All-Ireland competitions headline packed programme of North West cricket

There is certainly no shortage of quality cricket action over the next few days, starting with seven fixtures in the White Horse T20 Group stages on Thursday evening, followed on Saturday by eight first round ties in both the Irish Senior and National Cup competitions.

Add in the ongoing Warriors game against Leinster Lightning at Oak Hill and Sunday's Super Series game at Wallace Park between the Dragons and Scorchers and it could be a fantastic weekend of sport for local fans.

Donemana and Killyclooney have both beaten Strabane in Group A of the T20 competition to date and those two now go head-to head at the Holm on Thursday for outright leadership of the group.

Ballyspallen are currently unbeaten in Group B, but that record will be rigorously tested when they travel to second placed Eglinton, while there is also a top two clash in Group C as unbeaten Brigade host Coleraine at Beechgrove.

Fox Lodge are two from two in Group D and they go to the Rectory to take on a Glendermott side that hasn't quite been firing on all cylinders just yet.

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Bready take on neighbours Newbuildings in a lively looking encounter in the same group.

We move on to the main event on Saturday as North West clubs strive to improve on an horrendous recent run in the Irish Senior Cup.

As always, some would seem to have a more obvious chance than others, but the way things have started this season, you couldn't confidently rule anything out!

Four sides- Newbuildings, Bready, Ardmore and Coleraine have the comfort of home ties, albeit none of them have anything like an easy path to Round 2.

Steve Lazars bowling for Newbuildings at Donemana

Leinster CC are the visitors to Foyle View and the Dublin side won this competition outright as recently as 2023. They are also the current T20 champions in their own Union, but despite a mixed start to the domestic season, Newbuildings are very capable of a bold showing on their own patch and with a big support likely behind them.

Bready entertain another former All-Ireland champion in CIYMS; the Belfast side lifting the trophy in a dominant 2022 season that also saw them crowned domestic league and All-Ireland T20 winners.

The Magheramason side have made a quiet enough start to their own season and Ian Young's side probably have to improve a couple of notches if they are to progress.

Rush are the visitors to the Bleachgreen and a few familiar faces have been regulars on the books of the Fingal club in recent seasons. Former Ireland bowler Allan Eastwood, along with ex-North West duo Jared Barnes and Nathan McGuire could feature here.

The home side seem to have put an indifferent 2024 campaign behind them so far this year and they have a few players of their own who could make this a very interesting afternoon.

Coleraine welcome NCU side Muckamore to the north coast with the visitors looking to emulate a successful season that saw them win the Gallagher Challenge Cup in thrilling style. They've retained pretty much all of that squad for this summer, but Coleraine have started well themselves and will fancy their chances.

Andy McBrine celebrates 50 runs

Rory Knox has a good mix in his side at the minute with David Cooke adding a bit of mettle to the order. The Bannsiders expect to have their new overseas player available for the weekend and that won't do them any harm either.

Strabane will have to be at their very best if they are to get past an Instonians side who racked up a mesmerising 458- the NCU's highest recorded Premier League total- against Woodvale last week. Might be a good toss for Kevin Gallagher to win on a sunny day!

Donemana are one of those sides that you never rule out against anyone in cup competition, but you would always look for something a little less challenging than a trip to Waringstown for a first round tie.

The NCU kingpins have a great record in this competition but to be fair, they would probably have chosen someone else for an opening round themselves.

North County haven't been just as prolific as we'd become used to in recent seasons and lost to Strabane last season, so Eglinton will travel to Balrothery with plenty of hope. Liam Doherty's return to the village last week was a real boost for them and Jamie Millar's side have a lively chance.

Game of the day, from a North West perspective at least, could be at Lisburn where Brigade are the visitors.

Andy Britton's men are due a run in this competition (like all of the local sides), and the sub plot of the Macbeth brothers- Ryan and Scott facing off on opposite sides- adds a little spice.

Another game that could go either way, this one, and potential for some North West representation in the second round draw.

The National Cup has been much kinder to local sides and we'd be hopeful of another decent return on Saturday.

Donemana's Anuj Jotin appeals for the wicket of Cameron Melly

As is always the case, there is a little bit of an unknown factor involved with several sides, however from a regional perspective, the likes of Ballyspallen and Fox Lodge have started well domestically.

The Ballymagorry side do have a difficult looking tie away at Cregagh, albeit 'Spallen will probably fancy their chances at home to the impressively named Drumaness Superkings.

Killyclooney have the batting to go well at Laois while St Johnston are another side who could make home advantage pay against Downpatrick.

Sion Mills return to the All-Ireland scene with a trip to University College Cork, no less, and they certainly aren't travelling without a chance. Getting home in time for their next match might be the thing.