It's been a busy close season at Belmont with four players saying adios, replaced by four saying hola.

It was an exciting 2024 for Bangor who not only gained promotion to Section One, but also collected a T20 trophy for good measure.

It was a relatively disappointing 2024 for North Down who never came close to capturing silverware, and they will be hoping for better fortunes under new captain Tyron Koen.

Waringstown legend Lee Nelson has confirmed his retirement from senior cricket.

Downpatrick Cricket Club is gearing up for an exciting and competitive season as they step into the Northern Cricket Union Senior League Section 1 following their promotion last year.

Lurgan enjoyed an excellent campaign on their return to Section One in 2024, and almost made the top flight as they pushed eventual champions Templepatrick all the way in the promotion race.

It's shaping up to be a memorable year for Laurelvale both on and off the field, as club captain David Sinton explains.

There was disappointment for Carrickfergus last year with their relegation from the top flight but a new season brings fresh hope and the chance for a reset and a promotion push back to the top echelons of NCU cricket.

Their only change to the squad sees Shane Dadswell back in the country at Shaw's Bridge and skipper Nikolai Smith is enthusiastic about their fortunes in 2025.

Cliftonville Academy have been building steadily over the past few years and could be on the cusp of a special year if all goes their way.

It mightn't have been the season that CSNI hoped for in 2024, but their recent signing of Sean Davey as overseas professional offsets the fact that Luke Georgeson won't be back as hoped.

Lisburn enjoyed T20 success as they captured the All-Ireland and NCU trophies in the format. The signing of Ross Adair will make them an even more frightening prospect in the shortest format.

It was a historic 2024 campaign for Muckamore and new captain Sathish Suresh is hoping for more glory at Moylena as the new season dawns.

The NCU have confirmed the appointment of Callum Atkinson as their CEO.

Holywood have announced their overseas players for the upcoming 2025 season.

Ian Butler is joining Islamabad United for the 10th edition of the Pakistan Super League as their Bowling Coach.

Laurelvale are celebrating their 150th Anniversary with a gala dinner at Portadown R.F.C Saturday 12th April, with any and all welcome.

Muckamore have confirmed the signings of Allen Coulter and Sam Gordon.

Newly promoted Templepatrick have a change of professional with Sri Lankan Sandun Weerakkody a replacement for original choice Wesley Marshall.

Woodvale have announced the signings of Ashwin Shetty from Carrickfergus and Irish passport holding New Zealander Finn Restieaux.

Holders Muckamore have been drawn against Waringstown in the tie of the round, while there's another mouth-watering clash as beaten finalists Lisburn take on CIYMS in another all-Premier fixture.

It appears that Luke Georgeson will once be plying his trade at Stormont during the 2025 season.

The Grasshoppers finished their five-match tour with an 88-run win over Claremont.

Saturday saw the Grasshoppers lose a nail-biting thriller against Groot Drakenstein by just one wicket despite the best efforts of former Ireland A international Neil Gill.

Michael Waite scores a half century but it's in vain as Western Province chase 191 to win by seven wickets,

The Grasshoppers made it two wins from two over the weekend with a hard-fought 22-run win over Somerset West.

A brilliant 118 from Neil Whitworth ensured a convincing 180-run win for the Grasshoppers on the first match of their South African tour against Elgin.

18 boys from the NCU area will be heading to India for ten days to experience the tour of a lifetime next month.

Allen Coulter is calling time on his career at CIYMS.