Donemana and Newbuildings set for Cup Final sequel

The North West cricket scene will clear the decks this weekend for its showpiece event, the Sports Hub Senior Cup final at Beechgrove, which just happens to be a repeat of the 2024 decider between Donemana and Newbuildings.

The Foyle View side emerged victorious twelve months ago - Johnny Thompson turning in a man-of-the-match performance against his boyhood club as Newbuildings won the trophy for the first time in their short history, having lost the previous two finals.

Cup pedigree is of course a major factor in knock-out sport and Donemana have that in spades. They've won the trophy on 23 occasions - six behind record holding Sion Mills - although the latter haven't won the competition now for over 40 years.

The form book however probably favours Ross Hunter's side. This is their fourth consecutive final and they beat this weekend's opponents in a league game just a few days ago.

That said, this a competition that brings out the best in cup teams and it looks a very difficult final to call.

Newbuildings Senior Cup team

And while Newbuildings can point to their recent successes, a look beneath the surface finds several things that levels it up this time.

Potentially the most important of those is the availability of Donemana's talisman, Andy McBrine.

The all-rounder is pivotal to his side, on the field and off it, and while the Holm lads were losing last year's decider, McBrine was 70 miles up the road turning in a man-of-the match performance as Ireland secured a memorable Test victory over Zimbabwe at Stormont.

'Scra' will definitely be at Beechgrove this weekend in Donemana blue, and his presence is sure to give them a huge lift on a ground that suits his bowling to a tee.

The Tyrone side also have a new professional in tow this time; 29-year old Indian all-rounder Anuj Jotin has really impressed and he could have a massive say in the outcome.

Donemana CC

Ironically, Newbuildings can point to the fact that their 'new' overseas man has proven best of them all so far this season.

West Indian Peat Salmon spent several years at the club pre-covid years but was then ineligible to come back as he has only recently satisfied the Borders Agency regulations to qualify as a professional.

Salmon is a match-winner in every sense of the words and Donemana will be very well aware that he could turn this contest on his own.

That said, Newbuildings' overseas man in 2024, Samarth Seth, was some player too; indeed there wasn't much between him and 'JT' in the man-of-the-match race.

If there is to be a drawback for them, it is in the players who won't (or are unlikely to) play this weekend.

West Indian Peat Salmon

Trent McKeegan's move to England at the end of last season was certainly a blow, but the potential loss of Ryan Hunter is a massive hit.

Hunter is a genuine, quality all-rounder who is the perfect middle order foil for others to bat around, and yet he can easily shift gears to become the aggressor as necessary.

He recently sustained a serious hamstring injury which at the time of writing looks fairly certain to rule him out of action this week, but even if they were to get him patched up enough to be included, it would look a mammoth gamble.

Beechgrove will suit both sets of spinners and that too is an area where there won't be much between them.

Newbuildings skipper Ross Hunter has been a revelation with the ball over the last two seasons and when you match up him and Peat Salmon against Andy McBrine and Anuj Jotin, a fascinating battle lies ahead.

Andy McBrine

In terms of batting line-ups, both sides have plenty of quality at the top and in the middle with Salmon the clear eye-catcher.

Thompson and Gareth McKeegan are rock solid in the middle with Ross Dougherty and Jason Dunn providing good options, with or without the injured Hunter. Donemana have a ridiculous order with their probable top three- William McClintock, Jamie Huey and DJ Dougherty followed in by Jotin, Raymond Curry, Gary McClintock, McBrine, Dave O'Sullivan and then Levi Dougherty (who scored a half century in last year's final) and former Ireland International Dwayne McGarrigle in the tail!

Pound-for-pound these are two very well matched teams, as their league positions would suggest, and as always the two variables that no-one can control- the weather and the toss- could be very important.

Admission to the game remains £5 (£3 concession) and with these two drawing a record-breaking crowd to their last meeting, this looks certain to be another bumper attendance.

Car parking is available at Foyle College and as always we would request that supporters comply with the 'no alcohol carry outs' rule.

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Play gets under way at 11.00am on both days and patrons will be advised on any updates of playing times as required.