DONEMANA WIN PREMIERSHIP TITLE BY BAREST OF MARGINS

The calculators were out on Sunday evening as the destiny of the North West Premiership was ultimately decided by Nett-Run-Rate, cricket’s equivalent of goal difference. Donemana had started the day in second place level on points but 0.17 behind Eglinton on run-rate.

However, batting first they thumped 27 fours and 15 sixes – 198 of their 284 runs coming in boundaries against a Killyclooney attack that suffered collateral damage. All the batters contributed, with Dwayne McGerrigle’s four sixes in a late assault proving totally demoralizing for their near neighbours.

Knowing Eglinton were also going well, Donemana set about their task of bowling out the visitors with relish, and with Irish international Andy McBrine taking 6 for 10 they did just that – 61 all out and a winning margin of a whopping 223 runs.

The champagne was on ice though, and it took a further hour before the cork could be popped with Eglinton’s clash with Coleraine ongoing. A 73-run win for Eglinton wasn’t enough though as the 150-run swing meant Donemana had clinched a record-extending 32^nd title – their first since 2017.

In the end both sides had 236 points apiece, with Donemana’s NRR 0.94 to their challengers 0.79 – approximately 75 runs over the course of the campaign.

“We came out today playing positively with the mindset that it was just the same as a game halfway through the season,” said a delighted Andy McBrine.

“We knew if we did all three aspects of the game well that we would probably come out on top and thankfully we did. We scored very quickly without anyone in the top order making a 50, but the late surge from Dwayne was probably decisive.

“I felt good coming into the game today, and there was a little bit of spin in the pitch that worked out well. The lads have been outstanding throughout the year putting in a lot of hard work and getting their just rewards.”

McBrine admitted that there was still uncertainty over the outcome of the title while the Eglinton game was still in progress.

“We didn’t know for certain what the NRR was going to end up at although we knew ours after the 223-run win would be very significant. We were all on our phones checking and It wasn’t until Coleraine got over 100 that we thought we were pretty safe.”

NW President Connie McAllister was cheered into the ground when he and Lawrence Moore drove in with the trophy and medals, all captured by tv – a BBC documentary on the Donemana area was being recorded this week and cricket fans will be able to view the joyous scenes later in the year.

"It's a brilliant way to end the season and something to show for our hard work through out the season," added skipper Gary McClintock.

"Hopefully it's just a start to getting back were we want to be every year but everyone is over the moon about bringing another cup to Donemana."