In many ways the disappointing performances of the Under 19's has highlighted the need to make fundamental changes to the way our cricket is run. We want to be competitive at an International level and the efforts of the National side in the 2007 World Cup have changed our collective mindset for ever. We simply do not want to be the whipping boys any longer and poor performances are criticised rather than greeted with a collective shrug of the shoulders.

Because Ireland's cricketing community is so small dealing with issues of club cricket and International cricket is not two separate issues. There is no level in between so therefore to improve the fortunes of the International side we must improve the quality of club cricket in the first instance. There are many who believe that we should create a level in between club cricket and International cricket. There has been a cry in recent months for the re-introduction of the Inter-Pros. I have thought about this long and hard and I believe this would be a mistake. Not because the concept is wrong but for all intents and purposes it won't work.

Ireland has four Provinces. In relation to rugby Munster, Leinster, Ulster and Connaught have a natural geographic identity. In their own right people are want to play for them. But there is no cricket in Connaught and Munster is weak. North West is in Ulster. Therefore any sort of ‘Inter-Provincial' series is artificial. It becomes a glorified trial. You pick the best players to play in any true competition but would Desmond Curry or Stephen Smyth play in an Inter Pro when they aren't going to be selected for Ireland.

Picking a side without the best players dilutes the competition so it is a pointless exercise. It would be a much better idea to play an Inter Pro competition at U19 level or U23 level and give it real importance. Players are competing on an even basis and these are the most likely to have a chance for full selection down the line.

For club players who are beyond U19 or U23 level you probably won't make it if you haven't already. However even then, a much improved competitive league system can identify players producing decent performances and in good form. This then offers opportunities to those late developers and overseas players who qualify through residency. It would also make the jump smaller from club to country. Leinster is already competitive whereas Ulster isn't. Thinking about this the only solution is an Ulster League.

I was against the Ulster League proposed by the Development Committee of the NCU on a number of grounds. The main problem with it was the fact it was a League/Cup competition. It would have been possible to win the Ulster League/Cup and be relegated from your own Provincial Union, therefore unable to defend your trophy. Without real sanctions the competition would not have been taken seriously. We already have a Clubturf Ulster Cup but most clubs place the league as a higher priority. So the only real way to improve standards is an Ulster League where clubs are committed whether they like it or not.

To make this successful a number of things should be standardised. For example Duckworth/Lewis must be used to determine a result rather than a midweek thrash.

The issue of professionals must be sorted as well. Professionals are simply too dominant at present and Ulster (NCU and NWCU) should fall into line with Leinster. If the professionals are too far above the standard they are playing then they do most of the batting and bowling. This leaves no opportunities for local players. If professionals are not regulars at first class level then they enhance the league rather than regress it. For this reason alone to allow teams time to see out contracts, source new pros and get a fair opportunity to play in the Ulster League I would propose to aim for a 2010 start.

I also feel clubs should use the same ball and the same rules as the International side. The balls would be supplied by the Union and therefore the clubs would have to pay for their share of the costs. That way everyone is getting used to the same ball and should be able to control it should they have to bowl at a higher level. This was a factor when Ireland played in the World League early in 2007. Thus each team would use coloured clothing and Powerplays. The only real question is whether you have 10 team leagues or 8 team leagues. My gut feeling is probably 8 allowing time for rearrangements and giving more prominence to the ISC matches. But to ensure no complacency there would be 2 up and 2 down. Nobody could cruise then.

Finally an U19 league should be set up on a regional basis with club sides progressing through on a format not dissimilar to the U19 World Cup. This is where we really need to find decent sponsorship to ensure that sides can pick up prize money that can be used in Development, or even prizes themselves, such as new nets, bowling machines etc for the winning clubs. Results should be posted online and in the press to raise the profile of youth cricket. There would thus be a real incentive to produce cricketers for your club.

Cricket at 2nd XIs level or below could probably operate on a 40 over basis played regionally in North West and NCU.

Were this to happen in 2008 the leagues would be comprised as follows:

Premier League A
North Down, Brigade, Waringstown, Donemana, Instonians, Bready, Carrickfergus, Killymallaght.

Premier League B
Bangor, Limavady, Lisburn, Strabane, CSNI, Eglinton ,Derriaghy, Glendermott.

Premier League C
Downpatrick, Fox Lodge, Lurgan, Ardmore, CIYMS, Sion Mills, Cliftonville, St. Johnston.

Ulster League 1
Holywood, Killyclooney, Woodvale, Drummond, Ballymena, Burndennett, Laurelvale, Bonds Glen.

Ulster League 2
Armagh, Creevedonnell, Muckamore, The Nedd, Saintfield, Coleraine, Dundrum, North Fermanagh.