The selection of the County Armagh was largely uncontroversial. The dominance of Waringstown in the area meant I had to work hard to look outside their team. County Down had a much wider area of selection with North Down, Bangor and Downpatrick playing in the top flight in 2007.

Unfortunately try as I might the selection is dominated by North Down players. Bangor's side is young and improving with good prospects for the future. They went on an excellent run in the second half of the season to pull themselves clear of the relegation zone but they still rely heavily on their standout cricketer Mark Hutchinson. They need a better start in 2008.

Downpatrick on the other hand, I believe, have a lot of talented cricketers who suffered a collective crisis of confidence and simply went into freefall. I'm pretty sure they can bounce back in 2008. But with the best will in the world North Down dominates this county team. In almost every position they outperform their alternative. The only real question was to sort out the batting order.

County Down

Ryan Haire (North Down, photo right): The highest aggregate run scorer in the NCU in 2007. Really needs a challenge as he has now brow beaten NCU opening bowlers into submission.

Neil Russell (North Down): They bat so well together I couldn't change it. The fact that ND selectors left him out last year beggars belief. Discarding the pros he was third in the runs aggregate.

David Kennedy (North Down): Three times in a row he has been the NCU's best batsman. MOM in Cup final. His non availability on Sundays has been Ireland's loss not DKs.

Mark Hutchinson (Bangor): Very solid batsman who won't give his wicket away. Would be nice to see him add to his solitary cap.

Neil Gelston (Downpatrick): Another player who deserves the chance to show what he can do. I think he is improving year on year and has a wide range of shots.

Ralph Coetzee (North Down): I think Ireland should have brought him to the World Cup. He would have offered variety in the bowling and he is more capable of batting at that level than a number of others. That's the real 2 of out 3.

Peter Shields (North Down): If Johnny Bushe is the best keeper in the NCU then it's only just. This guy can bat too and would be in the top 3 in any other club in the NCU.

Peter Connell (North Down): Was probably the most talked about cricketer in Ireland last year. By his standards I thought he had a quiet 2007. He's a clever bowler as well as pacey and could push hard for International recognition in 2008.

Martin Moreland (North Down): Epitomizes everything that is good about North Down. Loyal to his club, works hard on his game and makes great efforts to be available. Talismanic character that seems to take wickets or hold great catches when his team really needs it.

Gavin McKenna (North Down): I think everyone will realise how good a player this young fellow is next season when he will be in the front line rather than a foot soldier. He can definitely bowl.

Martin Dalzell (North Down): He has pace, bounce, swing and a love/hate relationship with the umpires. He's a great character and Marty and North West cricket are made for each other.

So there you have it. My County Down team. Although there are a lot of good cricketers in other teams in the area I just don't feel they have done enough of late to displace any of the above. I will mention just a few in dispatches if that's ok. Dale Mullan (Downpatrick) is a cricketer who I have a lot of time for. He can bat and bowl and is a tough character. Michael Shannon is a Holywood legend who plays the game the way it should be played. It's a shame the top flight of NCU cricket didn't see more of him. Seamus Sharkey's (Holywood) record in Section 2 suggests this guy can bat and I've heard good reports about him but it is difficult to pick someone you have never seen play. He's a hell of a player if he's good enough to get in that top 6.