HEAVY DEFEATS FOR DONEMANA AND BREADY IN IRISH CUP

It was a chastising day for two of the stronger NW sides in the Irish Cup as Donemana and Bready both were on the receiving ends of hammerings. Donemana posted 190 at Merrion, but the home side didn’t lose a wicket as Stephen Doheny’s unbeaten century made it a tough trip back.

At least Bready had home advantage in their clash with Phoenix, but the Dubliners racked up a mammoth 374 for 5 as Australian professional Jack Lalor hit an unbeaten 201. That was only the second double century in the competition’s 42-year history – Decker Curry’s 260 not out for Limavady back in 1998 still holding the record.

The 258-run loss, allied with a number of crushing losses for the local teams has some questioning the number of sides from the region being entered. 

After last season’s complete wipeout, it may be the time now for the number of NW representatives to be reduced from 8 to 4 in the island’s premier event. 

Maybe, Brigade can go all the way and alleviate the gloom that has built up over the past 20 years of failure.