Shocks hard to come by in cup

Shocks have been few and far between in the blue riband competition of late and I’m struggling to remember any more than two occasions since The Nedd beat Limavady in 1993 when a second tier team knocked out a top flight outfit but while the gap remains significant between the two leagues there are very definitely possible upsets here.

The main one is at St Johnston where the two sides that contested this years charity T20 shoot-out, the Saints and Creevedonnell clash at the Boathole.

The Donegal men emerged victorious in that one and although both sides can claim to have been under-strength, the hosts will feel that they were deserving winners. Pound-for-pound there is nothing between them with Creevedonnell relying heavily at the minute on the bowling of Gary Neely and the all-round talents of Nicky Cooke, himself a former Saint.

Brothers Ellis and Leighton McGarrigle have also started well for Stephen Scroggie’s men while the home side have a host of players capable of influencing the outcome. Former skipper Andrew Fleming and current captain David MacBeth have both been in the thick of things early on while Ian MacBeth and youngsters David Lapsley and Michael Rankin have been thrown in at the deep end and have not looked out of place.

Senior experience probably means that the visitors still start as favourites here but there won’t be much in it either way.

Another game where there may not be much in it is at Eglinton where perennial cup finalists Donemana are the visitors. Whilst not for one minute suggesting that Richard Kee’s side are vulnerable, the Villagers remain something of an unknown quantity this year especially with Stephen Smyth and Nigel Thompson in their ranks.

Andy Christie, Neal Stewart, Chris Pierce and Richard Wylie are others who could make it an uncomfortable afternoon and although Donemana look very strong, the home side could be dangerous with nothing to lose.

Senior Two sides will have at least one representative in the last eight after the draw paired Burndennett and Ardmore.

Buoyed by their huge win over Donaghcloney, Mark Doherty’s side are certainly looking a lot more convincing than they were 12 months ago and they will feel they can win this. Stephen McCay was at his very best in that National Cup win and with John McGettigan, Aidan Boyle and Colin McGettigan all back in the fray they certainly have the men for the job. Throw in Gerard McAuley who is set to face his former team mates for the first time and you see the challenge Ardmore face, however Lee Brolly’s lads have been around this block before.

The Bleachgreen side has quality of its own in spades as their first round win at Drummond would suggest with Paul Brolly, Mark Chambers, Phil Patterson, Conor Brolly and Paul McDowell all starting the season in good style. Crucially of course there is also the small matter of Adrian Murphy and if the West Indian gets going, that could be enough to swing it their way.

The other two remaining teams look to have tasks of an altogether different nature; Killyclooney have home advantage but very little else going for them as they cross swords with a much-touted Coleraine side while Sion Mills travel to Bready. Under Ryan O’Neill Sion have looked useful in their games to date but a trip to face the cup holders was hardly on their Christmas wish-list.

Both sides will do well to avoid a pasting but we’ll bring you a round-up of how they all fare next time.