HANDY ANDY AS DONEMANA GEAR UP FOR CUP FINAL

ANDY McBrine and Donemana’s love affair with the North West Senior Cup continues tomorrow as the Tyrone side attempt to win the blue riband trophy for the 24th time.

The final is a repeat of the 2024 decider, won by a Newbuildings side who lifted it for the first time after a thrilling encounter played in front of a huge crowd.

McBrine’s absence on Test duty last year played a crucial role in a tight encounter, and the 32-year-old admits that the buzz of a major final still holds a special place in his heart despite playing in a World Cup and winning 149 caps for Ireland.

“It's still massive for me and the club,” said McBrine. “It's unique and a really special event to be part of. We have won it so many times, but it’s the one trophy that we target because of the occasion. When you look at the other Unions, there is a bit of envy about ours as they all chat about it as they don't have the two-day deciders.

“I’m really looking forward to it personally as it's been quite a few years since I've been involved in a proper one. I know the lads really enjoyed playing in it last year even though the result didn't go their way.”

It’s fair to say that the big occasion brings out the best in Andy, who has won all five senior finals he’s featured in – six if you count the 2020 decider which was played as a T20 competition.

Indeed, he was named Man-of-the-Match in four successive deciders from 2013 to 2016, missing the victories in 2012 and 2017 when the awards went to his uncle James and father Junior – who also lifted the individual prize in Andy’s first final back in 2009.

Donemana go into the final as league leaders despite a seven-wicket loss to their opponents on Saturday, when Peat Salmon hit 18 sixes in an unbeaten 155. Donemana were missing a few key players, and McBrine is confident that his side will be back to their best as they showed with an eight-wicket win against Strabane the following day.

“I thought on Saturday in the first innings we did a lot of things really well. To score 327 was a great effort. Our bowling was a bit light as we were without our captain Gary McClintock and Dave O'Sullivan didn't bowl, so it was never going to be easy losing 20 overs from your opening attack.

“We tried our best but Peat Salmon batted really well. You can't take that away from him. It's as serious a bit of hitting that I've seen personally. I think we know the pitch at Brigade a bit better than Newbuildings and that will suit our spinners a bit more. Newbuildings are a great team and we know it's not going to be easy against them, but I'm really looking forward to it."

While both sides are embroiled in a battle alongside Brigade for the Premiership title, it’s perhaps unique that given a choice both sides would actually prefer the Senior Cup given the sense of drama, occasion and history that the event brings.

“It's the one thing we always say at the club at the start of the year- if we have a good cup run the rest of the season will take care of itself.

“It's great that we have got to another final and I think we are going into the game in a better state than last year.

“Anuj Jotin has come in and he has been an outstanding professional. He has just churned out runs and you know over the two innings he is going to deliver a score in at least one of them. That is vital and gives great confidence to the rest of the team. He has been a real upgrade in calibre, really stamped his authority on the league and that has been very pleasing.”

You wouldn’t bet against it being McBrine however who will be getting his hands on a fifth Man-of-the-Match accolade on Saturday night!