The Irish Association of Cricket Umpires and Scorers met on Saturday 15th February for their annual general meeting and seminar. The inclement weather was not enough to prevent 50 umpires and scorers from NIACUS, the LCU&SA and the MCUSA joining their North West colleagues in the Drummond Hotel, Ballykelly.

The seminar saw various presentations including Strange Umpiring Scenarios, where delegates heard Dermot Ward discussing what to do when the players on the field don't match the names on the teamsheet.

One of the newer recruits, George Brolly jun, brought the meeting up to speed on the benefits of the Level 2 Umpires Course that he and 12 others had recently completed. Kevin Gallagher outlined to the meeting the system used by the LCU&SA to gather reports from team captains on the performance of the umpires in their matches - this system will be rolled out across all the Associations for 2014.

Patrick O'Hara of NIACUS and the MCC Laws Committee took us through the changes in the law made last October and Charlie McElwee shared some of the 'Do's and Don'ts' he has gathered over the years.

Highlight of the day however was Simon Dyke of Cricket Ireland who walked the conference through his journey from scoring for Sussex CCC, to administering the laws for MCC and finally as Cricket Operations Manager for Cricket Ireland.

Somewhere in the middle of all that, the conference somehow found time to hold an AGM. Most notably after 6 years as chairman Dr Murray Power stepped down. His contribution to the association is immeasurable and was noted by all.

Peter Thew of LCU&SA was elected as Chairman for 2014, David Bradley as Vice Chairman and Noel McCarey returning as Hon Secretary.