May 10, 2021May 10, 2021

Tentative first steps as Drummond return to weekend cricket

As the new domestic season got under way on Saturday it was fantastic to see Burndennett II’s v Drummond listed among the opening day fixtures. The Roe Valley side took their leave of the senior ranks in 2018 and there were concerns that their picturesque ground in the shadow of Binevenagh mountain, may be lost to the sport for good.

Now however, courtesy of some great work at grassroots level and support from NWCU, there is a real chance that fortunes may be on the turn. Former player Jason Scott is the man driving the club’s resurgence and he was full of praise for the side despite defeat in that first game.

“It seemed a shame to completely lose what we had here and while we tried hard to keep our youth teams going at the time, the fact that there was no senior team made that much more difficult. In conjunction with Davy Scanlon we got to work with the local schools and are fortunate enough to now be welcoming 40-50 kids on a Tuesday night for practice.”

NWCU Development Officer, David Scanlon, at Drumachose PS

“It’s a very young group for the North West leagues but we were able to compete in the under-15 league last year. Five or six of those lads turned out against Burndennett on Saturday and the more they play the more experience they will get. We’re delighted that Richard Stewart comes down to help out with our practice and although he is already registered to play at The Nedd, we do have a few more experienced lads who can turn out on a Saturday.”

Scott himself, and his former team-mate Michael Lynch are among a handful of the clubs former players who have committed to getting the boots out and chipping in this summer.

Davy Scanlon, who has been engaged in getting cricket back on the curriculum at Primary Schools in the area, agreed that the new influx of young players has given Drummond a chance of strengthening grassroots cricket in the Roe Valley.

“To be fair to Drummond, before they left the league in 2018, they had a strong youth set-up. They had started with an under-11 team which had then progressed into u-13 and on to u-15 level.

The tricky part was getting new youngsters in at the starting point so we have been working for a while now in both Drumachose and Limavady Central Primary Schools.”

“The success is down to the drive and determination of Jason and his team. That said, it has helped immensely to have people at the schools like Karl O’Doherty, offering his encouragement.”

It’s great to see the interest in the sport being developed among the youngsters in the area, and fantastic news that their scenic home ground will be filled with noise again this summer.