Cooke calls on Coleraine to embrace Senior Cup opportunity

Coleraine captain David Cooke has challenged his players to stand up and be counted as the Bannsiders prepare to face favourites Newbuildings in the North West Senior Cup final.

The blue-riband two-day decider offers Coleraine the opportunity to end a difficult season with one of the biggest prizes in local cricket, although Cooke admits he has yet to finalise his team because of continuing availability problems.

Those issues have undermined Coleraine’s league campaign, with the captain rarely able to select the same side from one weekend to the next. Their cup form, however, has provided welcome relief and a memorable semi-final victory over Donemana demonstrated what they can achieve when close to full strength.

“It probably sums up Coleraine’s season,” said Cooke. “Our numbers for matches have been a problem and we don’t seem to get the same side out week in, week out.

“We’ve done reasonably well in the cup because we have managed to get a decent side out for those matches. Beating Donemana was a big scalp for us and it gives us plenty of motivation going into the final.”

There may even be a favourable omen for the Bannsiders. Before this season, the only previous occasion on which Coleraine defeated Donemana in the Senior Cup came during their triumphant 1986 campaign.

Forty years on from that success, Cooke would dearly love history to repeat itself.

“When you beat Donemana, you feel you’ve given yourself a great chance,” he said. “Going up against Newbuildings will be a very hard task, but the whole club is looking forward to a big final.

“It isn’t just about the players. It is about the club and the surrounding area. Hopefully we get plenty of support and everyone enjoys the occasion.”

Coleraine’s footballers have already brought major cup success to the town this year, providing further inspiration for Cooke and his team.

“There is a lot of good sport in Coleraine,” he said. “I’ve spoken to many of the footballers and people involved in other sports. Coleraine seems to compete well in everything, but the important thing is getting over the line and actually winning.

“If the footballers can win a cup, why can’t the cricketers do the same?”

Cooke’s immediate task is establishing exactly who will be available for both days of the final.

Original professional Louren Steenkamp is currently representing Namibia in the Netherlands, leaving Coleraine with several options to consider. They could attempt to bring Steenkamp back, continue with replacement professional Garnett Tarr or produce an unexpected alternative.

Cooke, though, insists no final decision has been made.

“We have a few players away on holiday and I’m not even sure whether they’ll be back in time,” he admitted.

“I couldn’t tell you that we’ll be at full strength because I couldn’t even confirm the team at the minute. We’re still trying to find players who can commit to both days, and that isn’t easy.

“We haven’t been at full strength all year, so we just have to deal with it.”

Despite those concerns, Coleraine possess considerable experience. Gareth Burns, Scott Campbell, Varun Chopra and the Hutchinson brothers have all played substantial amounts of senior cricket despite remaining relatively young.

Cooke coached several members of the current squad as juniors and believes the time has come for them to accept responsibility on the biggest stage.

“A lot of those fellows were young boys when I first came to Coleraine,” he said. “I coached them and helped bring them through, but they aren’t young boys any longer. They’re grown men.

“If they want to win Senior Cups, they have to stand up and be counted. I believe they can do that, and if they do, Coleraine have a great chance of competing with Newbuildings.

“We normally have good games against them and I don’t see why a two-day final should be any different.”

Newbuildings will begin as clear favourites, possessing a settled and powerful side led by the outstanding Peat Salmon.

Cooke has enormous respect for the West Indian international but is relishing the tactical challenge of attempting to contain him.

“Peat is an amazing player and a great person to talk to,” he said. “Everybody wants to see the best players performing on the biggest stage.

“I’m looking forward to challenging my own brain, after more than 30 years of senior cricket, against someone of his quality. Whether you’re 30 or 40, you’re still learning, and I’m not ready to give up yet.

“Newbuildings have immense experience and depth in their batting, bowling and fielding. They have been ahead of everyone else in the league, but there is a lot of respect between the teams and we’ll play the game hard.”

Cooke has won the Senior Cup on numerous occasions during a distinguished career, but the former Irish international insists the competition has lost none of its appeal.

He is particularly pleased that the North West has retained its traditional two-day final rather than tinkering with a format which remains popular with players and supporters alike.

“For North West cricketers, this competition is special,” he said. “No matter who you ask, getting to the two-day Senior Cup final is one of the biggest occasions you can experience in local cricket.

“I’m glad they haven’t messed about with the format. Other competitions have been changed and, in my opinion, the Interprovincial set-up has been damaged by the way it has been altered. It doesn’t feel the same as it once did.

“The North West Senior Cup still has its identity. It belongs to the clubs, players and supporters here, and that is something we need to protect and celebrate.”

Cooke believes the final is about much more than Coleraine and Newbuildings, viewing it as a showcase for an entire union which remains fiercely proud of its traditions.

“We love our Senior Cup in this part of the world,” he said. “We play hard for two days, there might be the odd debate along the way, but hopefully everyone can share a drink afterwards and enjoy the occasion.

“It is as much for the spectators as it is for the two teams. People want to see Peat Salmon clearing the ground or one of our players, maybe Scott Campbell, hitting the ball over the ropes and sending the Coleraine support wild.

“Hopefully it produces a tight finish. That would make it a great occasion for the whole of North West cricket, whatever the result.”