It’s been a delayed start to the North West cricket season and for most senior clubs, they won’t be in action until the start of May after the governing body pushed back the start of the campaign a further week.

Clubs can still play on Saturday if their grounds are ready, so we may get some action given the improved weather this week.

It’s been a busy close season for the Tyrone clubs, with most strengthening their squads for the challenges ahead. Donemana will once again be captained by Gary McClintock, but the biggest local news was the switch of his twin brother William to Bonds Glen, as the Irish international opted for a new challenge, while they have also lost Anuj Jotin and Dave O’Sullivan.

On the plus side, the Senior Cup holders have brought in a quality overseas player in Awais Zafar, Zimbabwean teenager Luke Marillier, Eglinton all-rounder Mark Averill, and Merrion opening bowler Melvin Deveraj. The Indian-born seamer has Irish ambitions, and with the NWCU keen to have a primarily locally based Warriors side, he has moved to the region.

Bready have a new captain in keeper-batsman Ryan Clarke, while they have maintained the services of overseas professional Josh van Heerden, who showed glimpses of his quality last season. They have been dealt a blow this week with the departure of influential all-rounder Ian Young to Eglinton, having already lost the services of Gavin Roulston to Brigade and Mark Pollock to newly promoted St Johnston.

Making the switch to Magheramason are a trio of talented youngsters, with Killyclooney’s Kenzie Hall and Matthew Campbell arriving, as well as Newbuildings opening bowler Charlie Downey. Bready have one of the best production lines for youngsters in the region, with Travis Faulkner, Ben Campbell, Suyash Kumar and Cameron McClay all identified as having big futures in the game.

Newly promoted Fox Lodge will have Jonny Robinson at the helm once again, and it’s been a quiet time at Ballymagorry with the club keeping their quality overseas player Gayan Maneeshan – the Sri Lankan playing a major role in their Championship success. They have no major outgoings, while talented teenager Swarnim Jha has joined from Bready, while they are still hopeful of Craig Doherty returning from Glendermott.

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.

They have changed their overseas professional with the arrival of Pakistani Mohammed Mohsin. The 32-year-old is a top-order batter who has scored two first-class centuries and 16 fifties across all formats in domestic cricket. He is also a more than useful off-break bowler who is particularly effective in white-ball cricket.

Allen Patterson arrives having played previously with Creevedonnell and Fox Lodge. One potential ace in the pack could be Manav Agarwal who is a left-arm seamer who has relocated to Letterkenny having previously worked and played in the UK. On the debit side, Subhan Shirzad has opted to return to St Johnston having never really fulfilled his talent during his one season with the Red Caps.

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.

Kenzie Hall has probably been their player of the year for the last two seasons, while opening bat William Finlay and bowler Matthew Campbell have also done well, as has all-rounder Andy Neil.

The club have yet to officially confirm their new captain, but it's expected to be their new overseas professional, South African Keenan Viera, helped by Richard McMorris. Viera is a 28-year-old all-rounder and Killyclooney will be hoping he makes a similar impact as his fellow countryman Blayde Capell did a few years back.

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.

They have made two excellent acquisitions with Ryan Barr joining from Brigade, and Usman Azhar returning to Tyrone, having previously played with Strabane. Both will add experience, quality and depth in all three disciplines and will ensure they weren't the pushovers they might have been in recent years.

It's not all good news though with Sadiq Safi moving to Ardmore and Niall McDonnell putting a nail in the boots and calling it a day. Andy Barr is the man entrusted with the skipper's role, and he is in a confident mood ahead of the new season.

"I'm really looking forward to having a go at captain," said Barr. "Hopefully I can give a bit back to the club, as they have been great to me and my family. Bringing Ryan in will give us a lift with both our batting and bowling but especially in the field, as he's been one of the best fielders in senior cricket for many years.

"Also we have additional quality with 'Uzzy' and all his experience. We're sorry to lose Sadiq Safi to Ardmore, but wish him all the best. He's a great lad. One player to watch for us this year is Paul Murphy, as he been looking great in the net sessions so far."

It promises to be a fascinating season with Letterkenny also joining the senior ranks, making an already competitive Championship even more of a battle. Fellow Donegal side St Johnston are also in the top flight Premiership, enhancing the competition with their presence.

Meanwhile, the date and venue for the Senior Cup final has been confirmed with Beechgrove once again hosting the decider, starting on Friday July 31st.