St Johnston have confirmed the signing of Conor Olphert from Bready.

Craig Doherty has confirmed he is returning to Fox Lodge from Glendermott ahead of the start of the new season.

There have been a few changes in personnel with Irish youth international Gavin Roulston arriving from Bready, while their new-ball attack has been renewed with the arrival of Trent McKeegan from Newbuildings and Ryan Macbeth's return from NCU side Lisburn.

Ian Young is joining Eglinton for the 2026 season.

It's been a tough close season for Killyclooney, who have lost the services of no fewer than four first-team regulars, while they have only managed to recruit one as Cody Mehaffey makes a return to the Tyrone side.

It was a tough 2025 season for Burndennett who struggled in the Championship, but they have reason to be optimistic going into the season ahead.

Strabane achieved their primary focus last season by surviving in the cut-throat world of the Premiership, and will be look to consolidate their position in the top flight once again this season.

It's been a pretty quiet close season up at Championship winners Fox Lodge who have adopted if it ain't broke, don't fix it approach.

Donemana have confirmed the signing of pace bowler Melvin Deveraj from Merrion.

They have more or less a settled squad with only the departure of Barry Scott being more than compensated for by the return of Subhan Shirzad from Strabane, and the arrival of Mark Pollock from Bready via Burndennett.

Indian born opening bowler Melvin Deveraj is believed to be on the cusp of a move to the North West where he hopes to play a major role for the Warriors in the interprovincial series.

After the struggles of 2024, Coleraine were much more consistent last season, indeed flirting with a title challenge at one juncture before losing their way somewhat in the home straight.

The North West have postponed the start of the domestic season, with the opening round of fixtures now being played on Saturday April 25th.

Newbuildings have enjoyed great success in recent years, picking up all the domestic trophies, and challenging Brigade and Donemana all the way.

Kyle Morrow takes over as captain and while Isaac Bird has flown the coop to Rush, they have benefitted from Hassan Shahid making the journey north, as well as a new overseas professional in Raveen Yasas.

It's a huge year for Glendermott, who are clearly intent on making their centenary a year to remember for the Rectory side.

There's been a bit of a change at Eglinton over the winter, which was perhaps understandable given their relegation from the top flight.

Gary McClintock is the man in charge at Donemana once again having led the Tyrone side to the Senior Cup last time out. They looked favourites to clinch the league title but faltered in the home straight, allowing Brigade to overtake them.

Ardmore fell through the relegation trapdoor last year, losing the play-off to St Johnston, having beaten the Donegal side to survive the season before. 

Bonds Glen continue to make great strides on an off the field, adding to already impressive facilities, while their youth section is the envy of many of the so called bigger clubs.

There's a change of leadership at Bready with Ryan Clarke taking over the reins from Ian Young, while David Rankin will offer support as his experienced deputy.

It's an historic occasion for Letterkenny who make the step up to senior cricket after securing the Qualifying One league title last year, following on from their cup success of 2024.

Glendermott have confirmed the signing of Blayde Cappell as their overseas professional. 

The North West Championship also gets underway on Saturday April 18th as the battle to get into the top flight looks set to be most competitive in years.

Defending champions Brigade will begin their Premiership campaign with a home tie against newly promoted Fox Lodge at Beechgrove in three weeks time on Saturday April 25th.

Bready Women will start the defence of their Premiership crown with an away trip to Bonds Glen on Monday May 4th. The Magheramason side pipped Fox Lodge to the title last year and the pair are expected to be the front runners for the crown once again in 2026. 

The North West Under 19 side will join with the eight Championship teams in a revamped T20 competition.

Holders Newbuildings will start the defence of their T20 crown with home matches against newly promoted St Johnston and Sperrin Springs winners Strabane when the North West season gets underway in four weeks time on Saturday April 18th.

North-West sides have been handed a tough draw in the opening round of the Irish Senior Cup as they look to end a 22-year drought in the competition.

There is still time to register for the up and coming Umpires Course this Saturday and Sunday at the Waterside Shared Village.

In the latest of our series, Chairman James Fleming selects his all-time St Johnston XI. It was no easy task for James, a fine cricketer himself, as the famous Donegal club has produced many excellent cricketers over the years.

Former player, international umpire and NW President Connie McAllister selects his side and as always it's given him plenty of food for thought.

Experienced all-rounder Mohammad Mohsin will be joining Strabane for the 2026 season.

John has selected a well-balanced team packed full of internationals who would give any side a run for their money.

Usman Azhar is joining Championship side Burndennett ahead of the 2026 season.

Ardmore have confirmed the signing of all-rounder Sadiq Safi from Burndennett.

The North West Umpires Association is appealing for more members as dwindling numbers could mean that some senior matches will be without officials in 2026.

Killyclooney all-rounder Kenzie Hall is moving to Bready for the 2026 season.

The draws have been made for the NW Senior Men's and Women's Cups.

In the second part of our series where we ask personalities closely associated with NW clubs to select their all-time club XI's, it's the turn of Glendermott and their long-time Chairman Davy Watson to give us his thoughts on who takes the field for the Rectory side.

The North West have announced their groups for the T20 Premiership sides ahead of the start of the new season.

Coleraine have confirmed the return of Varun Chopra for the 2026 season.

The NW are running an umpires course next month for aspiring officials who want to get involved in the middle.

In selecting Strabane’s all-time greatest cricket team (in batting order), I have favoured players who produced the goods when the chips were down and who also showed outstanding grit in performing as a team player.

It was a tough season for Burndennett whose campaign never really got going, finishing bottom of the Championship table, one of their only two wins coming on the last day of the season.

Eglinton all-rounder Mark Averill has confirmed he is joining Donemana for the 2026 campaign.

Bonds Glen have pulled off the biggest surprise of the close season with the capture of Irish international William McClintock.

Craig Averill is returning to Glendermott for the forthcoming season.

Talented teenager Charlie Downey has confirmed he's joining Bready from near neighbours Newbuildings ahead of the 2026 season.

It was a tough season for Killyclooney who finished sixth in the Championship and never really got going in any of the cup competitions.

Ardmore have unveiled two overseas signings as they attempt to bounce back to the Premiership at the first attempt.

North West umpire Roly Black has been named in the officials panel for the forthcoming T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.

It was an end of an era on Tuesday night as NW President Connie McAllister stood down after a decade at the helm.

Raymond Mitchell was confirmed as the new Chairman of the NWCU at the AGM, taking over at the helm from Brian Dougherty, who stepped down after seven years.

Brigade all-rounder Ryan Barr has confirmed he is joining Burndennett for the forthcoming campaign.

Gavin Roulston has joined Brigade from Bready ahead of the start of the 2026 season.

It was a solid campaign for Bonds Glen who had some good wins on their way to fifth place in the Championship and the cups.

It was a mixed campaign for Ballyspallen who although were more than a match for anyone in the league, lacked consistency when it mattered,