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NCU

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Billy Boyd whose death was announced today gave a lifetime of service to local cricket.

A lifelong member of Lurgan Rugby Football and Cricket Club which he served as President and of which, at the time of his passing was Club Chairman.

At provincial level he was a member of the Executive Committee of the Northern Cricket Union for more than twenty-five years serving as Chairman in 2006-2007 and as President in 2014-2015.

He served the Union not only in the highest offices but in the key area of strategic planning where alongside the late John Caldwell he was responsible for the production of a number of the Strategic Plans that have carried the Union forward in recent years.

He represented the NCU nationally on the Executive Committee of the Irish Cricket Union (now Cricket Ireland) where again his contribution to the working group was instrumental in the Union's transition to Incorporation.

Ireland's standing in the cricket world was on the rise and with that the prospect of higher profile fixtures for the National side.
When the inaugural One Day International with England was announced and allocated to Stormont it was no surprise that the man chosen to lead the organising committee was Billy Boyd.

He had been part of the team that organised the 2005 ICC Trophy games in Belfast and the success of that project ensured that his was the only name in the hat for what would be the NCU's biggest day to date.

The success of that day which saw a sell-out crowd at Stormont and an internationally televised match was the precursor to further organisational duties for the Tri-Series featuring Ireland, South Africa and India.

In the years since, Billy continued to be cricket's face at Stormont ensuring that the NCU delivered in the manner and to the standards that he required on the big occasions.

When asked he would always say that of all the matches he was involved in it was the first ODI with England that he would look back on with pride as he successfully delivered such an historic event for the NCU.

A lifetime of service cut short as Billy had no taste for, nor intention of withdrawing from the local game. His advice and opinions were always sound and he will be missed by all who knew him and his contribution to the Northern Cricket Union never forgotten.

His Funeral Service will be held in Holy Trinity Parish Church, Waringstown, on Sunday 10th March at 3.00pm followed by interment in the adjoining Churchyard.

The Northern Cricket Union offers its condolences to Sandra, Jonathan and Janine and all the family circle at this time.