T20 Cup finals headline big week of domestic cricket

Following Strabane's Sperrin Springs Cup win at St Johnston on Sunday, the two remaining T20 finals are down for decision this weekend with the Eric Cooke decider at Bonds Glen on Friday and the Faughan Valley at Ardmore on Sunday.

Coleraine and Fox Lodge are set to contest the first of those while Sunday's shoot-out at the Bleachgreen sees Brigade and Newbuildings square up for the Faughan Valley Cup and a place in the All-Ireland T20 semi-finals.

The Bannsiders will be slight favourites for the Eric Cooke final and while they have enjoyed the first half of the season, Coleraine will be well aware that the Ballymagorry side has players that can hurt teams in this format.

There probably isn't much between the teams in the Faughan Valley, but it's difficult to dispute that Brigade's need is greater.

It has been a poor couple of months by their standards- out of the Irish Senior Cup early on, and losing three of their first five league games before being knocked out in last weekend's senior cup semi-final is not par for their course.

Newbuildings on the other hand have recovered from losing their first two league outings to win the last three on the spin- a run that actually started at Beechgrove.

The manner in which Ross Hunter's team knocked in-form Coleraine out of the cup at Sandel Lodge last weekend suggested that the corner has been turned and this has the potential to be a cracking final.

In between times we have the next round of fixtures in the Long's SuperValu Premier Division where the undoubted game of the day is back up the north coast where leaders Coleraine take on an unbeaten Donemana who currently sit second in the table with a game in hand.

Rory Knox's side have been brilliant so far in 2025 and on the pick of their form, they would really serve it up to the reigning champions.

Brigade's Cameron Melly on the attack against Donemana.

In terms of quality it is all there- Louren Steenkamp looks a really solid overseas pick while a top order of Craig Averill, Scott Campbell, Marcus Poskitt, Steenkamp, David Cooke and Paddy Carson has plenty of runs in it.

The latter has done really well since getting a prolonged run at the top but nobody knows better than him that he has to kick on once he's in.

On the flip side of that, David Cooke has reveled in his role back at Coleraine and his century at Beechgrove a fortnight ago is as good an innings as he has played in a very long time.

In the other corner of course is Donemana.

A fantastic run in the Irish Senior Cup came to an end in Balbriggan on Sunday, but worryingly for everybody else, they're already in the NW senior cup final at the end of the month and if they win this, will also be top of the league with no other distractions to concern them.

Depending on the impact of David O'Sullivan's back injury, the Holm side are pound for pound the best around. If he's fit, everyone, including Coleraine will need to find another level of performance to beat them.

There should be a big crowd at Sandel Lodge for the second weekend in a row and it is no exaggeration to suggest that this one could have a big influence on the title race.

Elsewhere, Newbuildings will be hoping to make win number four in the league as they entertain neighbours, Bready.

Sperrin Springs Cup winners Strabane.

If anything, the Magheramason side's season has been the most bizarre of all so far and they have two massive league games to navigate this weekend.

After their short trip on Saturday they then head to the Holm on Sunday for an outstanding game between them and Donemana that has real ramifications at both ends of the table.

Currently stuck at the foot of the table, Ian Young's men can ill-afford one defeat, let alone two, and that could make them very dangerous.

Clipped to the boundary by Gayan Maneeshan.

Brigade should be able to get back on the horse on Saturday as they entertain a Strabane side that has ground out two wins from their first five games, but who will need a lot more to escape being dragged into a relegation scrap as the stagger unwinds.

Eglinton have also struggled so far- four defeats from five outings for Jamie Millar's side- and they really need to find a way past Ardmore at the village venue.

The Bleachgreen side are another in the 'hit and miss' category and this could turn out to be a nervy affair.

In Section 2, Ballyspallen entertain St Johnston and although John Kennedy insists he has no further diamonds to produce just for now, you can rule nothing out at Bridge Park at the minute.

It's great for North West cricket to see 'Spallen on the up but they've been around the block long enough to know that the Saints could be anything on Saturday.

The Donegal side have it in their bag to be competing for promotion in this league and have some good quality players at the club.

They're also capable of being bowled out for 60 more than most, but if they arrive in the mood Harp, Tenants, Diesel and the lads could be a handful.

Glendermott welcome Fox Lodge to the Rectory and this could be another interesting encounter.

Geeth Kumara who played such a pivotal role in the Ballymagorry side winning the senior cup in 2022 is likely to be in the blue corner this weekend and with both teams eyeing up a promotion challenge in the coming weeks, there's plenty at stake.

The home side have enough quality to work around Geeth- both with bat and ball- and will have Trevor Britton full of confidence after taking 9-14 against St Johnston at this ground less than two weeks ago.

Five wickets for Coleraine's Matthew Hutchinson as they knock Eglinton out of the senior cup.

A very difficult game to call if truth be told, and maybe one for watching instead.

Finally, it's a busy weekend for Bonds Glen as they face a double-header of fixtures against Burndennett and Killyclooney.

The Bee Gees were really good for the vast majority of their Sperrin Springs final against Strabane on Sunday, especially as some of their younger players are coming on for the experience.

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Divan Posthumus looks a very handy all-rounder for them and it would be no surprise to see the Kildoag side on the move up the table in the second half.

This week's fixtures

Friday - Eric Cooke Cup final (At Bonds Glen- 6.30 pm) - Coleraine v Fox Lodge

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

Sunday - Faughan Valley Cup final (The Bleachgreen- 2 pm) - Brigade v Newbuildings; Long's SuperValu Premiership Section 1 (12 noon) - Bready v Donemana. Section 2 - Killyclooney v Bonds Glen.