Gillespie wants younger players to step up

Former Ireland batsman Peter Gillespie knows because they are joint champions with Limavady, then sides are going to be out looking to defeat them.

“The aim for every season to get off to a good start and that’s what we’ll be hoping for this year,” he said.

“Last year we had three new boys who came into the side and although I was hoping they would do well, you still just don’t know how things will work out, thankfully for us they played major roles, in fact they won a few games for us.

“This year we’ll be looking to show some consistence again, because if we can do that and secure victories, which in turn builds up our confidences, then you never know what might happen.

“However we have lost Niall McDonnell and Darren Moan, who has decided to take a break from cricket, from last year’s squad, but if we show consistence and hope the younger guys start showing more then we’ll do alright.”

Gillespie believes the days off clubs only using 11 cricketers throughout the season are long gone and he hopes the entire Strabane squad will play their part again this year.

“Last year we used 16 players, with 14 of them regulars and I feel that is what we need this year, everyone at the club pulling in the one direction to achieve things, with everyone contribution.

“As I said I want the young players to do more this year; Thomas Barr and Ryan Gallagher have been in around the senior side now for one or two years and I’ll be hoping they can up their runs and wickets.

“In my opinion winning silverware isn’t everything and I want the players to know that they can’t rest on their laurels and make sure that they continue to show signs of development, because there is still a lot to be done.”