Storm Francis: They turned up for cricket ... and ended up having a swim

After flooding damaged some 300 homes in Newcastle on Tuesday, nearby Dundrum Cricket Club posted striking images on social media of members ‘swimming’ across their pitches.

Spokesman Jeff Maguire told the News Letter: “They loved the fact that they could pose as though they were just swimming across the grounds. But in fact they were removing floating logs that could have damaged the covers of the pitch and the equipment.

“The grounds were flooded by at least four feet of water across the whole area. We are lucky that nobody is injured - four miles up the road houses in Newcastle are flooded big time, pensioners with no insurance flooded on a flood plain. That is the biggest tragedy.”

However he admits that the flooding of the club “definitely gets you a bit down”.

”But as soon as I saw our players out there - off went the clothes and they went in to clear the debris away without a problem. And that is what gives me optimism for the future.

”Because every time clubs get setbacks, in our club especially, it rejuvenates everything.

“Our pavilion was burnt down twice during the Troubles, but if I met the person responsible now I would buy them a drink.

”He made our club what it is today, the members rallied round. It made us stronger and better.”

As a junior club, it has over 30 sponsorship signs - something very few premiership clubs can boast of.

The key is the strong committee, he said.

“Already the treasurer said last night, no matter what the cost we are going to scarify the outfields to take all the moss out and improve it.

“And we are also talking about putting drainage pipes in to help the water drain away quicker.”

The club has three unpaid ground staff, aged 60, 80 and 82.

“Two of them have worked with the club 50 years unpaid. They are who I feel sorry for because they had the ground in such good conditions.”

Lots of clubs have been in touch to see if they can help.

”That is what the Northern Cricket Union is all about. If anyone is in trouble they all rally around.

“In my opinion cricket is a sport that reaches across divides. When you play other clubs you make friends for life.”

”We are a great cross community club and do coaching in both sides of the community, in primary schools.”

The club has been running since 1903 and even the current global pandemic has only caused the club to thrive.

”Covid has actually strengthened our club - for the first time ever we have a third team this year. Lots of people have been fed up sitting with their wives and family at home and are mad keen to get out and play. It definitely has made a massive difference in our club.

“For the first time ever in the history of the club you can now be dropped from the seconds. In my opinion cricket is a sport that reaches across divides. When you play other clubs you make friends for life.”  

“Lots of clubs have been in touch looking to know if they can help and that is what the Northern Cricket Union is all about. If anyone is in trouble they all rally around.”

Like much of south Down, the club was also flooded 12 years ago.

”The Rivers Agency probably needs to take a look at structures in the area but to be fair, mother nature is an awful thing.

“But we will bounce back. It is not just me - we have a fantastic committee. I want to have a good team, but I would far rather have a really good club - all day every day.”

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