Donemana are aiming to bounce back in style after shock cup exit

After last Saturday’s virtual wash-out in the RSA Irish Senior Cup, North West clubs will be hoping for some action this weekend.

On Sunday, champions Coleraine host Fox Lodge, Bready take on Ardmore, Donemana travel to Eglinton and title contenders Brigade and Strabane clash at Beechgrove.

Senior Cup

Sion Mills v Glendermott

The Tyrone side have lost their opening two league fixtures where after getting a good start with the bat their middle order has fallen apart. However they do have to be commended for continuing with their youth policy.

Gordon Montgomery’s side, relegated last season ,will be hoping for a quick return to the Premiership.

They are currently unbeaten and with the return of Roy Silva things are looking good.

Prediction: Glendermott.

Coleraine v Bonds Glen

The Bannsiders have continued where they left off last season, they have added more quality to the side with the recruitment of professional Kyllin Vardhan and Johnny Ring they are once again going to be the team to beat.

The Bee Gees have gone without a professional this time round, using mostly an all local side and hey will relish this challenge.

Prediction: Coleraine.

Donemana v St Johnston

The Holm side were shell-shocked in their Irish Senior cup defeat at Cork County and, as the holders of this trophy, they will be determined to erase last week’s nightmare as quickly as possible.

The Donegal men have continued to rely on their promising youth players and have quality in Michael Rankin and Ryan McBeth to name just two.

This, though, this is a very tough ask.

Prediction: Donemana.

Burndennett v Creevedonnell

This all-Championship clash will be keenly contested. The home side have more or less the same side as last season when their inconsistency let them down on a number of occasions.

Creevedonnell have lost their opening two league fixtures and although they were not at full strength, they must get all their players out for this one. Home advantage may decide the outcome.

Prediction: Burndennett.

Eglinton v Brigade

The Villagers are still smarting over their exit in the Irish Senior Cup last Saturday.

They have a number of former players back with the club and that should make a difference and with players of the calibre of Stuart Thompson and Stephen Smyth in their line-up they can’t be taken lightly.

Brigade manager Bertie Faulkner will be hoping that this is the season that silverware returns to the club.

On paper they have probably the strongest squad and when they play to their potential they are capable of beating anyone.

Prediction: Brigade.


Ardmore v Bready

Decker Curry returned to the Ardmore ranks last week which will have given his team a boost.

In their opening league defeat to Coleraine they showed that they can manage in the top division.

Bready, even without their top batsman David Rankin last week, won the game convincingly, with David Barr starring with the bat and Marc Fleming with the ball. This one could go either way.

Prediction: Ardmore.

Drummond v Strabane

The Roesiders have had a disappointing start to the new campaign, losing their opening two games. Their bowling in both those games was all over the place and with experienced players like Richard McDaid and Chris Moore that should not be happening.

The Red Caps are looking like serious challengers for honours this season. Their problem in recent seasons has been their inconsistency, but they have made a couple of good signings and they will be favourites to progress.

Prediction: Strabane.

Killyclooney v Fox Lodge

If this had been last season the Foxies would have been bankers, however the home side have turned things round in dramatic fashion. They have won their opening two games with scores of over 200 and are top of the table.

A couple of players returning has made a big difference.

The visitors will be wary of their opponents, they lost their opening game to Brigade but they still have a more than useful side and may be good enough to progress.

Prediction: Fox Lodge.