MIXED FORTUNES FOR STRABANE

It was a weekend of mixed fortunes for Strabane, with the heavy loss in the National Cup against Rush in Cork softened when news filtered through of St Johnston’s loss against Burndennett, which ensured that they would be promoted to the Premiership as champions.

As Meat Loaf said, “two out of three ain’t bad”, but the Red Caps have the opportunity to make it three from four as they take on St Johnston in the Sammy Jeffrey final at Ardmore in a two-innings contest that gets underway at 11am on Friday.

“Sunday was disappointing, but we gave it a go,” said club skipper Kevin Gallagher. “There’s no doubt Rush fully deserved it as we didn’t bowl or field particularly well. We thought we had a chance with the early wickets but their pro (Josh Doyle) batted us out of the game. He sewed up one end and that gave the other batters a free license to play their own game and took the pressure off. Still, all credit to our boys for making it to an All-Ireland final which was a great achievement.

“It’s another big weekend for us as we look forward to the Sammy Jeffrey, and we are all looking forward to the game and the chance to get another piece of silverware. We are well aware it won’t be easy against St Johnston who are sure to come out fighting. We always enjoy playing them as it’s always a good game. It has all the makings of being a decent two-innings final so hopefully the weather holds out for it.

“On winning the league, it was massive news when we heard it in Cork. Getting the league was our main priority this year and any other cups were a bonus. We are all naturally delighted and feel it’s well deserved. We have worked and trained hard all year, stuck together and got our just rewards. Everyone associated with the club is over the moon about it.

“We know it won’t be easy in the Premiership, but we will definitely give it a good go, work hard again over the winter and look forward to being back in the top flight of North West cricket.”

Ed's Note: The Sammy Jeffrey final will now start on Saturday after a pitch inspection on Thursday ruled no play possible on Friday.