Tom Mayes is keen to make up for lost time after missing most of the 2024 season through injury, watching from the sidelines as Waringstown clinched the Premiership. The 24-year-old had switched to The Lawn after three years at North Down, where his form with the ball – 70 wickets at 25.50 – brought him to the attention of the Ireland selectors.

However, to add insult to injury, the side strain that limited his appearances to just seven, saw Cricket Ireland decline to renew his retainer contract for 2025.

That has motivated the 24-year-old South African, who has an Irish passport through his paternal grandparents, to try even harder, and he has certainly hit the ground running with a century in the first game of the campaign and a six-wickets haul in the second, no doubt helped by a successful pre-season tour with Ireland Wolves.

“I’ve been working hard on my batting over the winter with a few coaches in South Africa, and while I’ve not changed too much technically, it’s more a question of confidence. I’ve always had it in me and it’s about time that I showed it.

“I was blessed to be on that Wolves tour, playing at that level with those coaches and facilities. It was good to put in some good performances there personally and it was a great confidence booster to take into the season here and hopefully stay in the selectors’ minds.

“With Ireland having money issues this year, there were cuts to the number of players offered contracts. I missed out but there are chats, and if I can keep playing good cricket then that hopefully will take of itself.”

Now fully settled here and in a relationship with CSNI cricketer Abi Leckey, Mayes is keen to repay the faith Waringstown have in him.

“I’m very keen to add value to Waringstown who are one of the biggest clubs in Ireland. I want the team to have even more success as the season rolls on, and certainly want to play an integral part in that, hopefully bringing more trophies to the club.”

Waringstown suffered a blip in their title defence on Monday losing by 12 runs to CIYMS, but will be strong favourites to beat newly promoted Templepatrick, while the Belmont side entertain Muckamore today.

In the other games Instonians will be fancied to account for Woodvale, CSNI might find it tough against North Down, while table toppers Lisburn will aim to make it four from four at the Castle Grounds

Meanwhile in the North West, it’s the opening round of the SportsHub Senior Cup where the seeded nature of the draw gives smaller clubs the chance to cause an upset or two. Sion Mills, the competition’s most successful team with 29 wins, are back after an 11-year absence from the event, and they have been given a home draw against a Coleraine side that has started the season well, sitting in second place in the Premiership table.

Donemana start their quest to add to their 23 wins with a very tricky trip down the Ballyheather Road to face neighbours Killyclooney. Fresh in their minds will be a shock loss in the league last year which almost derailed their Premiership title. Donemana though are a different beast with Irish international Andy McBrine in their ranks, and look to have acquired a quality overseas professional in Anuj Jotin.

Holders Newbuildings have lost both their league games to date, and won’t be relishing the prospect of taking on a fired-up Glendermott at The Rectory. The availability of West Indian international Peat Salmon though could well make the difference.

Bonds Glen will be without professional Divan Posthumus following the death of his father for their game at Ardmore, while Bready will be hoping to be back to full strength for the Tyrone derby at Fox Lodge. In the other ties, Strabane entertain St Johnston, Ballyspallen take on Brigade, while Eglinton have home advantage over Burndennett.