Donemana and Coleraine bid to fly NW flag in Irish Senior Cup

There's certainly no shortage of action this coming weekend with a total of 21 senior games down for decision across four competitions over the next few days.

The White Horse T20 Cup reaches the end of its group phase on Thursday night and although several finishing positions have already been confirmed, there is still a bit to be worked out this weekend.

In Group A, Killyclooney entertain Donemana with the visitors already guaranteed top spot and into the Faughan Valley semi-finals later in the season. 'Clooney will finish second and Strabane third, regardless of how this one plays out.

Eglinton and Ballyspallen are in a straight fight to win Group B; the villagers currently lead the table, but are away to an Ardmore team who need to win this to have any chance of overtaking St Johnston who are currently in third spot.

The Donegal side host 'Spallen, who are seven points off the top, so there is plenty at stake in both games here.

Coleraine, second in Group C, host leaders Brigade where a win for either side will see them top the table. Bonds Glen in third are at home to Burndennett at the bottom- the visitors unable to field a team in both of their previous Thursday night fixtures.

Just 17 points separate the top three in Group D as we head into the final round of matches; Newbuildings at the top hosting Bready in third, while Fox Lodge entertain a Glendermott side that is already out of the competition.

The focus changes to the Long's SuperValu league on Saturday where the teams currently first and second- Ardmore and Coleraine- lock horns up the north coast.

The Bleachgreen side haven't been in the best of form recently but skipper Harry Zimmermann has been leading the way for them as they look to improve on last season's dismal league showing.

There's an inexperienced look to their batting line up, but with two wins from their first three league outings, Ardmore can't be taken lightly.

Coleraine seem rejuvenated under Rory Knox and the recent return of Marcus Poskitt does them no harm either. Their new overseas man Louren Steenkamp has started to settle in and the addition of David Cooke makes a real difference to their middle order too.

The bowling looks solid with Gareth Burns leading the way- backed up by Scott Campbell, the Hutchinson brothers, skipper Knox and Steenkamp, so Ardmore really will have to be at their best to win this one.

Champions Donemana entertain Strabane as they look to preserve their winning start while the visitors will be hoping to build on their recent victory at home to Ardmore.

The Holm side start very hot favourites here, but with a trip to Merrion in the second round of the Irish Senior Cup just 24 hours later, Gary McClintock will look to ensure his side doesn't take their eye off the ball.

Newbuildings and Eglinton are both still looking for their first league wins after starting with a couple of defeats apiece and there's nothing handy in store for either of them.

Coleraine's new overseas man Louren Steenkamp.

Ross Hunter's side are at Beechgrove on Saturday knowing that a third consecutive defeat will really leave them playing catch-up in terms of a title chase. The form of Peat Salmon has been a real plus for the visitors but they will need that and more to upset Andy Britton's men who look on good terms with themselves at present.

There are runs in Brigade's top half and plenty of bowling options to back that up, but games like this bring out the best in Newbuildings and you wouldn't want to write them off.

Eglinton have home advantage over Bready- another side that has been up and down so far- and this looks much tougher to call.

The villagers were without key man Liam Doherty at the weekend due to a family situation back home, and they definitely look more vulnerable in his absence.

Bready haven't yet fully clicked into gear themselves though and this could come down to fine margins.

In Section 2, Ballyspallen are playing only their second league game on Saturday, but they will be hopeful of making it two from two as they welcome win-less Burndennett to Bridge Park.

Leaders St Johnston have won three from three so far and will hope to add to Glendermott's indifferent start as they travel to the Rectory.

You just expect the home side to burst into life at any minute, so with plenty of big-game players on both sides, this could be a decent watch.

Fox Lodge have also started strongly in the league and Jonny Robinson's men entertain Killyclooney in another potentially telling contest.

On Sunday it's back to All-Ireland competition and in the Irish Senior Cup, the North West's two remaining survivors have been handed tough second round assignments.

Donemana's 'reward' for their stunning win at Waringstown is another away trip, this time to last year's beaten finalists and two-time competition winners, Merrion. It looks another very tall order for Gary McClintock's team, but they seem to thrive on those.

The Bannsiders entertain five-time winners North County- albeit the last of those successes was 17 years ago when they beat Donemana in the final.

Craig Averill on his way to scoring 80 in Coleraine's win at Brigade.

The Fingal side will start favourites but Rory Knox's side won't mind that at all.

There's a more balanced representation in the National Cup with five local sides still standing, and one of them guaranteed to make the quarter-finals as St Johnston host Glendermott at the Boathole.

The all-North West tie should guarantee a good crowd at the Donegal venue and as with their league clash the previous day, it's a game that could go either way.

The other three sides are also facing tricky looking ties with Bonds Glen at home to Dublin outfit, Adamstown, Fox Lodge travelling to recently relegated NCU side Carrickfergus and Ballyspallen welcoming The Hills.

There is certainly nothing easy in there although the trio are all more than capable on their day.

There is one league replay on Sunday as well- Newbuildings hosting Eglinton at Foyle View.

This weekend's fixtures in full:

Thursday:- White Horse T20 Cup (6.30 pm starts) - Killyclooney v Donemana; St Johnston v Ballyspallen; Ardmore v Eglinton; Coleraine v Brigade; Bonds Glen v Burndennett; Newbuildings v Bready; Fox Lodge v Glendermott

Saturday:- Long's SuperValu Section 1 (12 noon) - Brigade v Newbuildings; Coleraine v Ardmore; Donemana v Strabane; Eglinton v Bready. Long's SuperValu Section 2 (12 noon) - Ballyspallen v Burndennett; Fox Lodge v Killyclooney; Glendermott v St Johnston

Sunday - Irish Senior Cup (12.30 pm starts) - Coleraine v North County; Merrion v Donemana. National Cup (1.30 pm starts) - Ballyspallen v The Hills; Bonds Glen v Adamstown; Carrickfergus v Fox Lodge; St Johnston v Glendermott. Long's SuperValu Section 1 (12 noon) - Newbuildings v Eglinton