John Gilliland

John was a high order right hand batsman and also a very useful slow medium paced bowler.  His great strength, and weakness was hooking and his ability to bowl straight was more than useful in the dreaded ‘bowl out’. He was a regular top run maker in key games, scoring  30 v Donacloney in the 1981 Cup Semi Final and a key 51 in the 2nd innings of the Final won against Ballymena. Ten years later John hit 33 and 31 leading to a memorable Final against Woodvale at The Meadow where he made a major contribution of 35 not out and 51 in the 11 run win where he also took 3 for 35 in the 1st innings.  In 1993 he hit an unbeaten 74 v Bangor in the Cup Quarter Final though losing to Waringstown in the Final where he made 43 runs. One year on and a 45 v Laurelvale led to a century (108) v Woodvale in the Semi Final and a 34 run contribution in the uniquely tied Final against Lisburn. All these cup runs were supplemented with regular good league scores and sometimes wickets and he finished his senior career with 3 Senior Challenge Cup and 3 Irish Senior Cup Winner’s medals. On top of these success John was a regular in the Ulster Interprovincial sides and fringed on International selection.

On retirement from senior cricket he played regularly for the junior teams and has made a big contribution to youth development in the club.