The Northern Cricket Union (NCU) has announced that two new clubs have joined the Union plus five new teams will be participating in various competitions in the 2014 season.

The two new clubs, Monaghan Cricket Club (pictured right) and University of Ulster Cricket Club will join the Union for the first time with Monaghan joining Ulster Bank Senior League Section 3 and University of Ulster entering the Midweek League. Four clubs have entered five additional teams, Carrickfergus 4th XI, Cliftonville 3rd XI, Muckamore 5th XI, CIYMS 5th XI and Muckamore a second team in the Midweek league.

This is a positive sign of the growth of cricket within the clubs of the Union, despite the withdrawal of Portadown Cricket Club in 2013. The Union recognises that club youth players and structures are essential to the future of NCU cricket in general and the entrance of five new teams is a key indicator that clubs are looking to develop their youth into the senior players of the future. 

Following the announcement, Andy Clement, NCU Chairman, said: “It is excellent news that Carrickfergus, Cliftonville, CIYMS and Muckamore have entered additional teams into the Union’s competitions for the 2014 season. I sincerely hope that more clubs will follow in the footsteps of these four clubs whether it be at junior or senior level and the Union will be doing all it can in helping clubs make this happen”.

With the additional league teams, the Union will reintroduce Junior League 9 in 2014. In 2013, Junior League 8 had 11 teams, in 2014 this will reduce to eight teams and Junior League 9 will have seven teams. The bottom three teams from Junior League 8 will move into Junior 9 along with the four new teams.

The Union would like to take the opportunity to wish the new clubs and teams all the best for the 2014 season.

Fixtures for the 2014 season can be accessed from both the League and Cup tabs at the top of this page.