Why the Senior Cup is the one trophy Donemana's Billy Dougherty is so desperate to win
They lost the Final last year to Newbuildings, but are the favourites to lift the famous trophy for the 24th time. Wicket-keeper Billy Dougherty was part of the last Donemana team to win the silverware in 2020 and, along with younger siblings DJ and Levi, has been a major part of their success this season.
'It couldn't have gone any better for us so far, as we are unbeaten in the League and still in all the Cups,' said Dougherty.
"We've been playing good, attacking cricket, and the results have been great and hopefully will continue.
'We always look forward to the Cup and it's certainly the one trophy I want to get every year. I'm sure it won't be an easy game but if we play to our capability, we will hopefully get through to the next round.'
Donemana make the short journey to Ardmore, who currently lead the Premiership, but their recent form has seen confidence dip, losing last week against Strabane and Ballyspallen.
It would take something special for the Bleachgreen side to pull off a shock.
Holders Newbuildings have a tricky looking encounter away at Strabane, and it could well depend on the X-factor provided by West Indian international Peat Salmon that decides the outcome between two evenly matched teams.
There's not much to choose either between Brigade and Bready, who meet at Beechgrove.
Scott Macbeth has been a revelation since his switch between the clubs, and the Donegal youngster might not be too far from an international call-up if he continues his form of the past few years. Former team-mate Gavin Roulston is another young player destined for higher honours and the game could well depend on who comes out top of their own personal battle.
Eglinton opener Liam Doherty is another exciting player who topped 1,000 runs last season.
The hard-hitting batsman could well hold the key to improving the village side's fortunes against a Coleraine outfit who are playing with great confidence under new captain Rory Knox.
The Bannsiders look to have a good blend of youth and experience in their ranks and when overseas professional Louren Steenkamp settles, they will be an even tougher proposition in the top flight.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Glasgow Times
2 hours ago
- Glasgow Times
Russell Martin can transform Rangers as ex-owner loves him
And to this day, the ex-MK Dons owner insists he loves Martin dearly for the work he did at his beloved club. Winkelman gave the Rangers managerial candidate his big break in management in the English lower leagues. The 39-year-old had the Dons playing free-flowing football and quickly attracted the attentions of Swansea. But it wasn't just what he delivered on the pitch. His old boss says he brought the whole club together as his impact went beyond just the training pitch and a game on a Saturday. Winkelman told the Scottish Sun: "I love the man. I wish him every success. Read more: On-loan Rangers star makes Ibrox admission as future remains unclear European side consider Rangers coach as next manager and launch 'enquiry' 'He will bring a hell of a lot to Rangers. It won't just be a little tweak here or there to what happens on the pitch. 'Throughout the club, he'll get everyone together. 'Russ has an understanding of the whole club, and great knowledge of how all the parts come together. 'It's not just about coaching for him, he understands how the club all fits. 'This is probably the kind of talk that impressed the Rangers bosses in his interview. 'You need that understanding if you're competing at the top of the Premiership. It's as tough as it can be. 'I'll be thrilled for him if he gets the job. I'll be excited to see what he can do. 'Rangers will certainly be an attractive team to watch if Russ gets the job. 'I'll be watching for Rangers' results now. You tend to do that with people you really like.' Winkelman once appointed Roberto Di Matteo, who went onto win the Champions League with Chelsea, and former Liverpool and Manchester United star Paul Ince. He holds Martin in similar regard, adding: 'Russ was one of the best appointments I made, and I like to think I made a few. 'I gave Roberto Di Matteo his first job, and he ended up winning the Champions League with Chelsea. 'I gave Paul Ince his second job in management and that went well, too. 'I'm quite pleased with my track record in appointing managers.
The National
2 hours ago
- The National
Russell Martin can transform Rangers as ex-owner loves him
And to this day, the ex-MK Dons owner insists he loves Martin dearly for the work he did at his beloved club. Winkelman gave the Rangers managerial candidate his big break in management in the English lower leagues. The 39-year-old had the Dons playing free-flowing football and quickly attracted the attentions of Swansea. But it wasn't just what he delivered on the pitch. His old boss says he brought the whole club together as his impact went beyond just the training pitch and a game on a Saturday. Winkelman told the Scottish Sun: "I love the man. I wish him every success. Read more: On-loan Rangers star makes Ibrox admission as future remains unclear European side consider Rangers coach as next manager and launch 'enquiry' 'He will bring a hell of a lot to Rangers. It won't just be a little tweak here or there to what happens on the pitch. 'Throughout the club, he'll get everyone together. 'Russ has an understanding of the whole club, and great knowledge of how all the parts come together. 'It's not just about coaching for him, he understands how the club all fits. 'This is probably the kind of talk that impressed the Rangers bosses in his interview. 'You need that understanding if you're competing at the top of the Premiership. It's as tough as it can be. 'I'll be thrilled for him if he gets the job. I'll be excited to see what he can do. 'Rangers will certainly be an attractive team to watch if Russ gets the job. 'I'll be watching for Rangers' results now. You tend to do that with people you really like.' Winkelman once appointed Roberto Di Matteo, who went onto win the Champions League with Chelsea, and former Liverpool and Manchester United star Paul Ince. He holds Martin in similar regard, adding: 'Russ was one of the best appointments I made, and I like to think I made a few. 'I gave Roberto Di Matteo his first job, and he ended up winning the Champions League with Chelsea. 'I gave Paul Ince his second job in management and that went well, too. 'I'm quite pleased with my track record in appointing managers.
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Premiership teams fear breakaway rugby franchise league could lead to a collapse of the English game with world's top players targeted
There are real and substantive fears at Gallagher Premiership teams that the creation of a new rugby breakaway franchise league could be the death knell for English clubs. R360 say they want to provide 'generational change in rugby' by creating 12 new franchise teams with the best players in the world who will play at the best stadiums around the planet. While plans for the new concept would retain the importance and prestige of the international game and organisers are understood to have left gaps for the existing club game to continue, it is understood Premiership club bosses have significant concerns they could be forced out of existence. Mail Sport understands that Premiership Rugby Limited – which oversees the running of the Premiership – has looked to reassure those with worries. R360 is being led by former England star and 2003 World Cup winner Mike Tindall and ex-rugby agent Mark Spoors. They plan to target the world's leading lights such as French superstar Antoine Dupont and England internationals such as Maro Itoje and Marcus Smith. Players touring with the British & Irish Lions in Australia this summer have been approached. The world's top players, such as Antoine Dupont, are being touted as the stars of a new 12-team competition Heads of terms over potential contracts which could be worth up to $1mliion each have been seen by the players and are sure to prove attractive. While no firm contracts have yet been offered, the clubs are concerned they will lose their top stars, thus making them less marketable at a time when the Premiership is already struggling financially. Such a scenario could potentially force them out of business. It has been pointed out to Mail Sport that it would be counterintuitive for Premiership clubs to produce players through their own pathway programmes at a great deal of cost both in terms of time and money, only for them to potentially then lose them to R360. Mail Sport also understands that those close to the R360 deal have been told to keep quiet over the league's proposals. Leading agents in the English game have also signed non-disclosure agreements with R360 to minimise competition detail leaks. As such, there is some frustration at Premiership clubs at the timing this week of news surrounding R360's plans. There is a belief in some quarters the news was designed to be released in the week of the Premiership play-off semi-finals to distract from what should be a big week in English club rugby and become the main talking point.
