CRICKET: McCarter leaves Bannsiders

The 23 year-old - who has won 7 caps for Ireland - helped the Bannsiders to the Long’s Supervalu Premier Division title this season, but told the club of his intention to switch clubs.

McCarter, released by Gloucestershire in 2014, will hope the move to Stormont will revitalise an Irish career that has failed to take off since his debut in 2011.

CSNI have signed a quality all-rounder which will help alleviate the retirement of Regan West which came on top of the move in 2014 of the influential Nigel Jones to CIYMS.

The retirement of John Mooney has left a vacancy in the Irish ranks, which McCarter, Stuart Thompson, Barry McCarthy and Tyrone Kane will all have their eyes on.

The news however is a major blow for the North West Warriors who have lost another important member of their squad to the Northern Knights.

On the plus side for the Bannsiders Niall McDonnell has had a change of heart and has agreed to stay on for another year at least.

The opening batsman had indicated that family commitments would mean he would be taking time out of the game next year; however it now seems that he will be available again to Scott Campbell in the summer.

A spokesman for the Sandel Lodge side has also reported that that David Cooke is set to re-join his brother, Gordon, ahead of the title defence of their title in 2016.

Cooke had a superb season for Bonds Glen this year and will add real strength to the middle order as well as giving them options with the ball.