Sod cutting at Antrim Cricket Club

Sports Minister Nelson McCausland has joined with Muckamore Cricket & Lawn Tennis Club in celebrating work on new cricket pitches.

The funding of just over £124,000 was provided to Muckamore Cricket Club in Antrim by the Northern Ireland Executive through DCAL and its arms length body Sport Northern Ireland. The funding allows for the construction of six new turf cricket pitches, one new artificial cricket pitch, two new full size covered training bays, and new drainage at the second ground for the creation a football pitch.

Commenting at the sod cutting to mark the beginning of work on the new grounds the Minister said: "Cricket in Northern Ireland is making its mark on the international stage. There are 10 Northern Ireland cricketers playing at International level and there are six Northern Ireland players on the Under 19 Squad who are going to the World Cup.

“Muckamore Cricket & Lawn Tennis Club have celebrated over 100 year of play at their Moylena grounds and are one of the oldest clubs in Northern Ireland having been founded in 1874. These new grounds represent a great investment in their future and provides this club and the sport with international standard cricket pitches in Antrim. No doubt this will ensure play for another 100 years and assist Northern Ireland cricket players in gaining yet more international places."

Speaking in relation to the project, Chair of the club Harry McFadden stated: "The club is indebted to DCAL and Sport Northern Ireland for their financial assistance in providing funds for this project, and we are extremely excited about the renewed ability to increase participation in cricket, as well as developing coaching and leadership within the sport. I am hopeful that the new facilities will be used by Cricket Ireland to host international games, so enhancing the profile of cricket throughout the Antrim Borough and further a field."

Notes to editors:

1. There are 40 cricket clubs in Northern Ireland with four senior teams each. The sport is enjoyed by approximately 10,000 people in Northern Ireland.
2. For media enquiries contact Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure Press Office, tel 028 9051 5047 or email DCAL Press Office. Out of office hours please contact the duty press officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.