Cricket: Rumour mill from NCU and North West

Here is the latest from the cricket rumour mill in both the NCU and North West.
Could Eugene Moleon be on the way to North DownCould Eugene Moleon be on the way to North Down
Could Eugene Moleon be on the way to North Down

Eugene Moleon could be the front-runner for the recently advertised first-team player-coaching role at North Down.

Moleon, who missed out on the Northern Knights coaching job to Simon Johnston, has long been coveted by North Down and has the playing and coaching credentials for the role.

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North Down, who finished one off the bottom of the Premier League last summer, are in the market for new players. They wanted Niall McDonnell before his move from Coleraine to Brigade and would like to sign Jason van der Merwe from Civil Service North. Van der Merwe has also attracted interest from his home-town club of Muckamore but CSNI desperately want to keep the Challenge Cup final man-of-the-match.

CSNI's Jason van der MerweCSNI's Jason van der Merwe
CSNI's Jason van der Merwe

CSNI, who last week announced the signing of James Kennedy from Ballymena, are trying to stave off a player exodus. It is believed that trio Dylan Agnew, Jordan Wilson and Paddy Park have already agreed to move from Stormont to Section One Holywood, and that would be a real coup for the Seapark outfit.

Graeme McCarter, who enjoyed an impressive first season with CSNI, is also attracting interest with North West club Brigade among his admirers. Rumours that CIYMS are interested in the Ireland paceman are thought to be off the mark though. There is also uncertainty about veteran seamer John Costain who has moved home to the Co Tyrone area.

McCarter’s former club Coleraine are actively looking for new talent, with McDonnell having moved to Brigade and a move for Johnny Thompson fell through when he moved to Beechgrove instead. It is believed the Bannsiders have spoken to Ryan Haire about a switch to the North West Premiership, but the Muckamore batsman is staying put for now at least. Coleraine are set to land Stephen Dunn though, with the much-travelled left-arm seamer returning to Sandel Lodge.

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Coleraine also look set to lose Jarred Barnes. The towering South African paceman has moved to the Belfast area and is sure to attract interest in the NCU.

Graeme McCarter. INLS1715-134KMGraeme McCarter. INLS1715-134KM
Graeme McCarter. INLS1715-134KM

CIYMS are interested in bringing Nathan Burns back to Belmont. However, North Down want the batsman to remove at The Green and have touted him in an opening batsman role with Jacob Mulder already having made the switch between the clubs.

A number of NCU clubs have still to tie up deals for overseas professionals, Premier League champions Instonians remain in the market for a successor to Rusty Theron and Waringstown will be looking for a seam-bowling all-rounder to replace the departed Cobus Pienaar. Instonians, given their seam-bowling resources, may be looking for a spinning all-rounder. Lisburn, who have seen Steve Lazars move to Coleraine, are probably looking for a similar type professional to Instonians, someone to bat in the top order and bowl spin.