NW CRICKET: North West Senior Cup banks a new sponsor

The Donemana team who were the 2015 winners of the North West Senior Cup at Eglinton. Picture by Keith Moore/Press Eye

Having been associated with the Danske (and formerly Northern) Bank for more than 20 years the competition will now be known as the Bank of Ireland North West Senior Cup and it seems both parties were happy to be doing business.

Union Treasurer, Peter McCartney, said that he was thrilled to be welcoming Bank of Ireland on board and hoped that it would become a long-term arrangement.

“We’re delighted that Bank of Ireland have agreed to become our new senior cup partner and I would like to thank them for their support.”

“This is our flagship cup competition and boasts the only two-innings senior final in the country, north or south; something that we are fiercely proud of.

“The senior cup has a rich history dating back more than 120 years and we see Bank of Ireland’s involvement as testimony to the standing of the competition.” The Bank’s Business Manager, Ian Stone, was also very happy that the two had joined forces and said he was looking forward to being involved in this year’s renewal.

“As someone who has been reared on cricket I am personally very happy that Bank of Ireland will sponsor the Northern Bank Senior Cup.”

“I am well aware of the history associated with this competition and have already promised the local union that we will be involved in the tournament throughout, and not just on final weekend.”

It is believed that as well as being directly involved in the quarter-final and semi-final draws, the Bank will also oversee the Player-of-the-Round awards and obviously the presentation itself on the last weekend in July.

The NWCU has advised that they plan to carry out an official launch with the Bank of Ireland at the end of this week.

And just as a footnote to that - holders Donemana are hoping that their teenage twins, Gary and William McClintock will be in the Holm side that will set out on a quest to win their fifth successive senior cup crown this summer.

Following on from Andy McBrine’s decision to turn down the chance to play in the Northern Cricket Union, the McClintock’s are believed to have been the subject of some interest from within the North West this week.

The club will obviously be hoping that the pair follow McBrine’s lead and are available to new skipper Ricky-Lee Dougherty this summer.