Week 2 Long’s SuperValu League Preview
Lawrence Moore previews Saturday’s Long’s SuperValu League action
It’s another full programme of 40-over fixtures this weekend with several very competitive looking games down for decision. Arguably the pick of this round of fixtures sees Eglinton host high-scoring Donemana, although the home side will be delighted that William McClintock and Andy McBrine will both be otherwise engaged on Saturday. That pair will instead be in Dublin as the Warriors take on Munster Reds in this weekend’s Interprovincial T20 festival at Pembroke.
There remains plenty of quality in both teams however and the respective sides will be keen to build on maximum-point wins on the opening weekend. The senior cup holders benefitted from that amazing knock of 195 from McClintock as they were too strong for Coleraine while brothers Craig and Mark Averill starred for the villagers as they accounted for Burndennett.
It’s a tough one to call, this, with the visitors only marginal favourites.
Glendermott and Bready have seen plenty of each other already this season and that too looks a very interesting match-up at the Rectory. As yet there is no confirmation of the home side’s overseas man having arrived and they could probably be doing with him in the coming weeks as the action heats up.
Irosh has already found his scoring boots for the visitors and with Steve Lazars in decent early season form as well, they would probably fancy their chances on Saturday.
Ardmore host St Johnston and the home team have gone under the radar a bit so far this season. Those couple of early wash-outs in the T20’s took the spotlight off them a bit, however they remain unbeaten up to this point. In Tyron Koen they have a very capable batsman, although Jared Wilson’s inclusion in the Warriors squad hampers them a bit.
The Saints fought back well to account for Fox Lodge last weekend but that is something you’ll always get from the Donegal side. There are a few match-winners in that side for sure but it’s difficult to see them lowering Ardmore’s colours here.
There’s a local derby at Ballymagorry as Strabane make the 5-minute trip to take on the Foxies. Quite a few felt that losing their southern recruits might weaken the Red Caps badly but they too were emphatic last weekend with an 8-wicket win at Bonds Street. Aaron Gillespie’s side looks to have good options with the bat where the skipper is joined in the top order by Tom Harpur, Kevin Gallagher and Rhys Logue.
The Foxies really threw it away against the Saints first up and will be determined to put it right against their neighbours. Aaron Heywood’s side will be delighted to have Brian Allen back on board this weekend and Strabane will need to keep him quiet if they are to make it back-to-back wins.
Brigade have to bounce back after their defeat at Bready first up and they will be very disappointed if they can’t beat Bonds Glen at Beechgrove while Newbuildings travel to Ballyspallen looking to build on what has been a good start to the summer from Gareth McKeegan’s team.
Killyclooney and Burndennett have both struggled a touch so far and will realise the importance of a win as they clash in the final fixture of the day.
Matches get under way at 12 noon and we’ll have a round-up on the site on Saturday night.
