Tonight I attended the Northern Cricket Union of Ireland 125th Anniversary Gala Dinnerin the City Hall , Belfast
The Top Table comprised:-
• Ian Adamson High Sheriff
• Michael Vaughan Former England Captain
• Richard Johnson Cricket Ireland President and wife, Heather
• David Williams Cricket Ireland Chairman
• Dominic Walsh Sport Northern Ireland Chairman
• Stephen Cruise Ulster Bank
• Sean Murphy Ulster Bank
• Murray Power NCU President and partner, Alison Ince
• Mark Garaway Cricket Ireland Performance Director and partner, Nicola Grant
NCU celebrated its centenary with a function in the Great Hall in May 1986 when the late Brian Johnston was the guest speaker and now 25 years later the former Ashes winning England captain, Michael Vaughan, is the guest speaker.
Belfast City Council has been very supportive of cricket during the past ten years by throwing its doors open to entertain visiting countries in various International cricket tournaments with the closing ceremony at the 2002 European Championships and the opening ceremony at the 2005 International Cricket Council trophy being the most memorable.
It has also through the “Support for Sport” scheme entertained a number of European countries at youth level during the same period.
The NCU has had many players during the past 125 years who have represented Ireland with distinction, including a number of former Ireland captains who are here tonight, as well as a number of Irish internationals who are contributing to the success of the current Irish team. Main guest speakers were:-
1. Richard Johnson (Cricket Ireland President) – has been Chairman of NCU and is still current Board Director of NCU.
2. Michael Vaughan (Yorkshire and England Cricketer) – is a former Ashes winning Captain of England who now works for Sky Sports. He will be interviewed by Mark Austin (ITN Newscaster and cricket lover).
Robin Walsh, Murray Power, Colin Barkley, Peter Wood and Bryan Milford were all involved in the evening.
To be continued