Goals of Cover Point
The main goal of Cover Point is to assist in the development of cricket as a sport on the island of Ireland, in Scotland and in other Associate cricketing nations. Primarily we aim to achieve that by providing passionate, thoughtful, incisive and stimulating coverage of Associate cricket and by promoting greater awareness and interest in the game among the greater public. Our main focus will be on the performance of teams representing Associates, whether it be senior mens, “A” teams, women or youth. Another key goal is to facilitate and encourage supporters to attend Associate matches.
Scottish Editor - Mike Stanger
Mike Stanger resisted most temptations to write about Scottish cricket while son Ian was an international player. Now, he's on the loose, and his heart's right in it. An outswing bowler, his best figures were 9-16 for Clydesdale's 3rd XI; his most meaningful performance included his one and only hat-trick, for Bombay Gymkhana Club. Cover Point is where he likes fielding.
International Editor - Tim Brooks
Tim Brooks’ love for the game knows no boundaries and he enjoys nothing more than discovering and reporting on how the game is played and nurtured in the nooks and crannies of the cricketing world. His mission, if pushed he would even refer to it as his ‘calling’, is to cover Associate cricket with the depth, passion, detail and scrutiny enjoyed by Test nations.
Historian and Obituaries Editor - Edward Liddle
"I was educated at St Columba's and Trinity College, Dublin (TCD). Never much of a player but was Secretary of Cricket at St Columba's, then scorer for TCD First XI, until I decided I'd better do some work in my final years there ! I played once for the First XI v Bath Civil Service on tour in 1963. I'd gone on tour as umpire but we were short for the first match. Graeme Guthrie, who later played for Railway Union in Dublin for over 30 years was captain and declared as I was walking out to bat. He was apologetic. I was relieved ! I taught in the UK for 39 years after doing the HDip at TCD and teaching at High School. I took early retirement in 2005 - more time for cricket and grandsons ! In addition to writing for Cover Point I am also writing the Irish biographies on the Cricketeurope and Cricket Ireland websites."
North American Correspondent - John Holmes
John Holmes was Metro newspaper's Bristol theatre critic for two years, but was strangely drawn to researching the results of obscure international cricket tournaments on his evenings off. He moved to Canada in April 2008 and, when he's not combining several writing jobs,enjoys introducing his North American friends to the joys of the game. As a player, he took two wickets in two balls in his first over for his high school team. After a case of the yips a year later, he decided to concentrate on writing.
Founder and Managing Editor - Liam Rooney
Liam grew up in Newry in the 1970s during the 'Troubles' where playing cricket on a formal basis was definitely and regrettably not an option. His love for the game grew from watching the great West Indies team of the 1970s and from playing the game informally in the back gardens of his neighbourhood in Newry. He is the grand-nephew of Christie Russell from Balrothery, one of the best Irish cricketers never to play for Ireland. His biography is below
Christie Russell Biography
Christie Russell was born on 14th December, 1918, the second youngest of a family of 13. He collapsed and died on 28th September 1974, aged 55, while playing cricket for Balbriggan. His wife Rose, his sons Seamus and Paul and daughter Rosemary survive him.
In his honour, the Christy Russell Memorial Cup was founded and is played to this day, fiercely contested between Balbriggan, Rush, the Hills and North County. Nowadays it is, the Senior 20 Over competition in Fingal – in effect the most important competition in Fingal.
Christie started to play cricket in the mid 1930’s with Balrothery in the Fingal League. In late 1947-48, he began to play with Rush in the Leinster League. Balrothery entered the Leinster League in 1951 and Christie returned to play for Balrothey. Christie also began to play for Deanhill in the Meath League, travelling to all the games on his bicycle. He was one of the characters of the game known for his rogue-ish sense of humour (maybe a precursor to what is known as “sledging” today).
Christie was a wonderful bowler but strong in all three disciplines. On one occasion when he was playing with Balrothery in a Leinster League match against Deanhill at Bopark, Christie was fielding at first slip when Richie Byrne who was batting got a thick edge and the ball went to second slip, only for Christie to dive and catch it. John Farrell who was batting with Richie walked down the pitch and shook hands with Christie and said “well done Christie, salmon always return to their native shores”. Quite a compliment given the intense inter-club rivalries of the day.
In the late 1960’s Christie left Balrothery and went to play for Rush in the Leinster League. It isn’t clear why he left but it is likely that it was due to a dispute over team selection. Christie nonetheless continued to play for Balrothery in the Fingal League.
In his latter years Christie’s health was failing. Not helping matters was the fact that he was a chain smoker, smoking 60 woodbines a day. Rose was anxious for him not to play but Christie, being Christie, was not having any of it. Rose put the word out that Christie’s health was not up to it and the clubs should not be encouraging him to play. The only club Rose didn’t get to tell in time was Balbriggan, and sure enough Christie started to play with same.
On that fateful Sunday afternoon on 28th September 1974, Christie, in order to avoid being ‘found out’ borrowed Neil Carpenter’s gear to play for Balbriggan against Man O’ War. Rose was not aware that Christie was playing.
Christie, batting at the time, drove a ball into the covers and ran for a single. Arriving at the other end he turned around and started to lean on his bat before collapsing in a heap, dying of a heart attack. In the present day with progress in first aid awareness around sporting occasions there would have been a possibility that something could have been done. However in the words of Albert Harper, of Balbriggan CC “I believe he was dead before he hit the ground”.
It is perhaps a measure of the regard in which Christie is held that he is acknowledged (in some quarters at least!) as the person who taught “Range” Mooney how to play cricket. “Range” Mooney is the father of, Irish internationals, Paul and John Mooney.
Albert Harper pays a glowing tribute. “My dad Jack who played with Christie held him in the highest regard both as a person and as a cricketer. Everyone in Fingal at the time felt the same way about Christie. There was a sense of mischief about him on the cricket field. He was a sensational bowler. If he was playing in the present era he would be an automatic choice for Ireland. But back in Christie’s heyday you had to be playing in the fashionable areas to be picked for Ireland” .
The idea of a Christie Russell Memorial Cup was promoted after Christie’s death by Balbriggan CC and is played in July of each year. It is sponsored by the Russell family. North County defeated Balbriggan in the 2007 final.
Lily Russell, Christie’s sister, was the grandmother of Cover Point founder, Liam Rooney. Lily died aged only 23 of tuberculosis on 5th July 1930.
Christie, seated, arms folded, far right
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