Senior Two sides start cup campaign

Whilst this is usually a competitive league at any time, there seems precious little between a hosts of clubs at present and after just a fortnight of the new season only Ardmore and Burndennett reamain unbeaten and the latter have only played once!

The Senior Cup hasn't been a happy hunting ground for clubs either- it's been 27 years since a senior two side featured in the final, Ardmore losing to Sion Mills and the last second tier side to win the trophy was St Johnston in 1975 - beating Ardmore by just three runs.

That said, there are three decent games on Saturday starting at Burndennett where Creevedonnell are the visitors. Stephen Scroggie's side have got off to a really poor start in the league losing both of their opening fixtures and the skipper will be very keen to get the winning habit sooner rather than later.

Going to Burndennett is another really tough test however and the home side themselves have their sights set on a competitive year. Skipper Jimmy Boyle can call on the likes of Stephen McCay, Mark Roulston, Mark Doherty and Adrian Moore and especially with home advantage they will be a very tough nut to crack. The winners of this have a home draw against Ballyspallen next so will no doubt feel they have a chance of a run to the quarter finals.

Killyclooney, who were maybe surprisingly beaten by Drummond in their opening game on Saturday travel to a Bonds Glen side who have made a decent start.

The Bee Gees thumped Creevedonnell in week one before losing narrowly at The Nedd at the weekend. Davy Robinson has been in sparkling form for the Glen, well over 200 runs in his two matches so far so the visitors will want to keep him quiet if they hope to progress.

Killyclooney have lost a lot of players in the past year and that may well have an effect this season so the hosts will start favourites in this one. A home tie with struggling Eglinton awaits the winners in the next round.

The final tie sees Sion Mills travel to The Nedd in another difficult one to call. John Brown has certainly brought about a recovery in Sion's fortunes, in fact these two met on the opening day in Tyrone when the home team were comfortable winners. The Nedd recovered from that to beat Bonds Glen at the weekend whilst Sion lost at Ballyspallen, so as the American's would say - "go figure."

It's a game that could really go either way and it may come down to which of the two opposing openers, Kyle Morrow for the home team, or skipper Brown for Sion, bats best. A visit to table toppers Coleraine is the prize in this one.