New pro on board as Cloney prepare for celebratory season

On the pitch, the big change in personnel is that of the overseas player for the new season, with Mansing Nigade moving to Templepatrick after a number of successful years in the village.

In his place comes highly rated Rahul Desai. Rahul has spent time coaching and learning in Australia and comes off the back of a successful season in his native India.

It is expected that other local signings will be confirmed in the coming week to continue to deepen the quality at the club.

Also confirmed as leaving are Naomi Matthews, to local rivals Waringstown, and Neil Carson, returning to Instonians.

The first eleven under Philip Derby will again be competing in Section One of the NCU League structure and aiming for a safe mid table finish while allowing the continued development of the under age system.

Luke Allison and Conor Woods are both expected to make the breakthrough to gain some vital experience at senior level in the coming seasons.

The second eleven continue under Keith Martin and will be hoping to replicate last years successful year in Junior Two, with mounting a decent challenge towards the top of the table a very realistic ambition.

In Junior Seven Raymond Matthews will be hoping to build on last season’s promotion with a season of consolidation at that level.

Senior practices take place on Monday and Wednesday evening and newcomers would be very welcome.

The club will also continue their commitment to youth development, with a number of players selected for NCU squads over the summer.

The Factory Ground has also seen a new artificial wicket laid over the winter, this will allow even more games to be player at home across the age ranges and junior cricket and these added games on good surfaces will be invaluable experiences to the young cricketers coming through.

Youth practices continue through the week and summer, with primary school children on Thursday Nights and those under 15 on a Tuesday.

The club is now in more schools than ever before, with coaching in primaries starting in January this year, and continuing until the club’s festival and tournament days for primary schools in mid June.

An addition to the club this season will be the start of women cricket at the club.

Practices will be held on a Tuesday evening at Factory Ground and is hoped will help mirror the huge growth seen in female cricket throughout the country and give the current under 15 girls squad at the club something to target in future.

Again any women interested are welcome to come along.

Throughout the season the club will be holding a number of initiatives to help celebrate their 125th anniversary, including sponsor events, one off matches against select opposition and a dinner.

They are currently putting together a book to mark the anniversary which will be on sale throughout the season.

There are a number of sponsorship packages available to businesses and individuals which we would be happy to discuss.

If anyone would like to know more about any of the practice sessions, sponsorship opportunities or any other ways of getting involved the club would love to hear from you.

Contact can be made through www.facebook.com/donaghcloneycc on twitter @cloneycc or by email to [email protected]