor did our team talk for us before we headed out to bowl and it wasn't too smart of them to rile up big Barnes who was incredible. Our fielding and catching backed him up well enough. Our position is a strong one but the team just has to keep doing things right on the field and the table will look after itself.'

Next weekend Armagh host Donaghcloney Mill on the Mall with a 12noon start.

24th July 2017

🏏 Armagh Win T20 Trophy

Armagh made the short journey early on Sunday morning to The Lawn, Waringstown for the final of the Lagan Valley Steel T20 competition against Woodvale. Armagh had progressed to the final with home wins against Lurgan, Cliftonville and Bangor but now faced what would likely be a sterner challenge against what most agreed was the best team in the division. With the early morning start and Woodvale liking to chase, Armagh captain Matthew Steenson was delighted to win the toss and elect to field first. What followed was some of the best white ball cricket an Armagh side has ever produced. The innings couldn't have got off to a better start as prolific opener Connolly was caught behind by McCarter in Jarred Barnes' first over and Armagh didn't take the foot off the pedal with brilliant fielding on show.

Barnes took a second wicket when he sharply caught and bowled Irwin while the off-spin of Neil Gelston claimed the other Irwin brother soon after thanks to a good catch by Andrew Hoey on the midwicket boundary. Steenson was managing his bowlers smartly with Doyle bowling tightly and Alan Whitcroft taking the significant scalp of Paul Robinson who had done so much damage in the earlier league fixture. The bulk of the Woodvale scoring was being done by their hard hitting bat Farhan Saeed but he was deceived by the spin of Michael Hoey and the catch was taken by wicketkeeper McCarter. Armagh did not relent and superb closing overs by Barnes and Doyle reaped several more wickets as the Woodvale innings closed on 91-9, a fabulous effort from Armagh that was richly applauded by the growing crowd at the Lawn. Jarred Barnes returned scarcely believable figures of 3 wickets for 5 runs in his 4 over spell.

Armagh hoped for a strong start in response to the low total that would hopefully take the sting out of the Woodvale attack and opened with Neil Gelston and Colin Russell as Jamie Rogers was feeling unwell. The two Armagh batsmen looked in sublime touch with Gelston in particular finding boundaries around the ground. It took a particularly poor umpiring decision to give Woodvale their breakthrough as Gelston was hit high above the pad but was strangely given out by umpire Boyd despite a muted appeal. This wicket brought two more as Steenson went without scoring and Russell edged behind soon after and suddenly Woodvale had belief. This was dampened by the partnership of Jarred Barnes and Michael Hoey who took Armagh to the verge of victory with some sensible batting mixed with some great attacking shots.

Unfortunately both Hoey brothers Michael and Andrew fell before the winning post looking for a big hit to add to Armagh nerves but thankfully the resolute defence of Doyle was able to see it out and allow man of the match Barnes to hit the winning runs and give Armagh a 5 wicket victory and the Trophy. A delighted Matthew Steenson collected the LVS T20 Trophy from competition sponsor Tommy Anderson and NCU President Peter McMorran.

After the game, Steenson said 'We delivered when it mattered, arguably as good a performance with the ball and in the field as most can remember from an Armagh team. Runs saved, catches taken and bowlers in control is a captains dream. We made hard work of the chase after the brilliant start Russell and Gelston gave us but at the end of the day the only thing that matters in a final is getting the hands on the cup and we did that. The team is very grateful to all the support we had over from Armagh on the morning and to match sponsor Ricky Dobbs. Fair play to Woodvale for a good game and to Waringstown for being excellent hosts.'

The 'reward' for success in the T20 Trophy is a trip to the North West for the Ulster Shield. Opposition, date and venue are all to be confirmed.

Lagan Valley Steels Twenty20 Trophy - 2017

Final - 23rd July at The Lawn, Waringstown CC
Woodvale 91-9 (J Barnes 3-5, M Hoey 2-7, H Doyle 2-9)
Armagh 92-5 (N Gelston 33, J Barnes 30no)
Armagh beat Woodvale by 5 wickets

23rd July 2017

🏏 T20 Winners

Armagh CC winners of the 2017 Lagan Valley Steels T20 Trophy by 5 wickets at the lawn today…

16th July 2017

🏏 Armagh Defeat Bangor to Reach T20 Final - 31 Run Win

Armagh advanced to the final of the Lagan Valley Steels NCU T20 Trophy after a fine all-round performance was too much for Bangor in the semi final. Armagh batted first and racked up a more than competitive score of 164-8 in their 20 overs. Neil Gelston top scored with 47 while there were solid contributions from Jarred Barnes with 27 while Jamie Rogers and captain Matthew Steenson both scored 26. In reply Bangor struggled early on with Barnes and Ben Mackey bowling well while the Armagh fielding was excellent. Gelston bowled an excellent spell of spin to restrict further while Harry Doyle removed dangerman Fraser who had been striking the ball well. Mackey, Gelston and Doyle all took two wickets each as Armagh sealed a win by 31 runs.

2nd May 2017

🏏 Firsts Start 2017 Season with Away Win over Derriaghy

First century for Armagh from Neil Gelston.

The opening day of the 2017 NCU cricket Section one season saw Armagh make the challenging trip to Queensway in Lisburn to face a Derriaghy side who impressed last season despite their relegation from the Premier League. Armagh knew this would be a difficult match given the quality of the opponent and the NCU registration ruling which meant that meant Kamtekar was unable to play. A chilly day at Queensway began with the toss, with Derriaghy winning it and somewhat surprisingly electing to bowl.

Neil Gelston and Jamie Rodgers began the innings steadily for Armagh, regularly punishing the bad ball to the boundary, Gelston and Rodgers got to their 50 partnership and looked set as the two pushed on. With the score at 78 Rodgers fell to a questionable LBW decision for a excellent score of 47. This brought new recruit Samuel Wilson to the crease and Gelston and Wilson pushed on. Gelston brought up his 50 and both batsmen pushed on playing some wonderful shots. As Wilson got to 20 his attemted sweep shot slipped through the gap and he was bowled. This brought Colin Russell to the crease with Gelston who was now pushing into the 80's and looking increasingly fluent. Loose balls were being smashed all around Queensway by Russell and Gelston with some huge sixes, The former fell for 19 when he was caught on the boundary which brought Armagh Captain Matthew Steenson to the crease.

Soon after the skipper had joined Gelston at the crease he reached a wonderful 100, his first for Armagh just before the team 200 was brought up in the 43rd over. With wickets in hand the Armagh batsmen began to go ballistic with Steenson smashing sixes all around Queensway and Gelston steadily adding to his ton. Armagh finished their innings 279-3 with Gelston finishing on 140 not out and Steenson 36 not out. Neil Gelstons innings contained 15 boundaries and 5 big sixes and was a special effort to bat undefeated through the entire 50 overs. This looked to be a good score however Armagh understood that only half the work was done with the small nature of the ground making defending quite difficult.

Derriaghy began their innings extremely aggressively with Sam Wilson and youngster Ben Mackey opening the bowling. In Mackey's first over the Derriaghy batsman pushed the ball up into the safe hands of Robin Sinton at mid-on much to Armagh's delight. In the next over Wilson wasn't to be out done as he dismissed the other opener who smashed straight to Russell at cover who juggled but held on for a great catch. This wicket brought Captain and Northern Knights player Craig Lewis to the crease for Derriaghy, Armagh knew that if they could get him they had a real chance, Wilson again came storming in and the batsman edged to first slip into the safe hands of Gelston. With Lewis on 32 and having smashed Armagh's opening bowlers around Queensway, Mackey bounded in and dismissed him attempting one slog too many as he edged back to wicketkeeper Gareth McCarter. With Derriaghy on 112-4 after only 14 overs, Gelston and Steenson began to bowl to try and tighten things up. Gelston was bowling his usual tight lines and Steenson the same, both began to restrict the run rate. Steenson was to dismiss the next Derriaghy man Bell who again edged behind to McCarter who took a good catch up at the stumps. This brought drinks and Armagh knew that the game was not over as Derriaghy only needed 120 runs off the remaining 25 overs. Michael Hoey was then brought on, and the off spinner immediately took a wicket trapping former Armagh player Mark Stinson leg before wicket. Armagh's work in the field was generally excellent with Andy Hoey particularly impressive, stopping everything that came at him on the boundary. The Derriaghy batsman Andrew Kenny was unbeaten on 87 and was looking to finish the game for his side but Wilson had different ideas as he fired in a delivery to the batsman who looked to go big only to chip it into the safe hands of Colin Russell at cover. Michael Hoey and Steenson shared further scalps leaving the away side on the verge of a notable success. One wicket remained and Derriaghy needed 35 runs, Mackey had been brought back to bowl and the Derriaghy tail enders in a moment of confusion both ended up at the strikers end, much to the delight of the young bowler who showed experience beyond his years to simply take the bails off and recorded an excellent win and a great start to the season.

Armagh captain Matthew Steenson was understandably delighted with a terrific win. 'I'm sure not many people gave us much of a chance coming up here against a strong team but we have plenty of quality in our own side even if we are missing players. Everyone knows the lead up to the season hasn't been ideal but it just means that the rest of us have to step up. We seriously did that today. Delighted for Neil Gelston in particular but everyone can be proud of themselves this weekend.'

Next weekend the 1st XI host Academy in a league fixture on the Mall with a 1.00pm start.

Armagh 279-3 - Gelston 140* Rogers 47 Steenson 36*

Derriaghy 244 all out - Kenny 87. Wilson 3-60

Armagh win by 35 runs

30th April 2017

🏏 Season Begins Well

A wonderful start to the 2017 season yesterday for the club as the 1st XI defeated Derriaghy CC at Queensway by 35 runs. A fantastic 140 not out by opening batsman Neil Gelston backed up by Jamie Rogers(47) and skipper Matthew Steenson(36) saw Armagh post a score of 279. The hosts were bowled out for 244 as young bowlers Samuel Wilson and Ben Mackey both claimed three wickets each. It was also their first wickets for Armagh firsts. All in all a great result after some difficult weeks off the pitch. We welcome Academy to the mall next Saturday.

18th January 2017

🏏 Club Donation to Southern Area Hospice

Making a donation to Rosemary Gribben representing Southern Area Hospice Services after Armagh Cricket Club held a successful Duck Race are Club Secretary Ryan McCarter and President Norman Graham. Armagh Cricket Club would like to thank their members and event sponsor Woolsey Concrete for their support.

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31st December 2018

🏏 Happy New Year!

As 2018 draws to a close, a few thoughts on the year just past. A momentous year for the club as we played our first season in Premier League cricket for 60 years. While it maybe didn’t go as well at times as we might hoped, the club did itself proud on and off the field with every player giving everything they had. Winning our first Premier League game at Muckamore and hosting our first ever Irish Senior Cup fixture on the Mall are memories that will live long in the memory. A big thanks to our players, supporters, sponsors and members for all of their efforts through 2018 as we couldn’t achieved what we did without them.

Rest-assured will be back and raring to go in the 2019 season. In the meantime, there is plenty going on at the club over the winter months with regular Poker nights, our hugely successful Dart team, Pilates and Slimming World in the Pavilion as well as the bar open every Friday and Saturday night with Happy Hours as advertised.

In the meantime, the bar is open this evening from 7.00pm as we bring in 2019. Happy New Year everyone!

5th December 2018

🏏

At last nights Gallagher Insurance Challenge Cup Draw, Armagh were given another tough looking away tie against last years losing finalists Civil Service North, to be played at Stormont. Representing Armagh was star all-rounder Harry Boyd pictured here with Shane Matthews of sponsors Gallagher and Richard Johnson representing the Northern Cricket Union.

21st November 2018

🏏

One from the archives as George Breakey and Noel Humphries stride out to open the innings on the Mall!‬ Our thoughts are with George and all the Breakey family as he continues his treatment.

21st October 2018

🏏

Delighted to confirm that the magnificent Mall has again been graded as a Level 1 Ground from the 2018 reports. Huge appreciation to our volunteer groundstaff of Ian Mitchell, Kenny Gordon, Norman Graham, Allenby Burgess, David Courtney and last but by no means least, Eric Davidson.

22nd September 2018

🏏

Good work on the Mall this morning as a small group of players led by head groundsman Norman Graham were able to finish the essential end of season ground work. Many thanks to the ground team for their fantastic efforts in the 2018 season!

3rd September 2018

🏏 Report

Armagh's relegation from the Robinson Services Premier League was finally confirmed on Sunday…

First up at Stormont CSNI batted first and scored 180-4 with impressive contributions from McMorran, Ellison and Topping. Best with the ball for Armagh were Michael Hoey and Neil Gelston, while Andrew Hoey and Harry Boyd also had success. Michael Hoey claimed his 100th senior wicket for Armagh in the game.

In reply, Armagh were never really at the races and finished with 98-4 after a ponderous reply. Colin Russell was undefeated with 40* while receiving support from both Hoey brothers with Michael scoring 15 and younger sibling Andrew making 16. The final margin of defeat was 82 runs.

A quick dash across East Belfast took Armagh to Belmont to take on champions CIYMS who changed their mind and decided that they would bat first. Their professional McGillivray received an amazing reprieve when on 7 when he cleary edged Hoey behind to McCarter but umpire McClean was unmoved. The first breakthrough for Armagh went to Ben Mackey who bowled Matchett with a lovely swinging delivery but the beleaguered visitors had a long wait for another. Pro McGillivray and home captain and former Ireland international Nigel Jones proceeded to smash the bowling to all parts with only some spectacular Armagh fielding keeping the score down. Matthew Wright claimed a wicket that his efforts deserved when he had Jones well caught on the boundary by Rogers for 72 off just 34 balls. Pro McGillivray finished unbeaten on 98, just 91 more than when he should have been given out as CIYMS racked up 204-2.

The response from Armagh was naturally fairly limited and followed a similar pattern to the first game. Boyd was best with 24 while a couple of others made it to double figures. Unfortunately Armagh did not quite make it to three figures though with the margin of defeat ending up at 107 runs.

With the long inevitable relegation finally confirmed Armagh have little choice but to stick together and hope to rebuild confidence again next summer in Section 1. Their players should take heart from plenty of spirited performances and individual improvements in the highest league in NCU cricket, much of which was done without a professional after the early exit for Shadley van Schalkwyk.

11th August 2018

🏏

Two of Armagh Cricket Club’s most legendary players making their NCUPL debuts!

3rd Agust 2018

🏏

On Saturday 19th May Armagh CC played in their first ever Bob Kerr Irish Senior Cup March at home to Balbriggan. While the result didn’t go our way, playing in Ireland elite cup competition was something we never imagined possible.

Thanks to Allen Patton for some fabulous photos from the day and to our white ball sponsors RJ Alarms, Woolsey Slats, Rockview Kitchens and BLK Ireland.

23rd July 2018

🏏 Photos

A few photos from Saturday's Premier League game against Muckamore, where Shadley van Schalkwyk scored a memorable 142

24th June 2018

🏏 Final match of T20 campaign

Armagh lose out despite Van Schalkwyk blitz…

Armagh’s campaign in the Lagan Valley Steels T20 competition came to an end on Friday night with another defeat to Instonians after a hugely encouraging performance with the ball and in the field was backed up by a special innings from professional Shadley van Schalkwyk who hit a memorable unbeaten century. The home side batted first and racked up 155-6 in their twenty overs despite wickets for Van Schalkwyk, Wright, two for the excellent Doyle and one each for the spinners Hoey and Gelston thanks to tidy work behind the stumps from wicketkeeper McCarter. The target was an imposing one certainly and the Instonians pace attack were making regular breakthroughs in the Armagh batting. Undeterred, Van Schalkwyk moved steadily through the gears and found support from Boyd, Doyle and then Wright. The home side became increasingly nervous as the runs required deceased and as the South African star recorded a fantastic century. Alas, Armagh had left themselves with just too much to do as Instonians prevailed by just seven runs but there could be no doubt who was the star of the proceedings with an unbeaten 111.

Armagh finished their T20 campaign with 5 defeats and one no-result from the six group games but the improvement and competitiveness of the team was clear to see in most of the games. Hopefully that can be carried through to the difficult Premier League campaign.

28th May 2018

🏏 A Disappointing Weekend for Armagh.

Another tough weekend for Armagh unfolded as they lost to CIYMS and Instonians…

The Challenge Cup tie always looked tough away to the competition holders and Matthew Steenson had no hesitation to bat first on winning the toss. Another poor start followed with Armagh being reduced to 30-5. Professional Shadley van Schalkwyk found an ally in Andrew Hoey as Armagh were finally able to build a bit of a partnership as the away side were finally dismissed for 102 with South African Irish international Jacob Mulder taking 5 wickets with his leg-spin. In response Armagh bowled well with two wickets for Matthew Wright and one for Harry Doyle giving Armagh a bit of daylight at 48-3 but CIYMS Captain Nigel Jones and Hunter were able to put on an unbeaten partnership to seal a seven wicket win for the Home team.

Sunday's T20 game on the Mall was played in front of a decent crowd for the 3pm start in glorious sunshine and again Armagh batted first after winning the toss. A decent start was tempered with the quick wickets of Gelston, Van Schalkwyk and Steenson but Jamie Rogers and Andrew Hoey paired well to bring the Armagh score on. Hoey departed for another well made 20 while Rogers recorded his season best of 35 with some great shots. Armagh moved beyond the 100 thanks to some super late shots from Samuel Wilson who ended unbeaten on 39 as Armagh scored 121-9 in their 20 overs.

Instonians looked surprisingly edgy in response with Harry Doyle picking up a big pair of early wickets in Smith and Getkate. A partnership formed between Metcalfe and former Ireland player Andrew White with the former particularly harsh on anything loose. White departed when he was well caught behind by McCarter off the spin bowling of Neil Gelston and Armagh were in with a real chance. Unfortunately for the city side, the prodigious teenage talent of Oliver Metcalfe played an innings beyond his years as he scored 73, only being dismissed by Wilson when the scores were tied. Instonians crept home by 4 wickets with only an over to spare.

Armagh captain Matthew Steenson was encouraged by what his team had shown over the weekend. ‘We certainly fought harder this weekend than last and put up some decent performances with bat and ball. It’s a real learning curve but we are moving in the right direction. Match sponsors for this weekend were Jimmy George and Dennis Mercer, thanks to them for their continued support.

This weekend Armagh host in-form CSNI on Friday evening in the T20 on the Mall before travelling to Carrick on Saturday for a crucial Robinson Services Premier League game.

30th April 2018

🏏 Armagh Return to the Premier League with a Win

Steenson's men excel at Moylena to start in the best possible fashion…

Armagh Cricket Club made a great start in the Robinson Services Premier League on Saturday 28th April when they defeated Muckamore. The last time Armagh played in the top flight of NCU cricket was 1955 some 63 years ago.
After a long winter of indoor nets at the Royal School under the watchful eye of new Head Coach Bruce Topping the Armagh side were eager to get the season started and they certainly didn’t disappoint on the big stage. Armagh captain Matthew Steenson lost the toss to which Muckamore unsurprisingly elected to bowl first on what was a green and soft wicket after the recent inclement weather.
Neil Gelston and Jamie Rogers opened the innings with both working really hard in difficult conditions to rotate the strike and running hard between the wickets when the opportunity arose. Gelston would be the first to fall, bringing Sammy Wilson to the crease who also battled hard against the new ball with the pitch at its most lively. Wilson looked to be in good form until misjudging one from the Muckamore skipper Gill and being bowled. This brought Armagh’s new South African professional Shadley van Schalkwyk to the wicket and the all-rounder wasted no time striking two boundaries in his first over, immediately finding a fluency that no other batsmen found easy.

Colin Russell and Matthew Steenson looked to bat in a supporting role to the increasingly dominant Van Schalkwyk and help push the score beyond 150. Both of the middle order batters were dismissed for 18 runs trying to attack the death bowling of the home side. Van Schalkwyks fifty was brought up after smashing the part time off-spin of Sammy Gordon for two sixes in the same over. A wonderful debut innings from Van Schalkwyk ended prematurely on 56 when he looked to go straight and was caught and bowled by a fantastic catch from opening bowler Gary Nicholl, but the Armagh players and supporters got a glimpse of how good their new professional could potentially be. Michael Hoey and Alan Whitcroft showed some good pace running important singles to get Armagh to a competitive total of 171-8 from their 50 overs. Armagh captain Matthew Steenson was pretty happy with this total considering conditions he was confident his bowling attack would be able to defend the total.

Ben Mackey looked to start where he left off after his remarkable debut season and he certainly didn’t disappoint taking the first Premier League wicket for the side with Craig Drummond perhaps slightly unfortunate to be trapped leg before wicket. Van Schalkwyk and Mackey looked to be in great rhythm causing the home side problem as they looked to score and the youngster picked a second when he bowled Stephenson with a superb inswinging delivery. Not to be outdone, Van Schalkwyk picked up his first of hopefully many NCU wickets when he clean bowled left hander Gordon with an unplayable peach of a ball. At this stage Muckamore attempted to rebuild their innings from the carnage of 16-3 with Armagh cock-a-hoop with their early success but although Knights squad player Jamie Magowan and Adey added almost fifty for the 4th wicket it wasn’t without chance. Eventually they ran out of lives as a poorly called run was pounced upon by Gelston who returned to wicketkeeper McCarter to run out Adey for 23. The Gelston-McCarter partnership worked again in the next over as Muckamores Australian recruit Millar edged just his third ball behind to the keeper who caught safely. Home skipper Gill looked to dig in and recover but was trapped leg before by the rampant Gelston who was cleverly bowling from around the wicket to cramp up any space. Any last chance of a Muckamore revival ended in the same over as Magowan came down the wicket to Gelston who seen him coming and spun the ball down the leg-side where Gareth McCarter completed a brilliant stumping. Gelston finished with excellent figures of 3-21 from his ten overs. Muckamore battled as best they could but Van Schalkwyk returned to make a mess of Ashwin Shettys stumps while Nicholl faced the same fate off the bowling of Sam Wilson. It was left to Wilson to have the final say as Keates completely misjudged a swinging delivery and let it hit him right in front of middle stump allowing Armagh to celebrate wildly as they completed their first Premier League win by the relatively comfortable margin of 70 runs.

Armagh captain Matthew Steenson was a proud man after the game. “No-one really gave us much of a chance this year at all and we have won our first game away from home. We trained hard from January with Bruce and I telling the squad that if we worked hard and believed in ourselves then we wouldn’t let ourselves down. We aren’t going to get carried away with one win but its proven to the lads not to get obsessed with the standard. We know this weekend will be a whole new level of toughness but we just have to try and rise to it and compete. Credit to our top three on Saturday because Muckamore stuck us in thinking they might roll us over but we were given a platform to get the competitive score because the guys dug-in. Our bowlers were all excellent and didn’t allow Muckamore the chance to break loose and even the guys who didn’t pick wickets kept things tight. The fielding stood up well and while we know we have lots to work on it’s a start we can all be proud of. Hopefully we get a bit of support on Saturday on the Mall against Waringstown”.

Saturdays match ball was generously sponsored by David Courtney.

Robinson Services Premier League
Armagh 171-8 - Van Schalkwyk 56. Nicholl 3-21.
Muckamore 101 all out - Gelston 3-21, Wilson 2-11, Van Schalkwyk 2-15, Mackey 2-22.
Armagh win by 70 runs

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Club Officers

Club President: Keith Wilson
Vice President: Noel Humphries
Hon. Secretary: Gareth McCarter
Hon. Treasurer: Paul Wilson
Public Relations Officer: Dan Ballantyne
Subscription Secretary: Phil Doyle

Executive Committee

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Grounds Team

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Captains 2026

1st XI: Michael Hoey
2nd XI: Adam Woods
3rd XI: Keith Wilson
4th XI: Keith Wilson
5th XI: Raymond Hetherington

Club Professional 2026

Luan Liebenberg

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Saturday: 12.00pm - 1.00pm
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Clubshoue Hire

Armagh Cricket Club, located on the historic Mall in Armagh, offers clubhouse facilities for various events. For enquiries regarding booking the clubhouse, catering, or availability - please speak to any committee member.

Sponsorship

There are lots of sponsorship opportunities for you or your business to get involved in, with exposure to both the local and the wider cricketing community. Just speak to any committee member for more information.

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and to our Player Sponsors…

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Club News, Match Reports and Results

150th Anniversary Events 2009

🏏 Recovered from the old website in 2009

As 2009 sees our 150th Anniversary, we will be organizing some events to mark this special occasion. The events, along with other details will appear here once they are organized.

2009 season 150th Anniversary events including:

• Tuesday 17th March – Junior club sponsored walk

• Monday 4th May – Invitational “Sixes” Tournament at the Mall

• Also on Monday 4th May – Watch out for our Girls Cricket team taking part in the Belfast Marathon!

• Friday 19th June – Armagh CC Select vs. Leinster CC Taverner's XI on the Mall

• TBC – Armagh CC Over 50’s XI vs. Laurelvale

• Wednesday 12th August – Feature match Armagh CC vs. Select XI followed by 150th Anniversary Gala Dinner at Armagh City Hotel

• Monday 31st August – Local League “Sixes”

• TBC - Armagh Cricket Club will also be publishing a book on the history of the Club. Brian Weir the author is in the process of finishing off the book with it being sent to the printers within the next month or so.

Armagh CC is working together with the Wooden Spoon Charity in their 150th Anniversary Year using the spirit and values of sport to help disadvantaged children in Great Britain and Ireland.

Armagh Cricket Club 1859-2009 150 Not Out

Armagh Cricket Club 150th Anniversary Preview

The glorious weather in the last couple of days serves as a reminder that the new cricket season is only just around the corner, and the 2009 season will surely be a momentous year for Armagh Cricket Club as the Mall-based side celebrate their 150th Anniversary Summer. Only a handful of cricket clubs in Ireland can boast a longer history than Armagh CC and a number of events have been planned to make the sesquicentennial Anniversary a memorable one.

Club President George W. Breakey is serving his third term in the 2009 Anniversary Year and has been delighted to lead the way with some of the plans that the Anniversary committee have been working on through the winter months. The biggest production that the club is involved with in this landmark year is a comprehensive review of the history of Armagh Cricket over the previous 149 years of our existence. Club historian and 1st XI scorer W.B. Weir has been working for a number of years compiling extensive statistics for every player to have represented the 1st XI and making a review of each season of competitive cricket played on The Mall. The 500+ page book, titled “Armagh Cricket Club 150 not out, a story of cricket in an Ulster City” will be released at a date to be confirmed early in the season and will retail at £20.00, a bargain price for an item sure to be of great interest to Armachians both past and present.

The 150th Anniversary Committee are also hosting a Golf Classic to be hosted at Loughgall Country Park on Friday 12th June 2009 before dinner and entertainment that evening back at the Pavilion on the Mall. A four-ball team for the Classic costs £140 which covers green fees, supper and prizes for the players. These events are normally hugely popular with corporate sponsors and local golfers alike and given the excellent standard of the Loughgall Country Park course a high quality of golf can be expected, especially if the sun shines. Prizes for the Golf Classic are being generously sponsored by Tyrone Crystal so will undoubtedly be coveted and keenly contested when the final scores are collated back at the Pavilion on The Mall. The organising committee expect a strong response and for more information about entering the Golf Classic please contact the Pavilion on 02837 523925.

Of course the 150th Anniversary season will have plenty of cricket packed in with the 1st XI eager to make a big improvement on the relegation suffered in 2008. With the NCU rebranding the league names, Armagh do remain in Section Two of the Ulster Bank League but it is the third tier of local cricket for the first time in a generation and the players have been practising hard at the Royal School since late January to make sure that the Anniversary season is memorable for the events on the field as well as everything else that will be happening at the club. Popular Indian overseas player Charu Kulkarni will return to Armagh to captain the side in the 2009 season with wicketkeeper Gareth McCarter as his vice captain. This will be a piece of history in itself as Armagh have never appointed their overseas player as club captain, but the enthusiastic all-rounder from Pune has been keeping more than up-to-date with developments in and around the team. The playing staff might be seeing a few changes in the weeks leading up to the season with long serving players Joe Thornbury and Mark Elliott moving on to new clubs but with Seamus Crowe returning from Dungannon C.C. As with last season, the expectation for runs will fall largely with Colin Russell and Michael Villiers while solid contributions can be expected from Andrew Bratten, Kulkarni and David Bullick. In 2009 the Second XI will be captained by William Carberry, the Third XI by Paul Wilson while Keith Wilson resumes the reins of the 4th XI. Some of the most eagerly anticipated matches in the club this season will undoubtedly be whenever the 3rd XI face the 4th XI with both sides being in Division 3 Section 2 of the Northern Cricket Union, no doubt the selection meetings before those games will be well attended!

Events have already kicked off for the fundraising campaign with the Armagh CC Youth Academy leading the way with a St. Patrick’s Day Sponsored Walk around the Mall. Many of the club’s up-and-coming Under-15 and Under-13 players took part and event co-ordinator Paul Wilson was delighted with the response from the boys. As well as the senior teams Armagh has junior teams from Under-11 through to Under-17 and everyone is more than welcome to attend practices and play. The same invitation goes for any girls and ladies who want to try cricket as the Armagh CC Ladies XI hope to play their first fixtures in 2009 after beginning practices towards the end of the 2008 season. Any interested players can contact Andrea Hamilton or Natalie Wilson at the club to see about joining the team. The girls are being even more energetic in their fundraising as five of the players have entered the Belfast Marathon on Bank Holiday Monday May 4th and are holding a fundraising event in the Pavilion on Saturday 25th April. The girls are hard in training and all support and sponsorship is welcome!

Throughout the 150th Anniversary season, Armagh Cricket Club will be running fundraising events and playing invitational matches with the eventual aim of making a sizeable charity donation at the end of the summer. The club has chosen to nominate the “Wooden Spoon” as their charity of choice for the 2009 season. Wooden Spoon is the children’s charity of the sporting world. For 25 years Spoon has harnessed the spirit and values of sport to give disadvantaged children in Britain and Ireland a chance to achieve their full potential in life. Over this time more than 350 projects have been supported with over £15million given in grants to national and local projects. In Armagh alone both the Longstone Riding for the Disabled School and the Oaklands Respite and Assessment Unit have been supported in the past couple of years making the Wooden Spoon a National Charity that makes a difference at the local level and more than worthy of our support in our Anniversary year. If you wish to organise a charity fixture on the Mall, contact Keith Wilson at the Pavilion on 02837 523925.

Naturally cricket will form some of the main events in the Anniversary season with a couple of big matches being planned throughout the summer. The first of these events will hopefully be a great success and a fantastic spectacle, namely the Invitational Sixes Tournament on Bank Holiday Monday May 4th when 8 teams from across Sections 1 and 2 of the NCU First Division will play a 6-a-side tournament on the Mall for a cash prize and souvenir trophy. Several teams for the event have already been confirmed and more information on the competition format will follow after the Easter break.

Club President G.W. Breakey will be hosting his associates from Dublin’s Leinster C.C. when the Leinster Taverners XI takes on an Armagh Presidents XI on the Mall on the evening of Friday 19th June. While the participants action on the field may have slowed down ever so slightly with the passing years, the banter around the ground and in the Pavilion après match will surely more than make up for it. Similarly, after the hugely successful Jim Scott memorial fixture last season, an Armagh over-50’s side will take on their experienced counterparts from Laurelvale CC in a match sure to renew old rivalries and be a tremendous sporting spectacle. The date for that derby fixture is still to be confirmed.

The club intend to launch a souvenir brochure for the 150th Anniversary containing the summer fixtures, the Anniversary events plus some features and articles to boot. Representatives of the Club are in the process of seeking advertising from local businesses for this brochure with all support greatly appreciated. Individuals are also more than welcome to contribute with every donation being recorded and adding to our end of summer donation to the Wooden Spoon Society. Contact club secretary Ryan McCarter for more details about the brochure.

The focal point of the Anniversary seasons events though is sure to be Wednesday 12th August when the Mall hosts a feature match between an Armagh Presidents Select XI and a KUKRI All-Stars Select before the Armagh City Hotel hosts the Armagh Cricket Club 150th Anniversary Gala Dinner. The identity of the feature match teams is a closely guarded secret at present but there will certainly be a few high profile sporting stars taking part on both teams. Armagh C.C. are grateful to their technical suppliers KUKRI Sports for providing unique sponsored jerseys for the fixture as well as their support over the last two years and into the future. As well as the venue for the Gala Dinner, the speaker for the event has been confirmed as Geoff Miller, former England cricketer and currently head of the England National selection panel. Geoff played for Derbyshire and Essex as well as England in a distinguished playing career and is now a popular and successful after dinner speaker mixing his dry Northern wit with the numerous anecdotes and stories that come from a life in cricket. The Gala Dinner is sure to be a memorable formal occasion and tickets priced at £50 will be available shortly.

Clearly the 2009 season is going to be one of the action packed years in the long history of Armagh Cricket Club with plenty of events on and off the field to keep members, friends and guests of all ages busy. For more information on any of the events planned in Armagh Cricket Club’s 150th Anniversary Summer you can get in touch with any committee member.

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22nd May 2010

🏏 3rd XI Report

THIRDS SHINE ON THE MALL

Armagh Thirds continued their recent good league form with an emphatic 102 slaughtering of Instonians Thirds on a sun drenched Mall last Saturday. Armagh Skipper Keith Wilson had no hesitation on batting after winning the toss in perfect conditions and with a strong batting line up bolstered by the return of Charlie Singrey playing his first home game for two seasons, the decision appeared correct.

Armagh’s efforts however looked laboured as the Instonians seam attack curbed Armagh’s attacking nature early on. Openers Ricky Morrison(3) and Arnie Wright battled bravely however with the latter seeing off the new ball in a fine knock of 16. This brought Paul McCord and the returning Singrey together in what proved to be a match winning partnership McCord combined his natural aggression with Singrey’s watchfulness to take Armagh past three figures both fell shortly afterwards, Paul for an excellent 62 and Charlie for 19 as the hosts looked to accelerate. Simon Cardwell and Keith Wilson continued their recent middle-order dominance providing a late surge to the Innings with some good running between the wickets and several lusty blows as Instonians’ bowlers lacked creativity in the wilting heat. Armagh finished on a competitive 152-8 as Wilson Nicholson and Dobbs all were sacrificed in the final overs as the surge for vital runs proved costly.

Armagh’s opening bowlers Simon Cardwell and Matthew Brownlee had a few old scores to settle with the visitors however after being on the receiving end of 2 heavy defeats in the past two seasons. Both bowled brilliantly, Cardwell,in particular was virtually unplayable taking a mouth-watering 4-12, including the prize wicket of Inst skipper Graham Higgins in seven pace filled overs, as the Instonians top order had simply nothing in their armoury to deal with him. He was ably backed up by Brownlee who took 2-20, having been on a hat trick at one point. With the opening bowlers finished Instonians at 38-6 were only left to wonder what might have been. Armagh’s second string bowlers Ricky Dobbs and the young Johnny Morton ensured victory was a formality as the visors were bundled out for a meagre 52. Thirds captain Keith Wilson was quick to point out that his bowlers were inspirational coupled with an excellent display in the field as an all round team effort was the difference between the two sides. The Thirds will take many positives and look to develop from this win as many tougher encounters lie ahead in the coming weeks.

ARMAGH III 152-8 (P.McCORD 62, K.WILSON 25, C.SINGREY 19, S.CARDWELL 17, A.WRIGHT 16)

INSTONIANS III 52 all out (S.CARDWELL 4-12, M.BROWNLEE 2-20, J.MORTON 1-3, R.DOBBS 1-12)

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Club News, Match Reports and Results

28th September 2008

🏏 1st XI Report

Armagh rounded off their 2008 campaign in disappointing fashion as Dundrum had a convincing win on the Mall, although not enough to save them from the second relegation in the final reckoning. Of course Armagh’s fate of relegation had already been determined in the previous weekend after the city side had endured a difficult season from pretty much start to finish.

Despite that, the team were determined to bow out of Section Two on a successful note and captain Andrew Bratten decided to bowl after winning the toss hoping to make the most of a drying wicket with some swing sure to be available. The home captain got his team off to a fine start when he trapped McNerlin lbw in the first over then was sure that he had Tormey caught behind by McCarter but bizarrely the umpire refused to give the decision and the batsman stood his ground. This only served to fire up Armagh though and both Tormeys were removed in quick succession, clean bowled by Bratten and Bullick respectively. Dundrum captain Rodney Hassard, who refused Armagh a substitute fielder earlier in the season in the return fixture was undone by a lack of patience being bowled by the swing of Colin Russell and when Noel Maguire was caught at cover off Mark Stinson, Dundrum were perilously placed at 41-5. Unfortunately for Armagh the next couple of Dundrum batsman knuckled down and played resoulutely as the situation dictated. Connor and Maguire were also willing to bring out a few big strokes if necessary and it took a quite spectacular catch from Russell in the covers to remove the former. Martin then joined Maguire in another useful stand in the closing overs as the score grew steadily, but both fell trying to use their feet and being swiftly stumped by Gareth McCarter, Michael Villiers getting Martin while Matthew Steenson accounted for Maguire who played well for his 31. Each of those bowlers shared another wicket a piece as Dundrum scrambled to 140 all out in 40.3 overs.

Armagh needed a solid start in what was always likely to be a difficult chase and got it with Villiers and Steenson both looking strong but that solid start was blown away by the loss of three wickets with the score on 19, both openers and the promoted Mark Stinson being dismissed. This meant that David Bullick and Colin Russell had to rebuild and they did a steady job in tough conditions with the light fading. The score had crossed 50 with light rain falling when Russell was adjudged lbw to Connor, a disgraceful decision given that the Armagh batsman clearly hit the ball but the decision was given regardless. With the rain getting heavier the players came off and the resulting Duckworth/Lewis calculation was harsh on Armagh with 7 overs being lost but only 8 less runs required. Mark Elliott and Andrew Bratten came and went quickly before being deceived by the spin of Joel Maguire before Bullick and Gareth McCarter put together a meaningful partnership. After the D/L calculation Dundrum reckoned that they needed to dismiss Armagh for less than 87 to move out of the relegation spot but the home side were in no mood to roll over and despite more wickets falling, Ryan McCarter and Adam Breakey took Armagh beyond that mark at least. That was only denying the inevitable however and when the last wicket fell on 92 it meant both teams left the field being relegated from Division 1 Section 2, albeit with different margins.

After the game, Andrew Bratten admitted that Armagh were desperately disappointed to have lost the game after such a good start. “We probably allowed them 50 more runs than they should have got after being forty-off for five, but their middle order batted well and hung about like ours hasn’t done most of the year which made a big difference.” Bratten was also unrepentant about his teams determination in getting every run possible in the unlikely chase even though it meant that Dundrum ended up being relegated as a result. “Cricketers have long memories I guess, and Dundrum’s actions in the earlier game at the Meadow stuck in a few people’s memories. To be honest I would like to have beaten them but at least we gave our all until the end. If we show that sort of attitude next season we will hopefully do ok.

26th August 2008

🏏 1st XI Report

A heavily depleted Armagh side travelled to league leaders Ballymena on Bank Holiday Monday hoping to get an unexpected victory to boost their survival hopes. With several first team players unavailable due to various work commitments, Alan Whitcroft stepped into the captaincy, with his younger brother Stuart also playing apart. After a rain delay, Armagh decided to field and see whether they could exploit the difficult conditions, but Ballymena’s top class line-up weren’t looking to give any favours and opened with a steady partnership. A breakthrough came when the brothers Whitcroft removed Montgomery, Alan taking the catch to give his younger brother his first senior wicket. Wickets actually began to fall on a fairly regular basis after that with Alan Whitcroft the destroyer-in-chief taking out most of the middle order, including former Armagh professional Steve Lazars for a mere 16. Two wickets in the final two deliveries of the 40 overs from Whitcroft gave him a well deserved five wicket haul and restricted Ballymena to 160-9. Special mention must go to Ryan McCarter and first team debutant Adam Breakey who both patrolled the outfield superbly throughout.

The target was still a big one for Armagh and the task was made tougher with the early loss of Steenson, Villiers and Kulkarni. Phil Doyle was looking in decent form with a couple of lovely boundaries but his attacking instincts got the better of him and he was stumped. The rest of the batsmen came and went on a regular basis with everyone getting a start but failing to continue, with Armagh finally dismissed in the final over for just 99.

A harsh margin of defeat in the end perhaps, but plenty of encouraging signs for an Armagh team who showed plenty of skill and fight in the field. As ever though, there wasn’t really enough impact with the bat to make Ballymena sweat as they sealed their promotion.

9th August 2008

🏏 1st XI Report

Armagh boosted by Orchard derby victory

Armagh gave their survival hopes a timely boost and put a dent in those of Laurelvale when they scraped home in a closely contested match at the ‘Vale by a Duckworth/Lewis margin of 4 runs after rain had the final say.

If truth be told, it was a miracle that there was any play possible at all after a week of fairly consistent rain followed by another heavy shower on Saturday morning that had left an uncovered wicket drenched. To their huge credit, the Laurelvale players and staff worked tirelessly with sponges to ensure that the game could go ahead with only a delay of an hour, meaning the game was reduced to 47 overs per side. As conditions were still not ideal, Armagh invited Laurelvale to bat first after winning the toss.

This decision appeared to be a good one early on as Armagh’s tight bowling and fielding reduced Laurelvale to 22-2 with both their star performers dismissed, professional Ranjit Pande edging a beautiful delivery from Kulkarni through to the safe gloves of McCarter then Charles McCrum deceived by Alan Whitcroft into lobbing a catch for Michael Villiers. Laurelvale responded well though, with Wayne Pearson and Noel Nelson leading the recovery and largely content to block out the bowling of David Bullick who finished his ten overs conceding only twelve runs. The partnership grew steadily with Pearson in particular finding some good touch as Armagh used different bowlers in hope of a breakthrough. Nelson’s luck ran out when he clipped Bratten to Harry Boyd and mid-off but Pearson reached his half century when he struck a boundary off Boyd’s first delivery. Undeterred, the teenage spinner found his line and length and shocked the Vale when he clean bowled Pearson for 52, and overs later did the same to Sinton. In the meantime, Bratten had removed Topping courtesy of a Kulkarni catch at slip. Laurelvale’s innings was in danger of falling away, but some useful hitting from Magennis supported by Philip Weir got them going again before Whitcroft dismissed both in consecutive deliveries courtesy of catches from Gareths McCarter and Robinson respectively. Stewart was run out by Russell at cover and after their 47 overs; Laurelvale finished on a competitive 151-9.

Armagh were confident that a sensible approach in improving conditions would hopefully lead to a successful result but were aware that it wouldn’t be easy. Michael Villiers smashed a delightful early boundary off Pande but was dismissed soon after trying to repeat the act. Gareth Robinson and Colin Russell looked to rebuild, mixing solid defence with some good shots. Russell was looking confident with some crisp shots going to the boundary or being well fielded, and that frustration might have led to his demise when he drove a McCrum delivery straight to Burns who completed the catch. This brought Charu Kulkarni to the crease and the Armagh professional immediately looked comfortable with the task in hand. Unfortunately Robinson was dismissed in exactly the same fashion as Russell but had contributed well to Armagh’s steady start. Lloyd Hamilton helped Kulkarni build further but was unluckily dismissed when he edged an excellent quicker ball from Magennis and was caught behind by Topping using various parts of his body. David Bullick then entered the action with the score on 60 and usefully rotated the strike with Kulkarni as the target got ever nearer. However, the real drama began when the clouds closed in and rain appeared imminent, both teams started to look towards the Duckworth/Lewis calculation and found that Armagh were narrowly short of the par score. However, one over from Charles McCrum made all the difference as Kulkarni was able to swing the ball to the boundary in successive deliveries and put Armagh ahead as the started to fall. As the drops grew larger, it worked out that Armagh didn’t lose a wicket in the 35th over then they would still be ahead. Pearson tried all of his tricks but Bullick was immovable and with the rain becoming steady and heavy, umpires McNally and Blakely suspended play with Armagh ahead of the Duckworth/Lewis par score by 4 runs. The rain got steadily heavier and with no chance of play resuming Armagh sealed a narrow but precious victory.

Naturally Andrew Bratten was delighted to mark his return to the team with a crucial win, and paid tribute to the efforts of his side. “We bowled and fielded pretty well, kept things tight and held all the catches when they came along. Wayne Pearson batted well but Harry got the better of him and we managed to keep a lid on the rest of them. Batting wise the lads got themselves out to a degree but Charu (Kulkarni) didn’t look troubled and we were always confident when he was in the middle. David Bullick gave him great steady support and we timed the late charge pretty perfectly. In all it’s a great result and one that can maybe make things happen for us through August. Saying that, we still need at least one win from the games against Lurgan and Muckamore next weekend.

28th June 2008

🏏 1st XI Report

Armagh better, but still beaten.

Armagh’s run of defeats continued after a four wicket loss to Saintfield on Saturday but only after a much improved all round team display had given Armagh a real hope of getting something out of the game only to fall just short with a few overs remaining. Armagh were missing Michael Villiers at a family wedding so Matthew Steenson came into the side, plus David Bullick and Gareth McCarter were fit to play after injury concerns in the past week with back and thumb respectively. Andrew Bratten won the toss and elected to bat on the immaculate Saintfield pitch but the team had the worst possible start when young Steenson was dismissed off only the second ball of the game. However, Charudatta Kulkarni came to the crease and together with Colin Russell began to repair the damage of that early setback with some controlled batting. Sixty-one had been added when Russell was caught out for 28, but Kulkarni continued steadily and recorded his second half century for Armagh CC. Gareth Robinson fell in close to a sharp diving catch, but Lloyd Hamilton was able to build a solid stand with Kulkarni, making sure to give the talented Indian a lot of the strike as the Armagh score accelerated steadily. The two shared a super partnership of 85 before Hamilton was caught behind attempting to flick a bouncer and indeed Bratten was bowled first ball giving Saintfield a hat-trick chance that Mark Elliott was happy to survive. These wickets actually fell with Kulkarni on a score of 99, but he was not to be denied as a single took him to a terrific century that was applauded warmly by a growing crowd at the Desemene. Kulkarni was in something of a running battle with Saintfield’s tall opening bowler McBriar who was doing his best to unsettle the diminutive Armagh pro but would have been astonished to see his next ball smashed over the long off boundary for six with a quite remarkable baseball style smash. Kulkarni was finally caught on the boundary off the final ball of the 49th over for 112, a score that contained 16 boundaries and 2 “sixes”. Armagh’s innings closed on 201-8 as a few late runs were added but a competitive score nonetheless.

With a brief rain delay after tea and clouds looming overhead, Armagh knew that taking early wickets was going to be the key if a Duckworth/Lewis calculation came into play. Saintfield clearly hadn’t read that script though as Tommy Stewart and Captain Ricky Owens made an attacking start and made the most of their luck to build a stand of 69 for the first wicket. Andy Bratten was a touch unfortunate to bowl straight through his ten over spell without a wicket, but Bullick found the breakthrough when he had Stewart lbw. Saintfield were happy to rebuild and with left hander McCavery content to play second foil to Owens as he passed his half century with several smashing strokes to the short boundary. The game was hastily getting away from Armagh until Bullick was able to get rid of Owens in his final over with a fantastic swinging delivery to finish a decent spell. Harrison came and went quickly as the pace of Kulkarni induced an edge through to McCarter, and when Mark Stinson clean bowled past a heave from professional Noel David the Saints were 146-4 and in a touch of trouble. McBriar came and went fairly quickly when his luck ran out as Stinson had him leg before. McCavery was still at the crease and the home side could be confident as the assured left hander remained, although he had a left off when Bratten dropped a tough slip chance in Kulkarni’s last over. He did fall with 25 to win though as Bullick took a good catch on the boundary to give Whitcroft a well deserved wicket. The same combination was desperately unlucky not to repeat the success a few balls later as McGowan escaped, and Saintfield got to victory with 16 balls remaining with some assured shots from Wheeler.

After the game Andrew Bratten was understandably disappointed that his team hadn’t managed to complete a great victory. “I thought that although 201 was a decent score although we probably left a few runs out there after our middle order didn’t support Charu as well as they could have done. We bowled and fielded better as a unit than against Holywood and with a bit better luck we would been celebrating a win tonight. Kulkarni in particular didn’t deserve to be in the losing team, he batted virtually the entire innings for his century and bowled with the pace and discipline we have come to expect from him.

This weekend Armagh are back on the Mall and the bottom side desperately need a victory against Muckamore; the only team that the city side have managed a win against to date in the 2008 summer. If the side can manage to repeat the spirit and commitment of that early season win then they will have a good chance of taking the crucial points. Mark Elliott and Alan Whitcroft will be absent due to holidays, but Michael Villiers will hopefully return at the top of the batting order. Saturday’s game starts at 12 noon.

28th June 2008

🏏 2nd XI Report

Armagh Seconds got back to winning ways on Saturday recording a six wicket win over their Cooke Collegians counterparts in an away tie at Shaw’s Bridge.

In the mystery absence of Simon Cardwell, reliable stand-in skipper William Carberry lost the toss and Armagh were made to bowl on a wicket that certainly looked to favour the batsmen.

Armagh started well though with Reggie Stinson getting the breakthrough in the first over. Tight pace bowling from Stinson and Matty Wright was to result in plenty of frustration for the home side and allowed Stinson to claim his second victim in his 6th over.

Alan Stoops was introduced into the Armagh attack and what a decision it was with a remarkable display of tight seam bowling from the big man. Stoops recorded excellent figures of 6 wickets for a meagre 9 runs from his allocated 10 overs, ripping the heart out of the Collegians middle order. Wright came back into the attack and finished off the tail dismissing home number 11 for a deserved wicket.

After a gloomy hours delay due to rain, Armagh then set out looking to knock of the 70 runs needed for victory as quickly as possible with more showers looming. The free scoring Joe Thornbury promoted to opening as a result, and hit a quick fire 14 including a massive 6 onto the Outer Ring road. He was dismissed the next delivery after the ball was retrieved and Armagh then lost Phil Doyle first ball with Scowcroft fowling soon after for 8 as the alarm bells began to sound. However, Harry Boyd played a steady innings for 16 before falling with only 20 required for victory. This brought Carberry to the crease firing a quick fire 26 not out ably supported by the veteran Reggie Stinson who helped see Armagh home with 2 not out sealing a comfortable and well deserved win.

Cooke Collegians 69 all out (A Stoops 6-9, R Stinson 2-15, M Wright 1-12)
Armagh 73 for 4 (W Carberry 26*)

12th June 2008

🏏 4th XI Report

Armagh Fourths defeated but put in an encouraging performance…

Armagh IV travelled to Belmont take on CIYMS III on Saturday and although defeated put in an encouraging performance. CIYMS won the toss and elected to bad on a superb track at the Premier league ground, Armagh opening bowlers Arnold Courtney and Michael Anderson started brightly before experienced CI skipper Daniel McConkey scored a marvellous 82, well supported Beattie before Conor Wright clean bowled him as a century looked in sight. Tim McDonald then ran out Beattie with a superb piece of fielding from point as Armagh made a double break through. There was to be no let up as Duddy and Waddell continued the attack to the end of the 35 overs to total an imposing 225-2. Armaghs fielding and bowling had held up well and the young players had fought well in very warm conditions. The Armagh reply got off to a excellent start as Andrew Hoey went on the attack playing shots all around the wicket before he fell for 33 and then Aaron Wright followed next ball to leave Armagh looking at a humiliating defeat. But Captain Ryan McCarter received excellent support from Under 15 stars Michael Anderson (20) and Conor Wright (27 including a towering six into the hockey pitches) as Armagh took the score over 100 and beyond, Jonny Morton came to the crease and counter attacked in style scoring a career best 27 not out. Armagh completed their innings on 150-4 very respectable against a senior clubs third XI that hasn’t lost a league game since 2007! McCarter remained undefeated on 36 in a patient knock and he will be hoping his young team can continue their development against Lurgan Thirds this Saturday on the Mall.

7th June 2008

🏏 3rd XI Report

Armagh thirds once again came up short against an undefeated Carrick side on a sunny afternoon on the Mall on Saturday.After winning the toss the stand in skipper Peter Hazelton inserted Carrick on a hard wicket and the decision early on looked correct Armagh’s bowlers quickly reduced their visitors to 19-4.

Matty Wright was the first to strike having Ritchie caught behind by Smyth it was then Alan Stoops show as he took three quick wickets in the space of seven balls which included a caught and bowled and a smart catch from Hazelton.With the score on 28 Armagh again let the opposition of the hook dropping McClurkin on 10, this went on to prove crucial as the youngest made a match-winning 70.

The score of 188 would have been a lot greater if not for the sublime bowling performance from the evergreen Keith Wilson who with his remodelled action was at times unplayable and returned figures of 3-32 from his allocated 7 Overs, this included an excellent stumping from Smyth.

Sean Collyer wrapped up the innings with the wicket of Shimmon.In reply Armagh started poorly loosing the early wickets of McCarter, Collyer, Singery, Elliott and Smyth mostly to the leg spin of McAllister and at 63-6 looked to be totally out of the game with only the experienced Peter Hazelton 39 applying himself to the situation.

Peter again looked in great touch and will rue the square cut that has led to his downfall several times this season after hitting two massive sixes and five fours.Armagh however were not finished and an excellent 28 from Ricky Dobbs and an explosive 33 from hard hitting Davy Nickolson set up an exciting finish.

All rounder Alan Stoops then hit a breezy 16 not out including a huge six that landed on the firsts wicket but when Matty Wright lost his off stump Armagh found them selves 26 short.

1st June 2008

🏏 2nd XI Report

On a glorious Sunday on the picture perfect mall Armagh seconds beat Larne by 90 runs. With the sun high in the sky, Armagh made no hesitation in electing to bat on what was a dry and flat pitch. The Larne opening bowlers worked hard in the heat to claim the first wicket of the day, Michael Villiers being bowled for 12. Ryan McCarter with 11, and Mark Stinson with 40, made a very valuable 50 run partnership before both falling with the score on 96. Joe Thornbury arrived at the crease and within the blink of an eye raced to 39 before being bowled. Unfortunately wickets tumbled at regular intervals from here on as Armagh ended on a total of 175, with Reggie Stinson on 21 not out at the close of the innings. The Larne players had worked hard in the heat with King collecting 5 wickets, Baxter and Dempsey 2 apiece.

As Armagh took the field for the second innings the feeling was that they were runs short and with both openers batting nicely Larne had reached 30 after 7 overs for no wicket. A breakthrough was needed and when Simon Cardwell clean bowled one of the openers, Armagh burst into life. Reggie Stinson, a master of his craft, had toiled in the heat and his reward came when he dismissed Baxter. Harry Boyd took the valuable wicket of Hodge just before drinks and when Mark Stinson then came on he raced through the Larne middle order, finishing with 4 wickets. Larne ended on 85 all out. A very good fielding performance, with a couple of missed opportunities, lead to victory and all should be proud. The Armagh players grafted in the heat as a team and deserved their victory. A confidence is growing among the seconds team and all look forward to next weeks trip to Laurelvale.

31st May 2008

🏏 1st XI Report

Armagh beaten, but with positives to bring forward.

Armagh fell to a third consecutive league defeat at the Mall to high-flying Lurgan after taking a battering in the field, but then played with real pride and spirit to post a competitive score in reply as both sides toiled in the warm Saturday afternoon sunshine.

Armagh took to the field severely weakened without their captain Andrew Bratten and the holidaying Gareth Robinson and Mark Elliott, so Colin Russell deputised as skipper, Lloyd Hamilton came into the middle order and there was a well deserved call up for talented young spin bowler Harry Boyd. Armagh won the toss and elected to bowl in hope of restricting Lurgan despite the pitch looking pretty good. The decision seemed to be vindicated early on as professional Charudatta Kulkarni was bowling with great pace and was rewarded when he clean bowled Chambers without scoring. Lurgan’s professional Niranjan “Ninja” Godbole also looked on top form though and he was seemingly able to find gaps with ease. He built an excellent partnership of 156 with former Ireland player Neil Anderson with both recording hard-hitting half-centuries as bowlers struggled to get into any rhythm. Anderson was eventually dismissed by the part time spin of Michael Villiers, but Godbole continued to punish anything loose and reached a fabulous century just after the drinks interval. Whitcroft eventually had Godbole caught in the gully by Bullick for a great knock of 116 but the scoring did not let up as former Armagh player Gareth Morrison and Craig Irwin continued the onslaught striking a number of boundaries. To their credit Armagh did not let their heads go down and took a couple of wickets before the end of the innings with two for Bullick, a second for Whitcroft and one for Stinson as Armagh’s efforts in the field were rewarded with good catches for Hamilton, Villiers and Kulkarni. However, the 314-7 posted by Lurgan was a monumental score and a terrific effort by their batsmen even in the face of some less than accurate bowling.

It was difficult to see how Armagh could really take anything from the game but they certainly set about their task with gusto as Villiers and makeshift opener Colin Russell dispatched any loose deliveries to the boundary. The score had reached 41 when Villiers attempted a big shot and was safely caught on the boundary, but that brought no let-up in the scoring as Kulkarni joined Russell in an epic century partnership. Russell belied his inexperience in the opening position as he mixed aggression with great strokeplay, the highlight of which was a massive boundary six which landed in the carpark of 1st Armagh church. Kulkarni was mainly happy to rotate the strike but also punished some loose deliveries with fabulous wristy strokes. Unfortunately both fell in quick succession, Russell gone for 92 when his efforts surely deserved a century but received a standing ovation from the large crowd assembled at the Pavilion. Armagh continued to bat well with David Bullick and Lloyd Hamilton playing some smart shots and running well between the wickets until the former was run out attempting to steal a second. Victory was a long margin off, but Hamilton together with Carberry, Whitcroft and Stinson played well enough to take Armagh to the significant milestone of 250 off the final ball, leaving Lurgan victorious by 64 runs.

In the absence of regular captain Andrew Bratten, Gareth McCarter commented that even though Armagh was defeated, the side could certainly still take a few things out of the experience. “The boys batted really well, it is always difficult to go about chasing a huge score like the one we faced and we could have been rolled over, but we showed plenty of fight to get 250 on the board, a score that would win the majority of matches in this division. Colin Russell batted beautifully and deserved a hundred then Charu, Bullick and Lloyd (Hamilton) all kept their heads down and batted well for the team. Even in the field we stuck at the task in difficult conditions and hopefully some of our younger bowlers learnt a few tough lessons about how to bowl at top class batsmen. It was admittedly a pleasure to watch Ninja bat, but unfortunately it was against us!”

Armagh will have to get over their war wounds quickly though as they face what could possibly be a pivotal weekend for them in their 2008 Section Two campaign. On Saturday they host the hugely important derby fixture against old rivals Laurelvale then on Sunday they face something of a trip into the unknown as they travel to the Meadow to face Dundrum. Dundrum had a convincing win over Laurelvale at the weekend which leaves the three sides all tied in the table on one win each, so a good weekend could see a move into mid table for Armagh but a bad weekend would surely mean a long summer ahead. Both games begin at 1pm.

17th May 2008

🏏 2nd XI Report

Armagh seconds produced an excellent team performance to defeat their Carrickfergus counterparts by 140 runs on Saturday.

On a bright, if not sunny, day Armagh chose to bat first and went about their business in tidy fashion with both openers starting brightly. Unfortunately wickets fell at regular intervals but everyone chipped in Villiers 39, Carberry 34 and Thornbury 20. The pineapple on top of an already solid performance was provided by the young guns of Breakey 17 and Boyd 29 n.o. who took the score from 180 for 8 to the final total of 230 in very quick time – both young men have a very bright future.

Carrick’s innings got off to a rather more tricky start with Lester taking his first wicket in only the second over. The strong Armagh bowling attack lead by the renowned Stinson, playing his first game for the seconds in nearly 40 years, was too much for Carrick who collapsed to 90 runs all out. Gillespie and Cardwell with 4 wickets apiece and Lester with 2 capped a first-rate fielding effort. A great all round team performance and a comfortable victory to start the new season

3rd May 2008

🏏 1st XI Report

Armagh suffered a chastening ten wicket defeat at the hands of a rampant Lurgan in the First round of the TCH Down Democrat Senior Cup on Saturday at Pollock Park despite managing to post a very competitive score with the bat.

Lurgan had somehow managed to avoid the rain that had hit Armagh over the week and had bright sunshine, albeit bitterly cold with a harsh wind sweeping across the ground. The home team won the toss and decided to bowl first, decision quickly rewarded when former Armagh trialist Chris Courtney dismissed Phil Doyle without scoring.

The returning Gareth Robinson and Colin Russell recovered the situation quickly with the latter finding the boundary with some fine shots, before a dreadful collapse saw Armagh slump to 70-6 just after drinks. However, Captain Andrew Bratten led a fightback in tandem with Mark Stinson then Simon Cardwell that took Armagh back into a decent position as the innings progressed. Bratten led from the front, striking two boundaries and two “sixes” as he passed fifty and Armagh closed on 155-9 on their 50 overs. Second team captain Cardwell provided vital support in a 39 run stand striking the ball to the boundary on three occasions.

The consensus was that Armagh had battled themselves back into a decent position, but the target looked small straight away as Lurgan tucked into a mixture of short and wayward bowling. Only when David Bullick and Mark Stinson came on to bowl was there any degree of control but at that stage batsmen Johnson and Van Nierkirk were well set as both raced towards half centuries. Left arm spinner Timothy Gillespie was unfortunate not to pick up a wicket as he bowled five good overs, but Lurgan were undeterred as they reached the victory mark with twenty overs in hand.

Andrew Bratten was naturally frustrated after the game with the margin of defeat. “I thought we batted well and put a decent score on the board, but Lurgan blew us away when they batted and we didn’t do enough with the ball or in the field to stop them. It is an aspect of the game we will have to take a serious look at before next Saturday’s game at Muckamore.”

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Club News, Match Reports and Results

5th October 2021

🏏

Armagh CC were proud to make a presentation of £450 to Air Ambulance NI after our successful Annual Sixes Day held on the Mall on Sunday 29th August 2021. Event organiser Harry Boyd said ‘we always like to make a donation to a local charity who impact and support the local community and Air Ambulance NI is a perfect example of that’

29th June 2021

🏏 Who's The Winner?

Regardless of the result, PIZZA is always a winner…

13th June 2021

🏏 Results

Armagh v Saintfield in the Gallagher Challenge Cup.

Armagh 219/8. J.Rogers 71. C.Russell 53. P.Telford 3-30. M.Yeates 3-52.

Saintfield 214 all out. R.Smyth 65. A.McAvera 41. J.Rogers 5-39. A.Woods 3-34. M.Hoey 2-57.

Armagh win by 5 runs.

The 1st XI are back in action today travelling to Cliftonville Academy.

7th June 2021

🏏U11's Update

Our under-11s Team tonight that played against Donacloney Mill at the Mall, the majority playing their first game of cricket and everyone did brilliantly even though they lost narrowly in the end.

Amazing to see the Mall packed with kids and parents plus POWERCricket too. We love it!

We also love our fab new junior jerseys generously sponsored by our friends at FKP Smyth Paints, Emtek LTD and the wonderful C&G Embroidery. Huge thanks to them all.

27th May 2021

🏏 Out With The Old

Out with the old....

Fair to say that our old line marking machine at the Mall didn’t owe us anything after many years of service, but no doubt that we have an upgrade here. The boundary at the Mall is marked every weekend by Eric ‘Seed’ Davidson, one of our volunteer ground staff and an absolute icon in Armagh sporting circles.

Well done to Geoff Gray for managing to build it too!

13th May 2021

🏏 70 Not Out

Throwback Thursday to 2012 and a photo of the evergreen, ever reliable, ever dependable Arnold Courtney. It just so happens that today Arnold moves along nicely with no fuss to 70 not out.

As club legends/stalwarts go there are few better than “Our Archie” who has given a lifelong service and dedication to Armagh CC on and off the field. Arnold made his senior debut in 1967 and last year clocked up the remarkable statistic of playing in seven decades. Assuming he dons the whites on Saturday 22nd of this month he will be taking part in his 55th consecutive season as an Armagh player.

Everyone at the club would like to take this opportunity to wish Arnold a very happy birthday and look forward to seeing you on the mall soon.

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August 2011

🏏 Roundup

Firsts end on a winning note to finish 6th in league - Armagh Firsts finished the season winning 3 of their last 4 games to finish sixth in what could be described as a "topsy turvy" season. Armagh entertained Larne in their final fixture and dismissed them for 157, largely thanks to Andy Walbran (4-22) and Mark Stinson (3-37). A total of SIXTY extras didnt help the cause which was the main downfall of Armaghs eason this year, giving the opposition to many freebies. In chasing the total, Armagh completed the target with ease using only three batsmen. Michael Villiers ended a solid season with a quick fire 32, leaving Dean Lester (55 not out) and Colly Russell (54 not out) to finish the task at hand. Colly finishing quite a magnificant season in style with two boundaries. An end of season report to follow on the ups and downs of the season.

The Seconds ended their season with a T20 at Templepatrick and with a make shift team, ran Templepatrick close coming up 4 runs short chasing 102 to win. Paul Scowcrofts men have had an excellent season and finish in a respectable 3rd.

The Thirds have a few games left it what has been a good season for them having only lost 3 times, and if they get their final our games have a chance of the league title.

August 2011

🏏 Roundup

Firsts win two on bounce to keep hopes alive - Two wins in three games allowed Armagh to practically secure 6th place in the league with one game remaining. After a rocky season Armagh were hoping to finish on a high and wins against a lacklustre Dunmurry and Junior Cup champions Cooke Collegians, which was with half a team due to many players with rugby commitments. They lost in a T20 fixture with Cooke Collegians. With one game to go, Armagh will be hoping to finish on a high awaiting the decision of the NCU for the new league structures next year.

The Seconds, with their steady season have won and lost recently and sit in third place with one game to go.

Armagh Thirds have had a solid season and with a number of games still be arranged, if all played, the thirds have the potential of finishing in the top two.

August 2011

🏏 Roundup

Firsts face uphill battle at the closing end of the season - Things got from bad to worse for Armagh as they slipped to 7th in the table after another defeat, although against table topping Academy they did push them close. Not knowing for definate were they need to finish in the league to secure their posotion in the league next year, Armagh knew a win was needed. After some early morning rain the match was reduced to a 43 over game. Armagh won the toss and elected to bowl first. With what can only be described as a "shocking" outfield, runs were found hard to come by. You could have hit the ball along the ground like a bullet and still only get 1 or 2 runs the grass was that thick and cuttings still visible on the ground. Anyways back to the game. Academy posted 176 for 7, with some late hitting getting them to what was still a target Armagh could chase. Tight bowling from the ever reliable Alan Whitcroft and the return of David "Bunky" Bullick which was much appreciated by the rest of the team, kept Armagh in with a chance of victory.

Armagh got off to a slow but steady start. They kept wickets in hand but when they slipped behind the run rate and with runs already hard to come by, things werent looking so comfortable. With guys coming in looking to boost the run rate it inevitably brought wickets thick and fast. Opener Dean Lester was being patient and when he was at the crease with Bullick, looked about attacking any bowling. They brought Armagh back into the game with Lester (43) and Bullick (35) the main contributors of the total. Some late hitting from McCarter give the Armagh hopeful a glimmer, but eventually Academy ran out winners by 23 runs, much to their relieve as it showed at the end of the game. Armagh have four games left against fellow struggling teams and will be looking to win at least three of these games.

Armagh Seconds entertained Cregagh Seconds on the Mall. Armagh posted 176-4 in their allotted overs thanks to the ever reliable skipper Paul Scowcroft with 68 and a brisk 38 from Seamus Crowe in the closing overs. Extras were to cost Armagh as Cregagh eased to the total with 5 wickets in hand. Although their is no promotion in their league this year, they should be safe enough and still occupy a hard fought contest at the top of the table with as little as 6 teams able still to win the league.

On Monday 15th August, the Thirds travelled to Eaton Park for a T20 league game. Ballymena could only muster 83-9 thanks to excellent bowling from skipper Keith Wilson (3-8) and Johnny Morton (3-11). Armagh only lost two wickets in the chase with Matthew Brownlee finishing on 29 not out and Simon Cardwell a valuable 23 runs. This has lifted Armagh to third in the table.

August 2011

🏏 Laurelvale Complete Double Over Firsts BUT Seconds Win

Armagh Firsts yet again slipped to a defeat in a reduced overs match against table toppers and local rivals Laurelvale. After a two hour rain delay the match finally got under way with the match being reduced to a 32 over game. Armagh were asked to bat on what was still a good batting track. Another poor batting performance against some tight bowling restricted Armagh to 140-8 in their allotted overs. Colly Russell was the only batsmen of any note with 55, having sustained a hamstring injury half way through.

In reply Armagh managed to chip away at wickets, but in the end wasnt enough and slipped to their 5th straight defeat. Armagh will have to pull things together in the crunch stage of the league, with possible restructuring deciding were they will be placed next year.

Armagh Seconds won by 9 wickets on the Sunday against Cooke Collegians. This was a 20 over game and they chased 111 for the win with 4 balls to spare. Andy Walbran top scored with a patient, yet match winning 60 not out which has lifted Armagh to joint leaders in Junior League 3, and have every chance of promotion this year.

August 2011

🏏 Misery Continues for Armagh Teams - Roundup

In recent weeks Armagh Firsts have found themselves on the slippery road towards the bottom of the table, getting themselves into a possible relegation battle they didnt predict at the start of the season. Four defeats on the bounce hasnt helped the situation. A defeat by local rivals Portadown, who are also struggling in the league is what they didnt need. Portadown batted first on a sublime Summers day on the Mall which was in tremendous order. They totalled a mammoth 325 for 6 thanks to a quite superb 107 not out from J Edgar. Armagh knew they would set the record books alight if they chased it down but always knew it was possible. The quick wickets of the top order set the writing in stone, only for the lower order to wag again with Alan Whitcroft top scoring with a quickfire 55. Armagh eventually losing by 71 runs.

The next day on another scorcher, a tired Armagh team batted first against a useful Templepatrick team. On a batting track, Armagh could only muster 178 which was well below par. Templepatrick got the total with 10 overs to spare, as Armagh wilted in the heat and only got 5 wickets to show for it.

The following weekend gave Armagh a chance for revenge as they travelled to Templepatrick, on what was another hot and humid day. Although the bowlers didnt bowl badly, Templepatrick totalled 260-7 in their 50 overs. Highlights of the fielding being two direct run outs from Gareth McCarter and Mark Stinson. Harry Doyle bowled well at the start with no reward. Armagh knew this would be tough to chase and on a dodgy pitch never really got going eventually losing by 116 runs. Colly Russell top scoring with 41.

This leads Armagh to their most recent and possibly a costly defeat by Drumaness who would be fighting for a top 4 finish. In Match 2 situation, it was a 20 over game, which seemed to make no difference as Armagh struggled to 98 all out were batsmen just gave their wickets away and poor running was the order of the day. With rain showers expected Armagh were hoping to pull an unlikely win out of the hat, but to no avail. Eventually losing by 8 wickets and 4 overs to spare.

An awful two weekends for the Firsts, with table toppers and local rivals Laurelvale awaiting them next. Armagh will be hoping to put a dent in their title hopes and get themselves out of the dorp zone.

Armagh Seconds recorded two defeats in recent weeks to Cregagh and Templepatrick. They are still in contention for promotion with the league table spicing up with six teams all in the running for those top two places. Armagh have two games this weekend against top of the table teams and wins will help them push for promotion in what has been a good season for a new looking seconds team.

26th July 2011

🏏 1st XI REPORT

1st XI v Dunmurry

Armagh recorded their first league victory in almost two months with a comfortable six wicket victory over a struggling Dunmurry side at the Mall on Sunday. Responding to the disappointing Junior Cup loss to Woodvale in Monday nights continued match and with Saturday’s match at Cooke Collegians not playable due to the awful weather, Armagh were desperately in need of a morale-boosting win.

Dunmurry captain Rowan Shah was happy to win the toss and his team got off to a fine start after some loose bowling from Armagh. The home side received a timely boost when Irwin launched into a cut off a short ball from Harry Doyle and was superbly caught by a diving Andy Walbran at short third-man. Alan Whitcroft was introduced and certainly slowed down the scoring rate, with Doyle virtually unplayable at the other end with plenty of swing available for the left-armer. Harry Boyd came into the attack and received reward in only his second over when Irvine edged through to Gareth McCarter. The Dunmurry batting continued to lead a charmed life against Harry Doyle, who completed a great spell of ten overs for only 18 runs and certainly deserving more than the one wicket he claimed.

Boyd claimed a second wicket when he had a successful lbw appeal against King, but from here on in it was the Stuart Lester show as the tall bowler ripped through the Dunmurry middle order with a display of disciplined swing bowling. Shah was clean bowled by a great inswinger and only two balls later Whitcroft took a comfortable catch at mid-on to give a second scalp. Haire was battling hard for Dunmurry, but wasn’t getting much support at the other end as Lester continued to wreak havoc, claiming the wicket of Guy courtesy of a great catch by McCarter standing up at the stumps before then removing Higgins lbw with the next delivery.

The returning Whitcroft got into the wicket-taking act, finally ending the brave resistance of Haire leg-before-wicket and in the same over enticing Donaldson down the wicket to be stumped by McCarter. Lester had an opportunity to claim a hat-trick and a five wicket haul in his next over but somehow the Dunmurry pair managed to survive, although Lester’s final figures of seven overs, four wickets for a mere twelve runs was most impressive. Whitcroft claimed the final wicket with the second ball of his sixth over, giving him figures of three wickets for only two runs as Dunmurry subsided to 78 all out.

Armagh hoped for a confident start to their chase but received exactly the opposite when Michael Villiers was caught off the very first ball of the innings. Matthew Steenson and Colin Russell looked to rebuild steadily and scored freely against some varied bowling from the Dunmurry seamers. Armagh were racing along with some sumptuous driven boundaries so Dunmurry captain Shah decided to introduce his spin bowling and was instantly rewarded as he claimed the prize wicket of Russell from his very first delivery. Armagh then got slightly careless with the winning line in sight, as both Matthew Steenson and Harry Doyle managed to hit full tosses to fielders although the former did fall to a tremendous catch on the mid-wicket boundary. Thankfully there were no further dramas for Armagh as Michael Hoey and Mark Stinson quickly added the runs needed for victory; Hoey impressing with an unbeaten 27 as Armagh completed a fairly routine 6 wicket win.

16th July 2011

🏏 1st XI REPORT

1st XI v BISC

Armagh got back to winning ways with a victory against Belfast International Sports Club in a fixture that managed to survive the horrible downpours that plagued the Mall on Saturday. Armagh captain Gareth McCarter won the toss and chose to bat after a slightly delayed start, with Michael Villiers and Philip Doyle making a confident start against the opening bowlers. Armagh cruised to 43 without loss before suffering the double blow of losing both batsmen who looked well set, Villiers bowled by Ashish and Doyle unfortunate to be adjudged lbw. Colin Russell and Matthew Steenson looked to rebuild either side of a rain delay before the latter was deceived by the spin of Ismail. Dean Lester joined Russell in taking the score to 90-3 after 19 overs when a massive deluge of rain looked to have put the game in huge doubt but both teams worked hard to clear any standing water and have the Mall fit again for play. The time lost meant the game was reduced to a 33 over contest which would certainly favour the away side and would mean that Armagh would need to score quickly in their 14 overs remaining. This proved difficult initially as bowlers Vinoth, Ismail and Imran Yousuf were bowling great line and length with Lester falling to a catch off the bowling of Ismail. Armagh needed impetus at 107-4 when Harry Doyle joined Russell and the pair went on the attack with good shots mixed with strong running between the wickets as the score grew steadily. The in-form Russell passed his half century and continued to score freely before being stumped in the final over for a quite magnificent 72 that contained 11 boundaries. Stuart Lester could not repeat the heroics of the previous week but Doyle and Michael Hoey hit out to take Armagh to a competitive 180-6 from their 33 overs, with the former finishing on 25 not out that contained 2 “sixes”

Armagh would be hopeful of defending their score in 33 overs but with conditions improving and the maverick batting skills of the Belfast International side nothing could be definite. Armagh started well though with Harry Doyle and Mark Stinson bowling with pace and purpose, the latter removing Ismail when a short delivery was popped up to Phil Doyle on the leg side. Patra and Zaheer rode their luck on several occasions with Harry Doyle beating the bat on several occasions and having a few tough chances missed. The introduction of Stuart Lester proved a turning point as Patra fell to a excellent boundary catch by Stinson from his very first ball. Doyle got the wicket his efforts deserved as he removed BISC captain Vinoth leg-before wicket. Zaheer’s luck ran out as he was clean bowled by Lester with the same bowler taking the wicket of Dravid with another leg-before wicket verdict. When Harry Boyd took a spectacular catch from the very next ball to remove Imran, Lester had excellent figures of 4-11 from his first 4 overs. When Boyd became the successful bowler to remove the big-striking Prasanna courtesy of another great catch on the boundary from Harry Doyle the BISC innings was crumbling on 81-7. Armagh did not count on the efforts and application of Ashish and Anup who began to rebuild and indeed score quickly as the Armagh bowling became a little ragged. As the stand grew Armagh became increasingly desperate for a breakthrough and got one when Michael Hoey trapped Anup leg before wicket for 29. Ashish and Vincent tried to keep up with the growing run-rate but with Stinson and Hoey giving little away a risky single was attempted to Harry Doyle at mid-wicket and his return to wicketkeeper Gareth McCarter completed the run-out to make Armagh favourites. Hoey completed the job soon after as Harry Doyle completed another catch at short mid-wicket to remove Vincent and give Armagh a 27 run victory.

16th July

🏏 Mixed Fortunes for All Teams in Recent Weeks - Roundup

The Firsts found themselves on the winning and losing side in past two weekends. Defeat was inflicted at Drumaness in what could have been an embarrassing scoreline. Armagh slipped to 31-6 in what can be described as ordinary bowling on a dry, crumbling pitch. Mark Stinson dug in deep and began to push the score in the right direction with Boyd and Whitcroft, until them two went cheaply after much resistance. This brought Stuart Lester to the wicket with Armagh 74 for 8. These two then batted to the end of the innings, not after a few rain showers which levelled out the wicket making it batsman friendly. Lester was the more aggressive hitting 72 not out from 46 balls and Stinson playing a more controlled innings finishing on 43 not out, both top scores for the senior team. Armagh finished on 178-8 giving them a real shout of a win.

With the pitch now flat and no movement, Armagh bowlers struggled to make any real inroads into the Drumaness line up only taking two wickets, with Gelston and Walsh both recording half centuries. The margin of defeat was 8 wickets.

Armagh bounced back the following weekend (16th July) against the much improved BISC team. Armagh won the toss and batted first on a hard track which seemed batsman friendly and this was reiterated with Doyle and Villiers getting them off to a positive start. These two then fell with the score on 43. This brough Russell and Steenson to the crease when the weather set in. Heavy rain brought the game down to a 33 over match which hindered Armagh knowing they had to go out and attack. Russell scored another half century, ending on 72 and good support from Harry Doyle (25 not out) in the latter overs got Armagh to 180-7 in their 33 overs.

Armagh needed to bowl well and got off to a good start with Stinson getting a wicket with his first ball. Once again, the introduction of Lester had a big impact, as he picked up 4 wickets for a miserly 15 runs in his 6 overs. Great fielding was the order of the day to and great catches from Stinson, Boyd and the two Doyles helped Armagh to a closer than expected victory. The margin of the win was 27 runs. Both team deserves a lot of credit for wanting to play the game and clearing the heavy rain fall that fell onto the square, allowing the game to be played.

Armagh Seconds in the past few weeks have recorded victories against Millpark and title contenders Academy. They defeated an 8 man Millpark team in style with a victory of 10 wickets. Ricky Morrison scoring 71 not out in chasing down 95 for victory.

In a close game against league leaders Academy, Armagh came out on top by winning by 2 wickets. This has gave Paul Scowcrofts team a real chance of promotion this year and the next few games will be interesting.

The Thirds, like the Firsts have won and lost in the past few weeks. They defeated Ballymena Fourths and Larne Thirds by 3 wickets and 55 runs respectively. Although a defeat to Holywood most recently, Armagh still sit in the top 3 of the table and can be proud of this playing with a mixture of youth and experience all season.

9th July 2011

🏏 1st XI REPORT

1st XI v Drumaness

Armagh’s improved run of form came to an abrupt end when Drumaness strolled to a convincing 8 wicket victory in a game where rain had a large say in proceedings. The pitch at Drumaness was used and worn and the home side had little hesitation to invite Armagh to bat first after winning the toss. Few could have guessed the devastation that would follow though as the Drumaness bowlers wreaked havocand the Armagh batting crumbled to 31-6. Mark Stinson tried to lead recoveries with Harry Boyd and Alan Whitcroft but to no avail and when rain arrived Armagh looked in massive difficulties. However, the heavy shower that soaked the uncovered pitch seemed to remove all of the demons that had so troubled the Armagh batting and Stinson and Stuart Lester were able to consolidate and steadily rebuild. While Stinson was playing with a measured approach and content to take singles, his partner Lester was growing in confidence and used a much more attacking approach against the Drumaness change bowlers. The partnership grew steadily as Armagh struck out in the final overs to reach 176-8 in their 48 overs, a tremendous achievement given the perilous position they were in early on. Mark Stinson recorded his best senior score of 43 no, a tremendous gutsy effort and only overshadowed by an incredible display of hitting from Stuart Lester, whose unbeaten 72 from only 46 deliveries was his maiden first team half century. The innings contained 8 boundaries and 3 “sixes” and indeed the efforts of both had given Armagh some chance in the game.

The wicket was now very much improved for batting and Armagh struggled for a breakthrough as Neil Gelston and Gareth Walsh opened up and frustrated Armagh again, as they did in the Junior Cup tie at the Mall earlier in the season. Former Downpatrick and CIYMS star Gelston completely dominated the partnership, striking 11 boundaries and 1 six in his score of 63 before that man Lester made the breakthrough, with Gareth McCarter taking a great catch standing up to the stumps. Armagh hoped this would bring them into the game with almost 100 still required but wickets didn’t seem imminent as Walsh continued to block stubbornly while the Armagh bowlers toiled. Alan Whitcroft did claim a second wicket when he tempted Deegan down the pitch to be stumped by McCarter but by that stage Drumaness had victory well in sight. Despite desperate appeals for lbw and run-outs, Armagh would have no further success as Drumaness made it to their target comfortably, with Walsh somehow remaining unbeaten on 52 sealing an 8 wicket win.

2nd July 2011

🏏 1st XI REPORT

1st XI v Larne

Armagh recorded their third league win of the season with a comfortable victory against Larne at Sandy Bay. Armagh captain Gareth McCarter won the toss and chose to bat first on a wicket that although grassy looked to be hard. Matthew Steenson and Michael Villiers opened the Armagh innings in glorious sunshine and both looked comfortable and positive, scoring well and adding 50 in quick time. Villiers was unfortunate to be adjudged lbw to Larne’s left arm spin bowler for 22 but Colin Russell quickly rebuilt any damage done as the pair continued to score well around the large Sandy Bay ground. Double misfortune struck Armagh in quick succession as Russell then Dean Lester were given out to again what looked harsh lbw verdicts and when Matthew Steenson was caught at gully for a patient and well played 53, Armagh looked in a precarious position at 115-4. Rather than doubt though Armagh continued to be positive with new pair Harry Doyle and Michael Hoey both looking in tidy touch, playing good shots and testing fielders with brave and busy running. Steadily their partnership grew past 50 and when Hoey was out lbw for 21, Armagh were back in the game at 173-5. Mark Stinson joined Doyle and Armagh continued to score well with more strong running between the wickets and the increasingly confident Doyle striking the ball around the ground. He reached his second half-century of the season soon after and continued to be positive until dismissed in the penultimate over of the innings for a excellent innings of 66. Stinson was unfortunate to be runout soon after but more positive play from Stuart Lester and Harry Boyd saw Armagh finish their innings on a competitive 238-7 from their 50 overs.

Armagh were hopeful of being able to defend their score but knew their bowling would have to improve on recent efforts with extras a particular concern and again this lack of discipline proved costly as the top contribution in the Larne score was the extras given away by Armagh. Larne never really looked like they were going to chase down the score with only opening batsman Gary Alexander making any significant contribution with a patient knock of 45 before he was removed by the excellent spin bowling of Harry Boyd, who really deserved better figures than 1-22 from his ten overs. Harry Doyle and Stuart Lester also picked up one wicket each while Michael Hoey was able to profit from some poor batting from the Larne middle-order to finish with a credible 3-25 as Armagh won convincingly by 82 runs.

2nd July 2011

🏏 Wins for both Firsts and Seconds - Roundup

Armagh Firsts won two games in two weekends, with two comfortable wins over relegation strugglers Dunmurry and Larne. The first win over Dumurry was short and sweet. Armagh dismissing Dumurry for a paltry 89. This was helped with 4 wickets from Stuart Lester and 3 from Alan Whitcroft for very few runs. Armagh knocked off the total with ease with plenty overs to spare, winning by 6 wickets.

On 2nd July Armagh started the month well with a 83 run win at a sun drenched Sandy Bay. Batting first Armagh made good use of conditions, compiling 239-7 in their allotted overs. Every batsman contributed, with youngsters Harry Doyle and Matthew Steenson scoring 66 and 53 respectively.

Armagh were made to field the full 50 overs with Larne having no real intention of going for the win after drinks. Finally ending on 157-7 in their 50 overs. All bowlers bowled well, but once again 45 extras was the only low point of what was a good team performance.

Armagh Seconds on the same day made light work on Millpark Seconds (who only had 8 players) winning by 10 wickets. Armagh had Millpark 6-4, but somehow, late hitting got them to 89 all out. Simon Cardwell and Reggie Stinson picked up 3 and 2 wickets respectively. In the chase there was no hanging about as Ricky Morrison punished the bowlers to all parts of the Mall, with a magnificant 71 not out and skipper Scowcroft ending on 23 not out to raise Armagh to joint second in the league with promotion firmly in their sights.

20th June 2011

🏏 1st XI

The Firsts finally got their Junior Cup Quarter Final against Woodvale 2s completed on Monday, although the result was far from impressive from Armaghs standards. Having started the game on Saturday until torrential rain called it off for the rest of the day, Armagh had Woodvale 74-5, needing to return on Monday on this score to complete the game. This was courtesy of 3 quick wickets from Alan Whitcroft, who would in fact be unable to return on Monday night due to work commitments, before the rain came in.

Returning on Monday, needing only four wickets, Woodvale got another 40 runs before being all out for 114. This seemed a reasonable score on a slow, damp wicket that was at one stage under water on Saturday night. Armagh had to draft in no little than three sub fielders due to three of the original eleven unable to return due to work commitments or injury. This left Armagh needed 115 with only 7 wickets to play with, but still achievable. What was to follow was a major wake up call for Armagh. Cutting to the chase Armagh were skittled for 74, with only three players reaching double figures. Armagh failed to play the slow bowlers of Woodvale, which included 4 LBWs.

Although this now allows Armagh to try and catch up and concentrate on the league it was a majorly disappointing defeat and left most players very deflated. Armagh will need to get straight back up again if they are to stay in the already competitive league next year and need to start with a win on Saturday against Cooke Collegians.

18th June 2011

🏏 2nd XI

Armagh Seconds recorded a memorable win against a strong Cliftonville side at Mallusk. In a low scoring affair, Armagh bowled out Cliftonville for a mere 94 thanks to wickets from Seamus Crowe (4) and Paul McCord (3), ably supported by Andrew Smyth with two.

With a low target to get, it seemed easy for Armagh. Although when they slipped to 32-6, the game looked dead and buried. In form batsman and skipper Scowcoft had other ideas as he and Adam Marshall set about getting Armagh back into the game. Adam Marshall played some big shots including a towering 6 over mid-wicket, until being caught for 20 trying the same shot again. With the scores getting closer, Armagh were on 86-9, and the ever reliable skipper lead Armagh home with the one wicket remaining, thanks to Michael Hooks who played his part in the end. This was a much deserved win for a youthful second eleven, who now sit third in the league.

11th June 2011

🏏 1st XI REPORT

1st XI v Academy

Armagh slipped to another league defeat against Academy on the Mall on Saturday as a combination of poor bowling, a batting collapse and sharp practice by the opposition saw Armagh fall short by 46 runs. Armagh welcomed Alan Whitcroft back into the side in place of the injured Andrew Bratten and wouldn’t have been too disappointed when Academy won the toss and elected to bat first as there was a bit of pace and life in the pitch. Mark Stinson gave Armagh the start they wanted when he bowled Palmer in the fifth over and then had Academy’s attacking captain Shield’s safely caught by Michael Hoey at mid-off.

The onslaught did not end there as Academy legend Davy Greenlees cut loose right from the off, smashing the ball everywhere off all sorts of bowling as he reached a brisk 50. His batting partner Morgan had barely featured and fell lbw to Whitcroft as Armagh’s change bowlers began to slow the scoring rate and tie Academy down. Harry Boyd picked up deserved reward for his efforts as he clean bowled Greenlees and brought Armagh back into the game. This introduced Academy professional Ahire to the crease and he began to look comfortable after a slow start. Andrew Walbran produced a cracking delivery to remove Kelso lbw and after a bit of nonsense, Whitcroft had Wilson caught by Villiers at square leg.

Armagh were well back in contention at this stage but controversially the Academy professional then requested the use of a runner due to an “injury” and was joined by his captain Shields to do his running for him. There was no obvious sign of an injury but it certainly allowed Ahire to play freely without the extra burden of running between the wickets and he advanced to an unbeaten 83 with Stinson and Walbran picking up a further wicket each as Academy closed on an impressive 248 for 8 from their 50 overs. Despite this, Armagh were still reasonably confident of chasing the score in hand with Academy missing bowlers and Ahire surely unlikely to bowl and field given the apparent serious nature of his injury.

Michael Villiers and Philip Doyle began in confident fashion before the latter was dismissed in fairly ridiculous fashion as he was caught behind off the 7th legal delivery of the over to the dismay of the Armagh support. Undeterred, Villiers was joined by the in-form Colin Russell as they set about the Academy bowling with determination and gusto as their partnership grew steadily. Neither batsman looked overly troubled by the Academy bowling as they were able to combine boundary hits with rotating of the strike as their partnership passed 100 and Villiers moved to his first half century of the season.

Armagh were disappointed that Ahire came on to bowl seemingly unimpeded by his earlier “injury” and were outraged when he managed to sprint 20 metres to pick up and throw and runout the diving Villiers for a fine 62 that included 3 boundaries and 3 “sixes”. Despite this injustice Armagh had to move on, still fairly well placed at 133-2 after 27 overs and Russell looked in mood to rack up another big score, passing 50 for the fourth time this season. Unfortunately support was in short supply as Ahire and Greenlees tightened the screw and Armagh began to collapse, with the exit of Russell for a brilliant 78 that included 5 boundaries and 3 sixes pretty much the beginning of the end. Despite a battling unbeaten 16 from Harry Boyd, Armagh were dismissed 46 runs short of their target for another disappointing defeat.

Armagh captain Gareth McCarter was incredibly dejected after the finish as his team tumbled to another disappointing defeat. “We let Academy score far more than they ought to have through a mixture of average bowling and their professional being able to bat with a runner than he clearly didn’t need towards the end of the innings, that was clear from the way he moved in the field and when bowling. Academy didn’t break the rules, but they certainly flaunted the ICC Spirit of Cricket and everyone knows it. They know it, the umpires know it and we know it. It was just disappointing that we couldn’t beat them regardless and didn’t back up the efforts of Michael (Villiers) and Colin (Russell) with a bit more support. We had a good chat after the game and we are raring to go for the challenges that lie ahead in the upcoming weeks.

11th June 2011

🏏 Roundup

Armagh Firsts slipped to their second league defeat in what can only be described as a "heated" and "farcical". Armagh lost the toss and were asked to field first. After two early wickets from Mark Stinson, it brought Greenlees to the wicket and he would take to the pace bowling with great affect, hitting it to all parts in a quickfire 50. Harry Boyd and Alan Whitcroft were introduced to take the pace of the ball and both bowled well with Boyd getting Greenlees out and Whitcroft picking up 2 wickets in their ten over spells. "Heated" is used as a rift between an Academy batsman and our wicketkeeper halted play for a short period of time. With Academy struggling, their professional, P Ahire, had got them back into the game passing 50. Coming near the end of the innings brings in the farcical side of things. The Academy professional had sustained a hamstring "injury" and a couple minutes later was a back "injury" in which he called for a runner. He went on to make 83 not out. Academy finished on 248 for 8 in their 50 overs.

Armagh started brightly, despite losing Philip Doyle for 8. This brought the inform Colly Russell to the crease alongside Michael Villiers who was also in form. They played the Academy bowlers with ease and passed the 100 partnership in no time. To the disgust of the Armagh team, Academy brought on their professional P Ahire, who had suffered from an injury earlier in the game, and went on to bowl his 10 overs, somewhat freely. To add to mix, he was the player who ran out Michael Villiers with a direct hit, after sprinting 20 yards to pick up and throw with ease. This was followed with a batting collapse and left Armagh falling short by 48 runs. The team were distraught and will need to pick themselves up for the next game. Mention must go to Colly Russell and Michael Villiers who both hit 50s. Armagh will be in Junior Cup action next week against Woodvale Seconds as it reaches the Quarter Final stages.

4th June 2011

🏏 Roundup

This is a day that Armagh Cricket Club will want to forget as all three senior teams were defeated. The Firsts travelled the short distance to local rivals Laurelvale in what proved to be a high scoring encounter on a decent batting track. Having produced excellent fielding displays in the last two matches, it was the fielding that cost Armagh the game. Laurelvale posted 289 for 6 in their 50 overs, Stuart McClelland hitting 113 and Daryl Henry 64. Both were dropped early on, and this proved costly. The only bowler of any note was Mark Stinson who took 3-42, taking out the top 3 batsmen early on.

In reply, Armagh knew it would be an uphill struggle having been in the field for 50 overs. The innings started with a lot of intent with Philip Doyle and Michael Villiers looking to score quickly. Once again, Colly Russell was in the runs with 87 in a fine display of batting. Harry Doyle was good support getting 30, and some late hitting from Mark Stinson (31) and Michael Hoey (17) got the score to 231, a decent effort from the Armagh team. Although very disappointed, Armagh know they have to move on and bounce back from this defeat.

Armagh Seconds were also defeated by local rivals Laurelvale on The Mall. Armagh batted first and in their 40 overs posted 187-5. A big mention must go to skipper, Paul Scowcroft, who hit his second century of the season, getting out off the penultimate ball of the innings for 102.

Armagh produced a good bowling display and pushed Laurelvale to the wire, with Laurelvale winning by 2 wickets with 3 deliveries to spare. Armagh finished with only 9 fielders due to injury or other commitments, and may feel the result could have went in their favour had they finished with 11. Andrew Smyth picked up 3 wickets for 35 runs.

Armagh Thirds were knocked out of the Minor Qualifying Cup by Instonian Fourths. The margin of defeat was 3 wickets.

4th June 2011

🏏 Bad Day At The Office

A bad day for Armagh Cricket Club as all three teams got beat. It could get much worse as the Firsts and Seconds lost in local derby matches against Laurelvale and the Thirds were knocked out of the Minor Qualifying Cup by Instonian Fourths. All team will be looking to bounce back next weekend, weather permitting as June has started with showery rain. On Sunday 5th June 2011, rain was the winner as it cancelled the Firsts fixture with BISC, for the second time.

29th May 2011

🏏 1st XI REPORT

1st XI v Drumaness (Junior Cup 2nd Round)

Armagh survived an almighty scare against a plucky Drumaness outfit to progress to a home quarter final in the Goldblatt McGuigan Junior Cup after a feast of runs on the Mall saw Armagh prevail by a margin of 20. Armagh captain Gareth McCarter won the toss and chose to bat first on a hard pitch which looked full of runs and he would not be proved wrong! Philip Doyle and Michael Villiers instantly seemed in command as they mixed regular boundaries with intelligent running and built a steady partnership. The introduction of off-spinner Neil Gelston stemmed the flow of runs to a degree but scoring opportunities were readily available at the other end. The partnership cruised past 50 and was looking strong until Gelston got the wicket his efforts deserved, Villiers chipping a catch for a well played 28. This brought Colin Russell to the crease but it was Philip Doyle who was looking good and to the delight of the assembled crowd eventually made his way to a well deserved half century. This was Philip’s first senior half century for 4 seasons and after battling back from a career threatening injury it was well received by all. Unfortunately the innings wouldn’t last much longer as Doyle managed to pick out the one man on the leg side boundary with a pull shot but his effort of 58 that contained 9 boundaries had put Armagh in a strong position. Russell continued on his merry way dominating the bowling in his usual fashion, supported in turn by Harry Doyle who scored 21 in good time and by Matthew Steenson in a partnership of 47. Alan Whitcroft fell quickly and to the anguish of the crowd, Russell fell for 91, clean bowled for Oldroyd after an epic innings full of power and class that contained ten boundaries. Some enterprising play in the last few overs from Harry Boyd and Mark Stinson saw Armagh finish on 240-6 from their 50 overs; a strong score and one that Armagh would hope to defend.

If Armagh were to progress though they would need to remove Neil Gelston early, a high-class player with a lot of Premier League experience but there were few alarms early on as both he and his opening partner Gareth Walsh looked calm and unwilling to take any risks. Stinson and Doyle were seen out without too much trouble while Alan Whitcroft and Harry Boyd were treated with the same ultra cautious approach and when drinks were taken, Drumaness has crawled to 75 without loss from the 25 overs. Michael Hoey and Boyd continued to keep things tight after the drinks but gradually the Drumaness batsmen opened up a little, especially Gelston who was beginning to show his class and was really opening up. The equation started looking quite tight, and despite excellent spells finishing from Boyd and Hoey, some expensive overs from Stinson and Andy Walbran had Drumaness at 176-0 after 44 and looking narrow favourites. However, McCarter had saved 5 overs from Alan Whitcroft and that was to prove crucial as in successive overs he was able to remove first Gelston then Walsh. Gelston had scored a quite fantastic 109 that contained 11 boundaries and 2 big sixes while Walsh had somehow made his way to 69 through a mixture of luck and in fairness, great patience and good judgement. Once the opening stand of 179 had been broken the chase somewhat fizzled out and Armagh had further success with Harry Doyle clean bowling Oldroyd while Gartland was run-out by a direct hit from McCarter from behind the stumps. Another quality over from Whitcroft ended the match with Drumaness on 220-4 from their 50 overs, leaving Armagh victorious by 20 runs.

29th May 2011

🏏 Roundup

Armagh Firsts progessed to the Quarter Final of the Junior Cup after a high scoring game against a plucky Drumaness side. Armagh scored 240-6 in their 50 overs. Notable scores being 91 and 58 by Colly Russell and Philip Doyle respectively.

Drumaness managed to get 220-4 in their allotted overs, Neil Gelston hitting a magnificent 109. After he was out their innings faded off and Armagh just made it over the line.

The Seconds were in cup against on the back pitch on the Mall, it what can be defined as a one sided match. Muckamore bowled Armagh out for 114, with Leslie Allen, who would still be good enough for 1st XI cricket picked up 4 wickets. In reply, Muckamore had no worries in knocking off the score and only lost the one wicket, meaning Armagh are knocked out of the Intermediate Cup in Round One.

27th May 2011

🏏 1st XI REPORT

1st XI v Derriaghy (T20 Shield First Round)

Armagh were disappointed to come out second best in a closely matched encounter against Derriaghy at Queensway on Friday night in the T20 Shield after a superb bowling and fielding effort had given them a chance of a major upset.

Derriaghy won the toss and unsurprisingly elected to bat on a fine looking pitch and started well as the Armagh bowling was a little loose, but Stinson hit back well to bowl out Lewis while Harry Doyle removed South African star Daubney courtesy of a fine catch from Andrew Smyth. The innings then became the Harry Boyd show as he dazzled the Derriaghy batting with a spell of high quality off spin bowling, taking 4-12 in 4 overs, with professional Pushpalal being smartly stumped by McCarter after advancing down the pitch while others were left haplessly bowled as they were beaten by the spin. Michael Hoey and Andy Walbran also provided good support and with wickets falling at regular intervals, Derriaghy were suddenly in trouble, especially when Michael Villiers took a stunning diving catch at point. Stinson returned to clear out the tail and Derriaghy were stunned to be dismissed for a mere 107, a fabulous effort from the Armagh fielders.

Armagh would have been confident of chasing down the fairly meagre target but knew that they were up against a quality bowling attack on a small ground. Phil Doyle started with attacking intent and struck a great maximum 6, but unfortunately the next would come in the very last over as Andrew Smyth struck a mighty blow to the boundary. In-between the Armagh batting struggled to get the Derriaghy bowlers away, led superbly by their stand-in captain Craig Lewis who took the remarkable figures of 4 wickets for only 6 runs in his 4 over allocation. As hard as they tried, Armagh were never really up with the run-rate required and despite valiant efforts from Harry Doyle and Smyth, Armagh fell short by 11 runs.

25th May 2011

🏏 New Sponsor - Dominos Pizza

Armagh Cricket Club can reveal that their new sponsors for the 2011 season is Dominos Pizza. We are hoping this can beneficial for both the club and for Dominos as it is situated just across from the cricket club itself. Everyone at the club is grateful of the sponsor and hopes it can be a lasting relationship between the two entities. Below is a picture of 1st Captain Gareth McCarter (centre), Mark Stinson (left) and Matthew Steenson (right) being presented the new shirts for the season from an employee.

22nd May 2011

🏏 1st XI REPORT

1st XI v Clogher (Junior Cup 1st Round)

Armagh face a growing fixture backlog after another game fell victim to the rain on Saturday as the match with Drumaness was postponed on Saturday morning due to the persistent showers. Sunday’s Goldblatt McGuigan Junior Cup tie at Clogher was also a non-starter due to the heavy rain, but with a result required it meant that the dreaded “bowl-out” was required. A tense yet surreal event with the two teams bowling at a set of unguarded stumps in a best of five contest, linked by mobile phone. Armagh prevailed in the contest by 2 to 0; with Alan Whitcroft and Harry Doyle the pair of successful bowlers. Armagh will progress to host Drumaness in the next round which will be on the Mall on Sunday 29th May with a 1pm start. Armagh captain Gareth McCarter was relieved and delighted to get through, but conceded that he felt sorry for their opponents as it was a poor way to lose a cup tie. “Credit goes to the five players that put their hand up to compete in the bowl-out because it is a tense situation and although we had 7 or 8 players that would have been well capable of hitting, thankfully Alan (Whitcroft) and Harry (Doyle) did the business when it mattered. We have aspirations for a decent run in the Junior Cup so for it to end in the first round in a virtual lottery would have been unfortunate.”

21st May 2011

🏏 Roundup

Once again the weather was in the only winner of the day as it cancelled all games that were scheduled. After overnight and early morning persistent rain, both the Firsts and Seconds had to call their league and cup fixtures off respectively. The Thirds on the other hand were handed a win and progress to the next round of the Minor Qualifying Cup after CSNI V's phoning on the Friday night, unable to field a team.

14th May 2011

🏏 1st XI REPORT

1st XI v Clogher

Armagh 1st XI were again left kicking their heels on Saturday as their Junior Cup tie at Clogher was postponed on Friday afternoon due to the persistent heavy rain at the County Tyrone venue, meaning that the city side will face a re-arranged game at the same venue this Sunday, and could potentially face the dreaded “bowl-out” if the ground is still unplayable. Armagh captain Gareth McCarter admitted that “the rain has given us a nightmare start to the season with BISC being abandoned and now Clogher being postponed. Weekends with Saturday and Sunday fixtures are tough on the players but we will just have to get on with it as well as we can. Naturally we would rather not have to decide a Junior Cup tie with a bowl-out, but I guess we will have to practice it to get our best 5 bowlers.”

Before the Junior Cup tie on Sunday, Armagh have their first home league game of the season on Saturday when they face Drumaness, who coincidentally would also be the opponents in the next round of the Junior Cup if Armagh can progress. Armagh would be keen to get another league win under their belts and Saturday’s fixture begins at 1pm.

14th May 2011

🏏 3rd XI REPORT

3rd XI v Laurelvale

Armagh Thirds continued their 2011 campaign with a home fixture with Laurelvale IIIs on The Mall last Saturday. The match was reduced to 25 overs due to the inclement weather, Armagh skipper Keith Wilson won the toss in overcast conditions and had no hesitation in batting on a firm Mall wicket for early May despite the persistent squalid showers. Once again Armagh’s top order batsmen started in quick fashion as Laurelvale’s bowlers struggled early on. However some poor shot selection by the hosts top order batsmen reduced Armagh to 41-3 after 8 as David Spratt, Adam Breakey and Stuart Lester, making a welcome return, were all back in the pavilion earlier than expected. This brought Simon Cardwell and Keith Wilson together as their partnership of 52 was to be the highest in the game. Unfortunately both were dismissed in the final overs for 29 and 28 respectively as the “Vale” bowlers hit back. The biggest cheer of the day was reserved for Mark Williamson as his cameo of 24 not out, including one towering 6 gave Armagh a decent total to defend finishing on 138 for 7.

In reply the visitors started patiently as skipper Colin Stewart looked to be in fine touch. Ben Gardiner yet again proved the pick of Armagh’s attack removing McClelland and Thornbury to give Armagh early hope, David Nicholson taking a fine catch to dismiss the former. Stewart however was to prove a severe thorn in Armagh’s side as he passed 50 with ease in a virtual one man batting display. Keith Wilson and Savio Sardinhia fought back for Armagh claiming a wicket each as Armagh suddenly looked favourites again, a further 2 wickets by Adam Breakey looked to virtually put the tie beyond Laurelvale. As the last over began the visitors required 15 to win and Colin Stewart who had batted with dogged determination sealed victory for the “Vale” with 3 towering sixes to leave Armagh shell-shocked. It was without doubt a masterful batting display by Stewart who engineered an unlikely victory in finishing 90 not out. Armagh’s fielding was simply not good enough as several chances were dropped as Laurelvale quite rightly took full advantage.

ARMAGH III 138-7 (S.Cardwell 29, K.Wilson 28, M.Williamson 24no, D.Gillespie 4-24)

LAURELVALE III 142-6 (C.Stewart 90no, M.Thornbury 15, B. Gardiner 2-28, A. Breakey 2-28)

14th May 2011

🏏 Roundup

The Firsts 1st Round Junior Cup fixture was an early victim of the weather, having been called off on Friday afternoon after persistent rain at Clogher was all too much their ground. The match has now been rearranged for Sunday 22nd May 2011, were the match will get a result no matter what, even if it means by the dreaded "bowl out".

The Seconds had a short trip to Millpark were they came away victorious in a low scoring affair. Armagh batted first and in their 40 overs accumulated 173 for 8. Harry Boyd top scored with 38 and a mention must go to Seamus Crowe playing his first game back in two years who scored 32.

In reply Millpark could only muster 160-6 off their 40 overs with some tight bowling from everyone. The pick of the bowlers being Paul McCord 3 for 24 and Duncan Steed 2 for 24.

Armagh Thirds lost with one ball to spare in a close encounter against local rivals Laurelvale. Laurelvale won by 4 wickets. Report to follow.

7th May 2011

🏏 3rd XI REPORT

3rd XI v Holywood

Armagh Thirds kicked off their 2011 campaign with a home encounter with Holywood III on The Mall last Saturday. It was a case for skipper Keith Wilson to welcome back a few “aul hands” to the fold as Armagh, for the first time in over a quarter of a century, have dropped from four to three teams. Simon Cardwell and Simon Courtney were hoping to make more regular appearances, Mark Williamson again coming out of retirement, but the biggest cheer of the day was reserved for club stalwart Arnold Courtney who just over 8 months ago underwent major surgery and few in their wildest dreams could have believed that the man who has played in the last 6 decades would be turning out in the first match of the new season.

Holywood won the toss in pleasant conditions and had no hesitation in batting on a firm Mall wicket for early May. Simon Cardwell quickly removed skipper Maxwell thanks to a sharp Ben Gardiner catch, whilst at the other end Savio Sardinhia outfoxed Harry Maxwell thanks to an excellent catch by Arnold Courtney at mid off. Armagh’s bowlers stuck to their task resolutely as wickets fell at regular intervals, Cardwell taking a brace in one over during his second spell courtesy of 2 catches by wicket keeper Breakey. Arnold Courtney continued his remarkable comeback taking 2 wickets whilst spinners Ben Gardiner and Keith Wilson bowled economically from the pavilion end without much luck. The game, however looked to drift away from Armagh in the latter overs as former firsts captain and Ireland international Michael Shannon plundered a quick 48 not out as Holywood amassed 165-8 in their allotted 30 overs.

Armagh’s reply started poorly losing Breakey early on. David Spratt and Cardwell however regrouped putting on 72 for the second wicket before the former was bowled by Shannon for an excellent 34. Armagh continued to stutter as the innocuous Johnston removed Sardinhia and Davy Nicholson in one over but Armagh remained favourites at 102-4 in only 15 overs. Another double wicket loss for Armagh was to prove near fatal as Cardwell, having done all the hard work, fell for a well crafted 36 and Simon Courtney was caught and bowled gifting Ken Nicholl 2 wickets in his first over. At 108 for 6 Armagh were on the ropes and also reduced to 10 men. Cool and calm heads were the order of the day and who better to join Keith Wilson at the crease other than Mark Williamson as the big man plundered a few lusty blows to take Armagh close to the finish line. With the job near complete Williamson was caught and bowled for 17 to opening bowler Michael Walker, this brought Arnold Courtney to the crease who was to complete a fairytale of comebacks tucking Maxwell of his legs for four to secure a 3 wicket victory and send the crowd into raptures after Wilson had kept his head to play a supporting patient role in his 26 not out. Wilson described the win as “ One of the finest savouring moments to be seen on the Mall for many seasons giving the emotions of the game as Armagh sealed a famous win with over 3 overs to spare.”

HOLYWOOD III 165-8 ( M.Shannon 48no, M.Walker 31, S.Cardwell 3/20, A.Courtney 2/50, D.Spratt 1/6, B. Gardiner 1/18, S.Sardinhia 1/35)

ARMAGH III 166-7 (S.Cardwell 36, D.Spratt 34, K.Wilson 26no, M.Williamson 17)

7th May 2011

🏏 Roundup

The Firsts game at Mallusk unfortunately got hit by the weather and was abandoned after 41 overs with Armagh on 185-5. Matthew Steenson was on 55 not out when the weather closed in and the umpires called it a day.

A minute down the road at BRA Playing Fields the Seconds had a high scoring game against Academy. With a weaken team they knew it was going to be tough. With Academy hitting a massive 364-2, it didn't look good at the tea interval. Paul Scowcroft although thought differently and hit 145 before being caught on the boundary attempting another maximum. Aaron "Arnie" Wright, who is only 13 years of age, hit his first club half century on his way to 70. Armagh although fell agonisingly short being all out for 299. A great effort from a young team.

The Thirds kicked started their season with a win over a strong Holywood side that boosted on less than 3 ex First Eleven players last year. Report to follow.

30th April 2011

🏏 1st XI REPORT

1st XI v Portadown

Armagh got their Ulster Bank Division One Section 2 campaign off to a great start with a comfortable 67 run victory against their neighbours Portadown at a sun-drenched but wind-swept Chambers Park. With a few senior regulars unavailable for the league opener, Armagh welcomed back Andrew Walbran after a lengthy absence and gave a debut to young William Dougan. Portadown won the toss and surprisingly invited Armagh to bat on a track that had plenty of grass left on it.

Armagh openers Philip Doyle and Michael Villiers started confidently until the former was bowled out by a decent delivery from Edgar. Colin Russell joined Villiers in the middle and the two rebuilt steadily and scored fluently, both finding the boundary regularly in a partnership worth 67. Michael was unfortunate that his first false shot got him out, edging though to the keeper who caught well to end his innings on a bright 36 that contained 8 boundaries. Dean Lester batting at four looked in decent touch and with Russell looking imperious Armagh were looking good for a big score. Portadown’s bowling improved and the 3rd wicket pair became slightly bogged down and Lester’s frustration got the better of him, lofting a high catch to depart for 28 after a stand of 79. Armagh had a mini wobble of losing 3 wickets for 12 runs, the second being Russell who found a leading edge and was well caught at cover for a well played 83. Russell struck 14 boundaries and one mighty “six” in a fabulous start to the season for Armagh’s leading batsman. Michael Hoey departed quickly without scoring and at 174-5; Armagh looked at risk of not making the most of their strong start. They needn’t have worried though as Harry Doyle and Mark Stinson combined in another fine partnership to take Armagh to the end of 50 overs without any further loss. The pair put on 85 in good time with Doyle taking the lead role, striking 8 boundaries and a quite superb “six” over cover in the final over as he scored his first ever senior half-century to finish unbeaten on 58. Stinson offered decent support with an unbeaten 21 and Armagh’s final score of 259-5 was a fairly formidable one.

Portadown’s response had a horror start as they were quickly reduced to 16-3. Mark Stinson removed Haddock courtesy of a fine catch by Harry Boyd at point. Michael Hoey was successful twice in quick succession when be bowled P.Edgar than had R.Whitfield caught by Stinson. Armagh could have been forgiven for expecting a formality but they were much mistaken as D.Whitfield and P.Edgar launched a ferocious assault on the Armagh bowlers, admittedly riding their luck and taking advantage of some quite shoddy fielding. Edgar was certainly the aggressor and Armagh were glad to see the back of him when he was caught at cover by Russell off the bowling of Harry Boyd for 48. Former Armagh player Roshan Jose looked keen to attack but after a few big blows he edged Harry Doyle through to McCarter. Whitfield carried on his anchor role and edged to a fortunate but well-deserved half-century with some runs off Boyd. The young spinner would have the final say though, bowling Whitfield for 51 with a delivery that stayed low.

Armagh introduced Andrew Walbran into the attack hoping that his medium pacers could help finish the job and they weren’t disappointed as his disciplined bowling was too much for the Portadown tail-enders, with two more catches for McCarter and two more being clean-bowled. Portadown’s resistance ended with the score of 192 all out, Walbran leading the way with strong figures of 4-22 in his seven overs.

Armagh captain Gareth McCarter commented that he was content to get a win on the opening day against their local rivals. “The first game of the season is all about getting a win and we did that on the back of a great batting display, so credit to Colin Russell and Harry Doyle on their half centuries with good support from Michael Villiers, Dean Lester and Mark Stinson. We have plenty to work on in the field and with the ball, but hopefully that can improve on a weekly basis.”

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Club News, Match Reports and Results

9th November 2025

🏏 Remembrance Sunday

Earlier today at the annual Remembrance Sunday service on the Mall, Club President, Keith Wilson, and Club Secretary, Gareth McCarter, on behalf of the members of Armagh Cricket Club ,along with other representatives of clubs in Armagh, laid a wreath in Remembrance of all those who lost their lives in the two world wars and other conflicts. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them.

4th October 2025

🏏 Senior & U15 Awards 2025

With the recent end to the 2025 cricket season, last night we had our annual awards ceremony at the pavilion. Storm Amy didn’t prevent a good turnout of junior and senior players, who enjoyed some refreshments supplied by Fly Boy Pizza Armagh before the awards kicked off.

As the awards started, Club President, Keith Wilson, welcomed all players and supporters to the event and asked that everyone stood and raised their glass as a mark of respect to absent friends, and particularly club groundsman Eddie Giffin who sadly passed away earlier this year.

The evening then carried on in the usual manner with Captain’s and the under 15’s convenor giving a season report on their respective teams.

The full list of awards winners were as follows:-

SENIOR AWARDS

• 1st XI Batting Samuel Wilson

• 1st XI Bowling Ben Mackey

• 2nd XI Batting Adam Wilson

• 2nd XI Bowling Garry Archer

• 3rd XI Batting Ollie Mann

• 3rd XI Bowling Josh Wilson

• 4th XI Batting Ashley Thomas

• 4th XI Bowling Josh Wilson

• 5th XI Batting Ryan Hetherington

• 5th XI Bowling Josh Wilson

• Senior Rosebowl Jamie Rogers (133)

• Milford Cup (best bowling) Aaron Wright (6-30)

• Junior Rosebowl Ollie Mann (84 no)

• Armstrong Cup (best bowling) Matthew Wilson (4-13)

UNDER 15 AWARDS

• Under 15 Batting Ryan Hetherington

• Under 15 Bowling Matthew Kerr

• Dale Farm Cup Zach Dunne

• Rattray Cup Matthew Kerr

• Wilson Cup Jack Beggs

• Jim Graham Cup Noah Archer

• Under 15’s Player of the year Ryan Hetherington & Josh Wilson (shared)

• Johnny Elliot Memorial Cup (Young Player of the Year) Ryan Hetherington

SPECIAL AWARDS

• Captain’s Cup Ben Mackey

• Clubman of the year (Billy Williamson Memorial Cup) Ian Beattie and Noah Archer(shared)

• Vice President’s Cup Jake Sizeland

• President’s Cup Raymond Hetherington

Well done to everyone who helped make the evening a success, and Congratulations to all the prize winners.

19th September 2025

🏏 Great News!

The latest recipient of our FLY BOY man of the match award is none other than our overseas player Luan Liebenberg, who in a recent match at Downpatrick scored a match winning 96 and took 4 wickets. A clinical display to earn the coveted “FLY BOY” award.

We are also delighted to announce that Luan will be returning to The Mall in the 2026 season, as our overseas player. Luan took 44 league wickets and scored in excess of 400 runs in what proved to be a successful season with both bat and ball.

He has proved a very popular player and coach at ACC and everyone is delighted to welcome him back next season. Winter well Luan!

Rumour has it the FLY BOY pizza award sealed the deal.

14th September2025

🏏 1st XI Final Game

The victorious 1st XI pictured after their final game of the 2025 season, at the mall yesterday. Batting first Ballymena were dismissed for only 90. Overseas player Luan Liebenberg led the way taking 4 wickets, Ben Mackey took 3 , Matty Wilson 2 and Michael Hoey 1 to complete the rout.

Despite some rain interruption, Armagh chased the total down with relative ease. Sammy Wilson top scored with 38 not out and Jamie Rogers 19 not out as the hosts won by 9 wickets.

Special mention to Luan who finished top wicket taker in Section 1 with 44 wickets. A marvellous effort.

12th September 2025

🏏 3000 Runs

Another proud statistic to report and none other than former club captain and stylish middle order batsman, Michael Villiers who recently brought up his 3000th run for the First XI. Congratulations and well done on a great achievement and here’s to the next 3000.

In the second picture Michael is pictured at the club along with 3 of his greatest fans - his sons Isaac, Matthew and James, who all hope to follow in their dad’s footsteps one day.

10th September 2025

🏏 Man Of The Match

Continuing on with our “Fly Boy” Man of the Match Awards. Looking back to Mid August and Ollie Mann was the player of the weekend.

Ollie, in a late season rich vein of form, scored 64 not out versus Cregagh Thirds, 45 not out versus Carrick Seconds, and 52 versus Muckamore Thirds, all in the space of 3 matches in 3 days.

We slightly delayed giving Ollie his Fly Boy award as he was in training for a half marathon and we didn’t want to disrupt his training programme!

Well done Ollie on a superb batting weekend and the running achievements

As always a big Thank You to Fly Boy Pizza Armagh for your ongoing support

8th September 2025

🏏 Special Guests

Last Saturday, we were very fortunate to welcome Cricket Ireland President, Donna Armstrong and her sister Helene, to the mall as the 1st XI hosted Donaghcloney Mill, in what was to be their penultimate game of the 2025 season.

Donna, of course, is the daughter of one of Armagh’s greatest players Lloyd Armstrong who represented the 1st XI between the years of 1946 & 1954. Lloyd made 109 appearances, scoring 2777 runs and taking 320 wickets.

The first XI were very much on song for the Presidential visit as they destroyed their local rivals by 7 wickets. Donaghcloney were bowled out for only 79 as Ben Mackey claimed 4 wickets, Will Mann and Luan Liebenberg 2 each, and Matty Wilson the other, as the team put in a fine performance in the field.

The hosts quickly polished off the runs with Ollie Mann top scoring with 33 and Jamie Rogers 24.

The club would like to thank Donna for her visit, her kind words of encouragement to the players, and of course seeing a win for the home side. We hope Donna enjoyed her time at the mall and would also wish her well for the rest of her time in office as Cricket Ireland President.

7th September 2025

🏏 Weekend Results

On the Mall, the 1st XI enjoyed an important win against Donacloney Mill. Bowling first, the bowling attack fired on all cylinders, with Luan, Will Mann, Matty Wilson and Ben Mackey with 4 wickets doing the damage. In reply, Ollie Mann and Jamie Rogers batted well to ensure a comfortable win. Well done lads!

• Donacloney Mill 79 (29.1 overs, C Kennedy 25, L Liebenberg 2-22, W Mann 2-18, B Mackey 4-19)

• Armagh 83-3 (17.5 overs, O Mann 33, J Rogers 24)

Armagh 1st XI beat Donacloney Mill by 7 wickets

On the road, the 2nd XI pulled off a remarkable win at promotion-chasing Muckamore. The hosts were probably expected to win comfortably, with a strong team and needing to win, against an already relegated Armagh team. And the first innings seemed to follow that script, with Armagh’s batting once again being their Achilles heel, only Adam Wilson and Tom Nicholson providing resistance in a sub-par total of 119. However, the second innings flipped the script entirely. Skipper Adam Woods with his unlikely opening partner William Dougan kept wickets falling regularly, with Dougan removing Jackson early on. Onlookers would have thought at 47-3 off 6 overs chasing 119 that this was a foregone conclusion. Yet, Woods had a couple of aces up his sleeve in the ever-reliable Phil Rodgers, supported by Daniel Ballantyne, with both taking 3 wickets each to remove the Muckamore middle and lower orders and leave them 78-9 - a quite remarkable turnaround. As the 10th wicket partnership fought back, nerves abounded. But as Woods threw the ball to Garry Archer, he only needed two deliveries to finish the job and see us home by 23 runs. A satisfying team performance full of grit, and a great way to finish a difficult season. Thanks especially to captain Adam Woods for all his hard work this season.

• Armagh 22nd XI 118 (29.2 overs, A Wilson 34, T Nicholson 28, P Thakur 2-16, R Shaikh 2-22, S Shaikh 3-15)

• Muckamore 3rd XI 95 (19.2 overs, P Skillen 43, A Woods 2-21, P Rodgers 3-20, D Ballantyne 3-27)

Armagh 2nd XI beat Muckamore 3 by 23 runs

6th September 2025

🏏 Game on?

Assuming the rain stays away, here’s our 1st XI and 2nd XI squads for today. Thanks as always to our player sponsors!

4th September 2025

🏏 The Jim “Lolly” Lester Cup

A few photos and round up from a very special event held on Sunday 24th August at The Mall. (See also 24th August below ↓ for more photos and a video clip…)

On that particular day an ACC Select XI hosted the Lester Select XI in a charity cricket game known as The Jim “Lolly” Lester Cup. The game was in honour of Jim Lester and also his brother Billy Lester who both sadly passed away some years previous.

The day proved a fantastic success with a large crowd gathered at the mall and many former players and current players turned out to play and support the showpiece event.

It was the club select who won the game in the last over with none other than record breaker Reggie Stinson hitting the winning runs, however the real winner was Cancer Research UK with almost £1400 being raised on the day for this fantastic charity.

Special shout out to everyone who made the day such a huge success. To the BBQ team who kept everyone fuelled, the ACC bar staff, the players and supporters, the grounds staff, and anyone who made the day so special. The memories of Lolly and WJ live on as was very evident that Sunday afternoon.

Already The Jim “Lolly” Lester Cup has been billed as an annual event, so hopefully see you all same day in 2026!

1st September 2025

🏏 4th XI - Winners of Junior League 9 - Congratulations!!!

With all our Saturday games cancelled due to the inclement weather, the centre of attention fell on the 4th XI who travelled yesterday to do battle with Templepatrick in Ballyclare. The 4s were situated in joint first position with Dunmurry and a win would see them outright winners of Junior League 9, it would also mean that their opponents would be relegated, so a lot was at stake.

Batting first Templepatrick were dismissed for 131, the underused medium pace of Ollie Mann claimed four wickets, two each for Josh Wilson and Garry Archer while Matthew Wilson and Keith Wilson claimed a wicket each.

In reply Armagh started slowly against a very determined and accurate Templepatrick bowling attack. For long periods it was hard to predict an outcome with Armagh behind the required run rate for most of the game. Ollie Mann, Ryan Hetherington and Ashley Thomas played patiently at the top of the order but runs were difficult to accumulate.

With 3 overs remaining, Armagh needed 29 to win, and it was left to the younger members of the team - mainly Jack Beggs to steer the ship home. Armagh required 5 from the final over, Beggs finished on 27 not out with one towering maximum, ably supported by Noah Archer and Matty Wilson as Armagh triumphed off the very last ball of the game by the margin of 3 wickets. It couldn’t have been a better end to a memorable season.

27th August 2025

🏏 Power Cricket 2025

A huge thank you to all the children and parents who joined us this summer—it’s been fantastic watching the players grow and develop their skills.

With the success of our U15 boys and the clear progress made by our U11s and U13s, it’s clear the Power Cricket initiative is building a strong pathway for more young people to enjoy cricket into youth and adulthood.

We’re excited to see the next generation continue to develop each year and can’t wait to welcome everyone back next season. Until then, we wish all our players the very best as they head back to school or begin their journey —keep shining on and off the pitch!

Special thanks to FKP Smyth Paints for their continued support of this programme!

25th August 2025

🏏 U11 & U13 Junior Awards Evening 2025

Another brilliant Junior cricket season has come to an end – and what a season it’s been!

This year we had 35 children proudly representing the Armagh Cricket Club across our U11 and U13 teams. Their enthusiasm, effort and desire for the game has been fantastic to see.

U11s - Their league record may show 1 win and 1 loss, but the real story was their superb run to the U11 Development Cup semi-finals. A huge achievement built on teamwork, determination and skill.

U13s - They finished with 2 wins and 2 losses in the league but more importantly, they showed resilience, improvement and great spirit throughout the season.

Alongside the competitive matches, plenty of friendlies gave all players the chance to sharpen skills, try new things and most importantly – enjoy their cricket!

While we couldn’t field a girls’ side this year, a special mention goes to Mia Coppard, Sophie Jones, Isabella Kindred and Sophia Dunne for their dedication and commitment. We’re excited to keep supporting you and to see girls’ cricket grow again in the future.

A big thank you to all the parents, volunteers and of course the players – you’ve made us proud every single week.

Now, onto the awards…..

U11 Awards

• Batting: William Morton

• Bowling: Harry Beggs

• Fielding: Zach Dally & Harry McMahon

• Most Improved: Charlie Dougan

• Players of the Season: Harry Beggs, William Steenson & Tom Kindred

• “Spirit of Cricket” Award: Harry McMahon

U13 Awards

• Batting: Oscar Steenson & Dylan Coppard

• Bowling: Oscar Steenson

• Fielding: Callum Lewis

• Most Improved: Jack Eakin

• Players of the Season: Oscar Steenson & Dylan Coppard

Congratulations to all our Juniors – all should be very proud of their progress this season. The hard work has paid off, and we can’t wait to see what next year brings!

25th August 2025

🏏 Results

Here’s our senior results round up for the weekend past.

The 3rd XI enjoyed a great win on the road at Cregagh on Friday night. Ollie Mann once again proving the man in form with a match winning 64* - well done Ollie!

On Saturday, the 1st XI had a comfortable win against Downpatrick. A superb 96 from Luan, backed up by Rogers (53) and Sammy Wilson (41) gave us a total to defend. The bowling attack obliged with Luan (3-11), Ben Mackey (3-9), Will Mann (2-10) and Matty Wilson (2-18) ensuring the win. Well done men!

On the Mall, the 2nd XI were second best against promotion chasing Lisburn. Despite putting themselves in a great position before drinks through a great rebuilding partnership by Ryan Hetherington (33) and Ballantyne (28), Armagh lost their last 5 wickets for just 25 runs. Despite some excellent bowling from Josh Stoops and Garry Archer, Lisburn knocked off the runs with overs to spare.

On the back pitch, the 3rd XI put on an entertaining game with their Templepatrick counterparts. Batting first, the swashbuckling Sam Karlsen (70) and the evergreen Raymond Hetherington (62*) saw the home side post a good total. However, as the tried and true saying goes, any score is chasable on the back pitch! And Templepatrick did just that within 25 overs, despite 3 wickets a piece for Keith Wilson and Matthew Brownlee.

24th August 2025

🏏 The Jim ‘Lolly’ Lester Cup

A great afternoon on The Mall - here’s just a couple of highlights.. more to follow.. (see 4th September ↑)

19th August 2025

🏏 Results

It was a mixed weekend for the CC’s senior teams, with 2 wins and 2 losses.

On Friday night, the 3rds recorded an important win in a tight game away at Cregagh. In the field, Garry archer and Adam Wilson combined with 2 wickets each as Cregagh posted a tough total for Armagh to chase. However, cometh the hour cometh the Mann, as Ollie Mann carried his bat (64*) to see us home, with good support from Adam Wilson (28). This greatly helps them in their fight to stay in JL6. Well done lads!

On Saturday, the 1st XI entertained promotion-chasing Carrickfergus. The visitors were bowled out in less than 40 overs, with Will Mann (3-46), skipper Hoey (3-29) and Stuart Lester (2-39) in the wickets. Sadly, the Armagh chase never got going, and we were bowled out by the end of the 21st over.

In the reverse fixture, the 2nd XI recorded a vital win against their depleted Carrick counterparts. Carrick got off to a good start on a tricky pitch, reaching 41/0 off 7 overs. However, good spells from Ballantyne (4-10), Adam Wilson (3-7) and Garry Archer (3-36), backed up by good catching and fielding, meant we were able to bowl the hosts out for 94. In reply, Ollie Mann once again finished not out as he, Ami (21) and Ryan McCarter chased the target with overs to spare.

Sadly, Sunday was a different story for the 2nd XI at home to Muckamore. They did well to restrict the visitors to 149, with Woods (3-14), Archer (2-17) and Rodgers (2-31) to the fore. However, despite Ollie Mann completing a great individual weekend for him (52), we fell short by 9 runs. This result sadly means that the 2nd XI will be competing in JL4 next season.

12th August 2-25

🏏 Star Men

Our star men from tlast weekends victory against Laurelvale pictured here in front of our Dalzell’s of Markethill | Armagh Electrical.com sponsored scoreboard. Luan Liebenberg with a superb five wicket haul and Jamie Rogers with a half century.

10th August 2025

🏏 Man Of The Match

In recent weeks we were delighted to secure some player achievement with local fast food outlet, “FLY BOY PIZZA & WINGS”, based at 137 Railway Street Armagh. Each week we will announce a player of the match and they will receive a voucher for a complimentary take away pizza.

So, what better game to start with than our under 15’s final on Friday night. As if you didn’t already know, our under 15’s stars defeated Templepatrick A by 31 runs much to the delight of everyone at our club.

Noah Archer was adjudged Man of the Match after top scoring with 25 and taking 2 wickets for 12 runs in 4 overs. Noah’s innings was all the more special given that we had lost our top 3 batsmen cheaply. Noah rebuilt the innings and took the under 15’s to a match winning total. He then chipped in with 2 vital wickets in the Templepatrick innings.

Congratulations Noah and enjoy your pizza. You’ve earned it!

9th August 2025

🏏 U15 Congratulations

Massive congratulations to our U15’s who came out winners in a tight game against their Templepatrick counterparts last night to win their league final.

Batting first, Armagh found the going tough, with early wickets falling, but a rallying effort from Archer (25), Steenson (20) and Bernard got us to a competitive 109 from 20 overs. a tough total to defend, but a valiant effort with the ball won the day as wickets fell regularly, with 2 a piece for Wilson, Kerr, Steenson, Archer and Haynes. What was even more pleasing was the standard of fielding by Armagh, with no fewer than 9 catches taken. Despite a late rearguard fightback for the 8th wicket, it was broken by Wilson, before Haynes took the final wicket and the celebrations began. Thanks to Templepatrick for hosting the final and for a fantastic game for all spectators.

Thanks must also go to the many parents and supporters who came to cheer the boys on. Thanks to all who faithfully brought their boys to training and matches over the years. And special thanks to Keith Wilson who has worked hard behind the scenes to organise matches and other important admin work, and Sammy Wilson and Luan who have coached and trained this team through to tonight - we can see the fruit of your labours!

Pictured also (below) are the U15s who played their last game at this level on Friday night - what a way to end it lads! It’s been great to see how they have developed over the years into fine young cricketers who play senior cricket regularly, and who will hopefully be the lifeblood of the club for years to come.

9th August 2025

🏏 Today’s 1st XI Squad

Here’s our 1st XI squad who begin at 11.00am at Derriaghy. Thanks as always to our player and club sponsors for your ongoing support.

Thanks also to our ball sponsor Steven Freshwater for sponsoring today’s game. Cheers Freshy!

7th August 2025

🏏 Fixtures

Club fixtures for the weekend ahead are at the top of the page… with the highlight being the U15s who take on Templepatrick in the league final tomorrow night (8th August). They finished top of the South group and now have a chance to finish the season on a high. It’s a 5.30pm start at the Cloughan, Ballyclare, and all support for the boys is welcome!

The 1st XI are on the road to Derriaghy on Saturday while the 2nd XI head to BISC on Sunday.

7th August 2025

🏏 Summer Scheme - That’s a wrap!

Today, the final day of our 2025 Summer Scheme, finished off with a closely contested match led by Jack Beggs and Will Haynes as captain. This week Jacks team finished with the bragging rights, well done!

First off, I would like to thank all the kids for their engagement and participation in the 4 weeks that the camp was on, without your efforts we wouldn’t of seen the progress that has been clear to see.

Next, to the parents who have brought their kids down and enabled them to take part in the camp, it’s very much appreciated!

Also, the club who has provided us with the equipment and picturesque ground to deliver each session on.

Finally, thanks to our overseas professional Luan who has been excellent this year in putting all of his knowledge forward and taking such great care in helping each kid develop.

To finish, all the best to each youth player for the rest of the season and I look forward to keeping an eye on how it goes.

Thanks again, Samuel.

3rd August 2025

🏏 Results

The Club were at the double in the derby in a great weekend for the club.

On the Mall on Saturday, the 1st XI enjoyed a good win against Laurelvale. Bowling first, it was big Luan’s 5 wicket haul that put Armagh in the driving seat as the visitors were bowled out for 123. Matty Wright and Stuart Lester also chipped in with two wickets each. In response, Sammy Wilson (43) and Jamie Rogers (50) ensured it was a straightforward run chase, seeing us win by 5 wickets.

However, game of the day was the 2nd XI’s trip to Mullavilly in a remarkable match (and certainly one of the most entertaining that the editor has seen or been involved in!). Almost 500 runs were scored in less than 60 overs of play. Adam Woods won the toss and chose to bowl first, which seemed to have backfired spectacularly as the hosts piled on 249 runs in their 30 overs – Caddell and Ajmal doing the damage, dispatching the ball to all parts and beyond. Matty Wilson took 4 wickets in what was a difficult day for the CC bowling attack. At the break, you’d have been forgiven to have considered the game a forgone conclusion – and you’d have piled on the pizza at tea even if you were bowling! But the next 2 hours brought the performance of the season for the 2nd XI. For a start, a 170 run opening partnership between Ollie Mann (78) and Ami Mandrekar (86) within 20 overs changed the narrative entirely. Ollie and Ami played some sublime shots, kept rotating the strike, and punished any bad deliveries. By the time the partnership was broken, Armagh were now in with a great chance to win, yet still needed the guts of 80 off the remaining 10 overs, and with veteran Simon Hughes bowling well (claiming a 5 wicket haul by the end), the game hung in the balance. However, Stuart McCall stepped up to the plate with a quick-fire 46* to pull off a remarkable victory for Woods’s men. It’s been a tough season for the 2nd XI in the league, despite a great cup run, so to win against the odds in a local derby is surely a highlight of the season. Well done lads!

The 3rd XI were sadly beaten in their cup semi-final against Waringstown. Waringstown batted first and just had too much on the board in the end. Despite a determined 27 from Ryan McCarter and an excellent 36 from young Jack Beggs, Armagh fell short by 77 runs.

However, the 3rd XI bounced back on the road today at Derriaghy. They bowled well to restrict the hosts to 142 off their 25 overs, with Wright and Woods doing the damage with the ball. In reply, Beggs once again was in the runs with 21, and the experienced Garry Archer with 33. However, it was Josh Wilson and Jake Sizeland who put on 35 for the 7th wicket in quick time to secure the win, with big Jake finishing the innings with a flurry of boundaries as we ran out winners by 4 wickets.

3rd August 2025

🏏 Super 3rds

Great win for the 3rd XI at Queensway. A wonderful chase with 8 balls to spare.

3rd August 2025

🏏 2nd XI Report

See weekend results report above…

Thanks To Our Main Sponsors…

2nd August 2025

🏏 U15s Report

A quite remarkable game on the mall yesterday evening as our Under 15s team defeated Waringstown by 8 wickets to finish top of their group in the Under 15 Division South League. A wonderful team effort in all departments. Congratulations and well done to everyone who played last night and in the other league games

Waringstown 126-7 ( Z Malik 48, M Gamble 23, J Wilson 2-10, M Kerr 2-24, W Steenson 1-13)

Armagh 129-2 ( R Hetherington 51 retired not out, N Archer 20 not out)

2nd August 2025

🏏 Today’s 1st & 2nd XI Squads

Here’s our 1st and 2nd XI squads for today’s games - thanks as always to our player sponsors.

Today’s ball sponsor for the 1st XI game against Laurelvale is Jamie Todd, thank you for your support Jamie!

1st August 2025

🏏 Midweek Results

Just a couple of midweek results from our 4th and 5th XI’s. The 4ths remain at the top of Junior 9 after a convincing win over CIYMS - Josh Wilson, Dobbs and Bratten to the fore.

The 5ths lost out in the last over against Lurgan last night, but another good opportunity to develop for our younger players.

30th July 2025

🏏 Sponsor Partnership Extension

Armagh Cricket Club are delighted to announce the extension of our partnership with Dalzell’s of Markethill | Armagh Electrical.com with advertising on our wicket covers being added to our existing scoreboard sponsorship.

We were delighted to welcome Chris Dalzell from Dalzells to the Mall tonight and he is pictured here with Luan Liebenberg, Samuel Wilson, Aaron Wright and Gareth McCarter.

Dalzells of Markethill is the largest independent retailer of electrical appliances in Northern Ireland. A family business since 1959 we retail in excess of 8,000 home and domestic appliances ranging from the latest OLED Curved TVs to range cookers, with the buying power and relationships with our suppliers to ensure that you get the very best deals available in N.I. and the Republic of Ireland.

Dalzells also are well known as wonderful supporters of sport in the local community with several partnerships with many clubs through County Armagh. As a club we encourage our players and members to support the businesses that support us

28th July 2025

🏏 RESULTS

Here’s the results from our senior team fixtures form the weekend.

The 1st XI enjoyed an important win on the road at Bangor. Bowling first, Liebenberg, Mann and Hoey were in the wickets as Bangor posted 214, thanks to lower order resistance from the hosts in a 100+ 8th wicket partnership. This could have come back to haunt Armagh, but a superb 137 run partnership between Arnie Wright (75*) and Harry Boyd (72*) saw the away side home with 5 overs to spare.

Adam Woods’ 2nd XI sadly exited the Intermediate Cup at the semi final stage at home to BISC. Put in to bat, Armagh were in a good position just after drinks at 83-4, and had a base to push on to a good score. However, in a crazy 5 overs, 6 wickets were lost for 9 runs, and sadly this swung the game in BISC’s favour. However, Armagh game out fighting with the ball, with an excellent attitude in the field, making BISC work for their runs. A superb direct hit run out from McCall led to 4 more wickets falling, with Stoops and Archer bowling superbly, backed up by good fielding. Sadly, it wasn’t enough in the end as BISC ran out winners by 5 wickets.

On the back pitch, the 3rd XI were well beaten by a strong Ardent Blues side. However, the 4ths came out winners on Sunday in a top of the table clash against Dunmurry in Junior 9. Stoops, Archer and Keith Wilson all taking 3 wickets, while Gibson (33) and Ollie Mann (48*) saw us home to win by 8 wickets. Well done lads!

Another brilliant Brian Weir stat after the weekend.

During their epic unbeaten 137 partnership on Saturday that brought the 1st XI to victory at Bangor, Harry Boyd brought up 2000 1st XI runs and Aaron Wright made it to 1000 1st XI runs.

Well done to both. Great partnership, brilliant milestones.

27th July 2025

🏏 Summer Scheme

Week 3 of the 2025 Summer Scheme starts on Tuesday 29th July, with the focus on continuing the development of our youth players. If you are interested in attending the camp, please get in touch with Samuel (see poster above).

20th July 2025

🏏 Report

Armagh got their section one campaign back on some sort of track with an important win against Derriaghy on the Mall on Saturday. The visitors won the toss and elected to bowl first with cloudy overhead conditions and damp from the overnight rain but didn’t get the early breakthrough they would have been hoping for.

After a patient start, Matthew Steenson and Samuel Wilson started to look confident. Even when the former was trapped lbw for a brisk 32 Armagh strode on undeterred with Villiers joining Wilson and the runs began to flow. Wilson reached another half century and was beginning to dominate before being well caught for 66. Villiers fell to a similar fate just two runs later leading to Armagh needing a rebuild. They got this in part from Luan Liebenberg and Aaron Wright who took the score beyond 200 before both were deceived in quick succession, the former by a brilliant slower ball from Adams.

Unfortunately Armaghs innings slipped away in the latter stages after this with wickets falling at regular levels as Armagh ended up 238 all out, a decent and defendable score but less than Armagh would have liked at the halfway stage.

Regardless, with runs on the board the city side had something to defend and it looked better early on as Matthew Wright bowled Beckett then Bell was caught off Liebenberg. Aaron Wright then produced some magic as he caught and bowled Scott then the key man Lewis. When Bailey was brilliantly caught on the square leg boundary by Harry Doyle off Stuart Lester Derraighy were 57-5 and in big trouble. A recovery of sorts was stamped out when the aggressive Kinnin was caught behind by the returning McCarter off Liebenberg leaving Derriaghy pro Adams looking short of support.

He did find an ally in fellow South African Sinovich as they were able to add 53 with minimal risk as the Armagh efforts got a bit ragged in the field with extras creeping in. It was fielding that turned the game back in Armaghs favour though as Sinovich was run out by the combination of Aaron Wright and McCarter before a brilliant direct from Liebenberg hit ran out young wicketkeeper Currie. With no more support left Adams went on the attack, striking a couple of boundaries but taking one liberty too many as he picked out stand-in skipper Wilson on the boundary to take a safe catch, dismissing Adams for 60 to give Liebenberg his third wicket and seal a 65 run win for Armagh, their third home win of the campaign to date.

Stand in captain Samuel Wilson was delighted by the efforts on the day of his side. “We got a good score on the board with tough conditions early on and defended it brilliantly. A proper team performance.”

Armagh 238 (48.4 overs, S Wilson 66, M Steenson 32, M Villiers 33, L Liebenberg 36, R Adams 2-27, W Hughes 3-40)
Derriaghy 173 (38.5 overs, R Adams 60, A Kinnin 22, I Sinovich 22, L Liebenberg 3-28, A Wright 3-47)
Armagh beat Derriaghy by 65 runs

This weekend Armagh travel to Bangor on Saturday.

17th July 2025

🏏 Results

Here’s our senior teams results from yesterday. The 1sts enjoyed a good win on the Mall against Derriaghy, with a half century fron Sammy Wilson being well supported by the top order. The bowling attack did their job, with Luan and Arnie Wright to the fore. Well done men!

Sadly both the 2nd and 4th XI weren’t at the races and were well beaten. The 2nds have a cup semi final on the Mall next Saturday and will be looking to bounce back.

17th July 2025

🏏 Week 1 of Summer Scheme complete

Apart from the unpredictable weather we had an excellent first week of camp with the focus on developing each and every kid on their journey through this great sport.

We look forward to delivering 3 more weeks starting next Tuesday. Let’s hope the weather is kind to us!

If you would like to book your son or daughter into week 2 please contact Samuel.

14th July 2025

🏏 Sunshine, showers a rainbow… and some cricket on the Mall

8th July 2025

🏏 Results

Here are the weekend results for our senior teams.

Saturday didn’t go well for our 1st and 2nd XI as both lost out to Laurelvale. Sunday however brought an important win for the 2nd XI over BISC - 6 wickets for Wright being the highlight. While Monday brought a fine win for Raymond Hetherington’s 5ths, with runs for Archer and Beggs setting up a close win, where Ollie Trimble bowled a fine spell. Well done lads!

3rd July 2025

🏏 Results

A tad late, but here’s a round up of last weekend’s results.

Friday saw the 3rd XI enjoy a win against Muckamore. There were wickets for Matty Wilson, Garry archer and Josh stoops as Armagh’s opponents were restricted to 84. In reply, Brownlee (45*) and Adam Wilson ensured that Armagh crossed the line with time to spare.

Saturday saw our 1st XI looking to correct their disappointing performance the week before against the same opponents, Lurgan. And that they did! Armagh put on a commanding total of 307, anchored by Sammy Wilson with 87, and a first Armagh century for overseas player Luan Liebenberg, who entertained the home support with a superb 108. Well done Luan, much more to come! In reply, Armagh’s attack ensured Lurgan were well restricted, with wickets for Lester, Wright and Mackey, the latter executing a superb run out as well to cap off a great team performance and a much needed win. well done lads!

Adam Woods’ 2nd XI travelled to Billy Neill to take on table-topping BISC III’s, and on a difficult pitch found runs hard to come by. Ryan Hetherington, Ballantyne and Rodgers made starts but could not push on. Despite some tight Armagh bowling, particularly from youngsters Josh Wilson and Josh Stoops who were both rewarded with a wicket for their efforts, we didn’t have enough runs on the board in the end, and BISC reached their total with 6 wickets to spare.

On the back pitch, the 4th XI were looking to cement their place at the top of the league table against BISC V’s. They put a good total on the board, with Ashley (28), and Raymond Hetherington (64) with a fine half century, bolstering the Armagh innings. Sadly, despite two wickets from Andrew Bratten, BISC were able to chase down the target with a couple of overs to spare.

On Sunday, the 4th XI lost on the road to Ballymena. They restricted Ballymena to 144, with Keith Wilson, Adam Wilson and Sam Karlsen in the wickets. However, the 4th XI fell just short of the total, despite runs from Ryan Hetherington (25), and some late heroics by Karlsen (66). Good effort lads, onto the next game!

2nd July 2025

🏏U13s (Belated) Update

Armagh Cricket Club U13s finished off their season with another visit to Derriaghy, this time in the league. In a tight affair, the U13s were unable to maintain their winning streak with a narrow 3 run defeat.

Posting 110 for 3, our U13s couldn’t gather enough momentum to take the game.

Some good bowling and solid fielding (Callum Lewis once again showing the way forward) restricted Derriaghy to 110 and despite Jack Eakin, Oscar Steenson, Harry Halligan, Larkin Polack and Callum Lewis batting with intent, we couldn’t quite get over the line.

Needing 18 from the final over, a six off the first ball gave us some hope; however, despite the tremendous effort from Callum Lewis and Larkin Polack, it was not meant to be… thus bringing to an end a very exciting game.

A difficult result to take as, for much of the game, it seemed the U13s were in the driving seat and we’re still a little perplexed as to how we lost; nonetheless, there were plenty of positives… especially how much improvement has been seen since the first game against Donacloney.

Well played to Derriaghy and we look forward to our next encounter.

Hard luck to all the U13s… they should be proud of their efforts and improvement over the season and we look forward to next year.

2nd July 2025

🏏 U11s Update

The start of the week has seen our U11s involved in back-to-back games with mixed fortunes.

Monday saw Armagh Cricket Club take on Lurgan in the league where Lurgan reached 284 for 6 after 16 overs......before the weather took centre stage with the game evenly poised.

Once again, the U11s fielded with purpose (another fielder/keeper combo runout with Zach Dally and Tom Kindred involved) and bowled with enthusiasm with Harry McMahon, Coen Jameson, Harry Beggs taking a wicket each and Zach Dally taking 2 wickets for 2 runs from his 1 over.

With all left wondering whether the rest of match and positive play from both sides would play out, the continuous and torrential rain resulted in the match being abandoned.

Well played to Lurgan - hopefully, we have an opportunity to resume/replay the match....and, if not, we wish you all the best for the rest of the season.

And so to Tuesday, which saw the U11s take on North Down B in the Sports Hub Development Cup.

In a complete contrast to Monday, a wonderful, Summer’s day saw the U11s showcase their skills in front of an exuberant, travelling fan club resulting in an entertaining game of cricket, seeing Armagh CC win by 32 run.

In a 15 over game, Armagh CC finished on 293 for 6 with some solid batting and boundary hitting from James Atkinson, William Morton, Harry Beggs, Charlie Dougan, Harry Beggs, Tom Kindred and Zach Dally.

In reply, North Down B started off well before some superb bowling, fielding and wicket-keeping put Armagh in the driving seat.

Leading the way in the field were Tom Kindred, William Steenson, Tom McMahon and James Atkinson along with some good glove-work behind the stumps from William Steenson and Zach Dally.

From a bowling perspective, whilst all bowlers kept the runs down, providing a solid enough grounding for a close game, Harry Beggs needs special mention as, requiring 18 off the last over to win, he put paid to any victory charge with 3 wickets for no runs in the final over.

Whilst the victory was pleasing (and I’m sure all were over the moon with the win), their efforts to bowl straighter, to look to run singles and to strike the ball with purpose was what really caught the eye……they’re all working hard to improve and it showed.

A big “thank you” and “well played” to North Down B; we look forward to a rematch in the future.

Well done to all… semi-final vs Waringstown awaits us!!

25th June 2025

🏏 U11s Update

Not to be outdone by our U13s’ recent run of form, Armagh Cricket Club U11s were keen to start their own winning streak when taking on a Templepatrick B side in the cup.

A picture speaks a 1000 words... McDonalds, a dinner for winners... and so it proved to be with Armagh winning by 4 runs.

Posting 270 for 5, the U11s restricted Templepatrick B to 266 for 8.

Whilst the team batted with mixed fortune, it was… (and appearing to be a common theme across both U11s and U13s)… our bowling and fielding which won us the game.

Partnerships of 22 (William Steenson and Harry Beggs) and 18 (Tom Kindred and Zach Dally) ensured Templepatrick had a decent total to chase.

Taking the field, it was clear the team were up for the challenge with the 1 catch (William Steenson), 2 spectacular catch attempts (Harry McMahon), 1 runout (Zach Dally/William Steenson combining) and 1 close runout (William Morton/William Steenson combining) indicative of the enthusiasm shown by the boys.

The fielding spurred the bowling on… with all contributing to keep the score down, the pick of the bowlers were:

• Harry Beggs with 2 wickets for 5 runs from his 2 overs

• Tom Kindred with 1 wicket for 3 runs from his 2 overs

• Harry McMahon conceding only 6 runs from his 2 overs

• Tom McMahon conceding only 8 runs from his 2 overs

• Isaac Villiers and Charlie Dougan with a wicket each.

• Zach Dally with 1 wicket for 3 runs from his 2 overs including just 2 runs from his final over.

Thank you to Templepatrick for hosting us; a terrific game where the result could have gone either way.

Well done to our U11s... an incredible win... we’re through to the next round, away to North Down B!

25th June 2025

🏏 U13s Update

Whilst our final league fixture is to be played on 26th June vs Derriaghy B (Away), Armagh Cricket Club U13s managed to squeeze in a Friendly match against Instonians B yesterday evening, providing an opportunity for all to play with a freedom whilst putting to practice what they’ve learnt.

Whilst the match conditions were flexible, the U13s team put in a a very good performance to secure another victory.

It is satisfying to see how many bowling options are available to us… pretty much everyone taking wickets… and once again, some great fielding…..with 6 taken catches and a few near misses.

In terms of batting, we continued to show some great boundary hitting, strong running between the wickets and clear attempts to improve on rotating the strike.

All in all a good day’s work and clear to see the game-on-game improvement.

Notable callouts:

• Daniel Beggs & Dylan Coppard (25+ runs & retired) - the latter achieving that in 7 balls.

• Zach Dally with a fantastic deplay behind the stumps in only his 2nd game as wicketkeeper (and 1st for the full game).

• Jacob Wilson, William Steenson, Oscar Steenson, Jack Eakin, Dylan Coppard and Callum Lewis for well-held catches.

• Everyone for their bowling and fielding - outstanding performance.

Thank you to Instonians for hosting and the game.

Well played all and looking forward to the next game at Derriaghy!

24th June 2025

🏏 Here’s our senior results from the past weekend, truly a mixed weekend!

On Friday night our 5th XI just lost out to Dungannon. At present not too many scoring details, but it was a tight game, with Josh Wilson (3) and Josh Stoops (2) in the wickets. Thanks to the crowd of home support - it’s always appreciated!

Saturday sadly brought a heavy defeat for the 1st XI on the road to Lurgan, with the returning Wright (28) and Luan (23) providing some resistance in an under par score. Lurgan knocked off the runs with 9 wickets remaining. They have a good opportunity to redeem themselves on Thursday evening against Bangor.

On the Mall however, the fantasy 3rds marched on in the cup against a North Down side two leagues above them. batting first, Armagh may have been slightly disappointed with their total from their 30 overs, with both Sam Karlsen and Garry archer getting into the 30’s. However, it was Armagh’s bowling and fielding performance that won the day as they dismissed their counterparts for 111, winning by 38 runs. The damage was done by a devastating opening spell from Matty Wilson who finished with 4 wickets, and Garry archer who finished with 3 wickets. Well done lads! They face Derriaghy 3rds in the next round.

On Sunday, the 3rds were unable to replicate their heroics on Saturday as they lost by 10 wickets to Templepatrick. Skipper Keith Wilson scored an excellent 45* with the bat in a tough day for the young side. Onto the next one lads!

The 3rds weren’t the only team to pull off a cup win at the weekend, as the 2nd XI won on the road to a high-flying Templepatrick team in the league above. With skipper Woods unavailable, stand-in captain Dougan chose to bowl first and it paid off as wickets fell at regular intervals. The Armagh bowlers all bowled economically, and there were wickets for Archer (3-33), Wright (2-14), Matty Wilson (2-26) and Stoops (2-33), which was backed up by good fielding from the whole team. In response, a brilliant opening spell from Templepatrick’s openers left us 24/3 after 10 overs in difficult conditions.

However, cometh the hour, cometh the Wilson! Adam backed up his half century during the week for the 2nds with another one, taking the responsibility to lead us home, ably supported by good partnerships with Nicholson and Wright, finishing on 68*. A great win for the 2nds, who look forward to a home semi final fixture against BISC 2nds on the Mall on Saturday 26th July.

24th June 2025

🏏 U13s Update

The beginning of the week saw Armagh Cricket Club U13s take on Waringstown in a highly anticipated league match.

Matches against this opponent are typically hard-fought and yesterday evening was no different with our U13s seeing through a thoroughly satisfying 10 run victory against a strong Waringstown team.

• Armagh 138 for 6

• Waringstown 128 for 4

Once again, every single one of the team made a significant contribution, whether with bat, ball, in the field or behind the stumps.

Solid batting performances from Oscar Steenson (25) and Dylan Coppard (40) laid the foundation for our total 138 and when it came to bowling and fielding, it genuinely was a “team” effort with notable call-outs to:

• Oscar Steenson (1 wicket), Jacob Wilson (1 wicket) and Jenson Morton (2 wickets), all of whom slowed the run rate down and took the crucial wickets.

• Daniel Beggs (2 catches), Harry Halligan (1 catch) and Dylan Coppard (1 catch) with some excellent “safe hands” catching.

• Larkin Polack for holding his nerve to bowl the final over of what could have been a tricky finish to the game.

• Callum Lewis and Jack Eakin for some “body on the line” fielding.

Well played to Waringstown Cricket Club and hope for a similar game in our next meeting - all the best for the rest of the season.

Well done to all - absolute pleasure to have watched the game from close quarters.

That’s 2 back-to-back league victories for our U13s... let us hope we can make it 3 against Derriaghy B on Thursday.

23rd June 2025

🏏 UNDER 15s ON FORM AGAIN

Last Thursday Armagh’s under 15 team made the long journey to Bangor to play a league game against their County Down opponents at Bangor Grammar School.

Batting first Armagh racked up an impressive 146 for the loss of 4 wickets. Yet again Ryan Hetherington led the way with an impressive 50 not out and retired as per the league competition rules. Ryan has had a wonderful season with the bat at junior and senior level and this particular knock took him to near 500 runs for the season at all levels. Skipper Josh Wilson (25) and Wicket Keeper Jack Beggs (22) also looked good with the bat before being dismissed when both could have pushed on. Daniel Beggs, Matthew Kerr and Charlie Abbott hit some effective lusty blows in the dying overs to make sure Armagh had enough runs in the bank.

In reply Bangor had no answer for Armagh’s deadly pace attack and were bowled out for only 52. Josh Wilson and Noah Archer opened for Armagh and were virtually unplayable as they swung the ball with great success. Wilson conceded only one run in his 3 overs, an extra, while Archer took 1-4 in his 3 overs. Matthew Kerr bowled an excellent spell as the young bowler claimed 3 wickets in what has been a really good season for him so far. Mr Reliable Will Haynes also continued his good form with the ball claiming 3 wickets with his medium pace swing bowling and the underused spin of Ryan Hetherington took 2 wickets as Armagh were simply runaway winners.

It has been an excellent season so far for the under 15 team and they look to continue their impressive unbeaten league form with games coming up versus Derriaghy and Saintfield this week.

Armagh 146-4 (R Hetherington 50no, J Wilson 25, J Beggs 22)

Bangor 52 all out ( M Kerr 3-10, W Haynes 3-12 R Hetherington 2-9 N Archer 1-4, D Beggs 1-5)

ARMAGH UNDER 15s WON BY 94 RUNS.

22nd June 2025

🏏 Report

Armagh spun to another heavy defeat on a warm day at Lurgan on Saturday. The City side would have been happy to win the toss and bat first on a firm looking strip but again the struggles continued with the bat as none of the top order were able to put on much of a score after a good start. Only a brief partnership between the returning Aaron Wright and Luan Liebenberg gave some hope but both fell in quick succession to the spin of veteran Paul Stafford who ended up with a brilliant five wicket haul as Armagh were bundled out for just 104.

In response, Armagh needed early wickets and even though Liebenberg really threatened in an opening spell of good pace, home captain Johnston was the only wicket to fall when well caught by Mackey off Liebenberg. Home overseas Collingwood looked in terrific touch racing to 44 not out as Lurgan reached their target in quick time to win by nine wickets.

Armagh will need to improve in the upcoming games but will have two chances to do so this week as they host Bangor on Thursday evening in a rearranged t20 game before hosting Lurgan again on Saturday.

21st June 2025

🏏 U13s Update

A week of highs and lows saw our U13s complete two back-to-back games with mixed fortunes!

On Thursday, Armagh Cricket Club U13s faced a tough cup match against a strong Derriaghy team. Despite batting out their overs against a quick bowling attack (with Dylan Coppard dishing out some lusty blows), 66 for 4 appeared to be short of a good total and so proved to be the case as Derriaghy made short work of the total with no loss of wicket. Whilst there were some positives, it was a tough result to take for every player.

But.......what a turnaround on Friday!!! The team bounced back with an accomplished victory against a similar opponent in Lurgan.

With everyone contributing through enthusiastic fielding, accurate bowling and clinical batting; it was satisfying to see the team secure their first victory of the season.

Despite a good bowling display, Lurgan posted a respectable 116 for 7 with Dylan Coppard, Jacob Wilson, Larkin Polack, William Steenson and Daniel Beggs with a wicket each and Oscar Steenson with 2.

The bowling was underpinned by some sharp fielding with special mention to Callum Lewis, Harry Halligan, Sophie Jones, Conor Crumley (both through wicketkeeping and out fielding) and Zach Dally (wicketkeeping.

Armagh made short work of the total with a great knock of 51 (retired) from Oscar Steenson, ably supported by Daniel Beggs (15……including a huge hit for six where the ball is yet to come down!!) and Larkin Polack (18 not out)……some “easy on the eye” batting seeing us home.

Well done to all……and I’m sure, a real boost considering the result on Thursday.

Well played to Derriaghy (see you next week in the League) and Lurgan.

A fantastic way to end the week! …and more of the same next week.

19th June 2025

🏏 Some midweek results before the weekend!

The 2nd XI took on Donacloney Mill in a two night game. Adam Woods’ men got off to the worst possible start batting first, being reduced to 7/5. However, Adam Wilson and Garry Archer set about rebuilding the innings, and after Archer departed for a well made 23, it was Adam Wilson who carried on to an excellent 65, giving us a total to defend. With some overs left one day one, the Armagh attack bowled tightly and reduced Donacloney to 62/4 at close of play, the game hanging in the balance. However, despite their best efforts, Armagh were unable to take the final 6 wickets, and Doncaloney ran out winners by 5 wickets. 3 wickets for Mackey, while Woods, Rodgers and young Josh Stoops bowled great spells. The 2nd XI have a great opportunity to bounce back in the rearranged quarter final fixture in the Intermediate Cup on Sunday away to Templepatrick.

On Wednesday, the table-topping 4th XI won on the road at CIYMS 5ths. Armagh amassed a good total of 170 form their 20 overs, Ashley in the runs again with 41, while experienced heads Hetherington (30) and Wilson (25*) were to the fore. In response, Armagh managed to restrict CIYMS to 101, with the Wilson brothers and Noah Archer claiming 2 wickets apiece. Well done to the mighty 4th XI who are having a superb season so far - keep er lit!

18th June 2025

🏏 U11s & U13s Update

After some very indifferent weather in recent weeks, it’s great to see the promise of some sunshine for a sustained period of time... and that can only mean one thing... a packed schedule ahead for Armagh Cricket Club U11s and U13s!

Our young cricketers are in for an exciting run of matches over the coming weeks with a mixture of League, Cup and Friendly matches......and it’s safe to say, our U11s and U13s are raring to go!

Upcoming Matches:

U13s

• 19th June - Cup vs Derriaghy B (Away)

• 20th June - League vs Lurgan (Home)

• 23rd June - League vs Waringstown (Home)

• 24th June - Friendly vs Instonians (Away)

• 25th June - Friendly vs Laurelvale (Away)

• 26th June - League vs Derriaghy B (Away)

U11s

• 18th June - Friendly vs Laurelvale (Away)

• 30th June - League vs Lurgan (Home)

• 2nd July - Cup vs Templepatrick (Away)

Home or away, if you’re at a loose end, please come join us in cheering on the teams... all support would be welcomed!!

Good luck to our U11s and U13s!

16th June 2025

🏏 UNDER 15’s CONTINUE WINNING WAYS

Last Weekend proved to be a complete washout for Armagh’s senior teams but the under 15 squad managed to dodge the showers and host their Lurgan counterparts on Friday evening at the mall.

Batting first Armagh racked up an impressive 168 for the loss of 3 wickets. Ryan Hetherington led the way with an impressive 50 not out, continuing his rich vein of form this season. Jack Beggs again proved his worth with the bat striking 35 at a run a ball and Stieve Bernard and Daniel Beggs hit some lusty blows in the dying overs to make sure the hosts posted a formidable total.

In reply Lurgan could only manage 81 runs in their allotted 20 overs for the loss of 8 wickets. The hosts were always in control and used the game to rotate their bowling line up using 11 bowlers. Matthew Kerr and Charlie Abbott were the pick of the bowlers claiming 2 wickets each whilst Will Haynes and Stieve Bernard took 1.

The bowling in particular proved highly economical with Daniel Beggs and Noah Archer impressing with frugal returns. Zach Halligan & Will Haynes deserve mention in the field as their sharp work accounted for 2 run outs.

Armagh look to continue their excellent league form with games coming up versus Bangor and Derriaghy in the next 10 days.

Armagh 168-3 (R Hetherington 50no, J Beggs 35, S Bernard 20no, D Beggs 10no)

Lurgan 81-8 ( H Calvert 26, C Abbott 2-8, M Kerr 2-11, W Haynes 1-4, S Bernard 1-6)

ARMAGH UNDER 15’s WON BY 87 RUNS.

10th June 2025

🏏 FOURTH XI REPORT

Armagh Fourths continued their impressive start to the 2025 season with an emphatic victory over their CSNI counterparts at the weekend. The Fourth XI made it 5 league wins from 5 outings as they reclaimed their position at the summit of Junior League 9.

After winning the toss in gloomy conditions, Armagh's skipper Keith Wilson inserted the hosts on a wicket he hoped would assist his strong bowling line up. Armagh stuck to the task at hand with an impressive fielding display and a frugal return in the bowling department. CSNI finished on 109 for the loss of 9 wickets in their allotted 25 overs, a fine disciplined effort from the entire team.

Keith Wilson led the way with another 4 wicket haul ably supported by Ben Gardiner who claimed a brace with Matthew Wilson, Noah Archer and Josh Wilson all taking one apiece.

Special mention must go to Armagh’s wicket keeper Jack Beggs, who claimed 5 excellent dismissals, a great feat for any keeper especially in the shortened version of a 25 over game. Jack claimed 2 sharp stumpings, one from the bowling of Ben Gardiner and the other from Keith Wilson, and purely for the statistician his 3 catches came off the bowling of Keith Wilson (2) and Matthew Wilson(1). Well done Jack!

In reply Armagh started their run chase in the rain and it slightly disrupted their rhythm as they lost Ryan Hetherington and Ashley Dilbert in quick succession to leave the visitors 24 for 2. However that only steadied the ship as the experienced pairing of Raymond Hetherington and Garry Archer dug in and played with a mixture of defence coupled with controlled aggression to ease Armagh past the finish line by the margin of 8 wickets and with 3 overs to spare.

Archer in particular looked in good form with the bat hitting 48 not out including one towering “6” to secure the win.

• CSNI V 109-9 (K Wilson 4-20, B Gardiner 2-13, N Archer 1-7, M Wilson 1-13, J Wilson 1-30)

• ARMAGH IV 114-2 (G Archer 48no, Ray Hetherington, 26no)

• ARMAGH IVs Won by 8 wickets.

• See The Full Scorecard HERE

5th June 2025

🏏 200 Not Out!

Last but by absolutely no means least on the milestone trail this weekend at Armagh Cricket Club was Michael Villiers who made his 200th senior appearance in our Tuesday evening game against Cregagh on the Mall.

We wouldn’t like to give away anyone’s age but Michael made his team team debut in the previous century having been picked out as an outstanding talent under the coaching of Khawaja Basharatullah and Paul McCrum. Michael was a 1st team regular through his twenties as a consistent run-scorer between 2009 and 2014 in particular. Known for the style of his batting, opposition scorers have often thought he was De Villiers!

After captaining the side in 2015 family commitments meant that Michaels cricket took a bit of a backward step but of late it’s those same family commitments that see him spending more time on the Mall than ever as Isaac, Matthew and James are all absolutely cricket mad! The club were delighted to have Michael back in the first team squad in 2024 and the old adage that class is permanent certainly rang true.

Michael already has his cap for 100 appearances so got a warm handshake from Ben Mackey instead.

Michael is sponsored for the 2025 season by Polaris.

Congratulations to Michael on his milestone, the 22nd player to make 200 appearances for Armagh.

5th June 2025

🏏 New 100 Cap Club Member

Our next big milestone from the weekend was Ben Mackey who quickly became the 56th player to join the 100 Cap Club at Armagh Cricket Club in our cup game against Donaghcloney Mill on Saturday afternoon.

Since his first team debut way back in 2014 as a precocious talent Ben really burst into prominence in our 2017 Section One winning season where his new ball combination with Jarred Barnes helped fire Armagh to the Premier League. After taking a brief spell at CSNI in 2021 we were absolutely delighted to welcome Ben back to the Mall in early 2022 where he has continued to be a huge part of our club and team with his hard-hitting batting and quite remarkable fielding abilities.

Ben has also been forced to adapt from his seam bowling to take up spin of late and that skill and adaptability has been shown with a recent 5 wicket haul against Cloney. His 124 first team wickets currently has him 28th on the all-time list, just behind Matty Wright!

A richly deserved cap was presented on Saturday evening (31st May) by fellow 100 Cap Club member Gareth McCarter.

Ben is sponsored for the 2025 season by Darren Stewart of Stewart Electrical Services.

Congratulations to Ben on his milestone!

5th June 2025

🏏 New 100 Cap Club Member

A tough weekend on the field for the Armagh 1st XI but some significant milestones brought up in the process.

The first was Matty Wright who became the 55th player to join the 100 Cap Club at Armagh Cricket Club in our game against Carrick on Friday night. Since his first team debut way back in 2006 as a youngster Matthew has been a regular feature at the club but it’s been more in the 2020s that he has became a key component of the 1st XI particularly with the new ball.

With over 100 wickets for the first XI using skill and swing throughout we hope the newlywed Matthew has plenty more to offer. His 129 first team wickets currently has him 27th on the all-time list, just behind the legendary Andrew Walbran.

A richly deserved cap was presented on Friday evening (30th May) by fellow 100 Cap Club member Harry Doyle.

Matthew is sponsored for the 2025 season by DJ Window Cleaning.

Congratulations to Matthew on his milestone!

2nd June 2025

🏏 Under 15s Results

Last week was a busy time for Armagh under 15’s with 2 games in 2 days. On Thursday evening the team travelled to Carrickfergus and recorded a clinical 9 wicket win. Batting first Carrick were dismissed for a paltry 50 runs with Josh Wilson claiming 3 wickets, Conor McGoldrick 2 wickets, Will Haynes 2 wickets and Matthew Kerr 1 wicket. It was a very polished display with bowling and fielding of the highest notch.

In reply Armagh polished the runs off in only 9.2 overs as Josh Wilson hit the winning runs with 22 not out and Ryan Hetherington who also made 22 starring with the bat. Armagh welcomed back Stieve Bernard and he was the other not out batsman.

On Friday evening the team hosted Derriaghy under 15’s at the mall and unfortunately lost by the agonising margin of only 3 runs.

Derriaghy batted first, and posted a competitive 147/4 in 20 overs with Jonah Smyth top scoring with a hard hitting 44 not out, ably supported by Oscar Benson who scored 39. Josh Wilson took 2 for 18 with the ball as Armagh found wickets hard to come by.

In reply Armagh started off their run chase at a good pace but fell just short despite the gallant effort from their batsmen. Jack Beggs top scored with a career best 44 from only 36 balls, he was ably supported by opening batsman Ryan Hetherington who continued his rich vein of form this chalking up an excellent 36.

Daniel Beggs (15 not out) and Noah Archer (16 not out) gave the large home crowd a last gasp exciting finish but despite some late heroics the hosts fell just short.

The two games over two days were played in great spirits and despite Friday’s defeat our Junior players put on a great performance in both games that will stand them in great stead for the rest of the 2025 season.

2nd June 2025

🏏 2025 Summer Scheme Announced

Summer Scheme returns in 2025!

Excited to launch another year of Summer Scheme with the focus on developing our thriving youth system here at Armagh.

The scheme will be led by our experienced coaches in Samuel Wilson and overseas player Luan Liebenberg!

From beginner to experienced we have the knowledge and skill to help you learn, develop and enjoy each session.

Why not give it a try?

If your son or daughter is interested or if you have any queries please contact Samuel on the number provided on the poster above. All bookings to be confirmed before the session begins.

Share Our Summer Scheme

1st June 2025

🏏 REPORT

Armagh suffered a tough weekend with cup defeats to Carrick in the T20 cup and Donaghcloney Mill in the Challenge Cup.

Fridays night game was a heavy defeat with Armagh dismissed for just 63 on the Mall in a difficult batting display. Only two players made double figures in a score that was never likely to be enough and that was proven to be the case as Carricks opening bat Gilmour scored a quick and brutal half century to race towards the small Armagh total. Ben Mackey claimed the only wicket to fall as Carrick won by nine wickets.

Saturdays game didn’t fare much better as Armaghs batting underperformed again after a decent start at the Factory Ground. Regular wickets fell to poor shots as most of the Armagh line-up got a start then got out. Best for the City side was Michael Villiers who looked good for his 33 but a score of 144 looked short.
Cloneys Australian opener Markham was not able to repeat his stunning century from the league encounter as he was forced to retire hurt after being bloodied by a vicious bouncer from Liebenberg who also took the only wicket to fall courtesy of a sharp catch from Villiers. The other Armagh bowlers weren’t able to sustain threat or pressure and Cloney were able to race to their total. Young batsman Matthews scored a quite brilliant century bringing up his milestone with a six as well as the winning runs.

Armagh will hope for better this week with a rearranged game against Cregagh on the Mall on Tuesday evening before the arduous trip to Ballymena on Saturday.

1st June 2025

🏏 RESULTS

The weekend began with the 1st XI begin well beaten in the T20 Trophy. On Saturday they faced Donacloney on the road in the Challenge Cup. Batting first they were all out for 144 with Villiers top scoring with 33. Sadly, the opposition were able to knock off the runs, thanks to a century from Matthews.

On the Mall on Saturday, the 4th XI had a convincing win in the Development Cup. they bowled Bangor all out for 81, with Ben Gardiner, Josh Wilson, and the evergreen Keith Wilson doing the damage. In response, Ryan McCarter, Adam and Wilson and Ashley ensured it was a straightforward run chase. Well done men!

On the back pitch at the Mall, it was an entertaining game as Raymond Hetherington's 5th XI ran Victoria close in a tight game. Victoria put on a big total, with 4 wickets for Garry archer, well supported by Reuben Finlay with 2. In reply, a superb 149 first wicket partnership between Ollie Mann and Ryan Heatherington put Armagh in a great position to chase the total - Ollie finishing on 84 and Ryan on 56. And despite some late boundaries from Finlay and captain Raymond Hetherington, the young Armagh side were sadly beaten by 14 runs. Despite the result, it was a great effort by the young Armagh side, with some great individual performances. We entered a 5th XI to give young players even more exposure to senior cricket and give more game experience, so it is particularly pleasing to see them grow in confidence and showcase their abilities week by week. Well done lads!

1st June 2025

🏏 U13s Update

❗ Update on the update: Unfortunately, today's (Monday 2nd June) cup game has been cancelled with Armagh securing a walkover to the next round.The team were looking forward to the match but these things happen. Good luck to Instonians for the rest of the season.

Cup Alert!

After a tough result against Donacloney in their last match, Armagh Cricket Club U13s are fired up and ready to bounce back in style as they prepare for their Round of 16, Sports Hub U13s Development Cup match against a strong opponent in Instonians… expecting the game to be a real test of character.

If you're curious to see if the U13s can progress to the next round, why not join us on The Mall to cheer the team on... your support would be welcomed!

• Match Day: Monday 2nd June

• Time: 6.00pm

• Venue: The Mall

Good luck to U13s!!

31st May 2025

🏏 Challenge Cup, Donacloney Mill

At the Factory Ground, Armagh Cricket Club won the toss and elected to bat first. Pictured are Cloney captain Matthew Lyttle, Armagh captain Michael Hoey and umpires Tommy Deegan and Col Morris.

Armagh’s matchball was sponsored by Darren Crowe.

30th May 2025

🏏 Thank You!

Our Brand new branded gazebo by Poptents matches our playing kit for this season and must have caught a few eyes on the Mall tonight.

Thank you to David Spratt for facilitating…

28th May 2025

🏏 U11s UPDATE

Scoring a respectable 254, Armagh Cricket Club were unable to chase down Waringstown Cricket Club's total of 320, resulting in a 66-run loss.

Despite the result, there were plenty of positives to take from the game – especially in our fielding and bowling, which showed great promise.

Shoutouts to our bowlers:

• Tom Kindred

• Charlie Dougan

• Zach Dally

• Harry Beggs

All delivering tidy spells

Special mentions:

• Isaac Abraham taking a wicket on debut (even if it didn’t show on the online scorebook!)

• Harry McMahon with a solid catch.

• Zach Dally with a sharp direct-hit runout.

• and an outstanding fielding performance from Tom Kindred – relentless energy and sharp throws all day

With the bat:

• An explosive 36-run partnership between Harry Beggs (23.....with a huge 6!!) and Tom Kindred (9) capped off the innings and showed the team’s fighting spirit to the end.

Whilst I'm sure the team will be disappointed with the result, their continued progression is clear and we’re definitely moving in the right direction... great effort and hard luck today U11s

Check out the full scorecard HERE

On to the next game!

27th May 2025

🏏 U11s UPDATE

Armagh Cricket Club U11s kicked off the season in style with a hard-earned first win against Donacloney! Confidence is high as we look to build on that momentum in our next game against Waringstown Cricket Club U11s.

Will ACC be able to come away with a second win? Only way to find out is by making your way down to The Mall….all support is welcomed and every cheer counts!

• Wednesday 28th May

• Venue – The Mall

• 6.00pm

See you there!

25th May 2025

🏏 RESULTS

With the 1sts and 3rds games off from Saturday, that left two games completed this weekend for the senior teams at the CC.

First up on Saturday was the 2nd XI who took on Derriaghy in the Intermediate Cup at Queensway. Skipper Woods chose to bat first, and the top 3 laid a good foundation for the innings - Andy Hoey with 44, Dougan with 20, and the returning Hazleton scoring a well made 26. However, star of the Armagh innings was none other than Mr Phil Rodgers who batted superbly, scoring a powerful 54 from just 37 balls, to take us to a competitive 219 from 30 overs.

In the field, Armagh started strongly, reducing Derriaghy to 44-5. However, a great innings by Derriaghy's skipper Ferris and some powerful hitting from Cairns threatened to take the game away from Armagh in the middle overs. But the bowling attack didn't let the heads drop and stuck to the task, taking wickets at crucial moments, backed by good fielding and holding our catches, eventually dismissing Derriaghy for 174 and seeing us into the next round of the cup. Rodgers took 3 wickets in a fine all-round display, while Matty Wilson, Garry Archer and Daniel Ballantyne chipped in with 2 wickets each. Notably both Rodgers and Ballantyne were on hat trick balls - you can watch the Live Stream on Derriaghy YouTube page to see how those attempts went...! Thanks to Derriaghy for a great game and hospitality too.

On Sunday, it was the turn of the 3rd XI who travelled to Muckamore. Bowling first, Muckamore scored 193, with Jake Sizeland taking an impressive 4 wickets, and Matty Wilson taking 2. Shoutout to young keeper Jack Beggs who took two catches, one of which was a superb take diving to his right off the bowling of Matty Wilson - well done Jack!

In response, the 3rds put up a good fight, anchored by a great knock by Ashley who scored his maiden 50 for the Club - well done Ashley! Sadly we ran out of overs, and Muckamore ran out winners.

22nd May 2025

🏏 U13s UPDATE

And so… to tonight’s match.

Armagh Cricket Club U13s came up short against Donaloney; in a game where we took a little time to find our rhythm, we posted a respectible 85 for 6 only for Donacloney to chase it down in 11 overs, losing just 2 wickets.

While the result may not have gone our way, there are plenty of positives to build on. The boys batted out their full overs against a strong bowling attack, showed great energy in the field, and bowled with skill and determination throughout.

What’s even more encouraging is that most of this squad were playing U11s just last season – adjusting to a faster-paced game, every single one of them contributed and should be proud of their efforts.

Batting Highlights:
William Steenson, Larkin Polack, Jack Eakin, and Harry Halligan batted well — whether through powerful boundary-hitting or solid resolve under pressure.

Bowling Shout-outs:
Dylan Coppard, William Steenson, and Jacob Wilson bowled with control and effort, even if the scoreboard didn’t fully reflect it.

Well played to Donacloney, well deserved winners and we wish them the best for the rest of the season.

And for our U13s.....hard luck today, we move on to the next game!!

21st May 2025

🏏 U11s Update

What a fantastic performance by our U11 team today!

With Donacloney posting 234, Armagh surpassed the score a balance of steady and destructive batting, finishing on 310 to clinch a solid 76-run victory!

Whilst it was a team effort in the field (with several runouts ensuring Donacloney's score was kept to a minimum), special mentions must go to:

• Harry Beggs - Taking 2 wickets and conceding 1 run from his 2 overs

• William Morton - 24 with the bat

• Zach Dally - Involved in 3 runouts (2 as keeper and 1 as outfielder)

• Reese Dalzell-Potts & Isaac Villiers - Solid debut performances.

• William Morton & Harry McMahon - Partnership of 48

• William Steenson & Harry Beggs - Partnership of 43

Well played to Donacloney and we wish you all the best for the rest of the season.

Congratulations to all our players and thank you to all the parents for your support — let’s keep the momentum going!

18th May 2025

🏏 TWO EXCELLENT WINS

It’s not too often that Armagh IV’s and Armagh V’s hold centre stage at the mall on a sunny Saturday afternoon, but yesterday that rare feature did happen due to a lack of fixtures for the more senior ACC teams.

It was simply a wonderful afternoon for cricket with the sun shining and Sainsbury’s virtually sold out of sun cream, the partisan Armagh supporters were entertained with two fantastic wins for Keith Wilson’s 4th XI and Raymond Hetherington’s 5th XI.

They were two contrasting games as the 4th XI defeated Ballymena Thirds by 4 wickets in a low scoring encounter and the 5th XI held off Enniskillen by 14 runs in a higher scoring game.

On the front pitch Armagh restricted Ballymena 3’s to 94-8 in 25 overs with Ricky Dobbs taking 4-18 ably supported by Josh Wilson, Sam Mason and Keith Wilson who all took a wicket each.

Armagh should’ve knocked the runs off with relative ease but wickets fell at regular intervals as batsmen failed to capitalise on a good start. Andrew Bratten, Ashley Thomas and Matthew Wilson all attained double figures but were dismissed by an accurate Ballymena attack. In the end Ricky Dobbs (14no) knocked off the winning runs to ensure the 4th XI won their fourth game from 4 starts.

The 5th XI on the back pitch racked up a formidable 203-6 as Ollie Mann (27), Ryan Hetherington (26), Garry Archer (31), Sam Karlsen (48) and the skipper Raymond Hetherington (32) made hay while the sun shone.

The game ebbed and flowed considerably as Enniskillen gave the run chase a great effort but fell some 14 runs short with their 189-6. Jake Sizeland claimed 3 wickets, and wily campaigner Ben Gardiner 2 wickets to deny the Fermanagh men victory, much to the delight of a buoyant crowd that had gathered on the back pitch in the late afternoon.

16th May 2025

🏏 U15s Report

Last night our under 15’s team made the long journey to Ballyclare to play their Templepatrick counterparts in a league match at Hollinger Park.

Batting first Armagh posted a memorable 185 for the loss of 1 wicket as openers Josh Wilson and Ryan Hetherington both recorded half centuries and shared an opening partnership of 112 in perfect batting conditions. The nature of the competition dictates that a player must retire when he reaches that milestone so both were recorded as “not out”.

Ryan was the first to reach the “50” mark with 8 boundaries, while Josh followed soon after with 5 boundaries and two “6’s”. Jack Beggs chipped in with a quickfire 21 and Noah Archer 24 not out while Daniel Beggs was the other not out batsman on 12.

It was always doing to be a difficult task for the hosts and with Armagh rotating their bowlers in quick succession, Templepatrick were dismissed for 88 such was Armagh’s determination with the ball. On the bowling front Conor McGoldrick, Ethan Woods, Ryan Hetherington and Charlie Abbott took 2 wickets while Matthew Kerr and Zach Halligan one each.

The fielding was also top notch with Zack Halligan talking a wonderful catch at deep mid on and Noah Archer taking 2 sharp chances close in.

The game proved an excellent start for our under 15’s with everyone playing a part in a fine victory. They now host Derriaghy on Friday 30th May and also have a cup tie away to Carrick although that date is still to be confirmed.

Armagh Under 15’s 185-1 ( R Hetherington 51 retired not out, J Wilson 51 retired not out, N Archer 24no, J Beggs 21, D Beggs 12 no)

Templepatrick Under 15’s 88 all out ( S Singh 24, F Steele 19, E Woods 2-4, C McGoldrick, 2-8, R Hetherington 2-11, C Abbott 2-12, M Kerr 1-8, Z Halligan 1-15)

ARMAGH UNDER 15’s WIN BY 97 RUNS

Special thanks to our overseas player Luan Liebenberg for umpiring the game and the parents who made the long trip to watch.

16th May 2025

🏏 U11s & U13s

This amazing weather can only mean one thing......Armagh CC Youth Cricket Season is finally here!

We’re excited to announce that the U11s and U13s cricket season is to begin this weekend, with training kicking off on Saturday 17th May!

All current players - we can’t wait to see you back on the field, sharpening those skills.

For anyone with an interest in playing for the first time and is between the ages of 9 and 13 – you’re more than welcome to come down and get involved! No experience needed, just a love for the game and a willingness to learn.

• Location: The Mall, Armagh

• Time: U11s 8.45am to 9.45am | U13s 10.00am to 11.00am

• Bring: Water, gear (if you have it), and plenty of energy!

Let’s make it a great season – see you there!

13th May 2025

🏏 Fast Eddie

This afternoon the club said goodbye to our friend and loyal member of the groundsteam Eddie Giffin.

Over the weekend the club flag flew at half mast, players on all five teams wore black armbands and the games on the Mall had a minutes silence before play. Thanks to the players of Downpatrick Cricket Club 1849 and BISC for supporting this on Saturday. This afternoon club members helped lift Eddie to his final resting place in Ardmore Cemetery before the club hosted a funeral tea for family and friends in the Pavilion that Eddie took such pride around.

Tales of ‘Fast Eddie’ around the Mall and the club will live long in the memory but for now it’s “see you later my friend”.

12th May 2025

🏏 Well Done!

Following up on the match reports, here's some great pictures of the 3rd XI, and key man Sam Mason who bowled superbly on Saturday, turning the game in Armagh's favour. Well done Sam!

12th May 2025

🏏 RESULTS

The 5th XI opened their season with a tight defeat against Waringstown 4ths at The Lawn on Friday evening. Armagh bowled well, with Trimble and Stoops in the wickets. Despite Keith Wilson (33), Garry Archer (31) and Ryan Heatherington (20) batting well, Waringstown ran out winners by 7 RUNS.

Saturday did not start well for the 1st XI, as Donacloney's overseas player Markham, in a remarkable innings, raced to 136 in super quick time. However, the 1st XI bowling attack managed to dismiss Markham and contain Donacloney to 287. Chief wicket taker was Ben Mackey with a 5-for. In reply, Armagh were always in the game - key contributors including Doyle (48), Sammy Wilson (43), Steenson (35) and Rogers (34). Sadly they were all out 39 runs shy of the target.

On the Mall, the 2nd XI battled hard with the bat against BISC, with 10 batsmen all reaching double figures, Andy Hoey and skipper Adam Woods top scoring. Sadly it was a bad day in the field, with the bowling not going to plan, and some quick scoring from BISC meant we lost by 8 wickets.

On the back pitch, the 3rd XI recorded an excellent win against a strong Downpatrick 2nd XI. Batting first there were excellent half centuries from Andy Bratton (64) and Ollie Mann (54), while skipper Keith Wilson chipped in with a vital 29*. Some big hitting by Downpatrick looked to take the game away from Armagh at points, until Sam Mason dismissed the danger man and finished with 3 wickets in a great spell, ably supported by Joshua Wilson who bowled well at the death, and Keith Wilson took 2 wickets in the final over to seal the win.

On Sunday, it was the turn of the 4ths. They restricted BISC 5ths to 99 from their 25 overs, with Ben Gardiner and Garry Archer taking two wickets each. In response, it was the Ollie Mann show as he powered his way to 67*, as he and opening partner Ryan Heatherington saw us home to win by 10 wickets. Well done all!

8th May 2025

🏏 Sad News

All associated with Armagh Cricket Club were devastated to hear this morning of the sad and untimely passing of Edwin James Edward Giffin, better known to all as Eddie, or indeed ‘Fast Eddie’.

Eddie wasn’t ever known as a cricketer (although we tried to get him on the field for sixes) but over the last few years he became an integral part of the furniture at the Cricket club, either through helping out at the bar, working on the grounds at the Mall that he loved so much (although not the old roller) or indeed any number of tasks around the Pavilion or beyond with no job ever too big or small. Eddie was a popular and indeed cult figure with visitors young and old.

He will unquestionably be missed around the club on a Friday night at darts, on a Saturday matchday where he did so much or for all of his contributions on and around the ground. But more than anything he will be missed as a friend who hugely enjoyed being a part of the craic at the club. He’s given us some amazing memories that we will talk about for years and hopefully the club gave him a sense of joy and purpose in the final years of his life.

Our thoughts are with the family circle at this sad time.

5th May 2025

🏏 RESULTS

It was a Bank Holiday Double for the CC as we enjoyed two wins in the sun!

On the Mall, the 1st XI won an entertaining contest with newly-promoted Downpatrick. Batting first on a sunny afternoon, Armagh reached 301 from their allotted overs. The mainstay being a superb century from opener Jamie Rogers, who top scored with 133 - his first for the CC on the Mall. He was ably supported by Sammy Wilson who scored 49. In response, after two wickets from Luan early on, Downpatrick put real pressure on the Armagh bowling attack through some powerful hitting by Wyngard, Amitesh and Khan in particular, as the ball was dispatched around the Mall. However, it was big Luan who got the important wicket of Wyngard, finishing up with a 6-wicket haul on his first game on the Mall. Harry Boyd bowled a crucial spell, taking two wickets on his welcome return from Canada, to see Armagh home by 114 runs. Thanks to all who came down to support the lads - it was much appreciated!

The Mighty 4th XI continued their winning start to the season with a 5 wicket win on the road at Dunmurry. They bowled their opponents all out for 106, with 3 wickets for Garry Archer, Ollie Trimble and Matty Wilson, who continues his strong start to the season. In response, knocks by Ryan Heatherington (33) and Rickey Dobbs (26*) saw Armagh win by 5 wickets. Well done lads!

4th May 2025

🏏 RESULTS

The past week got most teams off and running for the season. As previously posted, the 1st XI lost on the road to Carrick in their rearranged fixture - the positive note being a great first knock from our overseas player Luan - well done!

On Saturday, the 3rds were second best in a tight contest away against Ardent Blues II, coming down to the penultimate over - while at home, the mighty 4ths recorded the club's first win on a sun-drenched Mall, as previously posted. Well done all!

3rd May 2025

🏏 4th XI Report

The all star fourth XI were the only side in action at home today as they hosted Templepatrick IV’s on a sunny but cold Saturday afternoon. Batting first the visitors scored 155-9 in their allotted 30 overs with Garry Archer and Josh Wilson claiming 3 wickets each and Noah Archer 2 wickets.

In reply The ACC fourths passed the total with 3 overs to spare thanks to an excellent 62 by Garry Archer ably supported by Ryan Hetherington who scored 30 on his first time opening the batting in senior cricket. Well done everyone!

1st May 2025

🏏 RESULT

Our season opener didn’t go quite to plan last night as Carrick won the game by seven wickets after our good start in both innings wasn’t sustained.

Highlights of the game are online HERE... if you’ve little to be at.

We go again on Bank Holiday Monday at home to Downpatrick but have a busy Saturday before that.

30th April 2025

🏏 Sponsorship Appreciation

The Craic'd Pot Coffee House have kindly sponsored our new playing top for the 2025 season. Pictured below is The Craic'd Pot Coffee House owner Scott King with his new playing top.

The Craic'd Pot is Armagh's first bohemian styled, late night opening coffee house that's famous for roasting its own coffee.

If you're visiting Armagh or a general coffee enthusiast, this is the place to go! They have a range of traybakes, sausage rolls and do a cracking flat white!

We thank Scott and his team for supporting us.

If you are a business and would like to avail of sponsorship opportunities with Armagh CC, just speak to any member.

26th April 2025

🏏 RESULT

Just the one result from today as the 2nd XI never really got going and were well beaten by Carrick. The 1st and 3rd XI games were postponed. On to next week!

21st April 2025

🏏 Happy Birthday!

On behalf of everyone at Armagh Cricket Club we would like to wish club stalwart Gareth McCarter a very happy birthday today. Believe it or not Gareth hits 40 not out and in the words of a famous ACC quote “He’s been about some time!”

Gareth made his senior debut in August 1998 and has played a huge amount of games since then rarely missing a game through injury or unavailability such has been his dedication.

He soon became a regular on the 1st XI making the position of Wicket Keeper his own and only last season recorded the rare feat of 300 first XI appearances. He also holds the record for most dismissals by a first XI keeper and also boasts in excess of 1,000 runs.

Off the field of play Gareth has held many admin roles and his dedication, enthusiasm and hard work is very still much to the fore ensuring the smooth day to day running of our club in so many areas.

Happy Birthday G and here’s to many more…

18th April 2025

🏏 Power Cricket 2025

Delighted to announce our very successful Power Cricket programme for the 2025 season will commence on Monday 19th May

• Where: The Mall

• Time: 6.30pm-7.30pm (Registration in the clubhouse from 6.00pm)

Playing experience is NOT required!

Any further questions, please contact Harry Doyle (see below)

More info Here (or click the picture below)

17th April 2025

🏏 Player and Ball Sponsorship Opportunities for the 2025 Season

As the season is getting even closer, we are offering our local businesses to sponsor our players and match balls for the 2025 season.

We will include:

• Your company logo on each weekly teamsheet

• A press release about your company, including a photo with your designated player

• Promotion of your business at every opportunity

We'd be very grateful for your support

Please contact Harry Doyle via email: hdoyle1992@outlook.com should you be interested.

11th April 2025

🏏 2025 Season Opener - Friendly V Laurelvale

A bit more club news and with all this excellent weather it just seemed too good an opportunity to miss.

Second XI skipper Adam Woods has hastily arranged a friendly fixture for tomorrow on the mall with a 12 noon start.

An Armagh select XI will host a Laurelvale select XI on the back pitch ( looking better than ever!) as a 2025 season opener. Call down and enjoy the sunshine!

10th April 2025

🏏 New Playing Shirts

Some good news this evening as we received our brand new playing shirts from our friends at Sports Hub Lisburn UK . We think you'll agree they did a great job!

The rest of the kit order is on its way and we will keep you all posted. But if you can't wait to get your hands on your playing shirt then there is an opportunity to collect this Saturday from 1pm in the clubhouse.

Pictured with the new shirt are 2nd XI captain Adam Woods and Club President Keith Wilson, and Marley!

10th April 2025

🏏 Sad News

The Officers and Members of the club are deeply saddened to hear about the passing of former Armagh cricketer Kieran McCauley.

“Biffo”as he was affectionately known was a life long resident of the village of Milford and played for the village team for many seasons up until the early 1970’s when the club ceased to exist.

He immediately transferred to Armagh CC and played 157 games for the first XI between 1971 & 1987 serving as club captain in the 1981 and 1985 seasons.

He enjoyed a very distinguished career taking many wickets in an attack he spearheaded with his good friend Reggie Stinson and also recorded a highest score of 112 not out with the bat. When his playing career ceased at the highest level he continued to be involved in the Armagh Taverners cricket team for many years that played on a Friday evening to raise funds for local charities.

One of Kieran’s most cherished cricketing experiences by his own admission and taken from local author Joe McManus’ book, on Milford Village life was :- “I was selected on three occasions along with Reggie Stinson, to play for the President’s XI. This was a great honour, playing alongside the top players in Northern Ireland”

Here Kieran is pictured with Reggie in November 2022 receiving his “100 Cap” at a special ceremony at the mall, an evening he thoroughly enjoyed. Also a picture of his Milford cricketing days opening the batting with Billy Hill.

Deepest condolences is extended to his wife Rita and the entire family circle. May he Rest in Peace.

7th April 2025

🏏 Sponsorship Opportunities for 2025 Season

As we approach the season at the end of April, we welcome our local companies and those affiliated to support the club in a number of different ways. We're very grateful for the support from our local businesses over the last number of years since this initiative begun, and we'd love this to continue

All financial support has helped us massively with the soaring costs of ground maintenance and rising equipment costs needed for our various youth programmes

You can sponsor one of our players at £75.00 per player or the Match Ball option is £30.00

What do you get in return?

• Your company logo goes on our weekly teamsheets

• A social media write up will be uploaded on our socials page about your company

If you'd be interested in supporting a player or sponsoring amatch ball, please speak to a committee member.

21st March 2025

Here's the provisional fixture list for the 1sts and 2nds! (3/4/5ths to be confirmed).

Lots of cricket to be played this summer, and lots of opportunities for players of all ages and abilities to come along and join the fun. The fixtures list at the top of this page will be updated on a weekly basis..

27th February 2025

🏏 New Season Approaches

In case anyone hasn’t heard already. Here are the cup draws for our 5 senior teams for the 2025 season. Some mouthwatering encounters lie ahead!

Next week the league fixtures will be organised, as the Captains get down to the hard work.

26th February 2025

🏏 NCU LVS T20

The draw for the 2025 Northern Cricket Union LVS T20 Trophy was carried out yesterday.

Armagh Cricket Club have a home tie in the Quarter finals (it’s back to being a knockout again) to the winners of the Carrick v Ballymena match.

Dates are to be confirmed... but it’s nice to see signs of the forthcoming season starting to emerge.

16th February 2025

🏏 Indoor Nets Practice

It’s that time of year again!

We are pleased to announce that Indoor Nets Practice starts on Wednesday 19th February.

Many Thanks to the Royal School Armagh for allowing us to use their excellent facilities as we kickstart our preparations for the 2025 cricket season.

• Starts Wednesday 19th February 2025

• Junior practice will be from 5.30pm until 7.00pm

• Seniors will take over at 7.00pm until 8.30pm

• Location: The Soprts Hall, The Royal School, Armagh

Everyone will be very welcome especially any new players to the club.

Hoping for a good turnout in all categories.

9th January 2025

🏏 Club News - New Kit

We are pleased to announce that local sports wear business Sports Hub will be supplying our playing and training kit. I'm sure you'd agree they have done a superb job in designing kit that will help us stand out on the glorious Mall.

8th January 2025

🏏 Club News - 2nd XI Captaincy 2025

Armagh Cricket Club are excited to announce that all-rounder Adam Woods will be taking over the 2nd XI captaincy for the 2025 season, taking over from Philip Rodgers who has opted to step aside after three years at the helm.

Club President Keith Wilson said “Firstly, thanks to Phil for his dedication spent in charge of the 2nd XI for a number of seasons. It’s a role that has its challenges with 2024 seeing injuries and unavailability unlike we have ever seen before. To keep the 2nd XI up despite that was some effort. It’s great to see a young player like Adam keen to take over and hoping all club members can get behind him in any way we can.”

Adam added “I’m delighted to get the opportunity to captain the 2nd XI. Representing the club at various levels under different captains has given me an insight about how I’d like to lead and it’ll be special to walk out on the Mall with an Armagh Cricket Club team behind me. Thanks to Phil for all his work in the last few years and I hope he will be a key man in the team this season - I can’t wait for pre-season to begin!”

Everyone at ACC would like to wish Adam the very best of luck for his new role in the 2025 campaign!

7th January 2025

🏏 Club News - 5th XI Captaincy 2025

Armagh Cricket Club are delighted to announce that Raymond Hetherington will be taking over the 5th XI captaincy for the 2025 season after a very successful return for the new team last year.

Club President Keith Wilson said “It was great to see the 5th XI back last season and Raymond was a key component in the success of the side with his enthusiasm and experience really helping to encourage the young players in the team. Taking over the leadership of the side will only increase that and I wish him every success.”

Raymond added “It’s an honour to be asked to take over the captaincy and I look forward to the challenge of helping develop this next generation of talented players. I’d like to pay tribute to the leadership of Keith for bringing back the 5th XI and making it the success it was in 2024 and we can build on that this upcoming season.”

Everyone at ACC would like to wish Raymond the very best of luck for his new role in the 2025 campaign. No better man for the job!

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Club News, Match Reports and Results

24th December 2020

🏏 President's Message

Dear players, members and friends of City of Armagh Cricket Club:

In the sport of cricket, the invention of Twenty20 was a massive change in the game, bringing the sport to a new generation with a fast pace, invention and skill. As we reflect on the year 2020 it's certainly one we are going to remember but not necessarily for the right reasons as the year moved at a slower pace.

Normally Christmas Eve and morning at Armagh CC are joyous occasions with Christmas jumpers, our annual draw and plenty of good feeling. Unfortunately this year the doors have been locked from October and we are missing the sounds of friendship, activity and craic.

We would like to thank all of our sponsors for their continued support during these unprecedented times. We hope that their businesses are progressing well in these unusual times. We are also thinking of our friends in neighbouring sports clubs who aren't able to operate as normal and whose seasons have been badly affected by lockdowns.

At our club we managed to get some cricket played at senior level and while our junior programme of POWERCricket took place in August, our youth programme was badly hit. We look forward to getting those boys and girls back on the Mall in 2021 and hopefully a full programme of cricket at all levels and age-groups.

We were delighted to welcome some new members to the club even during a shortened season but unfortunately suffered some losses, as with all communities and societies at a time such as this. As a club, we would like to express our sympathy to those who've lost family members, particularly during such a difficult time. We would like to express our thanks to the NHS and all keyworkers for their inspiring efforts through the year. Thanks also to our own members, staff and helpers for all of their contributions no matter how big or small.

The club have been working hard to improve its facilities throughout 2020. In the time we were able to open in the summer and autumn our members will have been able to use our hugely popular Garden Bar and although only briefly, our new function hall which I’m sure all will agree is a huge improvement. We are also very thankful to the NI National Lottery Community Fund for supporting us in the clubs kitchen redevelopment which will hopefully take shape before the start of the 2021 season. I would like to say good luck to all the captains for the 2021 season. We can only hope there is no delay to the season ahead.

Finally, I'd like to take the opportunity to wish our players, members and all their families a Happy Christmas and a peaceful and safe New Year. Things may be different for now, but we will hopefully we together again soon.

John Doyle,

President, Armagh Cricket Club.

9th December 2020

🏏 What We Do

Something that we surprisingly often hear from visitors and parents is that they weren’t aware of cricket in Armagh or that they didn’t know what the building on the Mall was for or about.

Hopefully this fab new sign will help with that.

Many thanks to the good folks at Sunset Signs for their help with the design and installation.

9th November 2020

🏏 Remembrance

As always, the players and members of Armagh Cricket Club are proud to pay their respects at the Cenotaph to remember the fallen. No Sunday ceremony this year in these changed times but the sacrifice and sentiment is more important than ever.

5th September 2020

🏏 Farewell

Hopefully a big day on the Mall today for our last games of the 2020 season. What a different, challenging but rewarding summer it has been with competitive and enjoyable cricket.

In today’s home fixture against Donaghcloney Mill we say farewell to Neil Gelston who informed us last weekend that he would be returning to Drumaness Superkings in 2021. Neil joined Armagh in 2016 and has been a huge part of everything we have done on and off the field in the time since, including our amazing 2017 Double season and our Premier League adventure in 2018.

Neil leaves Armagh with the best wishes of all the players, committee and supporters. A better man to play with than against!

We hope to give him a good send off at the Mall this afternoon and this evening.

4th September 2020

🏏 Stats

In our game against Ballymena last weekend another milestone was reached.

Past Club captain and our current chairman Gareth McCarter completed his 200th dismissal in senior cricket. This is a remarkable achievement in itself and the team were very pleased when Gareth took the decisive catch to mark 200.

Gareth has played 233 games for the 1st XI and made his debut on 25th August 2002. Gareth been one of the longest serving players in our club history.

The club and committee are delighted and the next question is; what year will you achieve 250 dismissals?

8th August 2020

🏏 Good Day

A better day for @ArmaghCC today with the second XI beating their local visitors this morning, an unbeaten half-century from Michael Villiers undoubtedly the highlight supported well by Mark Elliott.

The 1st XI beat Muckamore by 7 wickets, Ben Mackey with a hat-trick and Neil Gelston 37 not out.

All on the glorious sun-drenched Mall!

4th August 2020

🏏 It’s Back!

Amazing to be back hosting POWERCricket on the Mall last night in a safe and socially distanced fashion. As ever, the kids had a ball!

A huge thank you to our team of volunteer coaches, our fabulous sponsors Woolsey Concrete for their continued support and to the parents and to the families who continue to support our efforts!

POWERCricket continues on the Mall for the next 3 Mondays and new boys and girls are always welcome to join…

29th July 2020

🏏 MackAttack!

Ben Mackey steaming in down the hill at Downpatrick on Sunday during his spell of 3-5 in four overs. Photo by Conor Kinahan

27th July 2020

🏏 Stats

Every so often our resident stats guru Brian Weir provides us with a gem from our history that’s a wee bit mind-blowing and on Saturday we got another.

By appearing for the 1st XI on Saturday in our remarkable tie at Saintfield, Mark Elliott and David Bullick became the first ever players to represent Armagh 1st XI in five different decades. Both made their debuts in the 1980s before appearing in the 90s, 00s, 2010s and now 2020s. A remarkable display of commitment from both former 1st XI captains as well as a testament to their skill and fitness. Club legends both.

Not just for the 1st XI, but when he featured for the 3rd XI against Victoria on the Mall last week Arnold Courtney would have appeared for Armagh in his sixth successive decade, with the 70s added to that earlier list.

Well done to all three, plenty of years on the field left in those bodies yet too!

22nd July 2020

🏏 Records

We love a landmark at Armagh CC and the first weekend of action at the Mall saw two significant statistical numbers reached in the 1st XI.

On Saturday, Harry Boyd passed 1500 runs for the 1st XI and then on Sunday, Harry Doyle took his 200th senior wicket for Armagh in his 4fer against Cliftonville.

Well done to both!

19th July 2020

🏏 Respect

Players from Armagh and Derriaghy plus the umpires stand in quiet reflection on the Mall before yesterday’s Robinson Services Trophy game.

This was a mark of respect to those no longer with us after the COVID-19 pandemic and as appreciation to the efforts of the NHS and keyworkers for helping the community through these testing times. Photo by Garry Archer

25th June 2020

🏏 UPDATE

Fantastic to see a safe, socially-distanced return to Cricket on the Mall tonight, closely following the @Irelandcricket protocols and avoiding any forecast bad weather.

Will hopefully have further updates of sessions next week

16th June 2020

🏏 UPDATE

Armagh CC Update 16th June 2020

Cricket Ireland provided ‘Return to Training’ protocols last week and Armagh CC has been working towards getting cricket back on the Mall as soon as possible. A COVID-19 Committee has been set up consisting of Philip Doyle, Paul Wilson, Garry Archer, Harry Doyle and Gareth McCarter (COVID-19 Officer)

A location specific Risk Assessment for the Mall has been submitted to the NCU for approval and we are currently awaiting the delivery of Cricket Ireland approved signage. Training balls have been ordered as has a consignment of sanitising equipment to be installed at the club.

While the Pavilion will not be open in the initial stages, we will be conducting a ‘deep clean‘ of the available areas for the potential restart of cricket.

Participants in training will have to book their place at sessions through a dedicated group which will be notified to all senior players. Players will be notified of the training conditions and what we expect from them before, during and after training sessions.

All participants will have to be fully subscribed members of Armagh Cricket Club. Subscription Secretary Philip Doyle can be contacted to arrange payment to take part.

Please rest assured we are doing all we can to get cricket back on the Mall, hopefully sooner rather than later, but with a commitment that training and playing conditions will be as safe as we can possibly make them. We have a number of Pavilion improvements in the pipeline and we look forward to being able to share them with our players, members and guests.

18th March 2020

🏏 😡😡😡

Slightly disturbing that during one of the biggest public health crises in a generation that someone thought it would be a good idea to kick around our wee bed of daffodils. There really are some absolute wasters out there. Have a bit of sense folks and if you have to be out at all, do good rather than bad.

17th March 2020

🏏 From the Club Committee, for the attention of our members, players and supporters

Due to the latest announcement by the Government on Monday evening, 16 March, bearing in mind advice on social distancing, we will not be opening the clubhouse bar until further notice. The health of our patrons, members and supporters is the top priority at the moment in time. Our scheduled darts tournament on 28th March and Golf Day on 1st May will not take place and will be rescheduled for dates to be confirmed. The club lottery will continue to operate and be drawn. If you want to take part, or for any other queries please contact Paul Wilson.

As you are aware, Cricket Ireland and the Northern Cricket Union have suspended all activities until at least 29th March and we will keep you updated to reflect guidance from Government and Health authorities. Based on this, we will not be practising until then at the very earliest but realistically beyond. We will not be starting our popular POWERCricket programme until we get the all clear. We have no idea what format the 2020 cricket season will take if any but that is a debate for a sunnier day.

In these testing times, we call upon our club membership to help each other where possible. Think of the Spirit of Cricket and sportsmanship and keep in mind any elderly or vunerable friends and neighbours. If you can, please get behind our sponsors because they support us.

Please stay safe, look after yourself and loved ones and please follow the advice of the government, the HSC NI website has dedicated information on COVID-19.

Good luck everyone hope to see you all soon!

__________

Club Chairman Gareth McCarter
on behalf of the Armagh Cricket Club Committee

28th February 2020

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