NCU Celebrates Excellence at Annual Awards & Dinner 2024
The Northern Cricket Union (NCU) hosted its highly anticipated Annual Awards & Dinner 2024 at The Pavilion, Stormont, on Saturday, 23rd November. The event celebrated the outstanding achievements of players, teams, and contributors to cricket in the region over the past year.
Highlights of the night included entertaining welcome speeches by NCU President Brian Walsh and Cricket Ireland President Stella Downes, the presentation of key awards, including Men’s and Women’s Premier League Cricketers of the Year, Young Player of the Year, and Grounds Team of the Year, and heartfelt tributes to those NCU Hall of Fame inductees who have made significant contributions to cricket in Ireland and the NCU.
NCU and Cricket Ireland Presidents Brian Walsh and Stella Downes
Attended by players, officials, and supporters from across the cricketing community, the evening highlighted the exceptional talent, dedication, and spirit that define the sport in Northern Ireland.
Ruhan Pretorius of Woodvale who won Men’s Premier League Batter and All-Rounder of the Year and Cricketer of the Year sponsored by Cartwrights Sports with NCU President Brian Walsh
Lara Maritz of Holywood 1881 who won Women’s Premier League Batter, Bowler and All-Rounder of the Year and Cricketer of the Year sponsored by Cartwrights Sports with NCU President Brian Walsh
Men’s Premier League Bowler of the Year Aditya Adey with Cricket Ireland President Stella Downes
The Stormont Grounds Team Ross Waite and Phil McCormick were awarded for their tremendous efforts in the past year
Women’s Senior League 1 Cricketer of the Year Niamh Lowry
Women’s Premier League Cricketer of the Year Rebecca Lowe with John Kerstens from Cartwrights Sports
Mens Senior League 2 Cricketer of the Year Reneesh Hassanar with John Kerstens and Brian Walsh
Bangor’s Johnny Parker was awarded the NCU Coach of the Year
Instonians’ Ben Walsh was awarded Young Cricketer of the Year
Lurgan’s Jack Maxwell was awarded for his outstanding achievement of taking 2 hattricks in the LVS T20 Trophy
The coveted NCU Hall of Fame Induction was presented by Irish Cricket legend Andrew White as Ex-Ireland Women’s Anne Linehan, Ex-Ireland and Woodvale’s Stephen Warke and North Down stalwart Marty Moreland were all inducted in front of the packed Stormont crowd.
NCU President Brian Walsh presented Anne Linehan with her NCU Hall of Fame certificate
NCU President Brian Walsh presented Stephen Warke with his NCU Hall of Fame certificate
NCU President Brian Walsh presented Raymond Moreland with Marty Moreland’s NCU Hall of Fame certificate
The Pavilion at Stormont provided the perfect backdrop for an evening of camaraderie and celebration. A formal dinner and entertainment in the form of a Q&A Panel with key figures from the famous first-ever Test match in Northern Ireland held at Stormont in July rounded off a memorable night for all 133 guests.
Ireland Men’s Matthew Humphreys, Coaches Ryan Eagleson and Gary Wilson and Head Groundsman at Stormont Phil McCormick joined Ally McCalmont on stage
