Donemana’s Dream Team

From 2007 the Holm youngster have remained undefeated at both North West and All Ireland level for six years.

What a season it has been for Donemana Cricket Club in total lifting 12 cups and they are particularly proud of the under age 15 team achieving the unprecedented feat of winning the All-Ireland under 15 trophy holding an unbeaten record for the last 6 years winning twice at Under 11 level, twice at Under 13 level and twice at Under 15 level.

The campaign started for these lads back in April 2007 as young eager 10-year-old’s and no one ever predicted within the club that the incredible clean sweep of all the under age trophies in their age group in North West Cricket or All Ireland Cups would have ever been possible as year after year, they kept on winning all set out in front of them.

Back in 2008 some of the lads helped the club to the final of three All Irelands and made history as the only club to have ever achieved lifting all three under age All Ireland trophies in one season, this is something that will most likely to be never achieved again by any cricket club in the whole of Ireland, never mind one that plays all its home grown crop of players.

These achievements are testimony to the incredible work which Donemana CC puts into cricket at all levels but the credit this time must go to these lads for sticking together year after year showing the club great respect when playing at home or away.

Every supporter, player and committee member could not be any prouder of each and everyone of them for their unprecedented run of success something which is likely to never be equalled again and making history twice at a young age is a feat to each of them on their own.

In fact this year, William McBrine and the McClintock brothers William and Gary also played their part this season in securing the senior side a Senior One and Northern Bank Senior Cup double.

For the teenagers coach Sammy Robinson he admits everyone at the club knew the youngsters had the talent, but he too was surprised at their longevity.

“When they won the U11 All Ireland Cup when the squad was 10-years-old, we knew then we certainly had a squad of talented young cricketers, but I feel for them to remain unbeaten for six years is a credit to each and every player,” admitted Robinson.

“The dedication every player has shown each year has been fantastic and their work rate, commitment and willingness to learn has been super.

“The McClintock brothers William and Gary have been on trial for the last two years with Sussex. In fact I can remember when Gary became the youngest ever Irish cricketer to score 100 at Lords, which was a great achievement.

“To be honest they are now called the ‘Dream Team’ amongst everyone at the club,” joked Robinson.

The Donemana man also concedes that this season, just like Sir Alex Ferguson’s 1995 team of Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs, David Beckham, Nicky Butt, Gary and Phil Neville, may never happen again.

“Unfortunately this squad will now break up and some of them may play for the Seconds and Firsts and some may move else where.

“In my opinion we may never again get so many young players at the same time, with the same amount of dedication and talent, as we had with the group.”