BREADY AND FOX LODGE MEET IN WOMEN’S CUP FINAL

There are two familiar foes going head-to-head in the Women’s Cup final at Eglinton on Friday (3pm) with holders Fox Lodge meeting newly crowned Premiership champions Bready.

While Bready hold sway in the league, winning four of the last five titles, there’s no doubt that Fox Lodge are the cup kings, lifting the trophy six times in the past seven years.

Both sides have struggled with injuries and availability issues, but on a positive note have allowed them to strengthen their depth.

“I’m really looking forward to our eighth successive appearance in the final,” said Fox Lodge captain Hannah McLaughlin.

“We have a few personnel changes this year. Unfortunately, we lost Lucy Neely at the start of the season as she injured herself at a Dragons training session. She’s a big loss as she was our opening bowler and batter. Kacey Laird is also absent as she’s working in England now. On the credit side, Ella Wasson has joined us from Newbuildings and she’s a really essential part of our team now, and it’s great to have a newbie on board.

“Our batting has probably been our strength this year, as we haven’t been tested so much this year with it, aside from a few games. The girls are going from strength-to-strength and the training is really starting to pay off.

“Sarah Black, Mollie Devine, and Elle Moore – who won the final for us last year – have all been in the runs and go into the game in good form.

“We know what to expect from Bready as we’ve met so many times. It’s always been a great competition with them and one that we’re relishing. Hopefully, we will be bringing back the cup again on Friday night.”

Her Bready counterpart Alana Dalzell is keen to complete the double, having collected the league trophy on Monday night.

“We have a very strong team for such a young side,” said Dalzell. “In winning the league, we have had so many young players stepping up at various stages. We definitely have depth now, and we have a good chance against Fox Lodge.

“What stands out for me about our youngsters are their eagerness, passion and willingness to learn. They just soak up everything.

“I’m really looking forward to the final and hope it lives up to last year where there was aggression and competitiveness, but channelled in the right way. Hopefully there will be a good turn-out like last year.

“You never take these finals for granted, and playing for your club which has a special place in your heart makes it a game you really want to be in.”

While the final has a familiar ring, Dalzell also paid tribute to the other sides in the region who are beginning to challenge the ‘big two’.

“Coleraine are really strong and have had some great results this year. Bonds Glen have some great bowlers too and Steph Wilkinson is steering them well. It's a fantastic achievement for them to win the All-Ireland U13 Girls Cup, so the future is obviously bright there.”

Coleraine beat Bready on Monday night to finish their league campaign, while Fox Lodge go into the game on the back of a narrow 16-run loss in the All-Ireland T20 Cup against Waringstown.

There’s not much to choose between the evenly-matched two Tyrone sides, and it could go all the way like the 2024 decider, which saw Fox Lodge edge out Bready by just one-wicket in a real nail-biter.

More of the same on Friday please.