Saints suffer relegation but foundations remain strong at the Boathole

St Johnston’s return to the North West Premiership proved a difficult one, with the Donegal side finishing bottom of the table and making an immediate return to the Championship.

It was always going to be a considerable challenge for the Saints, particularly without the benefit of an overseas professional, while the availability of former Ireland international Graeme McCarter was also restricted. McCarter featured in only half of the campaign and his experience and quality were badly missed.

There were some excellent individual performances and a number of encouraging results, but ultimately St Johnston simply lacked the depth required to survive consistently at the highest level.

Michael Rankin led the batting with 465 runs at an average of 31, including five half-centuries and a best of 81. Jack Macbeth was another dependable performer with 412 runs, while David Lapsley contributed 299.

Conor Olphert, Subhan Shirzad and Mark Pollock all passed 200 runs, but the Saints lacked the weight of runs throughout the order that the leading Premiership sides could call upon.

Their standout player with the ball was unquestionably Nathan Cole. Cole enjoyed an outstanding campaign, taking 33 wickets at just 17.64 while conceding only 4.14 runs per over. His consistency was one of the major positives of the season and his 20 maidens emphasised his control.

The problem was the support around him. Ryan McAuley was next with 18 wickets, Scott Devenney claimed 15, while McCarter, Pollock and David Anthony each took 12.

In the Premiership, one outstanding bowler is rarely enough. The strongest attacks generally have four or five players capable of reaching or surpassing the 20-wicket mark, and St Johnston simply did not possess that depth in 2026. Relegation should not overshadow the progress the club continues to make.

At the Boathole they possess one of the most scenic grounds in Irish cricket, while the improvements to the square and facilities over the past decade have transformed the venue. It is a club that continues to evolve, invest and improve, both on and off the field.

They also continue to play the game in the right spirit and clearly enjoy their cricket, regardless of the level. The Premiership may have proved a step too far this time, but the experience should serve them well.

With a little strengthening, greater availability and the lessons learned from their season among the elite, it would be no surprise to see St Johnston right in the thick of the Championship promotion race in 2027.

Top 10 St Johnston batters

1. Michael Rankin – 465 runs, average 31.00, strike rate 74.4, highest score 81, 5 fifties, 44 fours, 18 sixes.
2. Jack Macbeth – 412 runs, average 22.89, strike rate 74.1, highest score 59, 4 fifties, 61 fours, 4 sixes.
3. David Lapsley – 299 runs, average 23.00, strike rate 64.2, highest score 39*, 28 fours, 6 sixes.
4. Conor Olphert – 258 runs, average 14.33, strike rate 62.6, highest score 49, 25 fours, 7 sixes.
5. S Shirzad – 242 runs, average 17.29, strike rate 70.1, highest score 34, 25 fours, 5 sixes.
6. Mark Pollock – 223 runs, average 17.15, strike rate 72.4, highest score 43, 28 fours, 9 sixes.
7. Nathan Cole – 186 runs, average 13.29, strike rate 59.0, highest score 63*, 1 fifty, 18 fours, 5 sixes.
8. Ryan McAuley – 122 runs, average 15.25, strike rate 52.8, highest score 42*, 9 fours, 3 sixes.
9. David Anthony – 107 runs, average 8.92, strike rate 43.9, highest score 37*, 10 fours, 1 six.
10. Graeme McCarter – 95 runs, average 10.56, strike rate 69.9, highest score 30, 11 fours, 2 sixes.

Top 10 St Johnston bowlers

1. Nathan Cole – 33 wickets, average 17.64, economy 4.14, strike rate 25.5, best 4-19, 20 maidens.
2. Ryan McAuley – 18 wickets, average 31.50, economy 6.43, strike rate 29.4, best 2-17, 5 maidens.
3. Scott Devenney – 15 wickets, average 34.80, economy 5.82, strike rate 35.9, best 3-16, 2 maidens.
4. Graeme McCarter – 12 wickets, average 19.08, economy 3.37, strike rate 34.0, best 3-15, 17 maidens.
5. Mark Pollock – 12 wickets, average 32.58, economy 4.59, strike rate 42.6, best 3-29, 6 maidens.
6. David Anthony – 12 wickets, average 35.92, economy 4.76, strike rate 45.3, best 3-30, 5 maidens.
7. S Macbeth – 9 wickets, average 26.00, economy 4.60, strike rate 33.9, best 2-19, 3 maidens.
8. Michael Rankin – 3 wickets, average 44.33, economy 7.00, strike rate 38.0, best 3-35.
9. Conor Olphert – 2 wickets, average 90.50, economy 8.10, strike rate 67.0, best 1-30, 1 maiden.
10. David Barnard – 1 wicket, average 23.00, economy 11.50, strike rate 12.0, best 1-23.