THE retirement of World Cup hero Dave Langford-Smith was greeted with respect and gratitude by almost all followers when he announced it last week. But one contributor to the CricketEurope Ireland forum raised more hackles than ever seen there before, and provoked dozens, including the bowler himself, to respond.

Matthew Barnes sparked the fury with this reference: "Very disappointed to read about the recent retirements. Also interested to see that they are all Australian and weren't exactly playing cricket and giving up considerable time compared with the likes of the home-grown Irish players.... Bray, Johnson and Langford-Smith (have) not had to endure such commitment over the past 10 years ! Irish born players have grown up through the system and are determined for Ireland to succeed. It's in their blood."

In a posting signed 'Lanky', the Phoenix bowler retorted: "Matthew Barnes, if you knew me in any way shape or form, you'd know...

"how much I love pulling on the green jumper, and how difficult and emotional it was for me to call it a day

"how much I have put into Irish cricket for the last 7 years

"how in my first two years of marriage I would leave home at 7am and get home after 9 every day

"how much it hurts me think that I've let anyone down by my retirement ! "But Matthew... you don't know me!"

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The number of Irish players on the books of English counties reached double figures recently, and all will hope to catch the eye when the season kicks off in earnest next week. Ed Joyce was the first in action in the whole country, tossing the coin as MCC captain in the fixture against champions Sussex at Lord's on Thursday.

It was a slow start to an important season for Joyce as he was out for five in the first innings. With luck he will be back in the runs by May when he returns to Dublin for a plum fixture. His 1998 Trinity teammates have organised a ten-years-after game against the current students and Joyce has agreed to play, although he assures Inside Edge that he was neither sought, nor been given, any guarantees about his place in the batting order.

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Boyd Rankin's sojourn at the Indian Cricket League meant he had to undergo a re-registration process but all went well and he is set for a breakthrough season at Warwickshire. His debut for the county came in a friendly against Worcestershire and, just like at the World Cup, his impact was immediate.

 He took his first wicket in the second over when he had England ODI star Vikram Solanki caught behind and also dismissed Graeme Hick, a legend of the game. Hick's total of 8 was 301 runs less than he made the first time he faced an Irish bowling attack, all of 20 years ago for Zimbabwe.

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Rankin's fellow Irish 'rebel' Niall O'Brien, who turned down the chance to join him at Edgbaston, has had a prolific early April, scoring a century and an unbeaten 84 for Northamptonshire. "Pre season has gone well and I have been doing some good work with David Capel and David Ripley and it is nice that it is paying off," said O'Brien.

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Lots of decisions were taken over the winter that will have a big impact on Irish cricket's future. The ICU abolished itself and established CricketIreland with a streamlined and professional structure. The ICC responded to Ireland's success in the World Cup by reducing the number of associates to participate in the next one from six to four.

But perhaps most damaging of all to the game in this country is that Worcestershire hired a new groundsman. In so doing, Clontarf lost their talented curator Karl McDermott to New Road. Mackey's brilliant and committed work at Castle Avenue ensured that Ireland's Dublin base was always at its best for the many internationals played there in the last decade. The club will struggle to replace him while Mackey himself will need a strong pair of wellies at the notoriously water-prone ground. His adventures are chronicled on a blog, where he explains that it wasn't until 21 March that the winter floods finally receded. The entertaining tales can be read on www.themackey.com

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More green roots are to be found further west, where NUI Galway recently honoured a cricketer in its annual Sports Awards. Indian-born Abhi Shekdixit was the recipient alongside the college rowing crew who will represent Ireland at the Olympics.