There's only one place to start the piece this time and that is to offer sincere congratulations to Phil and the team on their wonderful achievement earlier in the week. Being the first to qualify for the 2015 World Cup is fantastic but the fact that this was a tournament that Ireland were very clearly surplus to requirements for makes it all the sweeter.

Thankfully the ICC bowed to peer pressure and opened a door of sorts last year but surely now there has to be an acceptance that Ireland have every right to be competing at this level - certainly on the ODI and T20 stage. Test cricket is an altogether different type of animal requiring a vast array of infrastructures and everyone will have their own ideas about where we're at in that regard. It is another discussion for another day but for now lets give everyone involved a huge pat on the back for a job well done.

The lads have a chance to go on and clinch the double now by winning the Interprovincial series as well - Awww no ... I tried so hard to avoid that line but couldn't - sorry!!

Anyway, talking of the Interprovincial series' it's a big few weeks for the Warriors and after meeting Pete and Marty at Stormont this week they are back in the big smoke next week to tackle the Knights. Bragging rights are very much at stake here and with so little between the teams it could be a couple of good days of cricket.

The following week is the T20 day at Bready and I must admit I'm really looking forward to that. Andrew Fleming, Peter McCartney, Brian Dougherty, Trevor Hamilton and of course Brian Allen, our CDO have put a huge amount of work into that day and I really hope they reap the rewards. While the big games are going on there will be a festival of youth and ladies cricket taking place in the top field with the emphasis very much on attracting new people into the sport. Teams from clubs involved in a cross section of sport including rugby, GAA and tennis are expected to be involved with the winning team given a valuable sports voucher for their club to use.

McDonalds have agreed to join forces with the Culture Company for that Legenderry cricket festival and kids of all ages will be given fruit bags, ice creams and in-store vouchers by the fast food chain. Organisers are are also hoping to present participants with Warriors tee - shirts and the youngsters (and ladies) will have a chance to pit their skills against the Interprovincial players later in the day.

Another date for your diary is Wednesday 24 July when Eglinton CC will he hosting a "night of nostalgia" ahead of the senior cup final. Compered by Alex McDonald, the event will feature some of our more senior former players recounting memories of playing in senior finals in their day - hopefully including Brendan Donaghey, Ossie Colhoun, Connie McAllister and Noel "Coke" McMichael.

Also on the night a loop of photographs - some dating back to the early 1900's - will be played on the club's TV screens. The photos, many of them previously unseen were taken or acquired by the late Billy McLeod who was an ever-present around the North West for many years. Billy's wife Jewel has kindly given permission for the photos to be used as part of the culture celebrations.

The 2013 North West cricket annual will also be launched and it too contains a number of pages of local photos down through the ages as well as articles by Richie Kelly, Alistair Bushe and Robin Walsh among others. The annual will be on sale during the senior cup final as well as the Eglinton night.

So that's enough for us to be going on with for now - Let's hope we're cheering on the Warriors' first win at Comber on Monday and good luck to Niall and the boys for both days.