JUST WHAT THE DOC ORDERED

Donemana kept their outside Premiership title hopes alive with an emphatic 80-run victory over Strabane in the Tyrone derby, inspired by a superb century from Raymond Curry.

With little room for error in the closing stages of the campaign, Donemana delivered one of their most complete performances of the season. Curry provided the headline contribution, anchoring the innings with a commanding hundred as the visitors built a total beyond Strabane’s reach.

The Tyrone side had Irish international captain Paul Stirling in their ranks, but he fell without scoring to Andrew Mullen.

However, wicketkeeper Billy Dougherty believes the victory was about much more than one individual performance, with contributions coming throughout the Donemana side.

“Saturday was a big win because every man contributed in some way,” said Dougherty. “The batters scored runs and put a good total on the board, and then the bowlers backed that up as well.”

That collective effort will need to be repeated this weekend when Donemana face a demanding double-header against St Johnston and Fox Lodge.

Their title chances remain slim and are no longer entirely in their own hands. Donemana must win all their remaining fixtures while hoping that results elsewhere fall in their favour, but the Tyrone club have given themselves an opportunity by maintaining their momentum.

Curry’s century against Strabane demonstrated the batting quality within the squad, while the bowlers ensured there would be no dramatic derby fightback, completing a convincing 80-run success.

Dougherty admitted that every match has effectively become a cup final as Donemana attempt to apply pressure to the teams above them.

“We know every game is big now and every game is a must-win,” he said. “They will be two tough games this weekend, but hopefully they can go our way and we can see where that leaves us come the end of the season.”

The immediate challenge is St Johnston before another important contest with Fox Lodge. Maximum points from both matches would keep Donemana in the hunt and ensure the Premiership race remains alive heading into the final weeks.