Warriors confirm extended training squad

The North West Cricket Union has confirmed an extended Warriors training squad ahead of this year’s Interprovincial series that gets under way at the start of May.

 

Following on from Cricket Ireland’s regional squad announcements earlier this month, new Head Coach Gary Wilson wasted little time in talking to the players he wanted to make up his full compliment.

 

No doubt the main talking point will be the inclusion of Stuart Thompson. The former Eglinton man has been involved with the Northern Ireland women’s footballers at underage level most recently, but his return to the Warriors could be a huge coup if Thompson can find his best form.

 

Nobody knows more than Wilson how effective his former International team-mate can be at this level and the all-rounder certainly adds quality to the list.

 

Similar comments apply to William McClintock and many in the North West will be thrilled to see the Donemana man back in the picture. The 24-year old hasn’t been around the squad much in the last couple of seasons but, like Thompson, would be a huge asset to Andy McBrine’s side if back in the mood.

 

McClintock is as destructive a player as there is in the country on his day and it could well be an exciting summer ahead for Warriors’ supporters. Aaron Gillespie is back in contention too after falling out of favour last year and the Strabane all-rounder looks set to play his part in the new set-up.

 

Talented Ireland U19 players, Varun Chopra and Kyle Magee, are also added with both being involved in the squad in 2020. Chopra fared very well in his limited appearances to date and has grown in confidence both with Coleraine and for his involvement in the Interprovincial set up in recent seasons.

 

Kyle Magee has really emerged as a talent at Beechgrove in the past few seasons; cementing his place in the top four in the order at Brigade. He too will get the chance to hone his skills under the watchful eye of Wilson and William Porterfield this season.

 

The coaches and selectors will now turn their attention to the Emerging Warriors squad, with training for the emerging players due to start later this month. An announcement on the Emerging Squad will be issued in due course.

 

Warriors Training Squad

Andy McBrine (c)

Ross Allen

Varun Chopra

Stephen Doheny

Shane Getkate

Aaron Gillespie

Graham Hume

Graham Kennedy

Kyle Magee

William McClintock

Nathan McGuire

Conor Olphert

William Porterfield

Boyd Rankin

Will Smale

Stuart Thompson

Craig Young