Cregagh Cricket Club
Encyclopedia
Cregagh Cricket Club is a cricket
club in Belfast
, Northern Ireland
, playing in Section 3 of the NCU Senior League
.
The club was formed in 1906, when Mr. J. W. A. Hamilton, an elder of the McQuiston Memorial Presbyterian Church on the Castlereagh Road in east Belfast, brought together a small group of men to form the Cregagh Cricket Club. Land was leased from the church at Gibson Park, where the club still plays today. The club had a close association with the 19th Belfast company of the Boys' Brigade
.
The club stopped playing cricket during the First World War, during which 70% of the club's membership volunteered for service, and eight members never returned. The club decided, in memory of the fallen, to establish the club as a member of the Northern Cricket Union
, and this was achieved in 1920. The ground was bought from the Church, renamed Cregagh Memorial Recreation Ground and memorial gates were erected (opened in 1923) in honour of the club's war dead. Although the gates are no longer in place today, there is a memorial plaque within the pavilion.
The club's first achievement on the field was the Intermediate League County Antrim Division championship in 1925. In addition to this, a Cregagh 2nd XI was established under the name of Cregagh Corinthians.
In 1927, senior status was achieved, but for one season only as the senior clubs decided to revert to a 10-team league of which Cregagh would not be a part. In the meantime, the Junior Cup was won for the first time in 1934 and again in 1936. In 1938, the club won the Senior Qualifying League, which meant a return to senior cricket for the 1939 season.
The 1940s was the most successful period for the club, winning the NCU Senior League title in 1945 and 1947, and reaching the Senior Cup final in 1944.
Crgagh remained a force in Ulster cricket in the 1950s and 1960s and had several outstanding players, including Charlie Corry, who was selected for Ireland in 1959, when competition was at its fiercest. The club was relegated from the top NCU division in 1961.
In the early 1980s, the club merged with Orangefield Old Boys' Football Club
, resulting in a name change from Cregagh Athletic Club to Cregagh Sports Club. A new clubhouse was built that is still in place today, and a drinks licence was granted, as previously alcohol could not be sold on the land. This merger doubled the playing membership and offered additional revenue streams.
‡ 1 by 2nd XI
† Won by 2nd XI
Cricket
Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of 11 players on an oval-shaped field, at the centre of which is a rectangular 22-yard long pitch. One team bats, trying to score as many runs as possible while the other team bowls and fields, trying to dismiss the batsmen and thus limit the...
club in Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
, Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
, playing in Section 3 of the NCU Senior League
NCU Senior League
The Northern Cricket Union Senior League is the provincial cricket league within the NCU jurisdiction in Ireland, which covers counties Antrim, Armagh, Down and south Tyrone of Northern Ireland. The league was formed in 1897 and is currently divided into four sections, namely the Premier League,...
.
The club was formed in 1906, when Mr. J. W. A. Hamilton, an elder of the McQuiston Memorial Presbyterian Church on the Castlereagh Road in east Belfast, brought together a small group of men to form the Cregagh Cricket Club. Land was leased from the church at Gibson Park, where the club still plays today. The club had a close association with the 19th Belfast company of the Boys' Brigade
Boys' Brigade
For the 80s New Wave band from Canada, see Boys Brigade .The Boys' Brigade is an interdenominational Christian youth organisation, conceived by William Alexander Smith to combine drill and fun activities with Christian values...
.
The club stopped playing cricket during the First World War, during which 70% of the club's membership volunteered for service, and eight members never returned. The club decided, in memory of the fallen, to establish the club as a member of the Northern Cricket Union
Northern Cricket Union of Ireland
The Northern Cricket Union of Ireland, more usually referred to as the Northern Cricket Union or the N.C.U., is one of four provincial governing bodies in Ireland...
, and this was achieved in 1920. The ground was bought from the Church, renamed Cregagh Memorial Recreation Ground and memorial gates were erected (opened in 1923) in honour of the club's war dead. Although the gates are no longer in place today, there is a memorial plaque within the pavilion.
The club's first achievement on the field was the Intermediate League County Antrim Division championship in 1925. In addition to this, a Cregagh 2nd XI was established under the name of Cregagh Corinthians.
In 1927, senior status was achieved, but for one season only as the senior clubs decided to revert to a 10-team league of which Cregagh would not be a part. In the meantime, the Junior Cup was won for the first time in 1934 and again in 1936. In 1938, the club won the Senior Qualifying League, which meant a return to senior cricket for the 1939 season.
The 1940s was the most successful period for the club, winning the NCU Senior League title in 1945 and 1947, and reaching the Senior Cup final in 1944.
Crgagh remained a force in Ulster cricket in the 1950s and 1960s and had several outstanding players, including Charlie Corry, who was selected for Ireland in 1959, when competition was at its fiercest. The club was relegated from the top NCU division in 1961.
In the early 1980s, the club merged with Orangefield Old Boys' Football Club
Orangefield Old Boys' Association F.C.
Orangefield Old Boys' Association is a Northern Irish football club playing in Division 1B of the Northern Amateur Football League. The club formed in 1966 and included past members and teachers of Orangefield High School. The club joined the Amateur League in 1970, achieving intermediate status...
, resulting in a name change from Cregagh Athletic Club to Cregagh Sports Club. A new clubhouse was built that is still in place today, and a drinks licence was granted, as previously alcohol could not be sold on the land. This merger doubled the playing membership and offered additional revenue streams.
Honours
- NCU Senior LeagueNCU Senior LeagueThe Northern Cricket Union Senior League is the provincial cricket league within the NCU jurisdiction in Ireland, which covers counties Antrim, Armagh, Down and south Tyrone of Northern Ireland. The league was formed in 1897 and is currently divided into four sections, namely the Premier League,...
: 2- 1945, 1947
- NCU Junior CupNCU Junior CupThe NCU Junior Cup is a provincial cricket knock-out cup of the NCU jurisdiction in Ireland. The competition began in 1891 and is open to teams playing in the Sections 2 and 3 of the NCU Senior League and Section 1 of the NCU Junior League...
: ‡2- †1934, 1936
‡ 1 by 2nd XI
† Won by 2nd XI