DONEMANA FLY THE FLAG FOR THE NORTH WEST

Donemana’s season goes from strength to strength as they beat Strabane to remain unbeaten in the Premiership on Saturday, and followed that up with a real thrilling one-wicket win in Dublin, knocking out Merrion to clinch a place in the last eight of the Irish Senior Cup.

That victory was in no small part down to the exploits of their Indian overseas professional Anuj Jotin, whose match-winning unbeaten 77 took his season tally to 412 runs, as well as claiming 17 wickets.

“It was a great match, we did really well in the field to restrict them to 222 when it looked as if they could get 250-270,” Jotin told the Chronicle. 

“The fact we have so much depth in our batting and that’s very important to our confidence. We got off to a decent start, followed by myself and Andy McBrine putting on a decent partnership. 

“When David O’Sullivan and I were together it looked as if it would be comfortable. Then the wickets fell and it came down to the last over. I targetted the boundary behind square and managed to clear the fielder to get the win. It was important for me to stay calm in that high pressure situation and thankfully my experience helped me in that regard. Everyone played their part in what was a great win for the team. That’s been pleasing for us in that all the team is contributing, not just one or two players.”

Donemana can be a demanding club to play for with expectations so high amongst their fervent supporters, but Anuj is thriving in the village, although it’s a bit quieter than he has been used to.

“I’ve played in the Lancashire and Staffordshire leagues, living in Blackburn and Stoke-on-Trent, so life in Donemana has been a bit of an adjustment. I’m loving it here and have been helped by so many friendly people who have helped me settle. It’s quiet, peaceful but very beautiful. There’s no doubt that the weather in May certainly helped me acclimatise.

“I’ve been working hard on and off the field and my confidence is high at the moment. I’ve loved helping the team do well and there’s a feeling we could have a special season. I wanted a new challenge on my cricketing journey. I’ve been very fortunate to have a great coach – Raiphi Gomez – this past five years and he has been great for me and changed my life. I’m so grateful for what he has done for me.”

While there’s no league action with a closed weekend because of the Ireland v West Indies series, there is the small matter of a Faughan Valley Cup semi-final as Donemana face Newbuildings on Friday night, with the winners taking on Brigade or Newbuildings.

In the Eric Cooke Cup, Fox Lodge host Killyclooney, while Ballyspallen play Coleraine, and in the Sperrin Springs Cup Strabane entertain St Johnston, and Bonds Glen take on Bready.

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Donemana have also learned of their last eight opponents in the Irish Senior Cup as they have to travel to Balbriggan on Sunday June 29th.