With the North West having a closed weekend due to the international series at Bready, this week’s main focus is on the women’s game, with Strabane and opening batter Kylie McGarrigle-Mongan making an impression on her return to the game after a short hiatus.

The married mother of four top-scored for the Red Caps against Bonds Glen, as her and Chloe Deans got Strabane close to a first win of the season.

McGarrigle’s introduction to cricket is a familiar one, with family playing an important role.

“I grew up with cricket from a very young age, playing in boys’ teams at Killyclooney and Creevedonnell with my brothers. My father was obviously a massive influence, driving us everywhere, helping umpire, and keeping us on the right track.

“It was really a family affair as we were all involved in some way – playing, scoring, doing the ground, making the teas. We all loved it at Creevedonnell. I even started up a women's team there again after they had stopped for a few years, but after the club folded, I tried a few different women's teams in the NW. However, I didn't feel the love for cricket again until I became a member of the Strabane family.”

Kylie has gone through some tough times recently with the death of her mother Sadie in 2021, and her father Tommy just last year.

“I was debating whether to make a comeback but dad convinced me to give it another go. At the beginning of 2022 I went through major weight loss surgery all for the love of cricket as I wanted to better myself.

“Unfortunately, fate had other ideas for me and I fell pregnant at the beginning of the season, and had another daughter almost straightaway. The 2024 season was the start of a tough season for me as now I had two teenagers as well as two infants under the age of one, plus my dad wasn't keeping well. 

“Strabane has been so welcoming to my whole family and I just feel right at home now. I lost dad due to his illness in December and not having him there with me this season feels so different and difficult at times. It was tough but there was no better feeling than to be standing on a cricket field with my daughter Abbey-Gale doing what you love and having your family there for support.

“My two youngest, Sophia and Sadie are already cricket mad, and always have a bat and ball in their hands. Hopefully in the near future they will be on the pitch and playing. I got married in May, and my love for cricket has actually postponed my honeymoon until the season is finished!”

Kylie’s coach Michael Gillespie is delighted at her dedication, which goes way above and beyond the call of duty.

“Kylie McGarrigle and her family have been entrenched in cricket their whole lives. She hit the ground running on her arrival to Strabane a few years ago and was one of our match winners. She works very hard on her game and from a coaching perspective she is a pleasure to deal with.

“She never misses a training session and takes on board everything that’s being shown. She’s expanded her repertoire of shots, opening up scoring areas on the off-side having been primarily a leg-side player, and we are seeing the fruits of her labour.”

Turning to the wider Strabane Women’s side, Gillespie was upbeat despite an indifferent start to the campaign.

“The Strabane Ladies cricket project is undergoing a little bit of a rebuilding process at the moment. We lost a few players to retirement then the reformation of the St Johnston team.

“Things are positive at the moment, as we still have two teams. We have mainly a young group that is working very hard, with some finding their feet. You can see a massive improvement especially in those younger players such as Abbey-Gale McGarrigle and Abaigh Gillespie, and Anelisa Vutha, who are all showing real potential to be quality first-team players in the years to come, and hopefully we can build the team around those types of players.

“Chloe Deans has thrived since taking on the captaincy, understanding the vital role she has to play in the side. She’s doing a fantastic job leading the side in difficult circumstances with the changing dynamic of the personnel.

“Conor Graham, our youth coach is doing some great work with the teams and we are seeing some of those feeding into the second team. Although results haven’t gone our way so far, there’s a real positive vibe about the club that augurs well for the long-term future.”